Playa Tropical

We were here on a weekend when there weren't many guests. The bedrooms were spacious and clean, and the pillows and blankets were comfy. The whole resort looks like a Pinterest board, from the interior design to the pool and beach views. It was really windy even in the hot Ilocos season, with a nice breeze from the poolside access and view. The pool has an infinity-pool feel plus a kid-friendly section. The main pool was too deep for me at 4'11, but there are chairs along the side. Service was good, staff were attentive, and they'd take away empty dishes. Dinner was good and breakfast was genuinely good too. Room 107 was on the first floor. The second floor has a balcony view, basically looking out to the huts. A few downsides: outside food and drinks aren't allowed, and the menu is pretty limited. Cotton clothes aren't allowed in the pool, so bring proper swimwear, and employees are watching to make sure the rule is followed. Free breakfast seemed limited to four people in our case, though I'm not sure if that's always true. You can order silog dishes, but other food and drinks cost extra. Water and hot coffee are self-serve and free. The huts aren't open for general use unless you're checked in or pay a fee. Bathroom lights kept flickering, and I hope they fix that and install heaters.

The place is nice and easy to get to. This was our second visit, and we thought eating the dinner we'd bought outside at the resort's beachside area would be nice. We got back around 9 pm and asked to sit there comfortably, but the area was closed and they didn't make an exception. We practically had to beg to use one of their huts. It ruined the experience, and we won't return.

Food quality was good and the service was good too. The rooms are average, and you can't connect an Android TV to play or watch anything. Some bedsheets had stains that looked like blood or dirt, so check them and ask for fresh ones. I'm also not sure how often they do the make-up-room service, whether hourly or once a day. Bring extra snacks or drinks if you want them. The nearest food shop, like a 7/11, is a distance away, and the road can feel risky because it has few streetlights. If your room has a balcony, you can enjoy both sunrise and sunset views. :)

The nine of us booked three rooms. The entrance and front desk felt refreshing, and our rooms were clean and a decent size. I do wish the hotel had wheelchair access. Staff kindly helped carry my mom in her wheelchair, but a ramp would let people keep their independence and enjoy the grounds and amenities more easily. While we were by the pool, a staff member helped arrange a boat trip. He was very accommodating, and we didn't wait long before he guided us to the beach, where two boats and a guide were ready. We spent about 30 minutes on the boat. The price was reasonable at 1,000 pesos for two, and we tipped both the guide and the staff member. My parents had dinner delivered to their room and said it was delicious. We ordered ours in a small gazebo by the pool; the food was top tier, and the timing was perfect for golden hour. We watched the sunset, swam, and had fun, with great photos and videos to remember it by. Breakfast was included and delicious. The only drawback was our bathroom: it was clean, but the shower pressure was weak. We enjoyed our short stay and appreciate the staff who helped us. I hope there's a wheelchair ramp for everyone who needs it when we come back.