Balay Tuko is a boutique hotel accredited by the Department of Tourism. We have the largest indoor pool in town (open to the public from 09:00 am till 05:00 pm) & a lovely tropical garden with lots of flowers & old trees to attract birds & butterflies. Our location is close to Robinson's Place Shopping Center, TrueCare Dialysis Center, Land Transport Office, Immigration Office, Office of Department of Foreign Affairs, Private Motor Vehicle Inspection CHIEF & San Jose public market. Puerto Princesa International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away by car. Meals & drinks are served at our Cafeteria in front of the main garden. Before going to sleep, it is best to order your breakfast & if you intend to have your dinner here, please let us know & choose your meal before you go. For proper waste disposal, if you order drinks & fast food from outside, we charge a corkage fee of 50php per meal & 20 php per bottle. For the day tours, you can contact us. Last building renovation 2019
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Modern
Languages Spoken
English, French, Filipino
Location
Purok Bayanihan San Manuel Rd Barangay San Manuel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island 5300 Philippines
From the moment we entered we were impressed with the grounds, lots of trees and plants, a huge aviary with some very happy budgies, two lovely Shih Tzu’s and a cat. The strange point was before arriving we were talking about how we were missing our Shih Tzu’s then seing two really bought a smile to our faces.
Walking to reception the vibe of the place was, it’s family run, not sure if that’s right but I’m going with my instinct. The staff in all areas were great, many doubling up in other areas.
We had room 3 which is next to reception. It was very clean, the bed very comfortable, very good air-con with a ceiling fan also. Good size flatscreen TV with a multitude of channels, fast wifi, open plan wardrobe and shelves for clothes and plenty of lighting and plug sockets for gadgets.
Bathroom is spacious with a powerful rainforest shower and good quality towels. You will need to bring your own toiletries as they do not supply those.
Your order breakfast in the evening for the morning, it’s adequate to kick start the day and good quality. We ordered our evening meal after breakfast, absolutely everything is fresh and after being in El Nido you will understand what a God send that is.
They have a large indoor swimming pool which is also used to teach sub aqua diving so if your looking to do a PADI course then stay here as it’s excellent value for money. We also hired Scooters at the hotel which were nearly new. and their local knowledge of areas to visit was very helpful.
We stayed twice here as we wanted to travel the island and they allowed us to leave our luggage at no charge, even late checkout was not a problem, we really loved everything about this place.
When travelling around Palawan you are restricted on luggage, the busses generally allow 15kg per person, the vans alot less. We didn’t like the van due to being packed in like sardines and me being claustrophobic so we went to El Nido by taxi which was £110 and came back by bus which was £24 for the two of us.
Next time we will spend more time in this area as we really haven’t done it justice and Balay Tuko will be our base
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip 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 Maria Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Apr 17, 2023
We love how you listed one by one the reasons why you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you very much for this wonderful review. We hope you can come back to Balay Tuko in the near future. Thanks again!
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We had a fantastic time in Balay Tuko! We like the food, the ambiance was fantastic, and the entire crew was nice. They made sure our room was clean and smelled nice, and you don't have to worry about your stuff or valuables being protected. The proprietor was very hands-on, and she even cooked breakfast to serve it as soon as possible. The children's pool was likewise excellent and secure. My husband and kid enjoy it since it allows them to bond as father and son after our exciting day! This is a location where we will return!
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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 Maria Theresa Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Jun 16, 2022
Thank you, Jane, for your review! It's great to know that you enjoyed your bonding time with your husband and son. Looking forward to seeing you here again.
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We had the most amazing time at Balay Tuko. The convenient location made it easy to visit any attraction or shop for any souvenirs. The owner and his staff were very friendly and helpful to supply any of our wants. The breakfasts were a perfect way to start every day. The bed covers really set the atmosphere in the room. The hot showers were a real luxury. There was nothing that we wanted or needed that was not provided. I would recommend Balay Tuko to everyone. It is also very kid friendly. Did I love our stay? Most definitely!!
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
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 Maria Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded May 17, 2024
It was nice to hear from you and know that your stay with us was enjoyable. It was a pleasure meeting you and we hope that if you are in Puerto Princesa in the future, you will consider Balay Tuko as an accommodation choice.
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Stayed at Balay Tuko Garden Inn Sept 22-26, 2022 1. Great Service The staff was very accommodating with our queries and requests. They also gave tips on how to commute within the city and the places to visit. They also warned us of the overpricing of some transportations when you are a tourist. 2. Great Food Our package included complimentary breakfast, and we had a lot of options to choose from. Food was hearty and delicious. 3. Amenities The property itself is a view in itself. It is not your typical hotel with rooms only. They have a garden and a Dining area with a great view. They also have a swimming pool for guest to use free of charge.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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Response from Maria Theresa Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Sep 30, 2022
Thank you for your wonderful comments. We are very happy that you enjoyed your stay with us and appreciate all the "tips" for the area. We hope you can come back to Puerto Princesa and stay at Balay Tuko again. Take care!
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Excellent hotel and stay. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful, always had a smile on their face and made you feel welcome. We stayed here during the Covid-19 lockdown and they made us feel safe throughout, keeping us updated on what was happening and arranging transport to the airport for us to get home. They even went the extra mile and gave us our room at a discounted rate due to us being unable to get home. The food at the restaurant was well priced and lovely.
Myself and my girlfriend will be back as soon as we can.
Thank you to all the staff!
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Date of stay: March 2020
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 Joel Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Apr 9, 2020
It sounds like you had a great time; I'm so glad to read that you found our staff helpful and the room comfortable. You're right, the location was great during the enhanced community quarantine as you were able to take sunbathing & do your fittness exercises in the garden; go swimming & play ping pong or pool billard at will. Thank you for your feedback and I hope that we can welcome you back again soon.
