Stardust Beach Hotel Matabungkay Batangas

We didn't try the food at the pleasant outdoor dining area, and although the pool looked nice, we never got in. The beach is a short 2-3 minute walk away, since the property isn't directly beachfront. Our room had enough space for six and came with towels, Wi-Fi, soap and shampoo sachets, plus complimentary coffee and tea. But it could use some attention: the side tables and CR weren't very clean, there was grit on the beds, the bathroom rack was broken, and there wasn't a mirror. The place felt old and in need of upgrades. Fine for a quick stay, though.

The only real trouble was the power. It kept cutting out several times overnight, though it affected the whole area, not just the hotel. They do have a generator. We booked at the last minute after our original accommodation cancelled on us, and got their final room, a family room for six. The staff were friendly, the bedding and bathroom were clean, and coffee, tea, and water were complimentary. I also liked having pools for both adults and kids. We were fine with the hotel not being beachfront since the beach was just a few minutes away on foot.

The bathroom was filthy, with mildew and a sewage odor that seemed to come from bad plumbing. We stayed one night only because we arrived very late and the alternative was sleeping in the car. Before letting us into the room, the man at the counter sprayed it heavily with aerosol to cover the mold coming from the AC unit. The next morning we asked for a refund for our prepaid second night and were refused. Someone from the counter came up and agreed the bathroom smelled like death, but said they had no authority to refund us. We contacted the owner through the booking app, and got a condescending, pr-ckish reply right away. This place is as bad as it gets. Fellow travelers, stay far away.

The staff were super courteous and considerate, and they have local contacts for beach activities and facilities, so there was no need to haggle with locals. Food from outside was allowed without a corkage fee, and the hotel food was good too. We booked two rooms for a night and two days. The property felt safe and is just across the street from the beach, about a two-minute walk. There are private pools for adults and kids, and the rooms were well kept and ventilated. Highly recommended for families or groups of friends who want a clean, convenient place at a reasonable price.