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Discovery Samal hotel is lauded for its cleanliness, with guests frequently complimenting the well-maintained rooms, pools, and beaches. The atmosphere is generally described as enchanting, although a few guests mention noise and dated decor. The hotel's amenities, including various pools and dining options, are well-received, despite occasional service hiccups.
Service is typically regarded as amiable and efficient, but some visitors report disorganization. The location is praised for its convenience, yet not as secluded as some prefer. Room views are admired, but there are mixed feelings regarding value and room upkeep.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Magical
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Top-notch
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This new five star resort in Davao region is absolutely amazing. It is about 10mins speed boat ride from their welcome station in Sasa (behind Dusit Hotel) to the resort. Guests are taken by a golf cart around the property and going to their room. It has 3 massive swimming pools but we liked most the one in the beach front - the pool water is warm! For me, the best part of the resort is their beach area. It’s as if I you are swimming in Boracay - powdery white sand beach!
Their buffet breakfast which is included in the room rate is 5/5. The buffet lunch (not included in the room rate, unless, you have paid full board service) which cost P2K per head is so worth it. The food selection is definitely a five star.
We stayed in their Junior suite, the location is very accessible to one of their swimming pools. At the top of the resort where the breakfast is served, it has a beautiful view of Davao City skyline and Davao gulf especially on night.
This resort is definitely a legit 5 star. I am definitely coming back here!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip 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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Oct 4, 2023
Dear dabawenyo, Thank you for sharing your Discovery Samal experience with us! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you loved our menu selection at The Shoreline and Morning Catch. Your kind feedback inspires us to continually provide our guests with memorable and seamless stays in every visit. Thank you very much and we hope to have you with us again soon! Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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Incredible resort! From the boat crew, to the reservations staff, to the security officers, room housekeepers, to the restaurant staff, all personnel were courteous and professional. On slower days like the ones we picked, restaurants rotate and are not all all open, but no problem! We were fortunate because the restaurants that were open (Morning Catch, Haribar, and Bistro) were all outstanding, with exceptional service. The chilled filtered water was much appreciated, and never went empty. Since we are from the US, we wanted seafood here. The chef at Morning Catch prepares seafood dishes perfectly-- think Morimoto level for comparison-- and the club burger from Haribar was the best and most tender I've had in years. The Australian Steak and Eggs from Bistro is outstanding, but even the regular buffet is delicious! We Were in an upper level room, but security and other staff made sure we had golf carts available at every turn. We couldn't figure out how to turn off the Do Not Disturb light from the inside at first-- no matter. They just cleaned it a few minutes later. All 3 pools were kept perfectly clean, and the service desk was always helpful and cheerful! Checkout was seamless... but we hated to leave! There are lots of resorts in Samal, and we have been to the two most exclusive. Do yourself a favor and pick this one! You will love it. As my wife said, they are all so friendly and helpful! They really are!
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Date of stay: October 2024
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Nov 6, 2024
Dear rbecker72000, Our sincere gratitude for sharing your kind review with us! It warms our hearts to know that we were able to bring you a delightful and memorable experience here in Discovery Samal. It is our topmost priority to bring you, our dearest guests, only the best experiences during your visit. We can't wait to have you with us again soon! Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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Fantastic resort place in Davao City to go to but actually Samal Island is part of Davao del Norte. There are superb choices of rooms, 4 restaurants with food at 8/10, personnel -pleasant, courteous, helpful. Downside is that you’d have to walk from area to area but there are golf carts to bring you around. There’s a chapel , a ballroom that will seat 1,200 so it’s good for a convention. If you’re arriving from Manila, there’s a shuttle that will bring you from the airport to the Welcome center then a 15 minute boat ride across to Samal island… presently, you’ll see the davao-Samal bridge being built! Reception is in the first building then you’re brought to your respective rooms or villas. There are three heated swimming pools with a private one for the villa guests. Theres a white sand beach with the corals and rocks removed till around 100 yards till the submerged breakwater that lessens wave action for the swimmers.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip 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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Sep 11, 2024
Dear JULIANO, Our sincerest gratitude for your kind feedback! We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful time during your stay. It has always been our topmost priority to provide you, our dearest guests, with a seamless stay. We can't wait to have you with us again soon! Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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Overview / Summary My wife and I along with some of her family spent three days at the Discovery. Between all of us we enjoyed a One Bedroom Villa and a Junior Suite. While the property is aesthetically beautiful and most staff seem to smile and are pleasant the service falls very short and the property is overpriced for what you get.
