Some people see team-building events as nothing more than an unnecessary expense, but such activities can greatly impact the way people interact in the workplace. Team-building activities not only provide a bit of rest and relaxation to the members of the team, but they also affect the participants’ ability to work effectively in a group. Among the other notable benefits of a successful team-building event are improved communication, more efficient problem-solving skills, increased productivity, and better relationships between employees.
One of the keys to a successful team-building event is holding it in the right venue, and there’s no shortage of options in the Philippines. With more than 7,000 islands and several hotels and resorts that are recognized by the ASEAN MICE Venue Awards, the country presents plenty of locations to businesses that are planning their team-building events. There are a lot of beaches, nature parks, and activity centers to choose from in different cities and provinces around the country, as well as resorts and hotels that can accommodate groups of different sizes.
In this post, we’re sharing with you the top 10 resorts and hotels where companies of all sizes can host team-building events:
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Toggle1. Eagle Point Resort in Laiya, Batangas
Ranking first on our list is Eagle Point Resort in Batangas. While primarily known as the top diving resort in Laiya, Eagle Point Resort maintains a private island with a wide stretch of white-sand beach, a perfect venue for fun beachfront activities for families and companies alike. In addition, it also has facilities for watersports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. The resort offers villas, cabanas, cottages, and suites for overnight stays. It also has a restaurant, scuba diving equipment rental, swimming pools, meeting rooms, and a poolside bar and grill, and it currently offers packages for team-building events. Located just a few hours’ drive from Manila, this white-sand beach resort in Batangas is a great location for both leisurely team events as well as more structured company activities.
2. Solina Beach and Nature Resort in Carles, Iloilo
One of the first premium accommodations in Carles, Solina Beach, and Nature Resort prides itself as the gateway to the picturesque Islas de Gigantes. The lush resort presents companies with suites, villas, pods, and cabin tent accommodations, as well as a restaurant that can seat as many as 200 people. It also has a function hall for meetings and conferences, a recreation area with billiard tables, and a cozy KTV room. Covering a total of 7.8 hectares, Solina Beach and Nature Resort offers plenty of space for team-building activities. That means you can hold group activities or outdoor meetings here without distractions.
3. Marbuena Island Resort in Ajuy, Iloilo
Another contender from Iloilo is Marbuena Island Resort, which is a 2-hour drive from Iloilo City. It’s a great option for companies and teams that want a change of scenery, as it presents guests with plenty of spots where they can appreciate nature: a sandbar, hammocks by the beach, lush trails around the island with panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding landforms, and a thriving forest with bats, flowering trees, and migratory birds, depending on the season. A function hall, a basketball court, and a restaurant that serves local food are found within the premises of this island resort.
4. BE Resorts Mactan in LapuLapu City, Cebu
A boutique beachfront resort in LapuLapu City, BE Resorts Mactan presents an accessible yet memorable location for all sorts of travelers. For corporate guests, it is a great place for MICE events for many reasons. It has several function rooms, a beachfront with enough space for events with up to 400 guests, as well as a 300-seater grand ballroom. The resort also has a bar, restaurant, and a deck and poolside for smaller outdoor activities.
5. BluewaterMaribago Beach Resort in Mactan Island, Cebu
Offering hotel rooms, spa suites, deluxe rooms, and spacious bungalows, BluewaterMaribago Beach Resort in the island of Mactan promises restful nights to guests. The island resort presents companies with several dining options including open-air bars and al fresco restaurants, a pizzeria, and a spa café. There’s a lot of space here for team-building activities: the resort’s 1.1-hectare private island, a picnic grove, a spacious beach, conference halls, convention rooms, and an art gallery. There are also billiards, badminton, and volleyball facilities for team events and games.
6. Hijo Resorts in Tagum City, Davao del Norte
Companies that want to see more of the southern Philippines can choose to stay at Hijo Resorts in the lovely city of Tagum. Occupying a total of 760 hectares, this sprawling resort features a beach and a lush green forest that is used to promote eco-tourism in the area. There are a lot of group activities that can be done here, such as tours of banana and coconut plantations, the forest, and the river that runs across the property. Team-building packages are on offer, which includes group games, fishing, and archery. There are also dining options here, and the ingredients are sourced from the farms on the premises. It’s an ideal location if you want your team to relax and reconnect with nature.
7. Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center in Tanay, Rizal
For Manila-based companies that don’t want to stray far from the metro, there’s Bakasyunan Resort and Conference Center in Tanay, Rizal. This 15-hectare resort has private rooms and dormitories for guests, making it an ideal venue for activities that involve a lot of people. It also has glamping tents for those who want to have a unique outdoor experience. There are conference halls and function rooms for indoor activities, but the resort’s specialty is its abundance of outdoor facilities. Guests can enjoy the zipline, ride ATVs and dune buggies, rappel and wall climb, go horseback or carabao riding, and even slide down the mudslide. In addition, the resort has a swimming pool and facilities for various sports like table tennis and golf.
8. Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas
For teams that want a relaxing overview of the famed Taal Lake, Club Balai Isabel is a great destination. Accommodations here include hotel rooms of varying configurations, including 1 with a loft and another with a view of the lakeshore. There are also villas that can comfortably house as many as 18 guests. Facilities that guests have access to include swimming pools, sports areas (for basketball, tennis, and volleyball), and even an obstacle course that will give your team members a good workout. Wondering what water activities Club Balai Isabel has to offer? There’s plenty to choose from wakeboarding, motor-boating, parasailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and more.
9. Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa in San Juan, La Union
For a Balinese-inspired company team building, your top destination in La Union would have to be Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa. This place features charming villas and rest houses overlooking the wide, sandy beach. Located in San Juan, one of the top surfing destinations in the country, the resort is a great place if your team members want to try out watersports or if they simply want a unique experience. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, spa, and a clinic. It also has a tour, team building, and conference packages on offer, plus rooms with captivating views of the ocean or garden.
10. Falcon Crest Resort in Norzagaray, Bulacan
Two hours away from Manila is Falcon Crest Resort in Bulacan, which offers plenty of activities for companies and teams on the lookout for adventure. The 9.5-hectare resort can accommodate as many as 500 people, and it presents outdoor activities such as rope courses, ziplines, and climbing walls, just to name a few. Falcon Crest Resort also has a swimming pool and a pavilion for special occasions, plus a retreat house that can accommodate as many as 104 people.
Find the best team-building resort for your company
There are plenty of options to choose from if you want a fun, memorable, and effective team-building event. With the right venue, it will be much easier to plan and facilitate a company outing and team building that each of your members will thoroughly appreciate and enjoy.
Glen Dimaandal is the founder and CEO of the GDI SEO Company, a search marketing agency based in the Philippines. He is a former SEO Manager at Fortune 500 corporations and is now a full-time entrepreneur.