A Thoroughly Disappointing Experience: A Review of Playa De Oro
From the very beginning, it was evident that this resort falls drastically short of its advertised standards. The first red flag was the complete lack of functional cellular data. While receiving messages was possible, sending them was not. The resort offered Piso-net as an alternative, but the system was inherently flawed. There was no option to pause the connection, meaning that even during a brownout, the timer continued to run, resulting in wasted money.
The accommodations were shockingly inferior to the images promoted on the resort’s social media pages. The room appeared dilapidated, with clear signs of termite infestation, evidenced by crumbling wooden planks and loose flooring. The bathroom was nothing short of disgusting, emitting an unpleasant odor and featuring a non-functional flush. Basic necessities were absent, and the shower was positioned so poorly that it sprayed directly onto the door and any hanging clothing.
The provided kitchen was filthy, with no evidence of proper deep cleaning. The faucet was loose, kitchen supplies were nearly nonexistent, and the entire area was infested with flies.
The beach was another letdown. Marketed as "child-friendly," it was anything but. During low tide, the shoreline was predominantly rocky, making it uncomfortable and unsuitable for swimming. Even at high tide, the conditions did not improve. The staff further exacerbated the frustration by megaphoning instructions to wear slippers while swimming, an absurd and impractical demand. Additionally, the beach’s rocky nature made it inaccessible for my mother-in-law, a PWD who enjoys swimming.
The staff’s demeanor was underwhelming at best. Despite our polite inquiries, responses were often grumpy and unaccommodating. One particularly condescending exchange occurred when we asked if there were other locations to exchange bills for coins. Rather than offering assistance, the staff member responded with passive-aggressive skepticism, questioning whether we had already tried nearby stores.
At night, we requested an additional mattress and four pillows for an extra fee of ₱300 due to our group size. Shortly after, it began raining, and the roof leaked directly onto the extra mattress. When a brownout occurred, not a single staff member approached to address the situation, my husband had to seek assistance himself. The lack of basic hospitality was astounding. We were forced to manually lower the tarp to prevent the outdoor sleeping area from getting wet, as no staff members offered help.
The absence of a backup generator was unacceptable, especially for a resort that charges guests for its services. Ultimately, the extra mattress was rendered unusable due to dampness. When power was finally restored, the internet remained nonfunctional, and no effort was made to rectify the issue.
The following day brought yet another brownout. Once again, we had to personally inquire, only to be told that the electrical company had already been contacted.
The morning passed without incident, aside from the ongoing fly infestation, forcing us to purchase candles as a makeshift solution. We later learned from locals that the exit road was flooded due to heavy rainfall and the nearby lake. Even at high tide, the beach remained unpleasantly rocky.
The road leading to and from the resort was another challenge, unsuitable for smaller vehicles due to flooding and uneven terrain.
We also noticed that the resort’s Facebook page does not allow guests to leave reviews, a convenient way to avoid accountability. However, a quick check on Google reveals numerous negative reviews echoing the same issues we experienced. This selective suppression of feedback speaks volumes about the establishment’s priorities.
This resort failed on nearly every conceivable level, misleading advertising, subpar facilities, unprofessional staff, and a complete lack of preparedness for common issues like power outages. If given the opportunity, I would rate...
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