Wonderful The property is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. We found the beach to be well kept and very
Very Bad - Shoreline restaurant dripping condensate water in shoreline restaurant, staff were indifferent - Absolutely terribly slow service at all restaurant venues - Impossible to have food brought out at the same time; I understand this is typical of some lower end restaurants but at this level it is no longer excusable
Irritating / not conducive to the price - Golf carts everywhere yet ZERO planning and design to allow for circular turn-around areas, easily could have been done as it is a new resort - Despite booking a high end room, zero checks by management as to how the stay was - Wi-Fi is challenging, the constant portal login issues, incorrect instructions to use guest room and password but no communication on how to use a different static credentials, almost no beach coverage - Breakfast closes at 10, even on weekends - Various open wires and cables, many being dangerous high voltage AC - Various dilapidated furnishings not normal for a newly opening resort - Restaurant service staff does not check in or provide attentive service - Housekeeping staff misses many things - Many out of stock items - In room dining menu is very limited - In room dining menu is only available via QR code, not easy to find and not easy to read, please put physical menus in the rooms - Shoreline restaurant often out of stock in buffet, takes a very long time to replenish (over 30 min for French Toast) - Shoreline restaurant - All restaurants provided delayed times “it will be 30-45 minutes” for all items, including drinks and then despite the quoted times being very long still took longer
Noteworthy - Location is closer to Davao city than other Samal resorts so there is more freight traffic, not as nice as Pearl Farm area
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Date of stay: September 2023
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Aug 27, 2024
Dear BoulderSnowman, Thank you for sharing your review with us and we would like to sincerely apologize for falling short in providing you with a seamless stay during your visit. Your feedback truly matters to us and as part of our continual commitment in improving our services here in the resort, we shall be cascading your review to our team. Once again, our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience and we thank you for sharing your review with us. Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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We come from Europe and book this place thinking was all good and efficient. We take the 2 bedroom Villa paying a big amount for day. But the problem start immediately. Once we reach the resort the Villa was dirty, very dirty The linen in bedroom was not changed (yellow trace on the pillow) the mirror and glass around the Villa was still mess, with sign of touch. The floor was not cleaned full of dust. The give a welcoming lemon water and biscuit and after 3 days of our stays was still on the table (attached picture) plus all the coffee cup we used during our stay was still on the coffee table without removing (attached picture). Our last night at resort we book a table in the “fine dining” restaurant at pool floor , the restaurant looks nice , but the staff and kitchen was nightmare. After we place our order , we push them for more of one hour and half without received any food on the table , the staff was all for the manager table present at restaurant with his staff. Our baby remained without any food and we left the restaurant without having dinner. Also another couple left the restaurant, because also for them no food arrived. The moral they give me the of the wine (without drinking) we left on the table. (Attached Recipt ) The last and not for last , we wake up the day of check out at 5.30 am , because we feel very hot in the villa. Was the electricity off. They come and don’t solve the problem (attached picture) Now we are going out from this hell still with no electricity at 10am. We highly recommend don’t book this place if you won’t be disappointed. Because the money they will take it’s like 5plus star resort , but the service it’s so bad and inefficient. The staff all smiling and good person , but I think the management should be replaced if they want a luxury traveller. The worst we fly from Europe and they ruin our vacation during these days. We are moving out in another resort in the island , highly recommended from friend.
