Back in high school, a good friend of mine told me that things have a way of working themselves out. It somehow stuck to me and it happened this September when I headed to Vigan for an Ilocos tour. I had initially planned trip to Buscalan for the weekend of September 15 but the trip was cancelled a week before. I really needed a time away from my usual routine. It had been months since I was on a trip and my wanderlust was creeping in. So when Metro Vigan Fiesta Garden Hotel invited bloggers I was excited to be part of it! Booked my ticket online at Partas (thanks to Biyaheroes) and I was good to go.

So let’s be honest. All you want is to lie down on a soft bed when you’ve just spent 12 hours on the bus from Cubao. We arrived in Vigan a little past four in the morning so I was tired and sleepy. Our bus dropped us off right in front of Metro Vigan Fiesta Hotel along the National Highway. The first thing that caught my eye as I alighted the bus was the beautiful carved door in front of me. Intricate carvings of Filipino traditions adorn the main door.

As we entered, the hotel gave that Filipino homey vibe. Sketches of Spanish Filipinas on the pillows will welcome you in the lobby as you put your bags down and get your room key. The whole hotel was quiet as we rang the reception bell. We headed straight to the room to get some shut-eye before our scheduled breakfast. My eye immediately caught the double bed waiting for me. I looked around our deluxe room and noticed the LCD TV mounted on the wall, two glasses beside a water heater, a mini fridge, and our cabinet with big mirrors as its doors. The mirrors cam handy when checking out our #OOTD before heading out for our tours. Two sockets were just beside my bed so I plugged my devices and headed to dreamland even for two hours.

We had our breakfast past 8 in the morning and met my fellow travel bloggers. We were then given a tour to see more of the hotel. It had 53 rooms in its two-storey building. Each room had this intricate carved door made by in Paete, Laguna. I enjoyed spotting the lechon, palo sebo, tinikling, and other fiesta traditions as we roamed around the halls. The bright yellow walls will add sunshine to your day! Their Executive Suite will make you feel like you’re living in your own space: a wooden bathroom interior with a bath, a king-sized bed with padded headboard, a dining table to entertain guests, and a sofa set when you just want to hang around with friends.

Door to Executive Suite

It was raining non-stop so the group decided to head to the plaza to grab some authentic Vigan empanada. Later that night we headed to the AMICI VIP Lounge to enjoy a hearty serving of Ilocos bagnet while getting to know more about each other. Trips become more memorable when you have the right bunch of people to enjoy the moments. The VIP Lounge turns into a videoke room for the Filipinos favorite past time! Enjoy a night of bonding, eating, and singing.

Our trip to El Nido was supposed to be from July 12 to July 14 only but Cebu Pacific called and cancelled our flights. So we had the option to rebook for free. Chose the first flight on July 12 then the last flight for July 16 making it a 5-day retreat. You know how people say there is always a grand scheme for everything? This trip was a proof of that. Glenda hit Manila on Wednesday morning so our original Tuesday night flight would have been affected. Thankfully we got to Talindak Cottages Tuesday morning and spent the whole day just chilling in our balcony. Waves were crashing hard and rain was pouring nonstop. No Nacpan beach as originally intended but got the time we needed to pause and reflect on our lives.


Here's a quick breakdown of our expenses. 

Day 1 (July 12)
Snack and water near PPS airport: Php130.00
Eula Joy van arranged by Skyline Inn: Php500.00/pax
Stopover Lunch at Bacuit Grill: Php80.00
Tricycle from El Nido Public Market to Skyline Inn: Php50.00
Toiletries at El Nido Town: Php88.00
Check-in at Skyline Inn for 3D/2N: Php500/night for a double fan room
Dinner at The Mezzanine (seafood pasta): Php320.00
Two bottles of beer at Skyline Inn: Php120.00

Day 2 (July 13)
Tour C c/o Caera Tours: Php1400.00/pax
Tour guide: Brandon
Environmental Fee (good for 10 days): Php200.00/pax
Snorkel plus mask: Php100.00/pax
Iced Coffee at The Alternative: Php79.00
Dinner at Aplaya Resto Bar: Php489.00


