Travelling surely has its perks. From new sights and sounds to life experiences, travelling truly ignites and enriches the soul in ways that even the naked is unable to see. Case in point, Balai Belen in the most unusual of places in the city of Davao
From the outside, it looks like a scene lifted from the pages of a luxurious travel magazine. Likened to the facade of a hacienda, it reeks of a bourgeois aura. Step inside it’s gated compound and you’d be transported into the streets of Vigan. In an instant.
Antiquated. Yes, the Balai Belen compound is Filipino to the core. Offering rooms for travellers, it also houses the Filipino Heritage Cuisine restaurant, the quaint Pipes & Bites coffee shop and an al-fresco dining on its topmost floor.
Balai Belen is a bed and breakfast accommodation that has spacious rooms suited to the comfort of its occupants. For owner Che Zhang, they did not (yet) want to go full scale and name it a hotel as they are still in the beginning phase. True enough, the rooms are designed to cater to big groups and long stays — like that of apartments.
But, what makes them extra fascinating are the various paintings, sculptures and murals that line their white walls. Paintings that speak of our rich heritage. “There are at least 25 paintings. All of which are created by local artists from two of the city’s premier groups, Tabula Rasa and Gama”, Zhang explained.
At Balai Belen, no one gets hungry. With a restaurant and coffee house within its gated compound, a growling tummy gets fed in an instant. Filipino Heritage Cuisine is their in-house gustatory place. From its name, one can expect a plethora of authentic Filipino dishes. “As authentic as they can be”, said owner Che Zhang. Like the rest of the building, it also boasts of the rich culture that we have.
On the other hand, Pipes & Bites coffee shop is on the more modern and industrial feel. It’s a total detachment from the antiquated feel of the rest of the building. What it offers is a cozy place to stay and reconnect with the modern world. Menu wise, they serve nibbles and munchies that will surely make you smile with glee.
Indeed, Balai Belen is a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. A perfect excuse to leave the modernities and complexities of the present and rekindle memories of the past.
Balai Belen is located at Garnet st., RGA Village, Dacudao, Davao City
