On the average, it takes at least four hours to get to Subic from Quezon City in the Philippines. Car Rental Manila has been very useful for the trip since I do not have my own automobile. I left at ten o’clock Saturday morning to go to Arizona International Hotel in Olongapo City for the long weekend. I got there at twelve noon, two hours before check-in time. I took the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) then Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to get to Subic. I took the Kalaklan Gate to get to Barrio Barretto and along the National Highway is Arizona International Hotel.
One can get a Standard Room for 1750php. This includes a queen-size bed, air conditioner, wardrobe, cable television, mini bar, wifi and a hot and cold shower. You also get one free beer from their own Score Bar and one stub for a free coffee or tea, depending on your preference. For the very low price, it is a very good deal. It was not spectacular but everything was working and seemed clean. The staff are friendly as well.
The room I got is on the second floor. Right next to the stairs leading to this is their other bar called Mai Tai, which is quieter than Score. It is right next to the pool, in front of the beach. Beer is sold at 30php from twelve noon to five in the afternoon. Regular price is 45php. Their cocktails are surprisingly good. Food was good and was reasonably priced.
Unfortunately, the resort was not on the best part of the beach. The water was so murky, it turned the inside of my top brown. It was extremely busy as well, it was impossible to swim around without bumping into someone or a group of people. They did not have kayaking either which was a shame. The staff said I had to go to White Rock Resort which was on the other side of the beach for kayaking. I could not complain because the entire getaway was a last minute thing. I was lucky to get a room near the water.
The pool closes at ten. You can still swim in the sea beyond that time provided you sign a waiver that states the resort is free from any responsibility in case anything happens to you. The shore was empty so it was a treat to finally be able to swim without the crowd.
The following night, I decided to redeem my beer stub at Score. The bar was nice, complete with a pool table and a dart board. They share the same menu with Mai Tai.