Modessa Island — Hotel in Roxas

It is difficult for me to rate this place a 2, because the staff is extremely courteous and friendly and helpful. However, the word “resort” in the name of this accommodation is extremely misleading.

Before I arrived, I understood that I would not have fresh water showers, clean water to brush my teeth with, nor any AC in the rooms. This was perfectly fine with me, and this is NOT what detracts from the resort.

What I wasn’t expecting was the filth of the place - the common dining room hadn’t been swept in weeks; tables were covered in sand, food particles and ants. Bottles, cigarette butts, and wrappers littered the floor. Two flea bitten dogs ran around in the eating area, jumping into people’s laps and begging for food. Besides the obvious health concerns of having sick dogs on your lap, they would also run into and out of the kitchen and into people’s private cabins on the beach. There were two desperate kittens walking around the dining area as well, looking emancipated and bedraggled. I love animals, but I don’t want to end up with flea bites or a bacterial wound infection on my vacation.

The main dining area was also falling apart, definitely in need of a complete overhaul. There were rusty nails sticking out of the bamboo floor boards - an obvious hazard to a beach resort, where the majority of people walk around barefoot. Dirty, torn screens were half hanging half falling from some window panes. The windows in the rest of the panes were dirty with about an inch worth of grime.

The bathroom attached to the dining area had a strong excrement smell and was an uncomfortable reminder of the potential health hazards on my way to lunch and dinner every day.

Our cabin had no screens on the door or windows - how are you supposed to sleep in 40C nights without the doors or windows open? None of the cabins nor the main building were equipped with proper ceiling fans either. Instead, floor fans covered in several years worth of grime were left standing all over the place.

The cabin itself was also in need of repair. Multiple nail holes littered the walls, the bathroom was never completely cleaned before our arrival (as evidenced by the bugs in the sink, the leftover paper towels and toilet paper crumpled in the corner and empty shampoo bottles and bits of old soap.

I feel as though the owner uses the excuse of - “hey, there’s no running water or AC, don’t expect luxury” - to put minimum effort into maintaining the main building and the cabins.

I felt dirty leaving the place.

The good parts were the snorkeling and the sunsets, and it would be a good place to get your open water scuba licence at the dive shop next door. Reading a book in the hammocks on the beach was also really enjoyable.

There was...

If you want to relax on a white sandy beach with palm trees this is the place for you.||We spent 5 nights here, are I really unwound.||The beaches are perfect.||The island takes 15 minutes to walk around (beach nearly all the way around).||You are lodged in a bamboo hut, which is cool and airy.||||However, for the management:||Hey guys, you really need to do some simple basic maintenance.||The bathrooms need a simple coat of paint, and the sink needs straightening up (as does the shelf) so that you can put something on it without it rolling off).||The electrical sockets have to be simply reorientated, instead of looking down they should look up, so the plug stays in.||The ceiling fan doesn't work, so : remove it; replace it; or repair it.||Half of the hamacs on the beach have holes in them, try using one and you will see they can’t be used.||All the outdoor furniture is broken or needs a coat of paint.||Do something about the comfort rooms at the entrance to the restaurant, not a nice place to be.||Sort out the mess of building material and other bits that are lying around at the entrance to the hotel, where your guests land. The best part of the installation is a builders yard. Clear it up! It would change your image.||Sort out, use or get rid of the rubbish tip that is 100 metres after the dive shop, it gives a really bad impression of your environmental attitude. you should be ashamed.||As for the staff, they are a really good bunch, make the most of them. you have to train them in service and in the kitchen.||||All these things that I have noted make the difference between you being “a place to stay for a couple of days”, and being a “really cool and great place to stay for a couple of days and I want to come back for some really good food”.||||My recommendation about your hotel to other travellers is: find another heaven on earth: this one is missing a bit to be called paradise, even though it...

I cannot say enough about the wonderful staff on the island. From the moment we arrived, to sending us off it the boat on departure, everyone was helpful, friendly and so welcoming. Ryan took us on a fantastic snorkel and Albert, our driver, went out of his way to take us for food and always had a huge smile on his face. ||||The island itself is stunning, with some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. With no power during the day, you really got to just enjoy nature and relax in the peaceful setting. ||||I do however have some suggestions that would have improved the experience, and would also determine if I went back.||||The beach huts are pretty run down with broken sun chairs and garbage everywhere. Our bathroom door fell off the first time using the bathroom, and it remained off for the whole stay. The room, especially bathroom, was filthy. There were used old bars of soap, used razors, and garbage in various places. I can handle rustic, but I like to feel like the room has at least been sanitized before I use it. ||||I also have a complaint about the dive master. One of the reasons we picked this island is because I wanted to go diving. When we inquired, he said he wanted to take us on a shore dive before a boat dive, despite both of us being certified and having many dives already under our belts. The shore dive was basically the same as snorkeling but for the price of the regular dive. To be honest, I got the feeling he was lazy and just didn't want to take us at all.||||Other than these things we had a fabulous time! Massages on the beach were wonderful, food was amazing, and it really was a great relaxing getaway from the city. Thanks again to the...