Villa Marquez

The view is decent and the swimming pool is okay, but those were the only positives for us. We paid ₱2,500 for a cramped room that was presented as a family room, though it was nowhere near large enough for a family. The TV didn't work and there wasn't a remote, either. We also had trouble with breakfast. The menu listed 2 eggs, 2 ham, a hashbrown, 2 toast, and a choice of orange juice or coffee. The hashbrown was missing, with no explanation that it might be optional, and the food was bland and barely okay for the price and wait. We'd been told the room included 3 free breakfasts, and that paying 350 pesos for an extra bed would include another breakfast, giving us 4. We have evidence of that agreement and ordered the extra bed based on it. When we raised the missing hashbrown and breakfast count in the dining area, staff insisted we were entitled to only 3 meals and wouldn't clarify or take responsibility. Someone in our group had to pay for breakfast, which felt especially frustrating given the food quality. A few staff members stared at us several times, leaving us uncomfortable, as if we were being watched or expected to do something wrong. The service felt unreliable, and we couldn't tell whether staff didn't know the policies or chose not to follow them. The rooms and amenities seemed poorly maintained, and the meals were underwhelming and overpriced. Villa Marquez felt disorganized and disappointing, and after this stay, we won't return.

The grounds looked lovely, and the pool and sea view were both very nice. Staff were attentive when we arrived, brought us a bottle of water, and were mostly helpful through our week and a half there. The place has had a new owner within the last year, though, and we ran into a lot of problems. Getting around was difficult. We rented a motorbike for a couple of days, but when we wanted another one, none were available. With nothing else nearby, that really limited our options. The first bike we did get was completely out of gas. I worried we might not find a station in an unfamiliar area, though we made it. When we settled our bill, the hotel insisted the tank had been full and tried to charge us for gas. Food was another issue. The menu items were just okay, some better than others, and around 50 to 100 php more expensive than they should have been. There aren't other food options close by unless you have transport. If you do, Hidden Huts Camotes is worth checking out. We found the food there excellent, with good choices beyond Filipino dishes, and portions twice the size for 50 to 100 php less than at the hotel. One night we bought rum at the bar, at a markup, after they said they didn't have tanduay. We didn't finish the bottle. The following night we brought the leftover rum and a bottle of tanduay we'd bought elsewhere, and they tried to charge us 300 php for outside liquor. There were no signs or menu note about that charge, and they had been out of tanduay themselves. The mattresses were hard foam with a built-in hard foam pillow, and the two extra pillows were just as uncomfortable. The sheets kept coming off, which was frustrating. Construction was also loud, with hammering, submit mixers, and other noise from 6 AM to 8 PM while the American owner added a second floor to a building for his fiancé’s family. One weekend, when the owner was away, work continued on Friday until well past 4:30 AM. It felt like the owners treated the property as a home first and a business second. With the uncomfortable beds and the noise, we barely slept. For this price, there are better and cheaper choices, like Azure Camotes, which has several pools and Oceanside access in the main town. Do some research before booking here. Between the nickel-and-diming, the inconveniences, and the owners' attitude and management, I can't recommend it, even though the grounds and pool are nice.

We had such a nice time here. The pool is beautiful, and the family who runs the place are amazing. Thanks so much for everything 🥰

We came looking for breakfast during low season, when there weren't many places open to eat. The owner opened the restaurant just for us and made us a lovely meal. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. There are two lovely dogs around, and the view is great too.