Santiago Bay Garden & Resort

The sea view is great, and the beachside location right next to the cove is amazing. We arrived early and the staff accommodated us in our habitat; the guard showed us to our room. The service was excellent, though the room could use an update, which is why I’m giving four stars.

The two pools were a highlight, especially the one near reception, which was less busy. It might work well as an adults-only pool, leaving the other for kids. The views are great, and there’s direct beach access depending on the tide. The place is a little run down, as other reviews say, but that didn’t bother us. A room from 1,000 php seems like good value for money when visiting Camotes.

The staff are excellent, and the setting is hard to beat. We stayed in a bay view room overlooking the beach, and the stairs lead down to my favourite beach on the island. The hotel has big grounds and nice pools. You can rent scooters from the guys outside the entrance, and they can arrange rides to and from the ports. Breakfast and food prices were average. The rooms need updating: the shower head leaked, the toilet seat moved around, and the a/c needs cleaning, including what seems to be a long-uncleaned filter. The outdoor lights were annoying at night, since the room wasn’t dark enough to sleep, and it was inconvenient to go out and find which switch controlled the light outside our room.

The resort’s location and peaceful feel made for a lovely stay, with stunning views over Santiago Bay and easy access to the public beach for morning walks or a swim. The pools and gardens were well maintained, and the rooms were decent and affordable. Staff were friendly and accommodating. It’s a great spot in Camotes for couples, friends, or families. The room Wi-Fi could be better, and some parts could use a refresh, but I still highly recommend it.