Santorini Inspired Residential Resort in Valencia, Negros Oriental

It's just challenging to write this week. I kept on uploading photos but they are just sitting in my draft section. I am thankful that today, I can sit down and share with you this residential resort that my cousin recommended that we should visit when we happen to be in Negros.

A month ago, my little family had renewed our passports and since the process went smoothly in less than an hour, we decided to have lunch at Tierra Alta instead. We stayed there too prior to traveling back to downtown Dumaguete and took photos at the Rizal Boulevard.

Accoring to what we read online, Tierra Alta offers a valuable work of art and a beauty surrounded by magnificent architectural edifices. I can't wait to reach the resort. This is a residential resort which means there are private houses around the vicinity. But we didn't realize that this is actually similar to Beverly Hills in Cebu City. I believe the properties here are quite expensive!

We passed by two gates, the first one asked that we leave one identification card and they asked as well where we were heading. We just told the guard that we want to have lunch and he let us in. The second gate however was already aware of our business inside so he just gave us some information on where to go.

We were welcomed by palm trees on each side of the road and the road is slopy as this is located on the mountainside. We had no high expectations coming here, all we were after was a place to dine in and for my husband to work while we wait for the golden hour. Also, as I checked my phone, the data signal isn't good and I began to get worried.

We entered this all-white building, and we were asked to log our names, I was having a hard time as my baby was sleeping so the staff told me to get inside and will just ask for the husband to fill up.

Looking at this side, I was having a headache reading what's written until I realized it's just English with different characters used for each specific letter.

While waiting for the husband to park and get inside, I went on checking the place. It was scorching hot by the way as it was quarter to twelve noon. We spotted the Tierra Cafe and decided to go there instead as they have air conditioning inside the cafe.

I will talk about our dining experience in a separate article, this blog will be solely about the place. Thank goodness they have a free wifi connection which was strong enough for my husband's work needs.

The structures at this resort are very much like those in Santorini, Greece. Washed white Cycladic architecture where they design their flat roofs and rounded corners. But instead of blue, they used red for their rooftops except for the lighthouse.

White reflects light and so with the sun right on top of our head, the place was bright it could actually hurt your eyes. There were a few people around too especially in the cafe, during our entire stay there, a lot of groups came and went out. We were actually there for more than three hours because my husband was working on his laptop. This is the perk of having a work from home set up, we can travel and bring work with him.

We waited long before I decided to go outside and take photos because we need to leave soon as we plan on meeting some relatives who live nearby Valencia. I brought Matti with me outside under the strong heat of the sun, I planned our walk outside, I checked the shaded areas, and decided to go find shelter in those spots and make sure that Matti is safe and secured before I take photos.

I guess my baby was already used to his blogger mother because he was patient with me whenever I instruct him to stand there so mama can take a photo, he won't look at the camera so most of his photos were candid shots. I have to be quick as well so as to be able to take photos before any accident may happen.

Thankfully, the place was safe and that no accidents happened during our entire stay.

From Tierra Cafe, we used the cafe's front door to get to the lighthouse which is called El Faro de Tierra Alta or Tierra Alta Lighthouse. I didn't know that it is possible to get to the top but according to the workers who were cutting the grasses in the area, they allow guests to get there, however, during our visit, there were so many things at the lighthouse entrance, they somehow made it into a storage area.

It would have been nice to get to the top, I bet there's a nice 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Below is the cafe, there's an outdoor billiard table too, of course, no one dared to dine outside although they also have prepared some al fresco options.

From the lighthouse, my baby and I ran towards the other side where there were pine trees and a gazebo. We spotted a fire pit area so we headed there and found the resort's pool which is called Aquatica Pool. They have ongoing restoration of the damages caused perhaps by the recent typhoon.

There were also mural paintings that were still a work in progress, they painted some of the walls opposite the pool. I really thought that there was access going to Antonio's peak from the pool but it looks like we have to go back our route. There was no shade in the pool area so it was a struggle with a baby around. I decided to just carry Matti.

I don't know who's Antonio and why this peak here is called such but the lighthouse, cafe, and the clubhouse looked nice from here. It may not be visible from the photos here but the workers were trimming the Bermuda grasses, they were not in the photo because they would rest in Antonio's peak every now and then.

The resort also accepts wedding events here. I found one reel video where they had set up a garden wedding at Antonio's peak. It looked really nice and clean! Tierra Alta also has outdoor celebration packages and I believe it is indeed a perfect place for intimate celebrations. But you can also come over here to appreciate the mystical beauty that nestles in this side of the province.

Tierra Alta Residential Resort is located in Brgy. Palinpinon, Valencia, Negros Oriental. It is 9.4 kilometers from Dumaguete City so to reach the place, it is best that you have a private car as it is a bit of a distance from the city proper. Or you can charter a habal-habal but that would cost a bit of money. There are also some public vehicles bound for Valencia which can take you there within 20-30 minutes for Php 15 fare then charter a motorcycle going to Tierra Alta Resort.

There are no entrance fees and walk-in guests are welcome from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Cafe diners can also call to reserve their seats. If you happen to be in Negros Oriental, you may consider stopping by here!