Kk_fr_238/10 – A beautiful nature retreat with excellent service, but a few drawbacks
We enjoyed our two-night stay at La Estancia. The resort is surrounded by beautiful nature, with absolute peace and quiet, plenty of wildlife, and a lovely atmosphere. We were the only guests during our stay, which made it feel like we had the entire place to ourselves!
The staff were genuinely wonderful – always friendly, attentive, and willing to help. They even provided fishing equipment and bait for us to fish from the pier. We also enjoyed kayaking, and the food was delicious.
However, there are a few reasons why we're giving it 8 rather than 10.
First, the location is extremely remote. It takes around 1.5 hours from Coron Town, including 30 minutes on a rough, winding, unpaved road. Our private transfer cost PHP 3,500. There are no shops or restaurants nearby, so you're completely dependent on the resort. The resort itself is also quite expensive, especially once additional taxes and service charges are included. We understand that operating somewhere so remote comes at a cost, but overall, the facilities feel more like a decent three-star property than a luxury resort.
Second, cleanliness could be improved. The swimming pool was somewhat dirty during our stay and was only cleaned properly on our departure day, when a larger group was expected. There was also rubbish along the shoreline that didn't seem to be regularly cleared away. The beach itself isn't particularly suitable for swimming due to seaweed.
Finally, internet connectivity is unreliable. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but power outages interrupt the connection, and mobile reception is often very weak or nonexistent.
We stayed mainly to visit the dugongs and turtles, and two nights were enough for us. There's very little to do otherwise, unless you're willing to pay for additional excursions.
Overall, 8/10. The excellent staff, delicious food, and peaceful natural surroundings made our stay memorable. With better maintenance, more reliable connectivity, and slightly better value for money, this could easily be a 10/10 experience. We'd recommend it for a short 2–3 night escape, especially if you love nature and don't mind being completely disconnected.
Voir plus