The Girl Behind the Pen

There are a hundred reasons why travelers dream of visiting Bali, Indonesia. Its picturesque green rice paddies, the luscious rainforests, breathtaking volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and amazing locals — I could go on and on reasoning out how Bali is a perfect tropical destination. But, if a trip to the Island of Gods is beyond your budget right now, or you are still hesitant to go on international trips because of the pandemic, don't worry! There's a villa in Pampanga that will make you feel like you're in Bali.

Located in Porac, Pampanga, The Pad Haven is a two-story villa that screams "Bali vacation." The moment you open its gate, you will be welcomed by its stunning turquoise green pool. Seeing that would immediately have you thinking you are transported to a villa in Bali. If you're traveling with kids, they'll love its 2 ft. dip pool.

As you enter the house, a spacious living area greets you with two sofas, a smart television, an 8-seater dining, and a kitchen bar. The first bedroom is also located on the first floor. It's a crowd-favorite because one, it is huge, and two it has a direct access to the pool. On the second floor, you'll find the other two bedrooms that each, too, has its own bathroom. One has a view of the pool, while the other has a balcony where you can drink your morning coffee, or work till lights out. All of the bedrooms are spacious enough to accommodate 4-5 persons per room. Check this video for the whole villa tour. 

While The Pad Haven meets all your expectations in terms of accommodation and vibe, the place was dusty perhaps because there is an ongoing construction on the other side of the street. I was also disappointed that the internet was not working. A reliable internet connection is one of the things I always consider before booking a place because some of us always have to work (hello, digital nomad life). Other than these, it was a very pleasant stay overall.