Kalipay sa Baybay

Kalipay sa Baybay has a relaxed, easygoing feel, and the friendly staff add to a stress-free beach stay. It’s a peaceful spot in Samal with calm water, clean sand, and a cozy atmosphere, good for swimming or just spending a quiet day by the shore. The simple cottages and rooms are clean and comfortable, with enough convenience for families, barkadas, or couples looking for a break from the city. If you’re after a calm, refreshing, budget-friendly getaway, it’s worth a visit.

Getting dinner turned into the worst part of our stay. We ordered at 3 pm, thinking the food would be prepared ahead, but at 7 pm we followed up three times and were told yes without anyone bringing it. The manager checked with the kitchen and then said our order hadn’t been prepared and would take another hour. We were furious and hungry, felt neglected, and weren’t offered anything for the inconvenience. We walked out to find somewhere else to eat, but there were no nearby restaurants, so we ended up buying pizza, cup noodles, and barbeque at a store. The resort is in a very remote part of the island, nearly an hour from Samal port according to Google Maps, and Globe and Smart had no signal there. Our school picked it as the cheapest option. We had rented dorms for 30 females in dorm 1 and 14 males in dorm 3. At check-in, I also found the staff not very accommodating. I can’t recommend the place, though other people may have a different experience. I hope they improve their service.

A few hours before check-in, the property told us its water system had broken down and asked us to cancel the booking. We did cancel, but they never refunded us and have ignored all our messages. I strongly recommend not staying here.

We had a great stay, and it’s definitely family friendly. There are kayaking, paddle boarding, billiards, and surfing amenities, though there weren’t any surfable waves when we visited. The beachfront rooms are cozy, but small, with room for one or two people at most. Wi-Fi is the main drawback, especially since there’s no mobile service.