San Juan Hotel Tips by planxty

Czar's Place.: Pick your night carefully.

Let's get the pronounciation correct for a start, should you need to ask about this place. When I saw the sign first I read it a Czar as in the former Russian rulers but I subsequently found out it is pronounced as in Ceasar the Roman ruler.

This is essentially a backpackers hostel and it is a perfectly comfortable place to stay. The images will give some idea as to the standard of the accomodation. It is clean and tidy and I had an ensuite fan room. I believe it is the only fan room that is ensuite and I was charged 500 pesos for it which is pretty competitive in an area where the accomodation is mostly upscale, expensive resorts. There is a swimming pool and quite extensive pleasant grounds to relax in. The staff, when I could find them, were friendly and spoke good English. Allow me to explain that last comment and also the title of this tip.

I had visited Czar's as a non-resident on a Friday night when it was absolutely heaving with an all-night party that seemed to have attracted half the island and went on until nearly daybreak. Unless you want to stay here and party all night and then crash, don't bother. Any attempt at sleep will be futile. In contrast, I went there looking for a bed on the Saturday night and the place was completely deserted. I had to search for someone to check me in. There didn't appear to be any security as I was told to use the small gate when I returned on my motorbike later that evening.

I eventually returned at a not unreasonable 2100 hours to find the place looking like the Marie Celeste. Tehre was literally not a single person to be seen. I went looking for staff and eventually found a somewaht bleary eyed young man who told me that the bar was shut, which was fairly self-evident anyway. At nine o'clock on a Saturday night? I know that the tourist season on Negrtos, Cebu and Siquijor is the quietest for many years but this place really was empty. It did, however, lead to an excellent night's sleep although being alone in a place like this on an island noted for witchcraft might have been a little unnerving for some!

I mentioned a motorbike earlier and you really do need your own transportation to utilise this place. You can grab a trike from San Juan proper during the day but you will struggle after dark. It is a little isoleated.

There is a limited menu, assuming of course that thye bar / kitchen is open. Due to the layout of the room I had (upstairs) Czar's is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, although they may have graound floor rooms, I am afraid I don't know.

All in all, a reasonable budget option.

Unique Qualities: Nothing unique, just a clean, reasoably priced backpackers hostel.

Address: Maite, San Juan, Siquijor, Philippines.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Coming from Siquijor city on the highway it is about one mile past the spring in San Juan on the left.

Phone: +00 63 035 481 5163

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hostel

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Czars-Place-Siquijor-Philippines/100629163333905

Castaways Restaurant: Cheap, clean, basic and noisy.

I had made no plans as to where to stay on my (as I thought) one night on Siquijor. Tips on other pages will tell the story of how I was slightly marooned there. It was getting about dusk and I decided that after about 70km. and a long day on a 125cc mtorbike it was time to stop, at least for a beer if not for the night. I saw a nice little place by the sea and parked up for the well-deserved San Miguel. It was a restobar obviously aimed at a visitors market and I subsequently found out it was owned by an American guy with a fairly strong opinion on anything and everything that he wasn't shy about sharing. That, however, is another story.

I noticed a sign on the wall saying that a room was available for 300 pesos (a little less than £5) per night which is a very competitive rate. I thought that would do for me and asked to see it. As you can see, it was basic but spotlessly clean with a communal bathroom which was equally acceptable. I subsequently found out that it was effectively a staff room which was not being used and was being utilised for a little extra income. It was, as you can see, equipped with a fan which I didn't need, table, chair and bunk bed. I am not a high maintainance traveller and I was well pleased with my choice. Well pleased, that is, until I came home about 0100 and lay down for a night's rest.

As you can see, the place is of nipa (traditional bamboo) construction which I love. At time of writing I am living in the most delightful nipa hut in Bacong. Whilst nipa has much to recommend it, it's soundproofing qualities are not one of it's best attributes. On one side I had some appalling "pop" music which, by the tinny sound of it was being played on a mobile (cell) 'phone. The lovely little waitress who lived there admitted she had fallen asleep with it on. Thanks, love. The counterpoint to this minimally musical drivel on the other side was the continual crying of the equally lovely little baby, son of two other staff members, who was obviously having a bad night.

Eventually, I did manage to get to sleep in what was a comfortable if slightly short bed. Well, slightly short if, like me, you are 6'5". Most people would have no trouble there.

I've told you the facts, you decide if you want to take a chance on it.

Unique Qualities: Norhing unique unless you count crying infants and tinny pop music, just clean comfy accomodation at a very reasonable price.

Address: Pblacion, San Juan, Siquijor, Philippines.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Look for the 90 degree bend in the road at the spring, go towards the beach and it is on the left.

Other Contact: info@CastawaysCafe.com (email)

Phone: +00 63 908 615 8661

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.castawayscafe.com/