Grande Island Resort offers a truly leisurely island experience to travelers because it accommodates only a limited number of guests.
Grande Island Resort offers a truly leisurely island experience to travelers because it accommodates only a limited number of guests. Also known as Fort Wint, Grande Island was part of the harbor defenses of Manila and Subic Bays during World War II. Thus, remnants of artilleries used during war time can still be found in this island resort.
Grande Island Resort: A Historic Island Playground in Subic, Zambales
The fort was named in honor of Brigadier General Theodore Wint who served in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, Indian campaigns, the War with Spain and the Philippine Insurrection.
This year, I was able to visit Grande Island in Subic, Zambales because I was fortunate to be invited by Team Ynah to their 2012 summer outing.
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| Flag poles at the harbor |
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| No Littering sign at the harbor |
How to go to Grande Island Resort
By Car (via SCTEX)
Drive to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), take the Spur/NLE interchange located between the Dau and Sta. Inez Exits of the NLEX and proceed to the SCTEX Clark Logistics Toll Plaza. After crossing the bridge, follow the loop of the ramp towards Subic.
Follow the road directional signage going to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). Once inside the SBFZ, go to Rizal Highway, turn into Burgos Street (at the corner of Subic Bay Yacht Club) then right on Sampson Road and go towards Waterfront Road where the Grande Island Terminal is located.
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Photo session before boarding the ferry
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| Port |
By Car (old route)
Take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and exit at San Fernando. From the toll booth, turn right and drive towards Bataan. You will pass through the towns of Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao in Pampanga and Dinalupihan in Bataan where you make a right turn towards Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Enter the Tipo Expressway and proceed to Rizal Highway. Turn into Burgos Street (all the corners of Subic Bay Yacht Club) and then right on Sampson Road. The Grande Island Ferry Terminal is located along Waterfront Road. The terminal is almost across the SBMA Administration Building.
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| Statues on the harbor where we waited before boarding |
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| The ferry |
By Bus
Victory Liner and Saulog Transit regularly ply the routes of Olongapo City. When you get off the bus at Olongapo City, take a taxi cab and ask the driver to bring you directly to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and to the Grande Island Terminal at Waterfront Road.
We settled our bill at the front office and did not wait long for the ferry to arrive. From the Grande Island Ferry Terminal, it was a quick 20-minute boat ride to the resort.
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| View from the port while we were waiting for our ferry ride going to Grande Island Resort |
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| A smoke-belching boat |
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| Boarding |
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| Barges that we passed by on the way to Grande Island Resort |
LOCATE GRANDE ISLAND
Accommodation
Being a big group, we stayed in several chalet rooms. Each room boasts of these amenities:
Three Queen-sized beds with fiber-filled duvets for mite-free sleeping
Split type air-conditioning
Electronic key card control system
Black marble bathroom walls and countertops
Solar heated hot water and cold (potable)
Hair Dryer
Colored television with cable channels
Private mini bar and refrigerator
Coffee and tea-making facilities
Executive writing desk
Free WIFI access
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| The Reception Hall |
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| A garden beside the reception hall |
Dining at Grande Island
Grande Island has an in-house restaurant and a mess hall. We arranged for all our meals to be served at the mess hall. Breakfast is buffet consisting of standard garlic rice, eggs, tocino, longanisa and salted fish and instant coffee. Lunch and dinner are plated, complete with rice, vegetables and either meat, chicken or fish. Food is just okay, nothing fancy nor extraordinary.
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| A set meal of pasta and chicken with mango sauce |
What to do in Grande Island
Grande Island offers water activities for those who are looking for a little adrenaline rush. If you simply want some peace and quiet, you can spend unhurried moments on the sand and then cold down with a quick dip in the clear blue water.
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| Water activities at Grande Island |
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| Relaxing after a day of activities |
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| View of the port at Grande Island Resort |
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| Flaglets at Grande Island Resort |
There are also swimming pools if you are not too fond of the waves. And for some physical activities, you may either try biking, hiking or a game of volleyball.
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| The pool area |
Grande Island is a former military reservation, as such, expect to see old gun batteries and ruined military quarters. It is often told that Grande Island gives a feeling similar to that of Corregidor, both being former military outposts during wartime.
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| View of the beach at Grande Island Resort |
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| Beach benches |
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| A segment of the beach near the port |
All in all, Grande Island is the perfect place for those who are looking for an island hideaway near Metro Manila. It’s a quiet and charming little island that offers adventure, relaxation and a quick walk back to history.
For inquiries, you can send an email to sales@grandeislandresort.ph or call 09171280860.
So interesting to see and hear all about a place I had never heard of before. Great photos!
ReplyDeletewow interesting
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history lesson! I would love to visit this Island someday just for the history of it!
ReplyDeleteI love taking ferries! The food looks awesome. Beautiful and very interesting place.
ReplyDeleteSorry - I see you said the food was just okay. The presentation is nice, though!
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice to be able to go here with a large group, makes you enjoy the place so much more. The accommodation is not that bad and it's not so difficult to get there! I'd much prefer going to Subic by bus or by car, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say that I've never heard of Zambales before but it certainly looks like an interesting place to visit with good food and good views! All the better if you're with lots of nice people :)
ReplyDeleteI love the picture gallery-- I haven't heard of this place either. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTBEX is in Manila this year and reading this might be the final push I need to book my ticket!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an amazing time! I love all of your great photos! XO
ReplyDeleteAnna || A Lily Love Affair
WOw what a great place to visit. Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWow tlga nman must visit this place isa sa pinka mgndang lugar dito sa bansa . Super perfect ng accomadation nila kumpleto na lahat 💞❤️
ReplyDeleteYay sarap naman po mag staycation jan so relaxing ng place and ganda pa ng view😍dami mo din pwedeng gawin 🤩.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Grande Island Resort closed for some time due to renovation. I think it has reopened recently.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Grande Island Resort is really interesting.
ReplyDeleteYeah, food at Grande Island Resort was so so. I hope they improved this aspect when they had reopened.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we really had a grand time at Grande Island Resort.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteYup. Zambales is in the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you would enjoy it in Grande Island with a large group.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome po! :)
ReplyDeleteThis place is so Really Amaze Me.. sobrang ganda ng View at sovrang sarap balik balikan , Subic Zambales One Of the Best place tlga na Dinadayo
ReplyDeletewow wanna visit this, thanks for the very detailed info esp the accommodation part
ReplyDelete