Showing posts with label resorts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resorts. Show all posts

Friday, August 19, 2011

Whites and Greens Resort, an Accommodation Option in Panglao Island

If it is just me traveling, price comes first on my decision whether to book a room or not.  Needless to say, I'll choose the cheapest accommodation available. :D Our Bohol trip is quite different since I'm traveling with my family. My primary priority is to find an accommodation where everybody, specially my folks, will be real comfortable. A place conducive to relaxation and somewhere safe where they can feel at ease. I am really glad to have booked in this resort for a 2 night accommodation, the resort not only met my expectations, we experienced everything for a reasonable amount - well, that's comparing to the market price in the area.




Whites and Greens is a resort located in Brgy. Libaong, Panglao in Panglao Island, Bohol. It is a beachfront resort and shares the same stretch of beach with the upscale resorts like Bohol Beach Club and Dumaluan Beach Resort as well as the other budget resort, Bagobo Beach Resort.

We stayed at one of their native family cottages that can accommodate maximum of eight guests. It is real spacious with a veranda, living room area and dining area. It kind of looked bare though and the wood floor shakes a bit when somebody is walking. That's probably one thing that they may need to improve on.There are two separate bedrooms, each with AC and with two single beds and a mattress for the fifth person. We were charged  Php3500 per night including the Php300 additional for the fifth person. Considering the big space of the cottage and the comfort it brings, even I who is a frugal traveler consider the price a very reasonable amount, adding that also included free breakfast for all five of us, not to mention unlimited free drinking water and coffee. My parents are kind of coffee addicts.





For smaller groups, they have bungalows with either a double bed or 2 single beds for two but can accommodate maximum of 4 guests. There is an additional Php300 each for additional guests, inclusive of breakfast.




The resort has a restaurant located in the middle of the surrounding cottages. Don't expect too much, what they serve are just simple meals, like what is usually prepared in Filipino homes but it is delicious. We had one of our lunch, one dinner and two complimentary breakfast in their restaurant and I guess,we can always tell if the ingredients used are fresh. All the seafood we ordered have a distinct sweetness. What I like best is the ensaladang talong (Eggplant Salad). I'm wondering what their secret ingredient is, I'm craving for it now that I thought of it.  They serve breakfast in time, exactly the time that you tell them the night before. I think the staff are really attentive.





The beach in front of the resort is nice although it just seems impossible to swim during low tide. You'd walk for about half a kilometer and that's when you can dip in still shallow waters. In that area, the sand turns as fine as powder comparable to that of Boracay's. In the mornings, a lot of sea grasses are scattered in the shore but the resort's crew patiently cleans it up. On high tide, you can bask into the water which is just about 3 meters away from the resort's lawn. I didn't have much time to swim in this beach since we had island hopping and country tours where we spent more of our time. What I enjoyed the most in Whites and Greens is lying in their hammock tied in the growing coconut trees, feeling the cold night air brushing my skin under the bright full moon.





For two or three night stay in the resort, I feel that it will be a perfect place for me. For extended stay however, I might get a little bored and detached from civilization since there are no televisions even in the restaurant. If they add that then I'll surely choose this resort even for a week-long stay next time. For now, they have free Wi-fi access even in the rooms and they also have a collection of different books in the restaurant that guests can borrow.




With all that being said, I know one thing for certain. Whites and Greens is a beautiful and unpretentious resort where you can appreciate and experience the beauty of nature. The resort is fitting to be called its name because it is fronting the beach with a fine white sand and the surroundings is dotted with lush greens.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Tamaraw Beach Resort, accommodation in Puerto Galera

The moment I settled with the fact that I'm spending my anniversary weekend with Nikko not in Calaguas but in Puerto Galera, accommodation is the first thing I researched. Other than budget as a consideration, (specially I'm not the one paying, hehe.. ) I really like the place to be beautiful, safe and far from the maddening noise of a crowd. Coming across some write ups about Tamaraw Beach Resort located in Aninuan Beach, I thought maybe it was the place I'm looking for. I didn't reserve a room right away but I was hoping there will be one left for us. I wanted to have a freedom of looking for other options in case I didn't like the feel of the place.




Riding the ferry and reaching White Beach, almost everybody alighted the boat except for another couple.  When our ferry docked in front of Sunset in Aninuan Resort, we walked a few steps on our left towards Tamaraw and was asked by a gentleman wearing a Tamaraw Resort shirt if he can help us with something. I told him we wanted to check their rates. He guided us to the reception area where we booked the cheapest room available.




