Manggadiwa Resort and Spa

Waking up to the view across Panay Gulf toward the beautiful Tando Coves was a highlight, and the rooms and bathrooms are huge. The food was good, the coffee was great, and I enjoyed the pool overlooking the sea. Staff brought a friendly, professional warmth everywhere, always greeting us with a smile. There are plenty of activities, from jetskies to sunset Yacth trips. It takes some effort to reach this hidden gem in Guimaras. The drive in follows a small path through the local neighborhood, and the driveway is narrow, though manageable, with caring locals there to help. Check-in was easy, with a warm welcome from the Front Office staff. It’s an awesome escape from the usual places.

The best part of our day at Manggadiwa was the mango shakes. We’d paid for entry, but decided against using the pool because of the heat, so we asked about a refund. Getting an answer took over an hour while the receptionist waited for approval from someone unavailable. We eventually got cash payments refunded, but the card payments couldn’t be returned. The receptionist agreed we could use the remaining balance for food instead. We’d expected shoreline access, but there wasn’t any, so we went to a nearby resort for beach photos. The place looks as appealing as it does in the photos and is nice for relaxing and taking pictures, but the food and service need to improve to match the setting. We’d come with friends for a quick day trip after seeing online photos and videos. It’s a little far from the main road, the signage was hard to see, but there was proper parking and reception staff were accommodating. We arrived around 10 AM after leaving Iloilo at 7 AM, and some of us hadn’t eaten breakfast. Since the entrance fee was consumable, we ordered brunch and were told it would take about 45 minutes. We didn’t mind waiting and planned to explore and take photos, but the food wasn’t all served until around 11:30, about an hour and a half later. Most dishes were decent. The kansi was especially flavorful and more than enough for four, but the crispy pata, one of the most expensive items, came last, cold and not crispy. We were hungry, so ate most of it anyway. Afterward, we asked a staff member to pack our leftover pizza. He acknowledged us but went to help other tables instead. A second staff member, who seemed to be a trainee, said okay, rolled her eyes, and didn’t follow through either. It took asking a third person before the pizza was finally packed.

The staff made the biggest impression, always ready with a smile and going out of their way to make us feel at home. The resort is beautiful and peaceful, the rooms are comfortable, and the amenities are great. Fantastic customer service. We’ll be back.

The resort is clean, peaceful, and well-maintained, a lovely place to unwind or spend quality time with family and friends. I’d recommend it for a relaxing getaway with great service. Denmark Espenitra deserves special mention for being friendly, respectful, and always ready to help.