i have a project there which is a wedding package held @ bali-bali resort…. im so amaze because the staff well accommodating,hospitable and respectful also my clients are very happy to stay at bali-bali resort. 2days staying are so satisfied thank u bali-bali for accommodating us….😘😘😘😘😘
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This beach is good for family because it has a pool weather . The food is delicious. The over all place is magnificent, it has a wide area were family can play together. Also the waiter and housekeeper along the front desk is approachable.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For me this review is a struggle, as it really depends on what you are looking for and for how long. But when i was already planning what i would write by the time i had taken breakfast i knew that it was not a good sign. I had read the reviews and i had really hoped they had been wrong... The good points The rooms are great, the pool is clean and the view from it wonderful, it even has a small beach so you can scrunch your toes in the sand if you so wish, it has lovely gardens, table tennis and table football, pool to keep you busy it wanted. The food was wonderful and plenty of it, and the staff are very friendly and always smiling however there is a downside I was going to take the local ferry to the hotel as i new that the cost of the hotel boat was 1000 peso each way, but no taxi driver or anyone we asked seemed to have any idea how you get to the passenger ferry and after 1 hour in a taxi i gave up and called the hotel to collect me by boat, even that was difficult, again no one seemed to know where the hotel boat picks you up, the internet information is outdated, even the man stood on the gate where it leaves from, and there is no email address. It picks you up from pearl harbour marina btw, if you are going call them and get them to collect you from the airport. On arrival i was shown my room, it was 9am i had been travelling all night and had come right from work to the airport as checkin is not until 2pm i had planned to take breakfast and lay by the pool until checking time, but as the hotel was empty i thought that they were being nice and letting me in early, but no, as i found out the next day at 10am that the hotel policy is that you have a room for 24hrs, you can stay anytime after that for an additonal 1000 pesos, when i said i was happy to check out but not leave until later as my flight was not until 9pm, i was told it was not possible to stay in the hotel without a room, so there goes another 1000 pesos When having breakfast which was a mountain of food for one person, i was asked what time i would like my lunch, and whilst i was having lunch what time i would like my dinner and as you guessed at dinner what time i would like my breakfast, for me this is a problem, i am a small eater but i had no say in what i ate (no menu) and during eating, the last thing on my mind is when i will eat again, i understand why they do this, with so few people around they want to make sure the staff in the kitchen are on hand at the right time, but it does not make for a very relaxing time, and it always feels like you need to be somewhere - quiet the opposite of what i was looking for, i took breakfast at 9 but woke at 8.50 after not sleeping the night before arriving, the phone rang dead on 9 to say my breakfast was ready and on the table. I then found out that the lastest you can leave the hotel is 3.30-4pm as the boats are not allowed to sail after 5 so again i was rushing back to the airport to sit and wait for 5hours until my flight (my fault as i didn't ask when booking but had planned to use the local ferry) When checking out i found out that the daily rate for food is 1300 pesos, its not bad for the amount of food you get, but when you don't want all that food and can not eat it, it becomes expensive and wasteful. The hotel does not take credit cards so the staff member joined me on the boat back to the ATM in Davao Conclusion, the hotel is nice but over priced, every thing here is based around how much money can be extracted from each guest (my feeling) its location makes it hard to get to and as the rooms are $100 a night or more you would think the boat ride would be included (as there is no other way to get there it seems) the food was great but it would have been nice to have been told in advance what i would get and how much so i could have reduced the portions and therefore the cost. Overall for a one day trip it was not worth the money and i am sorry to say i would not recommend it to a friend, there are just to many hotels that give you the same or more at a much less costs in both time and money.
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Date of stay: September 2012
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The resort didn’t inform us of their lacking amenities. they have TV but “Not yet availbale”, Shower’s heater is not working, had to transfer to another room because the aircon won’t cool. the food is not delicious at all. Their parking has no lights, our car almost trip on a big hole. The lighting of the resort is dark. The price is unreasonable equivalent to a 4-star hotel. It’s not worth our money and we will not go back here again
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:look for other resort that worth the spend
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bali Bali beach resort, Samal Island, Davao, Philippines.