Our room was located in what I called the 3 1/2 floor because it is on the middle of the third and fourth floor, halfway the stairs to reach the higher floor of the concrete building.  It was painted purple that illuminates a pink tone when sunlight enters from the window where the mountains are visible. It has a double bed, a fan and a neat little bathroom.




Our two night stay in the resort had been truly comfortable and enjoyable. People in the front desk area may have not been trained to smile to guests and are not overly cordial but they answer questions and fulfill requests right away. One thing I liked about Tamaraw is the honestly of their staff. If it's free, they really tell guests it's free, like when we're asking if they are selling hot water or when we're asking how much do locals pay the tricycle when they go to the town from the resort. We were informed that they provide free transportation service to staying guests (like when we needed a ride to town going to Tamaraw Falls and Tukuran Hidden Paradise) through a van if there are several guests and in our case, since there's just two of us, a tricycle. :) We just paid Php800 a night yet we felt like we're a million dollar richer, we felt important.




The resort have different accommodation options. Some prefer the cottages lined near the shore and are surrounded by flourishing plants. I prefer to stay in the building because of the great sea view that greets me whenever I step to the corridors. One can see the rest of the resort from the fourth floor.








We visited nearby attractions during daytime and by the time we were back at the resort, we kind of felt a little spent already. It was soothing to lie down on the beach chairs under the shade of umbrella trees, then listen to the gentle waves caressing the shore. At nights, we had our midnight snack in these same chairs, eating pizza and sipping  softdrinks in a quiet windy night, exchanging intimate conversation over  soft music playing from my phone.




When Sunday afternoon came, we practically have the resort to ourselves except for friendly foreign tourists (mostly are French) who were also staying in the resort.  Most of them smile at us then we're engaged to short conversations. With our last two days of stay in the resort, we're the only Filipinos left but it didn't really matter.




I really had a good time staying in Tamaraw Beach Resort. It's on a good location, they have good service and they provide good value for what guests are spending. They have a restaurant and that maybe is the only downside when you're staying in the resort. There's not a lot of  food options and  prices are higher than my standard so we didn't really eat here (most are food we bought from other restaurants) except for the second night when after we had dinner, I craved for dessert. I had mango chocolate crepe and melon shake and paid a little more that Php200. I just couldn't believe I had my dinner for only Php70 then spent that amount for dessert, lol! But it was delicious so I guess, I could forget about the price. :)




So when you're a person who can pass up on night life, or maybe going on a romantic trip, this resort might be a good choice for you the next time you go back to Puerto Galera. I"ll surely stay with them again on my next visits.

Places I've Been in Puerto Galera
Tukuran Hidden Paradise
Tukuran Hanging Bridge
Tamaraw Falls
Aninuan Beach
Reminiscing My Extra Ordinary Romantic Getaways

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Alta Niña Beach Resort, Accommodation Near Potipot Island

Alta Niña Beach Resort is a small quiet resort located in the stretch of Candelaria Beach in Brgy. Uacon, Candelaria Zambales. Candelaria is known because it is the jump off point to Potipot Island , a white sand island in the area. I chose to stay in this resort because by that time I was researching, this is the place that met our budget and our other needs.



To get to Alta Niña on a public transportation from Manila, you can ride Victory Liner buses bound to Sta Cruz, Zambales then ask the driver to drop you in Brgy. Uacon. You'll be dropped in the highway. There will be a waiting shed on your right and a signpost that says Alta Niña with an arrow pointing you to a 300 meter pathway (just accross the waiting shed). Just continue walking and you'll see the entrance of Alta Niña which is before La Trinidad, another resort in the area.

I've stayed in the resort with my family. I like that it was very quiet when we were there. They have two buildings solely dedicated for accommodation which are painted in orange and white. The resort doesn't offer much when it comes to amenities, they have a videoke machine but don't expect a pool and restaurant. You might not need a pool though because it is right in front of the beach. The beach has cold and clear water, black sand that is so fine. The shore is wide which is very ideal for beach games. (Beach Ultimate anyone? ^_^)




