Casa Almarenzo Bed & Breakfast

The resort is lovely to look at, and we were lucky to have the relaxing infinity pool to ourselves. Our room was spacious enough and had a nice view, breakfast was included, and staff said we could use the pool table and kayak. They were friendly and accommodating, with the warm welcome you’d expect in Bolinao. There’s plenty of potential here, but cleanliness and organization need work. Bugs were in the room and the bidet was quite dirty. The next morning, insects were floating in the pool, though I hope they hadn’t been there the night before. We arrived late in the afternoon and the room still wasn’t ready. My partner runs a lodging house, so we understand how hospitality works, which made it surprising that they only began preparing it after we arrived. There was no Wi-Fi while renovations were underway, apparently, and no proper reception area yet. We checked in at a small table inside the restaurant.

Casa Almarenzo is quiet and well kept, a lovely place to relax with family or friends. Our rooms were comfortable, and the balconies had amazing views. The pool and beach views were breathtaking, while the location was close to Bolinao’s tourist spots but still felt private. The staff were always smiling, friendly, and ready to help. We had a wonderful stay. Casa Almarenzo is a gem in Bolinao and I’d highly recommend it for a relaxing, memorable getaway. ❤️

We enjoyed the food at the restaurant, with generous servings, a complimentary breakfast that felt like a feast, and free coffee too. The staff were kind, helpful, approachable, and courteous from my first inquiry through checkout. Great service. Our two-night stay in a Premier Queen Room was during the off-season, and the discounted package felt worth every cent. The room and amenities were good, the pool was clean, and we used most of the included freebies. We also enjoyed kayaking, then relaxed with a hot bath in the shower tub. The location suited a laid-back getaway, close to popular tourist sites and restaurants in the Patar area. There’s no sandy beachfront, but you can see the clear sea and enjoy a great sunrise. Highly recommended.

The beach view is spectacular even at low tide, and the sunset and natural skyline are beautiful. The beach itself was dirty and not suitable for swimming. We enjoyed the clean infinity pool and the colorful wooden loungers, and there were free billiards, board games, and karaoke. CCTV around the property made us feel safe, though it’s just steps from a residential area, with a small sari-sari store across the street. Our family of eight booked two non-smoking rooms after reading positive reviews. Both were clean, air-conditioned, on the second floor, and had partial sea views. The Deluxe Family Quartet was 344 feet with two queen beds and a shower, suited to four people. The Deluxe Queen Double was also 344 feet, with two queen beds, a shower, and bathtub. There’s no elevator, only about 12 big stair steps, which was manageable for fit people but challenging for my 80-year-old mom, even though she managed. It would be better if deluxe rooms were available on lower floors too. The room had an electric kettle, small fridge, and instant coffee as described, but no bottled water, just a dispenser outside. The pool is on the third floor and also only accessible by stairs. The main problem was having no running water in the toilets, faucets, or showers after we checked in and settled into the rooms. The toilets wouldn’t flush, we couldn’t wash our hands, and there was no shower water. There was no phone in the room, so I had to go downstairs to tell management. They already knew about the water problem but hadn’t told us at check-in. We paid an expensive $124 per room for comfortable accommodation, yet couldn’t get this basic necessity. They said Bolinao city had low to zero water supply and, because our rooms were on the second floor, it would take time for water to reach them. We waited a couple of hours and still had no water. We complained again and were moved to a first-floor room with water, but its shower water was cloudy and there was no hot water. Michelle and another male staff member brought a drum of clean water for bathing. It was cold, but we heated some with the electric kettle. The staff couldn’t control the situation and did their best to help. The rest of our family stayed in their room and used the pool shower because their assigned room had no water. Management gave us four free breakfasts to make up for it. The view is stunning and the staff were nice and helpful, but the hotel needs major improvements for guest safety and comfort. Knowing there was a water problem and still accepting bookings is no excuse. Businesses should care about guests, not only revenue. I wouldn’t stay here again unless the water supply is fully restored and the issue resolved.