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Let’s start with the check in. We landed in El Nido according schedule. The surprise was when nobody was showing up for securing the transfer. I sent a couple of mails to the resort and called them 4 times. No answer, no phone calls return. After 40 minutes of waiting, a guy, with the worst tricycle you can imagine, was showing up for the first leg of transfer. 2 checked bags, 2 carryons, 2 guys and the driver in a tricycle. I think you get the picture. Anyway, after a 30 minutes long trip with the dying tricycle towards El Nido, we have arrived to the beach for the second leg of the transfer. A very small canoe was ready for getting us to the boat except this time wasn’t one driver, but two paddlers. They pushed the canoe in the water, we barefooted ourselves, and hit the road (sort of a road). Happily, was just a 5 minutes transfer to the big boat, a good and safe one. Another waiting of 40 minutes for a package has happened here. Nothing to be noticed during the boat transfer. Arriving at the resort was from the same movie, dropped off in the water, no one to meet us, but this time the surprise was the stairs to climb to our villa. 220 very abrupt steps, carrying by myself 2 bags, 8 kilos each. Very good for working out exercising , not so good for relaxation. The entire process of transfer between airport and resort took 3 hours. Briefly what’s next: - the resort has absolutely no WiFi, there is only a phone with a data plan, used as a hotspot when needed. No continuous access. After complaints, they provided us a portable router with a limited data plan, asking us to turned him off when not needed. It was working with ups and downs. After 7 days (from 10) the internet has disappeared for ever. That was very strange. They told us is because of the network operator, but during the boat transfer when we left the area, after 100 meters, on open water we were able to get a 4G straight signal using my own roaming. - If you have to work, be aware that the internet is not reliable. Sometimes there isn’t cellphone signal. - The owners have their own network, but don’t expect to share anything with you - The toilet was clogged. We realised after no.1 and no.2 - No tap water for the whole night and logically, no shower. - When tap water is available, no hot water. They told us to wash ourselves using a bucket with warm water provided by the staff. - The amenities are very poor quality, no shampoo or conditioner. - No daily housekeeping. First one after 4 days. Only 2 during our 10 days (very)long stay. Linens and towels changed only on request - No air conditioning (On Booking.com it seems they have). - No pool (On Booking.com it seems they have) - No Spa and Wellness centre as Booking.com said - No credit or debit card accepted - On Booking.com are tons of lies presented about this accommodation - We met the owners in the same night. When we presented him our complaints he became very rude. He treated us with his back all the evening and the next day. - No excuses from nobody - The food and drinks at the restaurant are very expensive, 2-3 times more then the luxury resorts from Boracay. You have to pay extra for everything 10% service charge and 12% taxes. Food has very good taste. - You don’t have any choice. Is the single restaurant you can eat and drink. - My wife is vegan, fact mentioned in previous mails. They charged her food 10% more, because is ‘special food’. 500 pesos+taxes for a fresh salad!!! We were told that the ingredients for her food come from Puerto Princesa and Manila. - The first night we were forced to hear till 01:00am yelling, laughing and noisy talking from the restaurant. Do it by the owners and some friends. The same in the last night except this time the owners were alone. - We discovered the very next morning how noisy a resort from the middle of nowhere can be. And I’m not talking about birds. Starting 7:00am all I heard was boat engines. - Return transfer from El Nido was 9600 pesos (160Eur). And that was an offer! Now if you check Hotels.com you will see that they are asking 200USD one way per room. 400USD return. This price is not from your country of residence! As much as I know from Boracay this kind of trip, private, with locals tricycle and boat, wouldn’t have cost you more than 1500pesos one way. - The activities are very expensive, 20000 pesos for a day tour (A,B,C or D). The same private tour from El Nido, with the same inclusions, costs:7500 for tour A, 7900 for B, 8300 for C and 7500 for D. So, if you’re doing all of them, from the resort you’ll pay 80000 pesos, vs from El Nido 30200 pesos. For the cheapest transfer, to the closest beach, a 10 minutes one, we were asked to pay 3000 pesos. - We saw snakes on the beach. When we informed the manager she told us to stay far from them. Previously we were told that there are no snakes in the area. - The beach is not exactly a beach. No sand, is rocky and grey, and it was still under cleaning process. A lot of weed in the water. It’s impossible to swim. - No fridge, iron, drier inside the room. - Absolutely nothing to keep you busy or to entertain you anywhere within the resort. Not for free, anyway. Is very, very boring. Even the snorkelling gear and the canoes or paddle boards are not for free. - We saw inside the room all kind of insects starting with bugs and finishing with big lizards. Because this resort is in the middle of a tropical forest this is ordinary. - Before checking in, I sent them an email asking if I need to bring cash. They didn’t bother to answer. When the time of settling the bill has come they asked us to pay by cash, telling us that credit card are not accepted. - Checking out was about the same, except this time we were asked to pay for the tricycle.
My final conclusion is: If you are looking for a resort where to pay 5 times more than you get this is exactly the place you wannabe. You will pay a large amount of money for something which is far from what they advertise on specialised websites. Tons of differences between picture and reality.
Good fortune
Date of stay: February 2019
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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SunnyIslandResort, Inhaber at Sunny Island Resort, responded to this review
Responded Feb 20, 2019
Thank you for your report, which we like to comment on here:
Transfer: We personally apologized several times for our delay at the airport. From now on we will of course offer our guests the transport from the airport to the port either by van or the typical Tricycle. Thanks for the hint. We would like to introduce our guests to some of the Philippine culture.