This resort was our worst nightmare ! And we were trapped !
Opened 7 years ago, I still wonder how this resort is still in business. Most likely, thanks to the nice misleading pictures they show on Hotel booking websites. We stayed 4 nights in March 2012, and were the only customers. “Wrong turn”.
Upon arrival, we were immediately welcome, with a smile, by an additional invoice/bill which increased a lot our cost of stay. Compulsory overpriced meals and drinks, yes, we were trapped here, and there is nowhere else to take our meals....In addition, his is the only resort in Samal to charge $25 boat transfer, per person, from Davao boat club Marina, despite that they write it is free on their website, if you ride the daily morning or afternoon scheduled boat shuttle. And only when I asked, they told me that they take cash only, as payment, and no ATM around. So bring lots of cash.
No food menu, no drink menu, no price-list, the cook will serve diner when he's ready, the food he feels to cook that day. You are vegetarian or don't eat fish ? Who cares ? You are not the one who decides what you eat anyway !!
We came to rest, escape the noisy Davao town, and for silence. Big mistake. Construction work is going on from 7am to 5pm, cutting (with circular saw), hammer banging, welding, all day long, as they are building new bedroom suites. Lots of annoying, disturbing unnecessary noise. And of course, they wait that you check-in to start cutting the grass under your windows with a noisy motor lawn-mower. You complain ? Well, they say they can't stop the construction because of you...sorry....buy earplugs. On the last day of our stay, noisy construction work started at 6am, and woke us up, driving me crazy. Now you want to swim in the sea, since there is a tiny-small beach. Those are not colorful pretty fishes you can see snorkeling next to you, but trash-bags, plastic bags, cigarets and only dead coral beneath you...fishes are long gone. Enjoy the pool, along with the Resort employees (sometimes) !
Absolutely no internet, poor cellphone signal, and only the 3 basic Filipino TV channels in the rooms. No cable/satellite TV in the suites, as any other Resort in Samal. The suites a have a kitchen, and I still wonder why, as of today, since there is no stove, not a single teaspoon, not a single plate. Bring lots of books to read !!
My recommendation ? Book at Pearl farm resort, just next door. They are run by real professionals, not amateurs, for the same price.
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Date of stay: March 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The value-for-money is very low, which means that the experience was not worth the 1, 200 per person for day tour.
"NO COTTAGE" We were assigned a massage gazebo. A sorry substitute for the villa we were told we can use. Day tour guests are left to make-do of any available corner.
(It was the housekeeping personnel who advised the receptionist that we can't use the villa.)
"AWFUL FOOD" We were told we'll have a buffet. For 3k worth of lunch. We got a few sticks of dry pork bbq, dry tuna, a bowl of shells, few sauteed shrimps, salted eggs, very sour pineapple, a few slices of watermelon, and NO drinks. It was agony.
(There was no waiter who tended to us. We had to wave and almost beg for a rice refill.)
"NO AMENITIES" One cr. Where's the table tennis and the free water equipment featured on the website? Oh, i forgot, there's the pool. And that's it.
"PEOPLE SNOB" The owner was definitely a snob. We rode the boat to and fro the resort with her and not a single word or smile. The personnel were indifferent or just busy tending to the overnight guests. Favoritism?
"OVER-ALL TERRIBLE" If you are willing to waste 5k for a quiet resort experience where you can stay all-day cowered inside your ROOM, this is the place.
BUT, if you want a meaningful and "sulit" experience, the BaliBali resort will definitely disappoint.
From a business point of view, the management should compare the value-for-money of BaliBali to other resorts who have the same quiet setting, better amenities, better beach and greater food for a lower price.
Because a great resort is one where guests would want to return to, and would recommend to others. And the Bali bali resort is definitely NOT one I'd return to or recommend.
TOO HIGH A PRICE FOR TOO LITTLE.
