Heaven is a place on earth, and it’s located in Antipolo, Rizal, which is a two-hour drive from Manila. This small city has its fair share of resorts and hotels that cater to tourists and travelers alike, but there’s one place that’s been gaining popularity over the years–the Cloud 9 Sports and Leisure Club.
Cloud 9 is an awe-striking place you need to visit if you want to feel like you’re the queen of the world. This club is owned by Dr. Potenciano R. Malvar and Mrs. Lourdes C. Malvar, who has been in the hotel and resorts industry for decades now.
It’s got a restaurant, lodgings, a museum, and their main attraction–a top deck with a hanging bridge and a 360° view of Metro Manila’s skyline. This place had its doors opened to the public since 1995, but it was only in the late 2010s that it had gained the attention of tourists.
Cloud 9 Antipolo: Things to Do
If you’re ever planning to visit Cloud 9 Antipolo, here are three things that you can do in the area:
Eat at the Cloud 9 Restaurant
Decades of serving the Filipino tastebuds entail mastery of the craft, and the cooks behind this restaurant prove that. Looking over the menu of this restaurant, the first thing we noticed is how affordable the food is, considering that their dishes are made for sharing.
What sealed the deal, of course, was how good the food was. They serve classic Filipino dishes, but they’re made with such pristine technique, that every bite would be just like you’re tasting it for the first time.
Try their best-sellers: crispy pata, beef kare-kare, and grilled tuna belly.
If you’re also visiting with your friends or significant other, try their cocktail drinks or wine for an added experience! You can also rent a KTV room, so get ready to sing our heart out while drinking away your heartaches!
Don’t worry if you’re on a spontaneous trip; this restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so you can dine in whenever you feel like it!
See their menu here: Eagle’s Nest Ang Tipolo Resort Corporation Menu
Visit the Butuan Caraga Heritage Museum.
Get in touch with your Filipino roots by giving Cloud 9’s mini-museum a visit.They have various archaeological pieces from the CARAGA Region on display–from heirlooms and battlegear to tradeware and other paraphernalia used in rituals.
They also have contemporary art displayed on their walls. Get your cameras ready for those aesthetic shots, but don’t forget to stop and read the information cards as well!
Watch the sunset from the view deck.
Conclude your day trip to Cloud 9 Antipolo with a breathtaking view of the sun as it sets over the Metro Manila skyline. The view deck can be accessed by a short, but challenging hanging bridge or a hike up the stairs of the view deck (we definitely recommend the hanging bridge).
It’s just a few storeys high, but it’s enough to make your knees quiver if you’re not very fond of heights. There, you can enjoy the lush green landscapes of Antipolo, Manila’s citylights, and the calm waters of Laguna de Bay in just one place.
To avoid crowds, only 15 people are allowed in the hanging bridge at the same time, so no selfies and photos are allowed to be taken while walking. You can also only spend 10 minutes in the view deck, so take your photos quickly! Although they might be more lax on the weekdays, since there are only a handful of people around the resort.
A few floors below the view deck is a metal walkway that you should check out as well! This walkway is surrounded by plants and flowers that would make a very good addition to your Instagram feed.
If somehow, one day of touring around Cloud 9 isn’t enough, you can book a room in one of the 78 deluxe rooms inside their hotel. Each room has an immaculate view of the Metro, so you won’t miss the sights from the top deck.
Apart from that, all rooms are air-conditioned and have 24-hour room service. The hotel also has two large swimming pools, billiard pools, half basketball courts, and a café to help you relax and unwind after a stressful and tiring week.
How to Get to Cloud 9 Antipolo
If you’re commuting from Cubao, you can ride a van to Antipolo (the terminal is near Jollibee Farmers) and tell the driver to drop you off at Cloud 9.
If you’re commuting from Shaw Blvd., you can ride a jeepney with a signage that says “Antipolo Shopwise” (the terminal is infront of Chowking). Tell the driver to drop you off at Cloud 9.
You can also ride any jeepney to Antipolo, as long as they pass by Antipolo Cathedral. From there, you can ride a tricycle to Cloud 9. Fare ranges from Php 100.00 to 120.00.
If you’re riding a private car, just pin the location on your GPS application and you’re good to go! The easiest way to get there, however, is through Marcos Highway, then turn to Sumulong Highway. Don’t worry, they don’t charge parking fees.
Fees and Other Things to Know…
You don’t need to go broke to enjoy good company and even greater views! The entrance fee to the hanging bridge and 360 view deck is Php 70.00. However, if you spend more than Php 300.00 at their restaurant, you can visit the hanging bridge, deck, and museum for free. Just show the receipt from the restaurant and you’re good to go! Kids below 5 years old are free of charge.
The viewing deck and restaurant are open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Mondays to Thursdays, and 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Fridays to Sundays.
Pets are not allowed inside the hotel to give respect to other guests’ preferences. (Sorry, fur parents and babies!)
Cloud 9 Antipolo: Tips and Tricks
Go during the weekdays.
If you’ve got free time on your hands on weekdays, then we deeply encourage you to spend it at Cloud 9 Antipolo! Since the hotel tends to get crowded during the weekends, holidays, and peak hours, it’s best to plan your trip on a weekday to give you more time to tour the facilities.
Start the day early.
If you’re only spending a day in Antipolo, you better start early. Since there are a lot of things you can do inside the place, it’s better if you give yourself ample time to enjoy every facility Cloud 9 has to offer!
Bring cash.
Unfortunately, the restaurant and hotel do not accept credit cards. So, it’s still best to bring cash around, especially if you’re planning to book a room and drive around the city. It’s important to note that there are no ATM machines inside the hotel and the nearest one would be in the town proper, which is a good 10 to 15 minute drive from Cloud 9.
Get to know Antipolo during your stay!
Cloud 9 is not the only spot in Antipolo that you should visit! You can check out other resorts, overlooking restaurants, and tourist spots around the city to experience Rizal and all of its glory! Antipolo is also near the quieter towns of Rizal, which many people visit for a spontaneous road trip or a weekend getaway, so you can skip to the next town if you still have time.
Plan your trip ahead of time.
While spontaneous trips are fun and exciting, if not done right, you might end up spending more than you expected to or encounter inconveniences that can spoil your trip. Make sure to check the resort’s website and Facebook page for updated information on prices and open hours. Antipolo can also be very busy and traffic during the weekends and certain days on the weekdays, so don’t forget to pack a little extra patience for your trip.
In summary…
Antipolo is one of the best places to go to for a weekend trip–it’s got spectacular views, great places to stay in, and it’s just a two-hour ride from the capital city!
One of the best places to go to is the Cloud 9 Sports and Leisure Club which features a 360 view deck, a hanging bridge, an in-house restaurant, and a museum.
They also have rooms and suites that can accommodate you for your trip! But do you know what’s the best thing about this place? Everything is affordable!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends, family, or your significant other on a de-stressing trip to Cloud 9 Antipolo!
