La Playa Estrella Beach Resort — Hotel in Bantayan Island

We stayed in this hot
el from 26-28th May,2017, last few days of SUMMER before classes were due to start and I must admit it has crystal clear water and a long stretch of white sandy beach reminiscent of Boracay. (well, I guess the whole island of Bantayan is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines). 
However, for a budget hotel this was quite pricey for a room that was very basic. (We paid 12,000php for 2nights and 3 days for 5 adults and 5kids).
||We happened to book this hotel only a couple of days before we were due to arrive. When we phoned the resort, just to ensure that we could get the booking, we were told by the front desk staff that we had to pay the 2 nights and 3 days stay in cash . My sister who luckily knew somebody who is a local there, had to send the money via Palawan remit agency. Upon that booking we included an extra mattress just in case which we were charged 500php per night. (so that was 1000php for 2 nights).
 ||Firstly, I was not already happy with the arrangement of the payment. but as I knew most of the resorts during this time of the year was full, we had to send the payment through Palawan to the go-between local who happily did the favour of paying the resort up front, just to ensure that we did have a place to stay for the weekend getaway. (To be honest, I have been to so many different resorts around the world, and this is the very first time I have experienced that the arrangement of paying has to be done through a local). :(||
Upon our arrival, after we have settled in to our rooms, my sister and I, along with my brother-in-law, went to speak to the staff name Juvy Andales to query re: the method of payment and secondly to cancel the use of extra mattress as obviously, we no longer need it. Much to my amazement, we were informed that we could no longer get back the refund of 1000php for the extra mattress as the money has been remitted to the bank or owner, (? whaaaatt ?); without too much fuss, my brother in law suggested that we will just somehow use the 1000php as consumables for the bar. But the staff was DISMISSIVE and firmly said that NO REFUND was authorised. No further explanations were given as to why .||We are paying customers and I believe it is our legal right to get back our money for a facility that we don't use or have not used; I.e, extra mattress, etc. if we could not get it back in terms of CASH, 
an option of using it equivalent to that amount, maybe for food or snacks or bar consumables should have been provided.We did not make too much fuss because, it was a hell of long drive and all we wanted was to unwind and chill.||||Secondly; ON the second evening, at the small bar which was located in the middle of the resort, we wanted to order Halo-halo; so we asked the staff what fruits were to be used but the male staff outrightly said to us, he has no idea what fruits are used when he should have replied, ”I’m sorry Ma’m/Sir , if you could wait I will happily ask the kitchen staff and will let you know.” 

We ended up ordering for a shake where we had to wait for almost an hour as the blender got broken in the middle of preparing the shake. all these happened during our entire stay there..what a LUCK, bad luck!!!:(

||||Customer service /Hotel rating: i can only score it 2 out of 5. It’s a “let-down” experience in this resort but this will not stop me from coming back to Bantayan Island. It’s the beach I came here more than anything. 
Obviously, I will NO longer make use of this hotel neither I will recommend this beach resort to my...

The place is very nice but...

travelling through the these times are tough already but the property is not cooperating. Some properties i have been through has eased it by making sure that they make the stay more comfortable for their cutomers. In this property there is too many restrictions - Corkage on everything even for items that they do not Offer. For food, seashells available in Bantayan but not offered by the property will be charges 250 per pail. These seashells are big and can weight much more than scallops and you can buy them for 300 per kilo. If you see these seashells just imagine how much you will pay if you buy 1 pail. For beverage- they will charge corkage the same amount you paid for outside. 100 pesos charge for room service. With the current situation and restrictions, in room dining will be more encourage. Free transport to/from port - our pickup was almost 30 mins late. The drive would only have took less than 20 mins. If not told to wait, we could have take the public transport but the property pickup sounded more convenient because of our luggages. Dont get me started with the driver asking for tips for snacks the moment we sat in the vehicle. Same happened to the driver for our dropoff. He even mentioned/complained that he made a dropoff for 15 people but was only given 50 pesos. Another guest gave him the tongue lashing adding that the customer did not understand why he should give a tip. I explained to him that its a turnoff to ask and usually the customer would that they are already paid for the service they are rendering amd tip is just a compliment from guests who are very happy with their service and assistance.

What makes this property good clean surrounding big enough rooms although in our room the bidet was broken and was leaking the whole time we were there friendly staff beach towels are...

Room Amenities.||It is our first time to go here in Bantayan, Cebu. Or to Cebu itself. We booked 4 days and 3 nights here. The location of this resort is very accessible, has a pristine sand and beach front. My husband and I are very much into beach travelling. Whenever we want to destress from work and city life, we’ll just hop around And book a flight. ||I have initially made my reservation to Ogtong Cave Beach Resort, but I cancelled it because of mis comm. my Colleague and friend referred this resort to me so I have a something in mind that somehow meets my expectations. ||1. Upon entering the room, you’ll automatically bump into the “mini” closet. Well, logically, if I will be placing my things, wallets, jewellery there, they my Be easily get stolen. They do not have a vault here so all of My valuables are| Placed on a small bag with me, ON my bed. ||2. No Television. I would appreciate if the hotel aims to have a reconnection to the nature and isolate ourselves to all any gadgets and technology. As their guest are looking for Comfort, destress and convenience. None of it was met. My husband is into watching and so as my daughter. We asked if there were room and even asked for a room upgrade but told us they were fully booked. I have asked if there’s a any chance that somebody cancelled their booking or what not, atleast inform me. — we are about to check out Tomorrow but still no update. ||3. No Ref, 1 small coffee table, no bedside table, 2 hangers for the entire occupants. ||4. Mosquitoes everywhere outside the room. (One of the reason why I wanted to be transferred /room upgrade) ||5. Poor guest service. No room service cleaning or atleast offering some service to us (since they were asking for the room keys be returned when we...