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this hotel looks max like a 3star hotel but it is really much better than most of the other places. THe wifi does not work in the rooms, they have 2 lines and 1 works only in some common areas. Rooms are big but very simple, same for bathroom. They are very clean, nice shower with hot water but bathroom is very basic. They are in a quiet area, 15min from airport in the early morning, otherwise it could be also 30min, depending on traffic. You can book the transfer to the airport with them for 300PHP with their van. IF you need to go to town they go on the street to stop tricycles. Robinson mall is 5 min far, while MS mall is approx 20 min far You need to book breakfast the day before, choosing what you want and the time, they start very early as many people, like us, than go straight to the airport The garden is nice and the swimming pool is good, covered and it is not just for the hotel, they also do scuba diving courses
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Date of stay: December 2019
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 Joel W, Propriétaire at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Jan 5, 2020
We like the way you listed one by one the reasons why you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you very much for this wonderful review. We hope you can return to Balay Tuko in the near future. Indeed we have wifi only in common areas & terrace. Thank you & Happy new year!
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We loved the peaceful tropical garden, the spacious room, the huge swimming pool. For pétanque fans, Sunday tournaments with local expats. The owner is full of advice, his wife is an excellent cook and the staff are very friendly and attentive.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Proche de l'aéroport et du centre commercial SM.
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 response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are a nature lover, you would certainly enjoy staying here especially with the singing birds in morning while sipping their brewed coffee. Personnel are very, very friendly and you are always greeted with a big smile. They are also offering tour packages and restaurants if you want to try different local delicacies. Definitely would come back for a stay on my perspective visits at Palawan.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip 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 Maria Theresa Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Jun 19, 2022
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are glad you enjoyed your stay in our hotel. We try our best to provide the best assistance that we can to our guests. We hope to see you again soon. - Andrea
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Country club like hotel w/ only 14 rooms.large swimming pool which has roof & many sitting area for pool side party. Dining room is vast w/ a well equipped kitchen. Trees are tall & the gardens have various flowers. A huge bird cage let you see tropical birds enjoying their stay w/o becoming a pray of larger animals. It is a family run operation where you feel secure & enjoy A quiet atmosphere in a jungle like part of the island. The owner who is a seaman has sail boats which are a big plus.
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Date of stay: May 2020
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 Maria Theresa Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Aug 8, 2020
Many thanks for your wonderful review. It is always good to know that what we aim to provide here at Balay Tuko B&B is appreciated by our guests. It is a pleasure to have you here and to know that you were happy and comfortable with your room and the service. It is also noted that you are fully aware of the difference between a big hotel and a family boutique hotel. You are one of longest staying guests due to this pandemic of COVID 19 & that you feel safe for your health.
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Staying at Balay Tuko was a wonderful experience for our family, especially after we had been through so much in the previous month. The staff was extremely pleasant and accommodating. The air conditioning was fantastic, and the room was always clean. We also enjoy eating and going to different restaurants. The atmosphere? Oh my! 100% so much nature, far from the city's noises, and you'll feel free from harmful social media and forget about your issues even for a short period was million times worth it! The staff even recommended extra activities such as hiking the Ugong Cave and zip lining. It was an unforgettable event for all of us, and we are proud to have made it through. Balay Tuko did not let us down.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Maria Theresa Walgraeve, Owner at Balay Tuko Garden Inn
Responded Jun 16, 2022
Thank you for your kind words. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay in our hotel and your whole trip here in Puerto Princesa. We look forward to having you and your family here again.
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Puerto Princesa, Philippines119 contributions13 helpful votes
Good day,
Thank you for contacting us: we have ping pong, Petanque, badminton, pool billiard & Kicker.
If weather permitting, we can go sailing in the bay with a Hobie cat (800 Php / hour - minimum 2 hours including rig up & rig down & transport).
Regards
Puerto Princesa, Philippines119 contributions13 helpful votes
We organise the X-mas eve with a buffet for our stay-in guests only if they reserve the meal in advance. Our price will depend on what you like to eat and drink.
Regards
Puerto Princesa, Philippines119 contributions13 helpful votes
Good day,
Yes, it is our two vans from hotel.
Rooms are aircon.
We have 4 Twin sharing rooms on ground floor so you can be next to each other. Only one extra bed is possible.
Contact us by e-mail so I can forward our virtual tour.
We have a few van rental in town but I am not sure about 15 seats.
PPUR is 80 kms away in Sabang.
Regards
Puerto Princesa, Philippines119 contributions13 helpful votes
Good day,
1. We have a free airport transport from 07:00am till 07:00pm.
2. We are fetching any guest provided we get their flight details in advance.
3. We have two vans.
4. We have 2 Deluxe Family rooms on ground floor that can accommodate 5 persons. Better choice for senior. With 2 separate bathrooms in the room.
5. We have twin sharing rooms with 1 Queen bed or 2 two single beds.
6. Our e-mail: balaytuko@gmailXXXX
7. The American who wrote the review you are referring to really deserve our attitude because he was trying to buy my front desk officer for a better review against a better room (corruption). Also he and his kids were disturbing the whole hotel and he was eating half naked in the restaurant without any consideration to our staff or other guests.
Any way, nobody is perfect. We are trying our best but also the guests should be friendly and not arrogant like him.
Regards,
Puerto Princesa, Philippines119 contributions13 helpful votes
Good day,
I just reply on your e-mail address.
If direct booking with 50% non-refundable DP, we offer free breakfast.
You can also book on Booking.XXX, Agoda or Expedia.
Regards.
Joel
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