Alona Studio Bungalow

The main reason I booked was the promise of a private pool, and I expected a place that respected guests' privacy. The price felt high, but I went ahead because of the pool. I didn't use it, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone, even someone I disliked. No one deserves to be treated this way for the price of a night's stay. The bungalow is on the owners' lawn, right beside their house. At the gate I already felt I wouldn't have privacy. Clinton's back door opened onto a sala where he and his people drank and talked until morning. It also made me wonder if they were watching to see whether I brought anyone into the room. The main door had uncovered glass, and the curtains were flimsy, so I felt watched the whole time. Its knob and lock were faulty, with no deadbolt or anything that made me feel secure. The pool may be private in the sense that only your group uses it during the booking, but men were drinking beside it, which made me uncomfortable. Getting there was also a problem. I had arranged our ferry tickets and tours with another person, and told Clinton we'd arrive around 5 or 6 in the evening after a tour when we reached Bohol. At 3 PM he was already asking when we'd get there. We arrived at 5:30 PM, and he hurried us into the room so he could leave for dinner. Before that, after I booked, Clinton demanded that I pay that same day or they'd cancel. I asked for more time because I couldn't get to a bank during office hours while working. It took more than three days of calls and texts to the listed number to get a proper reply. Before sending the bank details, he complained about my repeated calls and messages. I should have taken that as a sign, though I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. The room looked clean at first, but there was grime on the floor and cobwebs on the walls. Plates and utensils on the kitchen counter still had food on them. The bathroom toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion, had been opened or used. Both the bath and beach towels smelled pungent. At 9 PM they inspected the property to check there were only four of us in the room. Clinton knocked to ask if everything was okay. After I said yes, he forced his way inside to check whether anyone was hiding in the bathroom. I felt violated. I can't see how anyone would think that was acceptable. The main road is a minute's walk away, but there's no lighting at night and the streets are dark. Transportation is scarce at best. It felt like a hitchhiker tragedy waiting to happen. You're better off renting a car.