I didn't know what to expect from this boutique hotel. I didn't realize that there was no pool as I was booking, but oh what a great surprise to be 10 steps from the beach. I didn't even miss a pool.

First, the communication with the front desk was the best I've had even before arriving. They arranged for pickup from the airport so we didn't have to figure it out on our own. Our flight was 2.5 hours late leaving Manila, but I made sure to text the staff about the delay. When we arrived, the driver was waiting with a sign with my name on it. He took our bags and loaded them in the vehicle. He said it was a 10-minute ride and this was so true.

Next, I didn't realize that we would have to walk to the hotel. But as the driver dropped us off at the public beach location, 2 staff members from the hotel met us and carried our bags 5 minutes down the beach. We were so impressed with this touch of service.

As we checked into the hotel, Kim was there to meet us with a smile and the bartender met us with welcome drinks. Check-in was so easy. They walked me and my travel partner to our separate rooms which were clean, spacious, and beautiful. My room was 10 steps from the white, sandy beach. I couldn't believe it!

I am already planning my trip back and have told my friends.

PROS: Beautiful beach, small and intimate, great customer service, clean and spacious rooms, amazing sunrises at your doorstep, very attentive staff.

CONS: While the food was great, I spoke to the staff about having all the ingredients listed on the menu. One morning I ordered French toast. When it arrived, it had chocolate sauce. I'm not a chocolate lover and didn't expect it on my French toast. So I kindly asked for it to be redone without the chocolate. The 2nd time it came back, it had peanut butter in between the slices. Again, these 2 items were not listed on the menu. I expressed my concern that if someone had a nut allergy and took a bit of the food, it may have caused a severe allergic reaction.

Staff are very helpful and friendly, clean and spacious rooms, very good food in their restaurant. The hotel has only 9 rooms, very quiet so you can relax and be away from the crowds, and it's like having your own private beach with white sand. The only negative is they do not have an access road to the hotel so you walk by the beach sand but staff will help carry your luggage.

We really enjoyed our stay of 5 nights, the staff were really friendly and really loved our daughter. We came from Siquijor, so the price hike on food was a bit of a surprise but it is a really lovely place to stay.

I'd you fancy going somewhere else for dinner or lunch one day, I recommended walking across the beach to the right, turn right again at the public section and walking up the hill to the Italian at the crossroads. It's a 15minute walk and It's clean and offers something different as you are a little stuck for choice at villa umi in terms of other options, unless you take a tricycle or hire a moped lnto town.

The service was great, they help you with your bags to your room and back again for nothing extra (thank god!) As it's about 1/4 mile from the van drop off!

I also recommend checking out the sunset there, the colours are amazing!