DDzhentaoThe hotel is located on a private island. Getting there isn't too difficult, but all the main attractions (sardines, sharks, canyoneering) are quite a distance away. This hotel seems to have been designed for guests who don't want to leave it – a small 'Bounty island' vibe. But it didn't quite hit the mark.
The staff here are constantly smiling. As soon as they see you, they drop what they're doing to greet you. During meals, they approach you every minute to ask questions and tell you about the free 'entertainment' planned for the day. Honestly, it's annoying and doesn't match the status the hotel clearly aims for. In a good hotel, staff are incredibly helpful yet discreet. Here, they can't even clean the room without being noticed. However, you can tell they've been trained this way, rather than it being their natural work style. So, if they were trained differently, these young people would significantly improve the service quality.
Also, don't expect quick responses or help from anyone. It's better to go directly to reception and sort things out yourself. That's the most effective way, otherwise, you might drown in a Kafkaesque castle with a British surrealist twist.
The room we stayed in was magnificent in terms of size and cleanliness. The shower wasn't working well, but they replaced it quickly. When walking around the room, the wardrobe wobbles and makes noise, but these are minor issues. I noticed signs of wood-boring insects in the safe cabinet, but didn't see the insects themselves, so they didn't cause any trouble.
Food. The food here is very poor, compared to all the other places I've visited in the Philippines. A hotel aiming for a high rating shouldn't be serving microwaved store-bought pizza at such a price. If the food is cooked properly (grilled chicken breast, for example), it's invariably oversalted or overspiced. Or both at once. I couldn't find a single dish on the menu that was worth its price or genuinely tasty, except perhaps for the scrambled eggs at breakfast. But that's not enough if you plan to stay on the island all day, is it?
Snorkeling costs 1000 pesos per hour for the boat and 100-200 pesos for equipment (each item separate: mask, fins, aqua shoes). The hotel staff claim the equipment is new, but that's not true. Aqua shoes are essentially unavailable in adult sizes (from 40 and up, we found only two old and torn pairs). The coral reef is dying after the typhoon, but there are still beautiful spots, and my wife and I don't regret snorkeling here. Especially since it was the only activity available on the island.
To sum up, this hotel might suit those who want to isolate themselves from the rest of the world for a resort-style vacation with an average level of service but rather high prices for that level.
Show more