The room and bed was clean. Breakfast was not too bad too. The location was perfect as it’s right in town.
The only downside is the toilet, although it’s clean but it’s quite small and squeeze.
Wifi was quite slow but I Guess it’s the same at anywhere in Coron.
You can find much better accommodation in coron town for the same price. We booked a room for 1800php with a queen bed for our last 2 nights. Our previous inn costs less than 200php more but way way way better than what we got here.
-rooms are not dirty, but not super clean either.
-paints are old
-floors are worn out
-AC is super noisy
-bathroom tiles are moldy
-shower is weird
-staff are really trying their best to be nice
-wooden furniture including the bed looks old. Dresser looks weird. You can't actually put anything inside it.
-tv is super TINY
-the whole place actually looks tired and really needs some cleaning and renovating
The good thing about this hotel is the location. Really near everything. And its surprisingly quiet despite being on a busy road.
If the price was cheaper, I'll probably understand.
Btw, i killed a roach. Found it lurking on my bag. Good thing i didn't put out my things the whole stay. I have pics to prove.
At the front door of the hotel, you don't know what to expect but once you go in, nice small garden and the nicely decorated reception are waiting for you. I really liked the wooden objects here and there. The room was very clean and the staff was helpful and friendly. You have some options for the breakfast and they bring your plate to your table at the set time. This hotel does not serve food or drinks; only breakfast. So, if you want to have a cup of coffee during the day, you need to go out and buy. The location was perfect, close to everywhere. If you want to buy boat trip tours, buy it from the hotel. It comes with a discount and they provide transportation to the pier and back as well. Oh, and don't book a room facing the street. The other side is much more quite.
A decent stay all-in-all. I expected a homey stay. But, it ended up as a utilitarian bed and breakfast. Tours and transfers are not directly provided by Balaibinda, so if there are hiccups or issues, they are not exactly helpful.
1. Transfers
Coron has a problem with van transfers now, so you have to grab tricycles to/fro the airport. I pre-booked a van transfer with Balaibinda, but was informed of the issue only upon arrival by the van operator. The transfer was uncertain when I got there, but I got to Coron eventually anyway. The van driver did a compromise of bringing me to the town border, and I hailed myself a tricycle for 20 pesos along the main road. If you are new to Coron, there's a terminal just outside the Arrivals area of the airport, usual rate from airport to Coron town is 500 pesos to have the tricycle to yourself. Going home, Balaibinda helped call a tricycle to bring us to the airport. Or try looking for a hotel with their own transfer, their marked vans are exempted from the ban I believe.
2. Check-in experience
There was no option for an early check-in (standard was 2PM). They let me drop my bag while I went around town. I got back at around 1.40PM, and was accommodated for check-in at 2PM on the dot. I guess they are strict with that, so I would advise other travelers to just go and grab coffee in Coffee Kong along the main road. The front desk attendant at-the-time wasn't friendly, it's a basic lodge so no amenities, wifi was slow, so it won't be fun to stay in the lobby and wait.
3. Room and location
Got a courtyard queen room (Room 205), which was just outside the dining area so it gets noisy in the morning. Bed was comfortable. AC kept the room cool, but they turn it off when you go out on tours. When you request to have it turned on as you get back, it takes 5 minutes before the AC gets switched on. Shower has a heater, which you can adjust. Location was in the middle of Coron town so everywhere's a few minute walk away.
4. Breakfast
Breakfast included would sustain you 'til lunch if you're out on a tour. This you would order the night before, and say what time you'd like to have it served. In the morning, they'd knock on your door to inform you when breakfast is ready.
5. Tours
The tour we pre-booked with Balaibinda was operated by Calamian Travel & Tours. Of course, the sights are beautiful. The handling, however, could've been better. Guides don't actually "guide" you throughout the tour. They are more of your lifeguards or timekeepers. The included buffet lunch wasn't exactly a "buffet". When the food containers are empty, these are not refilled. I'd say, if you are a big eater, just get as much as you can the first time you line up.
I stayed one night in Balaibinda Lodge upon arrival to Coron. I had booked a single room but changed to a bigger room to share with a friend (Had a double and a single bed). We got a room on the second floor which was noisy in spite of being over a busy road. The room was fairly clean and comfy. Breakfast was okay, they order it from outside. Only instant coffee was included and tea was extra (meh). They helped to arrange the transportation to the airport for 150PHP (shared van). Location is convenient as it's walk distance to the main street where bars/restaurants are. Staff needs a bit of training and to smile a bit more, but they were helpful.
