H Resort Bohol - The Coral Cliff by SMS Hospitality

The food was good, especially the chopsuey, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. I came for a wedding reception, and it was my first visit to the island after hearing good things from a colleague. The entrance looked small, but inside there were trees and greenery everywhere, a lovely view, big swimming pools, and plenty of places to sit and relax. I was surprised to find a resort like this away from the Panglao city area. Can't wait to return.

The rooms felt luxurious and comfortable, and the staff were attentive and polite. The food selection was limited, but what I had was delicious, and the drinks were divine. During happy hour, the bartender even added an extra shot, a small, kind touch. I was the only guest while I was there, so having the whole pool to myself was pure bliss. H Resort felt serene and intimate from the moment I arrived. It's a hidden paradise away from busy Panglao, and deserves to be shared.

Most of the employees were kind, apologetic, and clearly trying to make the stay feel like a vacation at a wannabe 4-star hotel. Even so, paying a western price after traveling halfway around the world for this level of service was unacceptable. At check-in we were told the hotel was full when we asked about a better room than the one shown. Our Booking.com listing said two double beds, but the deluxe room actually had two beds only 120 cm wide. Changing rooms took ages. We eventually got a pretty nice room, plus one for the bed, but after the long scooter ride and a frustrating check-in, the magic had mostly gone. When we asked for water and specific beers, both were out of stock. The next morning, we were told there weren't enough guests for a buffet breakfast. Don't go there.

The ground-floor room smelled bad, though the second-floor room was excellent. Dinner was edible, but breakfast was horrible, with the worst coffee ever. The hotel is in a very quiet area, and the nearest good restaurants are a couple of kilometers away, so it's the wrong choice if you don't have your own transport and want good food. The corals there are sadly dead too, so you'll need another place for nice snorkeling. Next time I'll pick a resort in Panglao.