We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
Maria Janine Herrera
Calamba, Philippines

Portulano is a meh

3.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed Apr 15, 2022via mobile
The resort was beautiful. If you value peace and quality time for yourself. You come to this place. You get to know the staff and owners of the resort as well. All of the members of the staff were accommodating and friendly. However, it was not the same case with the female owner of the resort. She could have made more effort to make the guests felt more welcome.

If you're not picky or fuzzy with the food, this place is fine. However, there is a fine line between healthy food and cheap food.

I particularly like their labrador, Snork.
Date of stay: April 2022
Trip type: Traveled with family
Problem with this review?
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.
Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this review
Responded May 31, 2022
Dear Janine,
I saw you gave us a low review on Tripadvisor. I'm sorry you felt negative about me, the female owner. When did you visit us? i couldn’t find your registration.

I am usually swamped and stressed with juggling resort back end duties plus homeschooling during these times and sometimes don’t have time to chat, or say hi and can't be as attentive and friendly as our dog, Snork.

For perspective, we have been running the resort on recovery mode due to the pandemic: operational restructuring, retraining, re-organisation & back end work is mostly my duty & is no walk in the park, or the beach.

Do consider also that many resort owners don't even interface with their guests, or that personalities differ. So it may not be a fair expectation and reason for a low rating.

A little "benefit of the doubt" for others always help us all move forward during these challenging times.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nearby Hotels
Go to your Happy Price
  • Booking.com
  • Trip.com
  • Agoda.com
4.0 km from Portulano Dive Resort
Beachfront
Restaurant
International room double occupancy
  • Priceline
  • Trip.com
  • Vio.com
7.3 km from Portulano Dive Resort
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Hotels.com
  • Booking.com
  • eDreams
10.9 km from Portulano Dive Resort
Free Wifi
Free parking
Property building
    2.6 km from Portulano Dive Resort
    Alegria Hotel
    • Agoda.com
    7.5 km from Portulano Dive Resort
    • Vio.com
    11.2 km from Portulano Dive Resort
    Free Wifi
    Free parking
    • Priceline
    • Expedia.com
      ₱3,637
    • Trip.com
    15.6 km from Portulano Dive Resort
    Free Wifi
    Free parking
    2.1 km from Portulano Dive Resort
    Free Wifi
    Free parking
    View more hotels in Bauan
    Reviews (152)
    Filter reviews
    152 results
    Traveler rating
    106
    35
    10
    0
    1
    Traveler type
    Time of year
    LanguageAll languages
    Traveler rating
    106
    35
    10
    0
    1
    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews dive resort read a book keep coming back no frills relaxing getaway short orders best kept secret cozy place sunset view short min puerto galera min boat ride great weekend learn how per person bring your own manila
    Selected filters
    Filter
    Updating list...
    10 - 15 of 152 reviews
    Reviewed March 10, 2022

    Been coming here since 2017 (then pandemic happened). Always always a lovely stay! Simple, no frills quick getaway. Short straight drive from Manila, parking is readily available and safe. Short 5 min boat ride and you're already transported to this secluded place. All rooms with an ocean view. Great for solo, couple, friends. Food is great (serving, portion size, variety, and taste). You should also try the short orders for snacks! Sunset view always amazing. Try their mocktails/cocktails while sunset viewing too.

    Cell signal for smart/globe working. Suggest to bring your own portable wifi if you plan to work remotely like I usually do. No prob doing zoom calls, online consults (use pldt home wifi latest ver or globe)

    Got my Padi Open water license here (very thorough and proper). House reef is good, great even for non divers if you just want to snorkel. Theres a saltwater pool (usually for dive training but can also be used for just swimming). All equipment readily available for rent and use.

    2 loveable labradors (Tank and Snork, between the two, itll be just Snork who will play with you).

    Stay-in owners are excellent divers/instructors who will always make you feel welcome.