Andrea C.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Avoid this place
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded May 21, 2024
Dear flyangel2020, Thank you for sharing your review with us and we would like to sincerely express our heartfelt apologies for falling short in providing you with a seamless stay during your visit. Your feedback truly matters to us and as part of our continual commitment in improving our services here in the resort, we shall be cascading your review to our team. Once again, our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience and we thank you for sharing your review with us. Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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Worst service from start to finish!!!! Ruining the discovery hospitality! Dont bother wasting your time and money. Booked 6 rooms including 2br villas but was treated so poorly by JJ and Ryan. All golf carts was always on charge room service took 2-3hrs to arrive
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Airport transfer was a nightmare 20 pax was put in a old van and VIOS!!!
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Oct 26, 2023
Dear Rachelle, We would like to express our sincerest apologies for the inconveniences our team has caused during your stay and we thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are deeply regretful for the series of events that occurred during your stay. As we continually strive to improve our services, we shall be cascading your review to our team so we can take action on the matters you have shared with us. We are hoping that you’ll give us a chance to make it up to you. Should you wish to be in touch with us in line with your review, you may send us a message at reservations@discoverysamal.com. We would like to thank you for raising this matter to us and we sincerely apologize for the inconveniences we have caused during your stay with us. Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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Stayed in two rooms for four nts in Sept 2023, so have a good perspective. Overall it was a lovely trip with my partner, thoroughly recommend the villa's.
But as ever, it's all in the detail : 1) Upon a busy Saturday arrival at the dedicated Discovery port transit lounge, our cases were confidently taken from us, then to our surprise, not delivered to the transfer boat, it was only when I asked if they were onboard, were they individually collected and stored with the other passenger belongings (all a bit disorganised). 2) Upon arrival at resort golf cart drop off point, we were not told where to go nor to check in, all a bit confusing. A lot of smiling staff, no one directing. 3) Our first room (one bedroom suite) was spacious, lovely, but appears no one had pre checked the room ie.emergency torch had no batteries, deposit safe was not working (despite two engineer visits), a few upholstery stains. 4) Our second room (one bed villa), other than a worn (trip hazard) carpet, no complaints, very special. 5) Restaurants (Morning Catch & Shoreline) wonderful friendly staff, and the food overall good, but the number of items unavailable from the menu's was laughable. Someone from management needs to better manage stores and pre ordering, to have so many items on the menu looks great on face value, but becomes embarassing when waiting staff say, 'we don't have it', 'its unavailable'. The customer experience is then disappointment. This applies to wines too, none of the wine was available from the list at the Shoreline. Why have a menu wine list at all, better just have a blackboard or similar from which guests can choose? 6) The top pool was lovely, but feel the website over glamourise's this area, it was neither as large or as blue as the advertising suggests. 7) Disappointed there will be a 'Starbucks' built on the resort, I would have preferred to hear you were building a 'Discovery Coffee House', celebrating Filipino services and decor. 8) For such a large resort, the gym was very small. 9) When departing, you need to get a resort ferry back to Davao side from Discovery Samal, for us, only a 10am or 1pm timing was offered. Given the trip is only about 10-15 mins, I would have thought every two hours ie.9am, 11am and 1pm would have better suited guest convenience to catch flights?
The resort is still being built, only two restaurants and a bar were open on our visit, all in all, very enjoyable, go for a villa if budget allows.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Book a villa
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Oct 8, 2023
Dear andybH8385FY, Our sincerest gratitude for sharing your feedback with us. We would like to express our apologies for the series of inconveniences that we have caused during your stay with us. As we continually strive to make every guest experience memorable, we shall be cascading your review to our team to improve our services in the resort further. Your feedback truly matters and we thank you for sharing this with us. We hope that we can welcome you back in the near future with an improved guest experience. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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We chose Discovery Samal for our anniversary celebration, and the experience surpassed all our expectations. The staff's exceptional hospitality made us feel truly welcomed from the moment we arrived.
While the hotel room came with a higher price tag, it proved to be worth every penny. The room itself was impeccably clean, adorned with plush pillows and a luxuriously comfortable bed. The resort's natural beauty was simply unparalleled, and its amenities were top-notch.
As for the dining experience, the food was exquisite. Their desserts were the best I've tasted in a while.