Their kind caretaker, Kuya Noel cooked for us through our entire stay. We just paid him before leaving. Surprisingly, I like his version of sweet and sour lapu-lapu, a dish that was never my liking. I also remember TJ, his very cute adorable son who showed us his amazing dance steps at a very young age. I bet he can be a famous dancer in the future. TJ was teary eyed when we left, as well as my mom :) I think that if only kidnapping isn't a crime, she would take him home with us. Hahaha!!! It's really nice to have a kid around a group of adults sometimes. :) Mang Noel even went on his way of finding a boat to take us to Potipot Island. We we're allowed by the owner, Niña to use their hut for our meals for free. ^_^



Resorts in Candelaria have generally higher rates compared to other places I've been but Alta Niña have one of the lowest rates in the area. The room is very basic but you'll notice how clean it is upon entering, probably because the building is quite new. It has a double bed, a single bed, a dresser, cold shower and a sink in the porch area. Upon pleading to Ate Nina, all six of us were allowed to stay in the room and were just provided 2 more cots. The room is really just for maximum of 5 people. We paid Php2,200 for the room per night and a minimal fee for Mang Noel's use of kitchen utensils facilities to prepare our food for 2 nights and three days. I think that is reasonable enough than booking 2 rooms somewhere else.




The shores of Candelaria have a very beautiful and dramatic sunset, one of the things you don't want to miss while staying in the resort.



My family had an enjoyable stay in Alta Nina Resort.

For Inquiries, you may contact Ms. Niña A. Mabalay at these numbers.
Mobile: (0918) 9265373
Landline: (+632) 6468069
Mobile Landline: 9868391
E-mail: niniamabalay@yahoo.com

BTW, If you’re planning to cook in the resort, you may want to visit the market in Sta. Cruz, Zambales. This is the next town from Candelaria (when coming from Manila) They have incredibly low priced seafoods. I was able to buy a kilo of Lapu-lapu (fish) for only Php80. A yellow fin tuna for only Php90 and the usual Php 360/kg medium sized shrimp in Manila for only Php140/kilo in Sta Cruz.

Other Beachfront Resorts in Candelaria


Isla Vista Resort
           - I've stayed in this resort back in 2007 with my colleagues from Intercontinental Hotels Group. The resort owns a wide expanse of land dotted with coconut trees. I would suggest this place for a big group since they have houses that can accommodate maximum of 22 people. We stayed in their house with 5 airconditioned rooms, have television and karaoke in the living room and a kitchen with stove and fridge. I's also nice that corkage is limited to their restaurant and pavilion area so it is perfectly fine to bring, cook and consume food in the house without having to pay corkage. The only thing that turned me off during our stay is the absence of lights in the walkway, or if there is, they didn't turn it on. The resort is fenced and the gate to the beach isn't very near the rooms/houses so walking might not feel safe especially when you're not with a big group. If you want to check their rates, you can visit their site at http://www.islavistabeachresort.com/home.html


Sun Bloom Resort
          - Having read a lot of positive reviews for this place, this was actually my first choice for our family's accommodation. The owners of the place as well as the caretaker were very kind and prompt in answering the email inquiries I've sent them. They can also cook for guests. Only, they don't allow six people to stay in a room, and I would have to get two. Since I have a budget to work on, I needed to look somewhere else and decided to stay in Alta Nina instead.  To check their rates, go to http://www.sunbloomresort.com/


Trinidad Bay Resort
          - This is Alta Nina's neighbor resort. From the beach, this resort looked charming with tidy looking white wooden fences. Inside the fence are Mediteranean Villas and Balinese type huts. Noticeable from the shore are their walkways with trellis where yellow bell plants crawl. They have their own boat to take visitors to Potipot Island. You may visit them by checking this site, http://www.latrinidadbayresort.com/


Dawal Beach Resort
          - If a swimming pool in the resort is a must for you, then Dawal will be your perfect option. This is the most famous resort in the area. They probably offer the most facilities and amenities that will make a guest's stay comfortable and fun, for a higher rate of course. This is Isla Vista's neighbor and I heard blaring sounds of videoke when I went for a walk, thought the sound was coming from this resort. This is their site if you want to check their rates, http://www.dawal.com.ph/


Potipot Gateway Resort
          - This is the nicest resort (in terms of design and structures) I've passed by while walking in the shores of Candelaria Beach. I wouldn't need to get inside their property to get a feel of the place. It felt vibrant, classy and relaxing. Visible from the outside are the nature inspired houses. Some parts of these houses are open and some are visible through large glass windows and inside are tasteful furniture and comfy couches with fluffy pillows. That sight made me want to drop myself in one of their couches. :) This is their website. http://www.potipotgateway.com/

Related Post: Potipot, a Small Island Paradise

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