    Do come even for an overnight stay! 💯

    Date of stay: March 2022
    Trip type: Traveled solo
    Thank marareneei
    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.
    Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this reviewResponded June 1, 2022

    Thanks Mara, we're so glad you were able to get dives in despite your super busy schedule and we are glad to be part of your discovery of the underwater world. We hope to be able to do more dives together and dive trips as well!

    How nice to see you getting really good at diving!

    Always so good to have you over, see you soon!

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Reviewed March 10, 2022

    This quite resort is a best spot for scuba diving. Very relaxing and great place for a vacation. Such a nice place to get close to nature. You will surely enjoy seeing different aquatic organisms. A peaceful place to stay.

    Date of stay: November 2021
    Thank Gale S
    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.
    Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this reviewResponded June 1, 2022

    Thanks for a good review, we appreciate the support! Specially during these challenging times!

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Reviewed March 7, 2022

    This place is lovely. The owner has beautiful taste and decorates it very well. This is not 5-star hotel, but you will find it cozy, comfortable, cute. The whole atmosphere is warm. Every person is welcoming and friendly. I feel very safe there and keep coming back.
    The rooms are different sizes and you pay per person, not for the room. Please choose wisely and count the exact number of people including kids who will travel. They need to know to accommodate you all. It's a diving resort, you can take a trial lesson and learn how to dive or you can take a whole 3 days course. They also have a kayak and paddle board.
    It's a best kept secret, so go and don't tell anyone else.

    Room tip: Bigger room with aircon directly facing the ocean on 2 or 3rd deck.
    Date of stay: February 2022
      • Sleep Quality
      • Rooms
      • Service
    1  Thank AnastasiaP
    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.
    Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this reviewResponded June 1, 2022

    It was great to meet you Anastasia, we are happy to be your hideout while you were here. Please please touch base and visit us again soon when you are in town!

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Reviewed January 6, 2022

    Portulano is one of our go-to resort for weekend diving getaways. We have been visiting them for the past 3 years, and the resort tick all the right boxes. Good food, nice shore dive, great sea view and very friendly staff (and dogs).

    Highly recommended for both divers and non-divers.

    Date of stay: October 2021
      • Location
      • Rooms
      • Service
    1  Thank SamuelHarvey
    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.
    Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this reviewResponded June 1, 2022

    Thanks so much for support and the review! Always glad to have you guys over you are really a great diving group! Thanks for supporting us specially during these challenging Covid times. More diving up ahead! Cheers!

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Reviewed December 24, 2021

    Great diving location in Bauan. The divers seemed to be happy with what they saw and the PADI instructor couple that also runs the accommodation side of the business. I have not gone diving in at least 40 years so I can't comment on the diving part. The accommodation side of the business was very owner/family-centric and ran as an extension. As with all family-operated businesses, there were functional and dysfunctional aspects. A good building needs a good foundation to upscale as does a good business. Some of the staff are very helpful whereas others give you instructions to do the work they are responsible for. I found the front desk very confused and poorly coordinated. Food was good and they try to accommodate your needs when the "right" person is in the kitchen. The trip from Manila takes a good 3.5 to 4 hours and Lipa City traffic in the direction of Manila during weekdays is a good 4 hours plus. They have a nice secured parking lot where you can leave your car. Internet is a bit of an issue and they charge P300 for wifi that's only accessible in the common area with speeds of 700kb. Globe data plans work well enough in the rooms. They keep two very well-behaved black labrador dogs that are delightful. Do come here for the diving. Thank you, Candy and Shale Mae, for your sincere efforts to make us more welcome, and wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Room tip: Avoid rooms next to the common areas. Guitar practice starts at six a.m. and someone else plays loud computer games in the afternoons.
    Date of stay: December 2021
      • Value
      • Location
      • Service
    1  Thank hotelreview77
    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.
    Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this reviewResponded June 1, 2022

    Thanks for your review, we will try to figure out how to improve based on it.

    In case you still find time please do tell us the experience you had with our frontdesk that was not quite in place so we can improve. You can email it to carmela@portulano.com.

    We have also been in the process of transition and re-training due to the up and downs during the pandemic, all the way up until 2022!

    We will do what we can to get better, thanks again for the feedback.

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    View more reviews