Date: July 1-3, 2014.
Author: LizB
Looking for a place to stay while you marvel at the beauty of Samal Island?
Fernandez Beach and Garden Resort is an affordable accommodation option.
Overall Rating: 80%
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| Ahhh! A peaceful place it is! |
Our Review
Atmosphere 95% Security 80% Location 90%
Facilities 85% Staff 40% Cleanliness 80%
Value for money 90%
Atmosphere
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| Welcome to Samal Island! Welcome to Fernandez Beach Resort! :) |
Let's go to the beach, each!
The Beach
The sand on the beach is rather creamy, not white. We didn't have a chance to bathe in its sea because we were out for our scheduled adventure on daytime and we were already exhausted upon our arrival on the evenings of our stay.
Even the nights are better ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬
Our first day was tiring so we decided to just relax that night and save our energy for our intro-scuba dive early next morning. Though we can have our dinner at their restaurant, we opted to have our orders served in one of their open fancy tiled-tables by the beach (which feels romantic at night, by the way) while watching some cute toddlers playing and swimming along the seashore. We planned to take a dip on the second night but the weather was not good. There was a high tide, the wind was strong as if there was a storm coming and the water was not clear.
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| The Black Pearl |
Facilities
Room Service
Function Hall/Meeting Facilities
Restaurant
Mini Park
Swimming Pool
Public Toilets
Local Store
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| Tambay tayo dito! Free Wi-Fi. |
Rooms
Accommodations are affordable. There are lots of cottages and rooms to choose from depending on your needs and preference. Close cottages are available for overnight stay. You may opt for a non-aircon room or an air-con room for a more relaxing and comfortable rest. The weather was cool when we went there so the non-aircon room was okay. We chose a room near the cashier's booth because it is at least few walks away from the entrance gate. There is also a free Wi-Fi, however, its signal strength does not cover the whole area of the resort.
The resort also has a function hall which is also ideal for seminars and conferences, wedding venues and parties
To see their current accommodation rates, click here.
The resort also has a function hall which is also ideal for seminars and conferences, wedding venues and parties
To see their current accommodation rates, click here.
Public Toilets
The resort is open to public and well, in fairness, their public toilets are readily accessible and acceptably clean.
Mini-Park
I personally liked their mini-park for kids. I am not sure though if there's another entrance fee to get inside because we didn't have the time to stroll and ask. But by just seeing the big toy cars lined up beside this park will make any child be delighted for a ride.
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| The Mini-Park |
Restaurant
Their restaurant closes early but opens late so we were not able to experience their breakfast menu at least. We were lucky to have something they can serve during our first night, they were already closing at that time. But please beware as the price of the food is not worth it. It will be more practical to buy outside in a fancy restaurant before heading back to the resort if you're staying out all day. Also, the market is nearby, so as an alternative, you can buy fresh goods that you may want to cook in the resort. They provide a grill area so you can cook anytime you want, but I'm not so sure about the cookwares though. But barbecue may be one of your options as it requires no pan or pot. It's fun to do a barbecue feast anyway especially if you're with the your family and/or group of friends.
During our last day, we were able to at least try toasted muffins from a sari-sari store inside the area. They also sold us a cup of coffee each to complete our breakfast. I liked the toasted muffins and we actually planned to buy packs of it from within the nearby supermarket but we forgot all about it as soon as we excitedly head back to Davao City.
Hey, look! There's not even a leftover?!
Swimming Pool
Usually, checking in to a hotel or a resort for accommodation is inclusive of use of its facilities including the pool. Actually it's one of the reasons why I agreed for us to book here. That's why I'm a bit surprised to know that there is an extra fee (though minimal) for pool entrance. We were also peeved that it closes very early.
Pool Rates
| Adult | Php 70 (Adult Pool closes @ 9pm) | |||
| 7 yrs. old below | Php 50 (Kiddie Pool closes @ 6pm) | |||
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| Make sure to read and follow these before pool entry! ;) |
Staff
I saw only about 3 to 4 resort concierges on our 3-days and 2-nights stay at this resort (though technically we were out during the days). There was one lady cashier at the time we checked in. Then a doorkeeper led us the way to our room. I am not sure if he's the same one I saw sweeping the dried leaves from the beach the next morning. There's also one assigned to watch over the pool side. And yes, the other one is the security guard. The resort is open for public and the employees are not wearing a uniform so it is not easy to distinguish them from all the other guests, well except from the latter.
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| The Concierge Booth |
Want to see entrance rates? Click HERE.
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| A nice hang-out spot beside the tree in front of the Cashier/Concierge Booth |
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| Checking Out! |
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| The nice view upon entrance |
The Entrance Gate
Location
The Fernandez Beach Resort is located in Penaplata near at Penaplata Central Elementary School. It would take an hour travel by bus from Sta Ana Wharf to Samal Central Warehouse Club and Bus Terminal & then a 3-minute walk going to the resort.
Habal-habals (motorcycles) move tourists and locals in Samal. In the front gate, the price list per head for different nearby destinations is posted as a guide.
Price List
Habal-habals (motorcycles) move tourists and locals in Samal. In the front gate, the price list per head for different nearby destinations is posted as a guide.
Price List
Fernandez Resort to Warehouse = PhP 8.00
Fernandez Resort to Market = PhP10.00
Ferry Boat to Fernandez Resort= PhP25.00
Fernandez Resort to Hagimit = PhP20.00
Fernandez Resort to Maxima = PhP30.00
Fernandez Resort to Bat Cave = PhP50.00
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