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Date of stay: December 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We paid for a package (Php4,500) that includes an overnight stay and meals at BaliBali resort, plus island hopping, a visit to Montfort Bat Cave, Eden Nature Park and Roxas night market. We were so excited we thought we were getting a sweetheart deal since we were friends with the sister of the owner of the resort. Plus prior to our flight to Davao, we were given an itinerary that detailed everything that was supposed to be included in the package. So we were all looking forward to an exciting adventure.
When we arrived at the airport, we had to wait for the van to take us to the ferry. We took selfies while waiting but you can only take so many selfies. At the ferry, we again had to wait for the boat to take us to BaliBali Resort. After breakfast, we were scheduled for island hopping since the current guests of the resort have not checked out yet. We went to Taklobo to see the giant clams then passed the island with the slides then cruised by Pearl Farm. After that we were told it was time to go back to the resort because the waves were getting bigger. WHAT, that was it? Thus, there was no hopping of islands much less exploring the islands.
After the so called island hopping, we checked in. There were 13 of us, and on the day we were at BaliBali there were no other guests but we were only assigned 4 rooms for the 13 of us. It was a tight squeeze for some but nobody complained because the person who arranged the package was a friend.
That afternoon there wasn’t much to do so I joined my friends in the jacuzzi. The others were so busy chitchatting, but I noticed the water was dirty so I got out and went to the pool instead. Even the pool can use some maintaining.
The following day we were scheduled to be picked up by 8am, to go to Montfort Bat Cave then on to the city for lunch and a visit to Eden Park. That morning we had to wait for the van again, we didn’t leave BaliBali till 10am. We swung by the bat cave but after lunch we were discouraged to go to Eden Park and were told that the park is just like a regular farm. It would have a been a first time visit to Eden Park for most of us so we didn’t know any better. It was only after a friend took us to Eden Park, a couple of days later, that we realized Eden Park is SO worth visiting. In fact it’s one of the must see sites in Davao.
I like food, barring all the disappointments I would have given 4 stars if the meals we were served were exceptional, but even the food was so-so. For lunch we were served kinilaw, a local dish similar to ceviche. We were told the kinilaw was a specialty of the house so I was eager to try it but it tasted off. That was such a let down! The other meals were mediocre at best.
The worst part, there was no apology for the way we were treated or for not sticking to the the itinerary. The way the resort is run, I wouldn’t expect any repeat customers or recommendations from past guests.
Please for those who want to visit Samal Island and want to be treated like valued guests and if you want value for your money, please go somewhere other than BaliBali Resort.
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Stay at another resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Such a waste of money. No electricity for almost whole afternoon and evening not to mention their emergency light thst lasts only for 20 mins. It was terrible... we have to out of our rooms because it is very hot. .... an expensive resort that doesnt have generator? Yes, there is no generator. Not only that, it is not advisable to swim on theh beach becuase its dangerous and very very dirty..... really a waste of money..
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Date of stay: April 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This resort is great if your entire group can rent out all the villas. We did this, and Bali Bali became our own private beach house. They were very hospitable, service was good, and they accommodated changes to our menu and schedule. Overall, it made for a very comfortable stay and a fun trip.
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Date of stay: December 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The designer/architect is to be highly commended, the hotel is beautiful.
However, operationally it is a disaster, I do not blame the staff but the management for a complete lack of direction.
I booked on Hotels.com to be told at reception they had no knowledge of the booking, in fact they informed me they have no affiliation with Hotels.com whatsoever (despite the fact that at the time of writing this review they are still showing on the website). Given it was starting to get dark and there is no Wi-Fi (yes no Wi-Fi) so no alternative arrangements could be made we had no choice but to check in at approximately 6 times the quoted internet rate. They had no facility for card payment and insisted on cash!
The room had not been made up properly with the previous laundry left in the kitchen along with a dead cockroach. The bathroom was dirty and the air conditioning not working in the bedroom.
The service from start to finish was shocking, a real shame given how good this place should be. We received no housekeeping service for the entire two night stay and I would imagine the dirty coffee cups from our first morning are still there now.
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Samal Island area.
PRICE RANGE
₱5,487 - ₱5,598 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PhilippinesMindanaoDavao del Norte ProvinceSamal Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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