Nautilus Hostel & Hammocks

I stayed in a budget double room and was really disappointed. You can hear everything through the open ceiling and bamboo walls, and it gets very noisy at night. They provide a mosquito net, but it had holes, and there were loads of mozzies and ants. The room had one small lamp, no other lights, an electric outlet far from the bed, a small table, a bed, and a ceiling fan. The shared toilets were tiny, with barely enough room for the shower and toilet seat. They got very hot, and the fan wasn’t enough. They only provided soap. It’s important to know the place is off the main road. Cars couldn’t get in, so you have to walk along a very narrow, muddy path with dogs barking nearby. They wouldn’t provide a tuktuk, even when I said I’d pay. The rooms were ready, but they were strict about check-in time and wouldn’t help call a tuktuk, even though the road is far away. It felt like they didn’t really care about guests. The food wasn’t very good either. Not worth it, there are other hostels with better facilities.

The place has a really nice look and a calm, attractive feel, just like the photos. It's a little set back from the main road, but I didn't mind the walk. The stay itself had some frustrating parts, though. My room's fan was dusty, its buttons were hard to press, the ceiling fan didn't work, and the floor didn't feel clean. WiFi was weak even after I tried the different networks. I found the staff interaction minimal and not very welcoming. It also seemed to me that foreign guests got warmer treatment than locals, which was disappointing. On my last night, people nearby kept talking on and off from around 2 AM, waking me repeatedly. I had an early flight and couldn't get back to sleep. When I told staff, they said nothing could be done and suggested I sleep in the common chilling area. I messaged the owner on WhatsApp and Airbnb, but got no reply, acknowledgment, or apology, including after checkout. That lack of communication was the worst part for me. The place has potential, but maintenance and guest service need work.

The reception and restaurant staff were lovely, and the grounds are beautiful, full of plants and places to sit and relax. Despite being central, it was much quieter than the chaos around Alona. Panglao itself wasn't really for us, so it was nice to have somewhere pleasant to unwind. Bring mosquito repellent, though, there were lots of them. The toilets smelled because wastewater runs onto the gravel path, and the black mats weren't taken out and cleaned daily. We also heard people stomping along the walkway by the deluxe rooms. Since guests are asked to go barefoot, maybe signs asking people to tread lightly would help. The most unsettling thing was a Filipino man in his 40s, who I think may have been a tour guide. He came in freely and loudly flirted with young women. We saw him call to some women in their dorm rooms to go drinking, then pass out snoring on the beanbags late at night, more than once. He asked us to follow him on Instagram, where his pictures were just him with Western women in bikinis. It felt suspicious. We did like the place, and wish private rooms had been available when we booked, since they might have avoided some of these problems. If you're in a deluxe or dorm room, bring earplugs and waterproof shower shoes.

Loved the tropical feel, especially being surrounded by nature. I tried the shared room, which has a very native look, but it could use air conditioning since it gets hotter in summer. The way there gets a bit muddy when it rains. There's a full video on my TikTok account @yourlaaganglocal.