Kav's Beach Resort

It’s cozy and quiet, and okay for the price. The downside is that the food is very expensive. Since the location is a bit remote, you don’t really have another option besides eating at their restaurant.

The drive in is rough, though after visiting lots of places in the Philippines I’ve come to expect that, and Kav's isn’t the only place with that issue. We had lunch and I got the bacon cheeseburger, which was pretty good and came with all the fixings. The owner’s micro brew IPA was a great surprise. They even chilled my glass in the freezer. My wife and I took a nice walk before lunch. The beach could use a rake, since the high tide had brought in some trash, but that’s common in the Philippines. I was also glad to find a real mattress instead of the foam many places use. No real complaints from me, aside from some guests making a fuss about smelling cigarette smoke for even a second. I say get over yourself, it’s not going to kill you! We’ll probably stay here again for our next anniversary.

The price is very, very good, and the facility is pleasant enough. Our room was quite small, and the food was good but a bit pricey. The manager was cheerful when we arrived and left, but the other staff seemed indifferent. Nobody helped with our bags, the room was never cleaned or serviced, and nobody at the bar seemed to know how to make a drink. These are things HRM college graduates should know. The thatch roofs also looked to be in poor shape. The place has been for sale a long time, and the lack of owner involvement and care shows.

The rooms are small but comfortable, with a private terrace for each one, and the setting is lovely. Rates are very competitive for what you get. The restaurant has a good range of food and drinks at a great price, the staff are friendly, and the pool is a decent size. On a good day they set out tables and chairs or bean bags on the beach at the foot of the resort, with candles. It makes for a wonderful sunset and evening atmosphere. Breakfast choices are modest, but overall Kav's is the best value I’ve found among Dumaguete’s many resorts. I’ve stayed a couple of times and would definitely come back.