Parklane Bohol Resort and Spa

It’s a shame to have to write this, because the resort, beach, and grounds are beautiful, and the housekeeping and hospitality staff are amazing. But I feel I need to warn other travelers about the food service. The restaurant is extremely bad, and I believe it’s unsafe to eat there. Our panini had been microwaved, with soggy bread that tasted stale. The fruit platter was worse. It had been cut with a knife that had also been used for garlic or something else with garlic on it. That cross contamination is concerning because it could make someone very sick. We left most of our food, and restaurant staff didn’t seem to care or even ask if it was okay. The barbecue was the worst. The meat sat outside in weather above 24c for over four hours, without ice or refrigeration, in raw chicken and pork juices. The barbecue wasn’t even hot and was left unattended. A guest told the staff that feral cats were eating the meat. They replied, “oh! Do you want to order BBQ?” We saw the cats eating that food the night before, and I worry about their health too. The attitude made it seem like they don’t care. Food is also quite expensive by local standards, which makes the risk of food poisoning feel even worse. This resort could be a real gem. If you stay, plan to eat elsewhere or bring antibiotics. I really feel this is going to kill somebody.

The halo-halo didn't match what the menu listed: ripe banana instead of sweetened banana, watermelon instead of mango, and no leche flan, ube, or crushed ice. The fries were soggy, and the watermelon juice was much too sweet. We ordered as walk-ins and paid the menu price, so a heads-up when ingredients aren't available would have helped. At the counter, the staff member gave us the wrong change and only explained she didn't have enough coins after we asked about the total. She could have said so upfront and apologized.

The staff were really nice and the service was excellent. The resort has good facilities, including two pools and a gym, plus a private beach for swimming and snorkeling. The rooms were quite OK too.

The beach, pool area, and property were beautiful and well maintained, but those were the parts we enjoyed most. The stay itself felt like the worst hotel experience we've had, especially for the price. We've had better comfort and hospitality at cheaper places. We had told the hotel we'd arrive around 12-1 PM, yet after checking in we waited another three hours to be accommodated. The receptionist seemed overwhelmed working alone, and came across as unwelcoming and unhelpful when we asked basic questions. Staff generally didn't feel friendly or helpful, and the difference in how local and foreign guests were treated was noticeable and concerning. Our room was noisy because it was near the generator. The air conditioner also leaked onto the floor, and my partner nearly slipped. Breakfast was another disappointment: mostly canned tuna and corned beef, a limited offering for the rate. We expected a higher standard at this price. I hope management takes these concerns seriously and improves the guest experience.