The Lazy Tiki

Getting around from Lazy Tiki in Guimaras was a real hassle. It's a long way from the city center, there's little to do nearby, and each trip out can add quite a lot to your transportation costs. With no restaurants close by, even finding a meal meant traveling again. The service could be better too. Our room wasn't cleaned daily, which was disappointing over a stay of several nights. The isolation and extra travel costs made the experience less enjoyable than we'd expected.

The biggest letdown was the food service. We had booked expecting to eat here for lunch and dinner as well as breakfast, based on the reviews, and were hoping to try the French cooking. Breakfast came with bacon and eggs, rice, bread, jam, and fruit, but nobody asked if we wanted other meals. When we messaged about dinner, they said they usually don't take orders. Luckily, we had a car, since the nearest town is 20 minutes away. Otherwise, the place is clean and feels sturdily built, with quality materials throughout the room. It's very quiet too, with crickets at night and birds in the morning, while you stay cool in the air conditioning. The photos don't show how developed it is: there's a large hangout space beside the pool, and another spot near the beach is under construction. Maybe that will be finished in a few months. The WiFi and water supply were good, the AC was quiet, and mineral water was available downstairs. One driving tip for Guimaras: stick to the national road as much as possible, since Waze sometimes sends you along an unfinished road.

Phillipe and his family made us feel at home as soon as we arrived. They were warm and welcoming, and shared great stories about life in the Philippines and France. We stayed in the budget room, which was comfortable and had everything we needed. We spent five weeks in the Philippines, and this was just the peaceful, nature-filled break we needed. The garden and pool area are wonderfully relaxing, and the wild, rustic beach was lovely for a walk. It's tucked away, which is part of the appeal, though getting a trike from Buenavista port is easy, or Phillipe can arrange a pickup for a good price. The food was some of the best we had in the country. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all delicious local dishes with a French twist and quality ingredients. You don't need to leave to eat, and hot and cold water is freely available, with drinks for sale too. Day trips around the island can be arranged at reasonable prices. We went island hopping near the mangroves on a weekday and had the area to ourselves. If you want to get away from the tourist trail and see an island still relatively untouched by mass tourism, this place is a reason to visit Guimaras.

I'd recommend renting your own vehicle here. The property is quite isolated, about 20 minutes from town, and having a way to get around adds convenience while the quiet setting adds to its charm. The Lazy Tiki's food is top notch, but you need to order it a day or so ahead. It's a wonderful little gem for anyone looking for peace and tranquility. The Filipino and French family who own and influence the place are friendly, charming, and sophisticated.