The Story Resort and Spa

The deluxe room with pool access made a lovely home away from home for our wedding anniversary, especially with a little one who could swim all day. The resort is conveniently located, about 10 minutes from the airport, with shops and restaurants within walking distance. Our room stayed tidy, and housekeeping brought fresh towels and made it up every day. Breakfast was simple, with a few staples that filled us up, but the selection was limited. We took the first flight from Manila and arrived early, but the resort was fully booked, so we couldn't check in before the standard 3 PM time. We left our bags, had breakfast, and went on our Panglao tour. They'd told us they'd let us in if the room was ready before 3. When we came back around 1 PM, we checked with reception, waited a few more minutes, and got our keys. The anniversary setup I'd requested a month earlier, quoted at ₱2,500, wasn't in the room. Since the trip was special, I was willing to pay because I wanted to make it meaningful for my husband and me. I showed the email thread to Rose at reception, the same person who'd replied to my emails, and she had no response. I walked away feeling really disappointed. A little later she called and messaged to ask if she could still set it up while we were out for dinner. I told her to do what was needed. She followed through, and when we returned there was a sweet, beautiful anniversary setup. Rose sincerely apologized and made it complimentary. Her professionalism, calmness, and sincerity made up for the earlier disappointment. Thanks to her, the anniversary became a meaningful celebration. I take back what I said about never booking here again, and we'd definitely return to the same resort if we're in Bohol.

Breakfast was really nice, with good protein choices and fruit, and the rooms were clean. We got a cheap price, so being a bit far from Alona beach didn't bother me much, though you have to Grab there each time. There's a constant wet-wood smell, maybe from the pool or just island life. The WiFi was HORRIBLE, and the drainage was bad too.

The garden is beautifully kept, and the idea of ground-floor rooms opening straight onto the pool works especially well for families with kids. The overall setup seems aimed mostly at families from the Asian market. But guests can't choose between a ground-floor and first-floor room, and allocation feels random or at least unclear. At these high prices, getting a first-floor room feels like much poorer value than getting pool access. Paying the same or a high rate without any say in room location leaves a real imbalance and is disappointing. Breakfast was one of the weakest parts. It's a buffet made up almost entirely of Asian dishes, so it doesn't cater to international guests. The restaurant is indoors only, with no outdoor seating, and the air conditioning is so cold it feels like a refrigerator. The room comes across more like a canteen than a resort restaurant, with none of the warmth or holiday atmosphere you'd hope for. The buildings and rooms look modern at first, but they're plain and basic up close, with little charm or attention to comfort and detail. The bathroom is too dark, and the glass shower screen is far too short. Unless you stand pressed into the corner, water floods the floor, so using the rain shower risks spreading water through the whole bathroom. Cleanliness also missed the mark. The TV screen was visibly dirty, and a second cleaning request didn't fix it, which made me question general housekeeping standards. There was also a penalty list in the room with charges for missing items or breaking house rules. Rules are understandable, but presenting them that way feels excessive and makes it seem like the resort expects guests to cause trouble. That doesn't fit a place positioning itself as high quality and says something about the clientele it anticipates. The resort has a van but doesn't use it for airport transfers. At this price level, that seems like a basic service missing. The garden and pool-access room concept are appealing, but poor room choice, first-floor value, breakfast, cleanliness, bathroom design, and guest policies all dragged down the experience. With better transparency, comfort, service, and value, the resort could meet its potential. As things stand, the price sets expectations that aren't consistently met.

A really relaxing place to stay, and the rooms open straight onto the pool. I also loved the buffet, though I hope they add more choices soon.