One of the most memorable moments of our stay was a romantic dinner date arranged by my partner on the beach shore, meticulously brought to life by the Discovery Team. The setting was nothing short of perfection, complemented by impeccable service and delectable cuisine. We were the only ones by the shore also. We had so much fun! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Sir Edgene and the entire team for making the entire evening magical.
A special mention must also be made to Sir Ace for his warm hospitality at the Haribar Lounge, where we indulged in some truly amazing drinks.
We just went last week but we want to go back already. Thank you Discovery Samal! Our experience was truly one for the books.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Mar 5, 2024
Dear J6850SKcolleenf, Our sincerest gratitude for choosing to celebrate your anniversary with us! We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful vacation and dining experience. It warms our hearts to know that we were able to provide you with a memorable stay during your special occasion. We can't wait to have you with us again soon! Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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We booked an overnight stay to celebrate my birthday. Our experience has been really wonderful thanks to the attentive staff in the concierge area, the restaurants, and even at the pool and the beach sites. We have been well-served. The staff that we meet has always greeted us which is truly heartwarming. The rooms are really spacious. The beds were comfortable with fluffy pillows but it would be nice if it was not too soft to cater to guests who prefer firm ones, like myself. The buffet breakfast that came with our accommodation was really good, the food choices were plenty. The paid dinner buffet was praiseworthy with truly expansive choices of food from roasted lamp chops and beef, Asian cuisine, Filipino staples, not to mention their delectable desserts section. We even had crepes which is a rare sight from our previous hotel stays. Great service hands down. We will surely be back soon.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip 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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Oct 4, 2023
Dear 728kitkatb, Thank you for celebrating your birthday with us and for sharing your experience with our team! We are delighted to know that you enjoyed your getaway and it is our greatest pleasure to have provided you with a sumptuous menu selection at our restaurants during your stay. Thank you very much and have a great day! Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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Nice place to see one time but NO Plans to be back! We travelled 12 Pax in Total. We stayed for a night there the rooms are nice, bathroom, pillowss, matress are good. We also have a nice seaside view. The interior are nice and the scenery perfect place for reels and unwinding 😆. You have to watch out your steps day or night because there are few snakes literally cobras passing by in the pathway😨. To see one time is ok but to be back a Big NO! First foremost if you are on day tour your not allowed to use the pool or even the beach to swim, if you have kids be ready for sure they will be upset and disappointed as well, for kids they like to swim unfortunately for a day pass user its not allowed. Theres is no much amenities to offer there except the billiards,karaokes and pools. Lastly the foods, if you plan to hang out or chill out just to go there to eat etc, i don’t recommend it, the foods are not that good at all, not satisfied. Actually if you rated the food there over the local restaurant in town better in Local Restaurant much more better. 😂. At night we went to the restaurant im not sure the Restaurant name Catches probably located almost to the lobby, minimum serving time as i observe almost 1 hour 1/2, i think every meal that we order it takes 20-30 mins so it happens our food is already cold. The Thai Food experience i rated it from 1-10 i rated it into 2 actaully doesn't taste good at all even local Filipino Foods i rated it like 3-4. Its not good experience at all. So i suggest visit the other resorts in Samal Island you can appreciate it more than here. Also your menu you have specify the food etc whats on it like Kare-Kare if pure beef or Pure Intestine. Finally I rated 9 to all Staffs, mini van drivers, security guards etc. most of them are friendly and they always keep smiling 👍😂
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Theres a lot beautiful resorts in Samal Island check it out.
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.
Response from Discovery Samal, Owner at Discovery Samal
Responded Aug 12, 2024
Dear rowelr164, Thank you for sharing your review with us and we would like to express our heartfelt apologies for falling short in providing you with a seamless stay during your visit. Your feedback truly matters to us and as part of our continual commitment in improving our services here in the resort, we shall be cascading your review to our team. Once again, our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience and we thank you for sharing your review with us. Sincerely, Stanley Lau General Manager
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There are more places to choose from in the Limao area.
PRICE RANGE
₱12,258 - ₱15,176 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PhilippinesMindanaoDavao del Norte ProvinceSamal IslandLimao
NUMBER OF ROOMS
153
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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