When I first visited Atmosphere Resorts and Spa in 2015, I promised myself I would be back- not just for the beautiful and relaxing environment and its wonderful accommodations but also for the warm and welcoming people of the place.
Three years later, I was there to check out their newest offerings in wellness and fitness and I am so excited. Gone are the days when we go on vacations to pig out and lay around the whole day only to feel worse than when we first began our holiday. Each time I go on a break, I take the opportunity to re-energize myself and this was exactly that.
There are very few resorts in the Philippines that pay enough attention to genuinely healthy food, fitness activities and the wellbeing of their guests during their stay.
Being one of only two beach-front resorts in Dauin, Atmosphere took advantage of the beautiful sound and view of the ocean by building a yoga platform in their tree house. I wrote about this when I joined one of their retreats – links at the bottom of this post.
Since my last visit, the place has expanded to accommodate more guests. We stayed in a Garden Apartment, specifically the one right beside the Warrior Gym.
DAILY CIRCUIT AND TRX CLASSES
Atmosphere’s resident coach, Joel, has this very light air to him but means business when it comes to training. Workouts range from TRX to weight training (they have a dumbbell rack-I was mindblown) to the really fun ones such as bars, tires and ropes.
The Warrior gym was custom-built and designed specifically for the outdoors. I loved that I was able to train like I usually would but with the beautiful scenery, natural light and fresh air.
Watch the full video on my IGTV HERE.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURS
When asked if I knew how to ride a bike, I said yes (with hesitation). I have never tried mountain biking before and just the thought of riding it through a rough trail, uphill and then downhill scared the shit out of me.
Luckily, Louie, the biking coach was very accommodating (and patient) during the plenty of times I had to stop in the beginning. I had to adjust my saddle about three times until it was the perfect height, and get used to riding it before we headed out to the 15KM trail, which was supposedly for beginners (but about level 2). There are much harder and longer routes for more advanced riders and those who want to see more. Although personally, I was so focused on my riding that all I remembered from our ride was seeing Apo island briefly, seeing pigs and cows and saying “Hi!” (while barely looking to the side) to the residents of the small villages we passed.
I can’t believe I finished the ride without falling off a cliff, breaking an arm or even falling over! It was the BEST feeling and still is, because whenever I think about doing it again it still scares me a little. Our legs were so sore the day after but would do it again in a heartbeat. One for the books!
DAILY YOGA CLASSES
The teachers that leave a mark to me are not the ones who teach the craziest poses, but those who leave nuggets of wisdom I am able to keep with me. Rae Collins is one of them. She’s the superwoman running The Sanctuary Spa and fitness activities, teaching all the yoga classes and helping make sure things at the resort run smoothly. I’ve joined her retreat in 2015 and it was one of my most memorable experiences.
Yoga classes are held in the resort’s beautiful treehouse where you face the ocean and hear nothing but the waves (plus Rae’s soothing voice, of course) during class. Rae holds two classes daily-one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Open to all levels of practice, even if you just come in for the Svasana.
Watch Nat flow with her mace on the Atmosphere Treehouse Yoga Platform.
Other things that could keep you busy during your stay are treatments at The Sanctuary Spa (Atmosphere’s multi-awarded Luxury Spa), Diving/Snorkeling at Apo Island or easily lounge by the pool and enjoy food off of the Healthy Living Menu. They have vegan options so it’s perfect for me.
I wish I could’ve stayed longer but that just gives me reason to come back. Shoot me an email if you have any other recos for resorts that are perfect for active holidays such as this one. Definitely one of my faves.
Read about the retreat I attended here through the links below:
Sanctuary Yoga Retreat: Back to Our Roots
Sanctuary Yoga Retreat: Silence and Stillness
Sanctuary Yoga Retreat: A Celebration of Life
Atmosphere Resorts and Spa is located at Maayong Tubig, National Road, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Learn more through their website: www. atmosphereresorts.com
