Balinsasayaw Resort

The villa was spacious and in good shape, with a lovely sea-facing balcony and an air conditioner that worked well. The staff were lovely and tried to make our stay pleasant. The resort is isolated, but close to Coron Island’s main attraction. You can book tour boats and be picked up right at the pier, something I found hard to understand while researching places away from Coron Town. I know things in another country won’t always meet expectations, and I can usually let some things slide. I hesitated to leave a negative review, but I wish someone had done the same for us. There seemed to be a service fee on every transaction, even when we got our own drinks from the fridge. Day-trip boats include the resort on their itineraries and arrive daily at lunchtime. Then the resort amenities don’t feel exclusive anymore. There are only 10 pool loungers, so finding one, a seaside hut, or a beach lounger is difficult. Day visitors also take from the fridges, and restocking didn’t seem to be a priority before dinner. We wanted a Mule and Coke Zero, but neither was available. After the day-trippers left, the resort was left dirty, with plates, food, and glasses everywhere for hours, including around the only toilet block. The free boats run at 8am to Coron Town and return at 5pm. For a mainland trip at another time, it’s 1,000 pesos or AUD 24.00 each way. There were no women’s toilets in public areas. Staff would check the men’s toilet was clear for my partner, and honestly, it was filthy: no toilet roll, a urine smell, wet sandy floors, and rubbish. The pool also needs a thorough clean, even though it photographs well. We didn’t swim in it. Stray dogs live on the island, and one barked beneath our hut through the night. We scared it away three times, but it returned. We had no hot water for 24 hours. They fixed it only after we asked three times. If you care about food choices, you may be bitterly disappointed. Breakfast was terrible, with cold coffee, warm juice, and more. We only tried dinner on our first night; after that, we had fries and a burger each night. Prices are higher because the resort is isolated, while the quality is lower. Watch out for the bottle of water put on your breakfast table. We assumed it was complimentary, but it appeared on our final bill. I’m describing our experience, not trying to be nasty, but to give a realistic picture. This little slice of paradise has a lot of potential, but someone needs to manage it, train the staff, and make guests a priority.

The private tours they arranged were outstanding. We saw a lot of the southern locations, and I don’t think you can beat this place for visiting them. My wife and I went in December a couple of years ago, and we felt we had privacy despite it being a resort. They picked me up from the main island after I booked a few days. The cottage my fiancée at the time and I shared was clean and had everything we needed. The cooks made good food and drinks, everyone was very kind, and they let us use kayaks and dive around the area. The water was very clear. I’d highly recommend staying here.

We came in late October and really liked how calm and quiet the place was. The starry sky at night felt so different from the city, and relaxing in the rattan hammocks while waiting for the tour boats was lovely. We had a nice view from both our room and the restaurant. The room was clean and simple: a bed, side table, a few wall sockets, and air conditioning, with not much else. The view outside was incredible. The bathroom could be improved because it didn’t smell too nice, and toothbrushes and toothpaste weren’t provided. Good thing we brought our own. The staff were accommodating. We ordered breakfast the night before and were served soon after they saw us at the restaurant. Breakfast was tasty and filling. Dinner portions were so big you’d need a very large stomach to finish.

It’s quieter and more scenic here than in Coron town, and there’s a hot shower and a reef nearby. Still, this didn’t feel like a 4 or 5 star stay. The room was basic, the food regularly came without staples like toast or fruit, and the air conditioning stopped working after one day. Nights were very hot. There was no Wi-Fi or network in the rooms, and only faint signal in the dining area. The biggest problem was the lack of communication from staff. It didn’t seem to be a language barrier; they simply didn’t tell us things. For boat trips, bring your own towels and snorkel gear. You can ask the front desk for towels, but this wasn’t explained to us. A half-day tour is charged as a full day, which also wasn’t made clear. A return transfer to town costs 1000 pesos, but be ready for it to be late or for them to forget you entirely. Bring cash when checking out, since the hotel didn’t take credit cards and there are no ATMs on the island.