Puerto Princesa City Hotel Tips by cyndymc

Dangkalan Beach Resort: Beachfront With Nice Sunrise View

We started on the wrong footing, but ended with a happy note.

We booked our accommodation and tours way ahead of our trip to Puerto Princesa, hoping that everything would turn out right. I expected no hassles because every detail of our stay and tours have been agreed upon. Our plane arrived on time and we got our luggage faster than we expected, but when we went out of the airport, the Dankalan Resort staff was nowhere in sight. We were supposed to see someone bearing the resort's placard with our name written on it, but no one was there. I called the resort, and was told that the driver was already there. After more than 10 minutes, still, no one showed up so I called up the resort the 2nd time. Again, I was told that the driver is already there. Finally, after almost 30 minutes of waiting outside under the blazing sun, the driver fetched us. With a hungry stomach, I wasn't in the mood to smile anymore.

When we arrived at the resort, we were immediately given registration papers to sign. After checking in, we were expecting to be led to our room, but it wasn't ready yet because the previous occupant had just checked out. I checked the time; it wasn't 2:00PM yet so it was alright; we let it pass because check-in time is 2:00PM.

We hurried to the restaurant to order our lunch. It took a long time for someone to attend to us, and when we've given our orders, the waitress came back saying the kitchen could not prepare our food because some other guests already placed their orders. Apparently, the resort has only 1 cook so our food can be prepared only after the previous orders were done. Then came the resort staff reminding us that we need to leave for the City Tour soon. (I thought he was so dense not to realize that we haven't even had our lunch. If they picked us on time at the airport, we wouldn't have wasted some 50 minutes, and perhaps they could have prepared a decent meal for us.) We ignored him. Instead, we asked the waiter what food could be served fast; they said sandwiches, so we ordered 2 clubhouse sandwiches. However, even that took so long to be served and when they came, we were so disappointed. Their clubhouse sandwich was far from what a clubhouse sandwich should be, and they put too much mayonnaise that was too sweet. I had to scrape off the mayonnaise slathered on the bread. We just forced ourselves to eat the sandwich.

Soon, the staff coordinating our tour reminded us again that we had to leave for the city tour already. We expected to be able to put our luggage in our room, but it wasn't ready yet. I expressed disappointment that we've barely rested and haven't had a decent lunch and we were already asked to go to the van for our City Tour without even brushing our teeth and freshening up! With my displeasure, they had no recourse but to lead us to our room. It was still being cleaned, but at least we were able to brush our teeth and freshen up a bit.

Despite everything that happened on the first day, I would still recommend the Dangkalan Beach Resort. WHY? Because I have an understanding and forgiving heart. I learned that the manager of the resort just resigned (for personal matters) when we went there so the staff were still adjusting, doing things on their own. I admired them for acknowledging their shortcomings, their humility to apologize for our inconveniences, their composure (no frowning/fretting) amidst problems, their patience and effort to really try their best to serve our needs. For me, these outweighed any of their inefficiencies on our first day. Of course, I recommend Dangkalan because of its amenities and facilities.

I also recommend Dangkalan Beach Resort because it is a beautiful place, especially for those who want a quiet and secure environment after a tiring tour; for those who love to see the "raw" beauty of the beach (do not mind a shallow beach with seaweeds); for those who need fresh sea breeze for their respiratory ailments; for those who love seascape and sunrise photography.

Unique Qualities: Free roundtrip airport transfer, plated Filipino or American breakfast, 24-hours security, with standby generator, free use of swimming pool and activity area, free wifi, efficient air-conditioning units, strong water supply, hot & cold shower, sachet shampoo & soap supply, fluffy towels, comfortable beds, clean bed linen, in-house restaurant serving local foods, great sunrise view at their beachfront, and most of all, very nice and hospitable staff.

Reasonable prices for different types of accommodation:*

Cottage type room good for 2pax: P1,800
Standard rooms good for 2pax: P2,000
Premiere rooms w/ veranda good for 2pax: P2,200 (we stayed in a premiere room)
Premiere rooms without veranda good for 2pax: P1,900
Tree house good for 2pax: P2,100 (honeymooners usually stay here)
Cottage family rooms good for 4pax: P3,100
Family room good for 6pax: P4,400

*Please view their website for updates prices and description of rooms.

Address: BM Road, Brgy, San Manuel, Puerto Princesa

Comparison: more expensive than average

Other Contact: 09286868214

Phone: 7231618

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.dangkalanresort.com

Microtel Puerto Princesa: High-end Puerto Princesa Beachfront Accomodation

When our van fetched some tourists from Microtel Inn & Suites Puerto Princesa or (Microtel Puerto Princesa for short), I went to explore the place. I heard about this hotel's nice location by the shores of Emerald Beach so I checked out its beachfront. It was low tide so the beach was full of sea grass left by the high tide. I could hardly see the ocean, but I could see the lifeguard's post far, far away from the beach. With this sight, I had no regrets staying at Dangkalan Beach Resort, another beachfront accommodation in Puerto Princesa. The sea grass there was much lesser than in Microtel. Sea water in our resort's beachfront was nearer, too. The beach area was a more important consideration to us than the rooms and swimming pool. We were gone most of the time for tours, anyway, but we enjoyed wetting our feet in the beach and having a whiff of fresh sea breeze whenever we were there... But if we were honeymooners who'd stay most of the time in the hotel, then perhaps Microtel would be a good choice.

Rates start at PHP 3,227++. If you'd like to see the pictures, description and rates of rooms, visit their website or click this.

Unique Qualities: more modern and high end furnishings and facilities, bigger swimming pool, lounging area for a great view of the horizon, nice mangroves and palms around, beautifully landscaped garden

Address: San Manuel, Puerto Princesa City

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: along the shores of Emerald Playa Beach & Nature Park

Other Contact: +63906-5183282

Phone: (048) 723-0977

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.microtel-palawan.com