Villa Bienvenida Beach Resort

The shared kitchen and fridge are handy if you want to keep costs down by cooking for yourself. The hosts were friendly and it was a good stay. Music from the neighboring bar can get annoying since it continues until midnight, though the location makes that irritation easier to put up with.

The property sits toward the quieter end of the beach strip, so it’s less crowded than the central stretch near the restaurants and shops. The beach itself is just a minute away on foot. We arrived two or three hours before check-in, but our room was already clean and ready, so they let us in early. The staff were kind and accommodating, helped us book activities, suggested places to visit and eat, and answered our questions. The room looked old, and probably is, but it was still cozy.

There were eight of us, including two senior citizens, visiting on a Wednesday when we had the place to ourselves. We just needed somewhere to leave our things and take a clean shower after swimming. Instead, they offered us an outside bathroom that was very smelly and dirty, with no shower. When we asked if we could use a bathroom in an empty room, they insisted the outside one was the only option. They charged 300 per person, with no senior discount for our two older companions. That came to 2400 for a table and chairs and a foul bathroom. Very poor hospitality, service, and amenities.

The staff were very accommodating, and the place has potential. The patio is large and makes a nice spot to relax. The bedrooms are decent, and if you need pet-friendly lodging at White Beach in Puerto Galera, I can recommend it. It’s fair for the price, as long as you don’t expect too much. The bedroom lights could be brighter. Water supply was inconsistent, and the showers differed a lot: ours was very cold, while the one used by my daughter and mom was very hot. I hope they take better care of the property. The front yard could even become a swimming pool.