Noni's Resort — Hotel in Alitagtag

Spent New Year’s eve with my family and booked the Bauan room/Family Room with Terrace in the main bldg. I’ve seen their advertisements before about their Cabins/Villas hence I was enticed to book when I saw that their rate in Agoda was only 7k pesos (as their villas is 25k)

Few days prior our stay, I’ve done my research and saw a lot of reviews which helped manage my expectations (although it’s still different when you actually experience it yourself). Please see below summary of our experience. PROS: Great view Friendly staff - staff in charge took nice photos of our family Had fun in their KTV room - the sound quality is superb and has a toilet. You can rent it for 350php/hr CONS: Overpriced Food, Average Taste, Small serving - I requested for a copy of their menu ahead of our stay so I can plan the meals my family will order and so I can budget too. On their menu it says that their breakfast rate is 350 pesos/pax (I was happy bec I saw a review that said they were charged 850 pesos hence I thought they have changed it) and I thought that the consumables is not applicable to us bec we are not staying in the villa - but I was wrong. So upon checkin the staff asked me if I was availing the breakfast and then I said yes, to my surprise she said that the rate is 850 pesos/pax - 350 for the breakfast, 500 consumables. Note that the breakfast is plated and not even a buffet. Taste was average. Given that we were already there and didn’t bring food since we don’t have a kitchen/microwave in the room, I had no choice but to pay 3400 pesos.

For our dinner, I ordered in advance but they only have limited options. We were eyeing a certain dish but was informed later that the other room ordered all of it already. I ordered another dish and I was only planning to order 2main dish as I was trying to work within my budget. The staff kept offering that I order 1 more dish as the 2 that I ordered might not be enough for 4. I ended up ordering their Large Lechon Kawali 1080 pesos bec I don’t want my family to not have enough food if the portion size is just small. True enough, the 2main dish is not good for 4.

Furthermore, when I called their number days before and asked if they serve food for New Year’s eve, they informed me that they have a menu but apparently when I arrived there we were informed that their kitchen is only open at 8:30pm. Given that our food for media noche was prepared in advance, by the time that we were doing the New Year salubong, our food was cold. We had no choice and just tried to make do of what they can offer. If I have been informed about this in advance, I probably would have not booked our stay. Btw, their 1 cup of rice is 70 pesos :(

Lack of coordination and setting of expectations - after checkin, our room phone kept ringing because the staff was asking about our order, informed us that the dish I initially ordered isn’t available. There were a lot of back of forth. P.S. my request was only simple and not complicated at all

Admin fees + VAT - Read reviews and is already aware of the admin fees. You get charged 10%admin fee if they bring your order in the room so I tried to not request in room service. We had our dinner in the Gazebo area (the vibe was great) however when I reviewed the receipts they charged me 5% admin fee per receipt. For example my order for dinner and my order for media noche have 2 separate receipts which means I was charged 5% fee per receipt, per total. On top of that I saw a separate Admin fee when my Consumbles and additional orders were computed.

Their main pool needs some renovation - tiles were already cracked and the surrounding area looks old and have not been used for while. We decided not to swim.

Despite reading reviews in advance and contacting them ahead to plan, the actual experience is below my expectations. They require improvement in a lot of areas. It’s good that they provide work for a lot of locals in the area. Will I book again?...

5 stars for the location because the view is great and very relaxing. Their staff are friendly and accommodating. However, we were disappointed on the room and experience that we had due to the following:

The bathroom is old and smelly. A diffuser is their to block the smell but once you turn it off, it will immediately smell bad.

It was extremely disappointing at night, the electricity was on and off. I was taking a shower and the lights went off for a few minutes and the bathroom was pitched black. No emergency lights. I cannot move and had to wait for the lights so that I can finish my shower. It was frustrating. After shower, electricity was still on and off. It was like that for more than 3 hours.

The public pool was dirty. I think they only focused on maintaining the private pools in the villas/cabins.

Price of food is too expensive. It is not that good and serving is small. We had our merienda in the afternoon and it cost us Php950 for 4pcs of barbecue and small plate of pancit canton, hence we decided to eat our dinner outside the resort. Also, tables in the common area were dirty. You can see marks that were not cleaned and stayed there until our checkout.

Our room's window does not provide enough privacy. Anyone can see you from outside especially at night when your lights are on. Towels provided also looks worn out.

Also, when you book, you are required to have your breakfast there and pay it around Php950 and another Php1,000 in advance and must consume it in their restaurant during your stay. If you don't, your booking will not proceed. Also, I don't understand why Admin fee is always charged in everything. VAT is not included in their rates so expect to pay more.

Positive experience:

Really great view, our afternoon was well spent in their viewing deck Very accomodating and friendly staff, I was given a reminder on my booking the day before. All staff shows hospitality and always greets you with a smile. Hassle-free parking and checkout They have 1 bottle of complimentary wine They have board games you can...

We stayed here 4x. 😊 2x in their Batangas Pool Suite, 1x in Batangas Jacuzzi Suite and once at Sta. Teresita Villa. And each stay was a real hassle-free and relaxing.

Going there: The place is situated in a forest-like site. The road going to the resort is paved but one-way. You may see local residence along the way but the resort itself is secluded.

Accommodation: SUITES is always clean and smelling fresh. Ample toiletries and basic neccessities. NOTE: We havent tried their rooms in the main building.

The glass sliding door has screendoors and insect zappers are present though there is still a few that can getaway but still its their territory so...its expected to see them there. The toilet and shower area is in separated cubicle so it is spacious.

Private Pool: This is the one of the selling point for me with all the pandemic going. Not only you get to enjoy it at your convenience, it has filtering system so it doesnt have chlorine (safer for babies and younger toddlers). It is also heated so no chills in case you decide to take a night dip.

Customer Service: Superb! Another reason why we keep coming back. The staffs are polite and approachable. They accommodate little requests 😊 and inquiries.

View and Environment: Relaxing and Forestry feels with the different sounds of birds and trees even wind (on a chilly day) gives.

Food: This one can be improved. They have a good list of menu but the taste is just so-so. Also servings can be better considering the price. Fruits is little to none at all 😅 so when we came back after our first, we brought our own baon 😊

Price: Its a bit pricey but for me worth it, with the relaxation, privacy and service you'll get. And oh the suites also includes complimentary red wine and cookies 🤗

Lastly, they are pet-friendly! With a one-time pet fee good for whole stay.

Definitely one of our family's fave...