Is this the ultimate parental detox? Inside The Farm at San Benito - review

Nobody craves a wellness break more than a parent who’s navigated endless school runs and screen-time negotiations. Mum-of-two Stacey Marcelo swaps deadlines for detox with a transformative wellness break 

Inside The Farm at San Benito review - Stacey Marcelo takes time out from the school run

Just 90 minutes south of Manila in the lush tropics of Lipa, award-winning eco-luxury wellness resort The Farm at San Benito lures weary parents with promises of medical-grade rejuvenation. 

Launched in 2002, The Farm is an award-winning holistic medical wellness resort that offers a host of programmes to target long-term health goals. Over the past two decades, The Farm has received 110 local and international awards, solidifying its role in positioning the Philippines on the global wellness map. It’s one of the region’s top spots to get your health back in order, targeting everything from diabetes prevention, mental health support and weight management, to hormonal imbalance and menopause. But for burnout parents, it’s the Holistic Detox Cleanse and Sleep Recovery programme that really hits home.

My last visit to The Farm was pre-covid so when an invite to return landed in my inbox, I RSVP’d faster than you can say ‘holistic detox’. But it wasn’t nostalgia alone that compelled me, it was curiosity. How had this Philippine sanctuary, long-favoured by Asia’s wellness set, evolved in the post-pandemic era?

Pre-arrival

Inside The Farm at San Benito - soak up the serenity

A team of specialists including doctors, nutritionists and therapists craft personalised plans rooted around the five pillars of diagnosis, cleanse, nourish, heal and sustain. Understanding your retreat goals is the first step in your wellness journey.

Before you arrive, the team will send a questionnaire and arrange a zoom call with one of their doctors to cover your objectives, especially important given the vast range of programmes available. For the past year I have been working on restoring my gut microbiome and improving my sleep, so I chose the 4-day Holistic Detox programme.

Accommodation

Inside The Farm at San Benito - the opulent Mahogany Luxury Residences sleep seven

The accommodation is designed for deep rest. The resort seamlessly integrates modern luxury with traditional Filipino charm and has grown from a 20-villa sanctuary to 70 suites and villas, supported by world-class medi-spa amenities and its own sustainable farm powering organic cuisine. Central to this farm are 3,000 coconut trees, whose harvest fuels the creation of the resort’s exclusive soaps, oils and skincare range, all available for guests to purchase.

Since my last visit, The Farm has expanded to include the Mahogany and Acacia Residences, which are made up of gorgeous two- to four-bedroom pool villas, ideal for multigenerational travel. 

But this isn’t rustic escapism. The Farm marries raw natural beauty with sustainable design; villas blend into the landscape with private gardens and plunge pools. The vibe? Approachable luxury with a side of Filipino warmth. 

I was lucky enough to stay in one of the expansive Mahogany Luxury Residences. These two-story villas sleep seven, offering two bedrooms, spacious living/dining areas and a kitchen, as well as a large balcony and private pool. The bathrooms are spacious and feature handcrafted bath amenities – the coconut body scrub is divine and available for purchase at the gift shop.

The day-to-day programme

Inside The Farm at San Benito - prepare to be pampered

Upon my arrival, a wellness advisor runs through a bespoke itinerary which includes daily yoga or sound bath sessions, a consultation with the resident doctor, a fitness assessment and personal training, colonic hydrotherapy sessions, Myotherapy, IV nutrient therapy and a relaxing mandala flower meditation, amongst other treatments. 

One of the highlights is indulging in The Farm’s 7-Step Scalp Microbiome Detox, a holistic ritual where nutrient-rich botanicals, purifying sea mud, and oxygen therapy deeply cleanse and nourish my scalp, finishing off with a soothing massage that leaves my scalp with a tingling sense of freshness and renewed vitality.

Inside The Farm at San Benito - getting some head space with a scalp detox

My mornings begin with a daily delivery of ginger tea and a turmeric shot, followed by a movement class like yoga overlooking the lagoon, or a guided power walk through the property and including a visit to the organic farm. 

Next on the agenda is a colonic hydrotherapy session, some poolside chill time, or a deeply restorative treatment at the spa.

Pro tip: book the signature Purification Treatment on your first evening and request a treatment room with an outdoor shower (trust me, the outdoor shower adds to the experience). The 90-minute Yin Yang Body Polish ritual combines mineral-rich sea salt that melts away stress while the virgin coconut oil hydrates the skin. This is all applied with rhythmical movements that leave me deeply relaxed. I sleep like a baby.

Another highlight is soaking in a vast stone tub filled with chlorophyll-infused waters. Chlorophyll offers a raft of health benefits, from detoxification to improving skin health and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's also incredibly soothing. Pure bliss for weary parents. 

Inside The Farm at San Benito - enjoying a soothing chlorophyll bath

Overall, my days at The Farm strike the right balance: rich in wellness pursuits but never rushed or overpacked, with plenty of time for rest. And what I really appreciate is the support offered by the nutritionist and staff throughout my stay. I’m able to chat with them easily in-person or via Whatsapp.

Best of all, every programme includes complimentary access to The Farm’s facilities, including their swimming pools, tranquil meditation pavilions and gym. Guests are encouraged to walk around the grounds and discover hidden gardens and waterfalls where you can sneak a dip immersed in nature.

Dining

Inside The Farm at San Benito - enjoy diverse, nutrient-dense dining at Alive!

The Farm’s secret weapon is its food. Forget sad salads, the talented culinary team serves up thoughtfully crafted, nutrient-dense cuisine. Expect organic, farm-to-fork creations, transforming meals into delicious, nourishing acts of self-care within your holistic journey. While pioneering raw vegan cuisine at ALIVE! The Farm at San Benito has thoughtfully evolved. Its diverse dining now includes vegetarian PRANA, pescetarian PESCE, and flexitarian The Upper Deck and Souffle de Vie (offering

meat).

The verdict

After my four-day detox journey, I’m well-rested, radiating positive vibes and I exit the resort one-and-a-half kilos lighter - thanks mostly to the juicing and colonic treatments.  

Is it a splurge? Absolutely. But as any parent knows, you can’t pour from an empty cup. The Farm doesn’t just refill yours - it reminds you why you deserve to keep it full.

To come…

Later this year The Farm at San Benito will become the Philippines’ first Autograph Collection resort following a conversion deal between Marriott International and CG Hospitality. The partnership meets rising demand for wellness escapes, integrating The Farm’s unique ethos with Marriott Bonvoy benefits. This will be Marriott’s 13th Philippine property.

Asia Family Traveller was a guest of The Farm at San Benito.

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