Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel

What made the stay for me was the food and the people. I loved the amenities and buffet breakfast, and the food at Briza restaurant was delicious. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. Mark at the breakfast buffet deserves a special mention for being helpful, accommodating, and making sure we were comfortable each morning. Thank you, Mark, for your kindness and professionalism. The room, though, felt too small for what we paid. We even paid extra to upgrade to a beach-view room, and it was still cramped. I’ve stayed at a lot of resorts, and in my experience the price wasn’t worth it for such a small room and bed.

The property feels older in places, and some of the room fixtures and furnishings could use a refresh. At low tide, the private beach water can also be quite shallow and rocky, though the beach itself is lovely for lounging. What I liked was the cozy, intimate feel and classic Filipino resort atmosphere. The lush grounds and two well-kept pools make it feel more personal than the bigger modern resorts in Mactan. Staff were very warm and welcoming, and the beachfront dining came with a wonderful view and a great breakfast selection. Despite those minor issues, it’s a peaceful traditional getaway at a very reasonable price.

The sunset corner room was huge, with really nice views over the bay, and all the grounds were clean. Staff were always happy to help with bags and book car transfers. Dinner was nice, and the live music was enjoyable, though it felt very in-your-face. We tried the spa and relaxation activity, but I couldn’t get comfortable on the massage beds, even with staff going out of their way to find different pillows. I’m also unsure the waiters understood cross contamination with my food allergies, especially at breakfast. They need more training on that, because it’s stressful to eat while worrying you could get sick. All in all, a really nice place to stay.

I had a wonderful spa visit, especially the massage with Lizette. After a couple of weeks of travel, the 75 min massage was just what I needed. I’ve had plenty of massages and prefer firm, professional pressure, and she got it right. Jolly from guest services was also lovely and answered all our questions. A good friend and I had a great time enjoying the beach and amenities. Highly recommend.