Day 3 (July 14)
Tour A c/o El Bacuit Tours: Php1200.00/pax
Tour guide: Leo
Snorkel and Mask: Php100.00/pax
Dinner at Coco Bar: Php310.00

Day 4 (July 15)
Check-in at Talindak Cottages: Php1000 for 2D/1N for fan duplex cottage
Lunch at Greenviews Resort: Php360.00
Dinner (liempo and rice bought at El Nido town): Php180.00

One of Talindak's Cottages

Day 5 (July 16)
5AM Van to Puerto Princesa: Php500.00/pax
Lunch at NCCC Mall Puerto Princesa: Php230.00
Terminal Fee: Php150.00/pax

Bantayan is an island where your accommodations are found mostly in the town of Sta. Fe. They may be on the left or right side of the port. I had a lot of options where to stay in Bantayan but I chose Abaniko Beach Resort for our first night and Anika Resort for our secod night. Anika was recommended by a good friend who recently went to Bantayan. Some of my friends stayed at Kota Beach Resort due to its affordable rate for groups or at Sta. Fe Beach Resort due to its fame.

We're used to transferring from one place to another for our stay but this is my first time to encounter having our resorts literally beside each other. A brick wall was the only thing that separated Abaniko from Anika. Therefore, they had the same shoreline.

Abaniko and Anika are on the less crowded side of the shore. You can actually see the port from their shoreline. It's the less crowded area since it's farther from the town proper. Upon going around, I discovered that Kota Beach resort is actually walking distance from the town proper.

ABANIKO BEACH RESORT
Abaniko Beach Resort is at the end of the strip of resorts at the right side of the port. It's relatively small compared to the more expensive resorts. They have fan and airconditioned rooms. They also have rooms with kitchen.


We got a fan room for Php700.00 for our first night. It was actually a good choice as it rained on our first night. We had no use for the fan that night for it was freezing cold with the rain and sea breeze. Our fan room was already beach front.

 

Amenities are basic - a small cr, a small patio to dry your things and two single bamboo beds. There was one old dresser and free towels for our use. Abaniko has a restaurant within their premises but it was closed, probably since we were the only guests there. They recommend eating at the town proper or at Anika. You can actually cook if you rented rooms with kitchen. The resort is beside the fishing village so wake up early and buy some catch from fishermen.

Abaniko requires a deposit for our room before our stay. It was important to note that they can only receive payment through the following: ML Kwarta Padala, Western Union or Palawan Pawnshop (Santa Fe Branch). Our contact, Ms. Joy Capraro, was really nice and accommodating.

You can visit their Facebook page here.

ANIKA BEACH RESORT (www.anikaislandresort.com)
Anika Beach Resort is a relatively new resort compared to Kota Beach or Sta. Fe Beach Club. It's located on the less busy shoreline of Sta. Fe.

First of all, I love the service of Anika! Hours before our expected check-in, they were texting me asking for our arrival at the port for our free pick-up. Since we're just walking from Abaniko, I told them we'll get there ourselves as we were coming from a different resort. They also arranged our service to the port when we were leaving for the 7:30am trip to Hagnaya. Before our trip, they were quick to respond to my inquiries and clarifications regarding our reservation. They require one night deposit to secure the reservation.

Another thing I loved about Anika was the room itself. They were made out of truck containers (similar to CWC). They have a wash area for your feet before going up to avoid getting sand in your room. We got the single villa which was Php2,000.00 per night. It's a bit expensive but we felt like splurging. The room itself is not big. You get a bathroom (complete with toiletries), a cabinet, a flat screen TV and a queen size bed. The bed was comfy and there were three fluffy pillows.

 

 There is also a veranda where you can just sit and have a drink.





Rates are the following (exclusive of breakfast)


Their restaurant offers daily catch although a bit expensive. It would probably cost you 300-400php per person for a meal complete with drinks. They have a bar by the beach front where you can order drinks like a frappuccino and drink while lying down their woven beach chairs.



You won't find it hard to relax anywhere in Bantayan Island. Just pick a spot, lie down and watch the day slowly pass by.