Sunday | Arrival & First Impressions
We landed at Bohol Airport at 6:00 AM and were immediately impressed by how clean and well-organized the airport was—a very positive first impression of the destination.
The hotel driver arrived promptly at 6:15 AM. Since our flight landed a bit early, we waited about 10 minutes, which was perfectly fine. The driver was polite, friendly, and efficient, and the transfer to the resort was smooth and comfortable.
We arrived at the hotel at 6:30 AM. Unfortunately, there was no one at the front desk to greet or welcome us. The reception area appeared focused on checkout, with signage everywhere, but there was no proactive acknowledgment of arriving guests. When we inquired about early check-in, we were informed—quite plainly—that check-in would be possible at 9:00 AM. After that, we were left standing with no further assistance. No seating was offered, no suggestion for breakfast, and no attempt to make us feel welcomed or cared for after a long journey.
Breakfast Experience
At 7:00 AM, we decided to leave our luggage with the concierge. The concierge team was friendly and efficient—this was a welcome contrast and much appreciated.
We proceeded to the second floor for breakfast. The greeting was limited to “room number, please,” with no “good morning” or warm hospitality. After explaining that we had not yet checked in, we were told that breakfast was not included—which we already knew. The breakfast price was reasonable, so we decided to proceed and enjoy a relaxed, air-conditioned space while waiting for check-in.
Service-wise, one young waiter truly stood out: energetic, attentive, and clearly eager to do a great job.
The buffet itself, however, was quite ordinary. Cold cuts and cheeses were displayed without proper chilling, and portions were overloaded. Smaller quantities with more frequent refills would improve both quality and presentation. At 7:00 AM, eggs (omelets and scrambled) were already filled to the top, suggesting volume over freshness.
One of the chefs lacked guest engagement skills. When I asked for salt, her response was simply, “Ask the waiter over there.” A bit more warmth and anticipation of guest needs would go a long way—especially in hospitality, where good service is becoming increasingly rare.
Pastries were below standard. The croissants were dry and tasted like leftovers from previous days, which was disappointing. The hot food selection had variety, and some of my companions enjoyed it. Personally, as an egg-and-bacon person, I noticed the bacon sitting under the heat lamp since opening—again affecting quality.
Check-in & Pool Time
We waited until 9:00 AM and returned to reception. This time, the process was smoother. We were registered, given a hotel map, a brief orientation, and offered a chilled ginger iced tea as a welcome drink—much appreciated. Pool towel cards were also provided, allowing us to enjoy the facilities while waiting for the room.
Our room was ready at 12:00 PM, which was a relief after the early start. While some rested, the adults kids and I went to the pool near Christina’s. Service there was friendly and delivered with genuine smiles. The staff did a great job upselling drinks and pizzas, which were decent. The warm and attentive service truly stood out and set a much better tone for the afternoon.
Dinner at Sea Breeze
Dinner was at Sea Breeze, featuring a local buffet. The variety looked acceptable, but once we started eating, the food was largely mediocre—nothing memorable. The entrance process felt impersonal, almost like a cattle line: receive a tag, enter from one side, exit the other. There was no warmth or welcoming interaction.
The biggest issue was food temperature—most dishes were cold. The policy stating that empty plates may be charged felt unreasonable given the food quality. Finishing food that tastes poor and is served cold is difficult.
We were a party of six and wanted to avail the beverage package only for 4. but were told it could not be done for our group. Perhaps splitting tables would have worked, but this was not suggested. Service was minimal, with little engagement or care, and certainly no “hospitality from the heart.”
On a positive note, when I requested a club car to return to reception, the driver was kind, friendly, and professional—exactly what one expects in a hotel environment. Kudos to the transport team.
End of Day Reflection
We ended our first day at the resort early, as it had been a long one. While there were some bright moments—particularly the concierge, pool staff, and transport team—the overall Day 1 experience lacked consistency, warmth, and proactive hospitality. With better training, attention to detail, and genuine guest engagement, this resort has the potential to deliver a far stronger experience.
Let’s see how the coming days unfold.
Thank you
