Enjoy the best life has to offer in these very private, exclusive spaces made for the country’s most elite.
Manila Golf and Country Club
Considered as one of the country’s most exclusive membership clubs, the Manila Golf and Country Club has served as a home to some of the metro’s most elite for more than 50 years. With its top-tier facilities and lush green courses, it’s no wonder that most consider the club as the perfect backdrop to multiple golfing tournaments all year round.
Perks: Members enjoy access to the club’s amenities (restaurants, bars, function rooms, and other services), as well as enjoy the use of the club’s practice putting greens, practice range, driving range, and tee houses. Tournaments can also be arranged by members.
Admission: Rates play around the P45 million mark for corporate shares and P42-43 million for an individual share.
Balesin Island Club
This 500-hectare private island paradise located in the outskirts of the Quezon Province will be one of the best gifts you will ever give yourself and your family. Known for their themed villages meticulously designed to mirror some of the world’s most opulent destinations such as Mykonos, St. Tropez, Toscana, Costa del Sol, and Phuket, members can enjoy a quick getaway just 20 minutes away from Manila via plane ride.
Perks: Imagine getting 14 free villa nights annually, as well as free use of all the resort’s facilities, which includes restaurants, sporting activities, gyms, clubhouse features, and spas. Traveling from villa to villa is done via golf carts—a great way to see the ins and outs of the island as well.
Admission: Schemes range from P2.2 to around P4 million. A usual roundtrip fare to the island and back to Manila is P7,000/person.
Manila House
One of the most recent additions to the metro’s most exclusive membership clubs, Manila House in Bonifacio Global City is a dream come to life. With its 2,300 square meters of space designed opulently by Belgian architect and interior designer Gert Voorjans, Manila House stands as one of the metro’s most private clubs.
Perks: Aside from getting very exclusive invited to the club’s various activities and events, members also get access to Manila Club’s 3 premiere restaurants (Japanese, all-day dining, and modern Filipino), their outdoor cocktail deck and bar lounge which serves as a perfect backdrop to any event, and rental privileges to their grand ballroom.
Admission: Their most exclusive membership level starts at around P224,000 per person, non-transferable for five years. A non-consumable P2,500/month maintenance fee is required.
The Palms Country Club
This three-hectare land developed by Filinvest is one of the most private places in Alabang, so much so that even information on their website require a secure login from their members. With Palm trees that serve as a relaxing backdrop to the club’s first-class facilities and service, The Palms Country Club is the perfect home away from home your family will love.
Perks: Aside from access to the club’s facilities, members can also enjoy multiple activities such as sports, and pick from an array of different dining options. The club is also a perfect place to celebrate milestones such as debuts, weddings, and other special events. Membership at The Palms is directly mirrored to The Raffles Town Club in Singapore.
Admission: Schemes range from P1.2-1.4 million, with an annual fee of P56,000++.
Manila Polo Club
One musn’t forget the historical Manila Polo Club which continues to house multiple Polo tournaments up until this day. This very exclusive membership club serves as a home to the country’s most elite.
Perks: Given the name, one of the biggest perks members can enjoy is polo, as well as other sporting activities like golf, archery, squash, tennis, and the like. Dining areas are also available for members who prefer a more casual visit. All club facilities are open for the use of all members.
Admission: P12.5-P13.3 million. Around P2.2 million is required upon application, on top of the P112,000 application fee.
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Words by Samantha Masigan
