CAMOTES ISLAND: Accommodations

Accommodations around Santiago Beach, San Francisco, Pacijan:

1. Payag Beach House & Resort: it’s exactly as it’s called--- resembling a payag (a native hut) with an entirely Filipino atmosphere. At first glance, it seemed cozy enough but unfortunately the neighboring community had a diskoral (outdoor discotheque with killer speakers) marathon in celebration for successfully conducted barangay elections. For the whole day. We are not kidding you.
1. Plus points on:

                                                              i.      Having the shore right smack in front of it.

                                                             ii.      Housing a restaurant.

                                                           iii.      Okay staff.

2. Negs on:

                                                              i.      Communal toilets even for rooms higher than P1000 (not counting the ones that really say “aircon with toilet”).

                                                             ii.      Being too open & too close to the public… security concerns, obviously.

                                                           iii.      WTF IS THAT NOISE.

2. Bella Vista:  (‘Beach View Resort’ back then) was also small but generally a-okay but it was under construction. The discounted price its foreign owner gave us wasn’t as reduced as we’d hoped… we thought twice about haggling with a seemingly busy sun-burnt guy with a thick European accent. Now, at this point you must be wondering if we had any money with us at all. *chuckle*

3. Masamayor Beach Resort: crossed off the list as we wanted a place directly by the beach. They have a restaurant there though if you just want to have a meal on an open-air second story balcony.

4. Santiago Bay Garden & Resort: This is the biggest resort on Santiago beach both in actual size & in repute.
1. The beach is right at the bottom of the cliff this resort is perched on. Just a short walk heading down, & voila--- you’re in the water. Let’s not forget to mention that the view is mind-blowing up there.
2. It has an infinity pool.
3. It is convenient, well-maintained & stocked up with amenities:

                                                              i.      Rooms are large & go well with their prices.

                                                             ii.      Restaurant serves good food in big servings through an extensive menu.

                                                           iii.      They have a recreational area & dive shop.

4. Staff is friendly & accommodating.

5. White View Beach Resort

Other Resorts:

1. Mangodlong Rock Resort: sister resort of Santiago Bay Garden & Resort. The architectural landscape has some similarities in a sense that they are both very interesting to look at but this one’s quite exclusive & pricier. Its name most probably came from the numerous rock formations surrounding the resort, making it one of the most charming places to visit on the island.

2. Harbor View Family Resort

3. Sunset Bay Resort

- in Esperanza, San Francisco

4. Keshe Beach Resort

5. Borromeo Island Resort

6. Costa Verde Beach House

7. My Little Island Hotel Beach Resort

- in (Poro)

8. Sea View Pension

9. Granada Pension House

10.The Whitehouse Resort

11. Boho Rock Resort

     - in (Poro)

- rocky cliffs you can jump off from