Boat transfer: Since we have a very large boat, unfortunately we are not able to drive directly to the beach. That's why we have a typical canoe for 2 guests, with which our boat captain and our boatman "paddle" the guests to the big boat. We ordered extra from Puerto Princesa fresh ingredients (vegan / vegetarian), which unfortunately arrived late on the boat.
Arrival on Sunny Island: Of course our guests will be welcomed directly by the beach or by our management (misunderstanding between us, which we greatly regret!) And invited to a welcome drink (fresh Buko). This was unfortunately a little late.
Location Cottage on your 1st night: It is the top and because our resort is located on a hillside, there are unfortunately several steps to the top. The next day you could move to a lower located cottage.
Luggage: Of course, our staff is also happy to carry the hand luggage to the cottage, as happens with the suitcases immediately after arrival.
Internet: After we found out in the restaurant that you need 24 hours of intensive Wi-Fi, we immediately got the next day a router for you and until then you had all the time through our manager Internet connection. It should be noted that we have a resort for guests looking for relaxation and recreation. We had informed you by email that it may be possible that we have a weak signal or no signal, just as the signal was not there for you the day before your departure.
Toilet: In the Philippines, the toilet paper is always thrown into the provided trash can, you have been informed about this before. So the blockage came in the top cottage, which you changed the next day.
Tap water: For technical reasons, the inflow of water was interrupted for a short time, after which you immediately got hot water in buckets. We are very sorry.
Facilities: Unfortunately, our staff forgot to put you shampoo and conditioner (if you had a request you would have received something!)
Room cleaning: As we are an eco-resort, we also pay attention to water savings (as in many hotels / resorts in the Philippines and worldwide). You have been informed that you can request a cottage / terrace cleaning as well as fresh towels / linen at any time.
Air conditioning: Due to our Filipino construction, we have an automatic air conditioning, also by the location under trees). In addition, we have a large ceiling fan in each cottage and can set up a floor fan if necessary. With correct reading way is with booking.com air-conditioned and not "air conditioning".
Spa: Unfortunately, our spa has not been finished yet, but on request we would have liked to offer massages, manicures and pedicures!
Credit or debit cards are currently not accepted.
Meetings with owners: As already written, we apologized to you several times at the welcome. We were invited by guests for a birthday and sat at a table for four (with a view from all seats on the sea, so that 2 people sat with their backs to you). If it was too loud for you (although we do not have any music here), we apologize as much as we did for your last night. With a few exceptions, we already go to bed at 9.00 / 9.30 p.m.
Food and drink: We are pleased, that the food tasted good. We have to bring everything by boat (some items, such as vegan / vegetarian ingredients, also from Puerto Princesa or Manila). 10% service charge and 12% taxes is the normal rate here in the Philippines. Maybe it was not on Panglao Island (Bohol) where you were before. You did not mention our special service, to get your breakfast around noon, since you usually worked until late at night and phoned.
Boats: As our resort is located directly on the sea, as everywhere else boats go.
Transfer Airport: Since we are further away from El Nido, we are still cheap compared to Boracay (as a 10 minute Tricycle ride and 10m minute boat ride cost 1500 PHP.
Animals: As you have noticed, our resort is surrounded by a tropical forest, with the result that there are also tropical animals such. B. Geckos, mouse snakes. Here you can also see monkeys. Unfortunately, you forgot to mention that there are also beautiful birds here, such as the Palawan Horn Bills, where you also enjoyed yourself. Also in your country Romania there are wild bears.
Beach: Unfortunately, you were always on the side rocky parts of our beige sandy beach, in the middle part, it also has a swimming area. We have a white sandy beach above our beach with sunbeds / umbrellas and enough distance to the neighbor built, which you unfortunately did not use any more than the free snorkeling trip offered. According to your report, you could not swim on Panglao Island / Bohol because the boats were lying on the whole beach.
Refrigerator, iron and dryer in the cottage: We have very good service here (also to order cold drinks or have dinner on your own cottage terrace). Each cottage has a Walki Talki for orders, etc. We also have laundry service and each cottage has a laundry drier at the edge of the patio for e.g. wet swimwear.
Canoe rental etc: As in most resorts, canoes, stand up paddle, etc. are available for a fee.
Cash payment: Unfortunately, we did not receive your email. From the port to the airport you had already paid for the transfer!
Finally, it's worth mentioning that you also forgot to write that our manager and husband did a 3-hour free hike across our peninsula with you and your wife in their free time!
We regret that your vacation here in the Philippines did not meet your wishes and needs and wish you in the future that you find the right hotel / resort for you.
Karin and Wilfried Laumann Owner Sunny Island Resort
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed from 12/29/2018 to 3/2/2019. The resort is new just finished (although spa and another cottage are under construction). We have had the pleasure of being the first guests of the resort. What to say, love at first sight. It was all a big surprise from arrival to departure. At Sunny Island you can breathe the air of home thanks to the owners (karin and Will) with whom a special feeling has immediately started, chef Antony who cooks delicious dishes (his pancakes are unsurpassable) but above all thanks to the heart of the resort: manager Rose who has made in 4 to accommodate all our requests, from the simplest to the most complex. All the cottages are very large, over 40 square meters, with an incredible view of the sunset even if the highlight is the restaurant overlooking the sea with three terraces .. the best way to really feel on holiday. He will not have anything to envy to the most renowned resorts in the area. Paola & Massimo
Date of stay: January 2019
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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xcaparze
Panama City, Panama
175
Reviewed April 19, 2020
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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TOSA-WB
1
Reviewed April 29, 2019
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Date of stay: April 2019
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Location
Rooms
Service
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SaschaThalau
Bielefeld, Germany
1
Reviewed April 27, 2019
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Date of stay: April 2019
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
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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.