Costa Celine Beach Resort

The pool is a good size, and there's a little playground for kids. Our room faced the beach and had a terrace where we could feel the breeze. They welcomed guests with complimentary drinks, and served food, liquor, and juices too. It was a peaceful, clean place, and they looked after us well.

The sound of waves rushing in was probably my favorite part, and the resort's small size made it feel private. Costa Celine is newly opened in Cateel, right on Creamsand Longbeach facing the Pacific Ocean, with concrete roads leading there. Our room was clean and spacious. There are three villas, each with two separate rooms that can sleep 10 guests comfortably, plus three deluxe rooms in the second-floor building. The food was delicious, and we had no complaints. Staff were friendly and hospitable, especially the hands-on general manager, Beth, who paid close attention to what we needed. The prices felt like good value. Food, drinks, and massages were reasonably priced too. I'd recommend Costa Celine for a weekend away, but stay two nights if you can, since there are plenty of places to see in nearby Baganga.

The service really stood out. Staff were capable, attentive, quick to respond, and still had that relaxed Filipino friendliness. For me, that part deserves five stars. Costa Celine sits on a wide, empty beach between Cateel and Baganga. The Polynesian-style buildings and decor are tasteful, and the materials and construction feel top quality. There's not much to see right around the resort, though the nearby hot springs and Aliwagwag falls each take about an hour to reach. It's a beautiful property, but far from everywhere else. The rooms are large and well furnished, with good water pressure, warm adjustable lighting, quality bedding, four overstuffed pillows per double bed, and nice towels and toiletries. Internet comes through Starlink (Tesla satellite). I also appreciated that the electricity doesn't shut off when you leave, since there are no electronic keys. The pool was lovely, and the lawn by the beach had several places to sit. Massages and spa services were reasonably priced, as was room service. I saw a banquet hall. The website mentions a cocktail bar, but it hadn't opened yet when I visited. The restaurant's one-page menu includes breakfast, dessert, and drinks, so entree choices are limited. The food was okay and reasonably priced. Breakfast was standard, with fresh fruit and pickled papaya; both the coffee and orange juice were powdered. At P7,500 for a standard room up to P17,000 for a villa, the rates would be fair in Boracay or Bohol. Here, the remote location makes them a little high, though not enough for me to fault the resort. As far as I can tell, it's the nicest place for 100 km in every direction, so they may as well charge what they can get. It's beautiful, the rooms are excellent, and the amenities and luxury feel are there, though the food and drink menu could be expanded. My ratings add up to 23/30, or four stars. I'm CDO's top foodie, here on vacation.

Food's a gamble here. My rare tuna came out so overcooked I gave it to my cat and mixed it with mayonnaise for tuna salad. The clams and shells were rubbery, like candle wax. Save yourself time and have charges put on the room, since waiting for change can cost you half an hour. Make plenty of use of the pool and ocean 🤙🏼