After departing Carles, Iloilo just after sunrise, we rolled into Capiz, a province known for its abundance of seafood, an hour before lunch. Since we spent a lot of time learning about local traditions at Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village, we reached our next accommodation in the middle of the evening already.
Where to Stay in Capiz | Istorya Forest Farm & Garden
Greeted with a pitch-black surrounding and the cuckoo noises of nature, I dismissed the place as a modest lodging set in the middle of nowhere. After we were assigned our own rooms, our group chat was flooded with references to “horror movies” because of the peculiar vibe brought about by a lounge chair present in each room.
It didn’t help that upon stepping out onto the balcony, a shadow of a large tree revealed itself before me. I resisted taking a look at what kind of tree it was for fear of seeing a giant mystical tree creature known locally as a kapre. In a province also known during the olden days as a haven of aswangs—Philippine folklore’s most famous malevolent creature—I decided to do my exploration of the place at sunrise the next morning.
A Haunted An Enchanting place
Buoyed by fear from our group chat conversation, I immediately fell asleep turning my back away from the red lounge chair. I awoke before sunrise, eager to check out the surroundings of the place. Based on the sound of nature the previous night, I expected lush greens and gardens all over the property.
It turned out to be better since the property was hidden inside a forested area covered by beautiful towering trees. As I made my way on foot to the breakfast area located a couple of hundred meters away, I passed by a variety of plants and various shrubberies.
Fresh air and more nature melodies serenaded me on my walk. The fear of the previous night was quickly replaced by enchanted fascination. Aptly named, Istorya Forest Garden was indeed a place with a lot of stories to tell.
The buffet breakfast came with fresh eggs, tapa, fried danggit, corned beef, stir-fried veggies, and an array of local kakanin with brewed coffee and hot tsokolate drink.
As this was the tail-end of our Panay island exploration trip, we only had a night to spend here, leaving us with only an hour to explore the whole property. A slight downer, I know, as I would have liked to know more about the other untold stories of Istorya Forest Garden.
Our running tour of the property took us to the swimming pool livened with plants and trees, the events hall with local-inspired aesthetics, and the one-bedroom villas with their own private gardens.
Totally opposite from my first impression when we arrived the night before, the enchanting appearance of Istorya Forest Garden during the morning instantly endeared the place to me. With its countless charming corners, vast outdoor space, quaint interior, and secluded location, I saw myself staying here again the next time I found myself in Capiz.
Hotel Fact Box
Room & Villa Categories
Superior Room 40 sq. m. | Features two single beds, individual private bathroom with bathtub, air conditioning, mini bar, flat-screen TV, and an outdoor balcony capturing tranquil forest or garden views. Fits up to four persons.Corner Superior Room 45 sq. m. | Offers a broader layout flooded with natural light, featuring two double beds, full-mode bathroom amenities with bathtub, and an expanded corner balcony overlooking the forest fields.
Deluxe Room 50 sq. m. | Provides enhanced comfortability with additional floor space to accommodate an extra bed (up to five guests). Includes two double beds, built-in mini bar, full ensuite bathroom with bathtub, and scenic garden vistas.
Corner Deluxe Room 50 sq. m. | Premium building-corner placements with multi-angle windows. Complete with two double beds, luxury bath fixtures with deep bathtub, and expansive private terrace views.
Villa (Casita) 100 sq. m. | The premier luxury accommodation on the property providing total island-style isolation and privacy. Features a standalone choice of a grand king bed or twin double beds, dedicated separate living room area, private custom bathroom with deep soaking bathtub, and an enclosed personal garden and veranda.
Dining & Event Outlets
In-House Restaurant & Coffee Shop A peaceful nature-framed diner serving hearty morning buffet options (fresh eggs, tapa, local danggit, and native kakanin), European-Asian favorites, custom brewed coffee, and artisanal native hot tsokolate. Private BBQ facilities are also available for outdoor grilling.Angelica's Garden & The Courtyard Idyllic and tranquil outdoor garden spaces styled perfectly for open-air soirées, milestone receptions, and milestone celebrations under the stars.
Magdalena Ballroom An elegant and sophisticated indoor venue boasting timeless architectural design and high-end audio-visual facilities for conventions or receptions.
