Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Darayonan Lodge, Palawan
Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Darayonan Lodge, Palawan
Darayonan Lodge: Paradise Found (Mostly) - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get the REAL deal on Darayonan Lodge in Palawan. Forget the perfectly curated Instagram shots; I'm serving you the unvarnished truth, the good, the bad, and the slightly sandy. This review is gonna be a rollercoaster, just like my experience there!
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First Impressions (and a little bit of a struggle getting there):
Okay, so Darayonan sounds like a dream, right? "Escape to Paradise"? They ain't lyin' about the "Paradise" part, eventually. Getting to the paradise? Well, let's just say the airport transfer was… an experience. (Airport Transfer - tick, but the van felt like it had seen better decades.) The drive is a bit bumpy, which had me thinking about my lower back – I'm not getting any younger, people! – but the payoff? Whew. Jaw-dropping. Absolutely breathtaking. The way the sun hits the water… forget about it. Pure, unadulterated beauty.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Really (and a Story about a Stubborn Ramp):
Accessibility, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator: Now, this is where things get… complicated. The website made it sound like they kinda-sorta catered to accessibility. Which, technically, is true. They do have designated rooms… somewhere. I saw an elevator! Great! But getting around… it still felt a bit like a treasure hunt. There was a ramp to the main restaurant that was… let’s just say it met the bare minimum. I watched a poor guy in a wheelchair practically fight to get up it. I felt terrible. So, while they've made an effort, there's definitely room for improvement. (Accessibility – could be better. Needs more focus.)
Rooms: Cozy Caves and Blackout Magic!
I stayed in [mention your room type] and it was… lovely. The Air conditioning was a godsend (Hello, Palawan heat!), and the Blackout curtains? Bless those things. Seriously, I need those in my own life. The Bed was comfy, the Linens were crisp, and the Daily housekeeping kept things sparkling. I was a big fan of the Free bottled water because I kept chugging it down every 5 minutes.
There were some weird things, like the bathroom Mirror being a little too high for my shorter friends, and I never figured out how to use the Bathroom phone, but overall, a solid room experience. Wi-Fi [free] worked perfectly, so I could update my socials and share my epic photos. The Internet access – wireless was a lifesaver.
Room Amenities (the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly exciting):
- Air conditioning - Essential in the Palawani heat, kept me cool and comfy.
- Alarm clock - Basic but effective.
- Bathrobes - Luxurious touch, although I ended up mostly lounging in my swimsuit.
- Bathtub - Did not use, but it seems nice.
- Blackout curtains - Absolute perfection for sleeping in.
- Closet - Plenty of space for my (overpacked) luggage.
- Coffee/tea maker - Essential for my morning fix.
- Complimentary tea - Nice touch!
- Daily housekeeping - My room was always clean and fresh.
- Desk - Useful for working (or pretending to work) on my laptop.
- Extra long bed - I slept like a baby.
- Free bottled water - Much appreciated, especially after a day in the sun.
- Hairdryer - Standard, did the job. (Always a plus)
- In-room safe box - Kept my valuables secure and safe.
- Internet access – wireless - Reliable and strong.
- Ironing facilities - Never used them, but good to know they were there.
- Laptop workspace - Useful for working or playing (or pretending to work) on my laptop.
- Mini bar - Stocked with interesting snacks and drinks.
- Mirror - A bit high for shorter people.
- Non-smoking - Standard.
- Private bathroom - Clean and functional.
- Reading light - Perfect for late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator - Kept my drinks cold.
- Satellite/cable channels - Good selection.
- Seating area - Comfy for relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub - Spacious and clean.
- Shower - Good water pressure.
- Slippers - Nice touch, even if I didn't wear them much.
- Smoke detector - Important safety feature.
- Socket near the bed - Very convenient for charging my phone.
- Soundproofing - Blocked out most of the noise.
- Telephone - Didn't use it.
- Toiletries - Adequate.
- Towels - Fresh and fluffy.
- Wake-up service - Never used it, but good to know it was available.
- Window that opens - Great for fresh air.
Dining: Food, Glorious Food (with a Side of Waiting)
Restaurants, Restaurants, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Bottle of water, Coffee shop, Room service [24-hour]: Okay, let's talk food. The breakfast buffet was… decent. Lots of options, but nothing mind-blowing. (Asian, Western, and International cuisines. And the dessert, I wanted more.) The coffee shop was my go-to for a quick caffeine fix. Room service was a lifesaver a couple of times when I was feeling lazy, but be prepared for a wait! I once ordered a pizza that took over an hour to arrive. But the food was pretty good. The poolside bar was great for drinks and socializing.
Here's where I had a minor meltdown: ordering food at the main restaurant. It was delicious when it eventually arrived, but the service could get slow. I'm talking, order-your-meal-before-your-next-birthday-slow. One night, I ordered a simple salad, and it took almost an hour! I seriously considered raiding the Snack bar for a bag of chips. (Soup in restaurant, salad in restaurant – yep. All good, all tasty. Just, patience, my friends.)
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax):
Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: The Swimming pool was divine. That view! Seriously, if you're not Instagramming your life from that pool, you're doing it wrong. I spent hours just floating and staring at the ocean. The Spa was a highlight. Got a Massage that melted away all my stresses. Oooooh, my poor, tired back. Pure bliss. The Fitness center looked decent, but I mostly stuck to the pool. (I tried the Sauna, but it was a bit too hot for my liking.)
Cleanliness and Safety: A Covid-Conscious Paradise
Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: I was genuinely impressed with their Hygiene certification and the precautions. They were really taking care of the whole COVID-19 thing. The Hand sanitizer was everywhere, the staff wore masks, and they were doing their best to keep things clean. There was even a note explaining the Room sanitization opt-out available. I liked the steps taken for Safe dining setup and all of the anti-viral cleaning products used.
Services and Conveniences: The Essentials (and a Few Surprises)
Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, On-site event hosting, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events: The Concierge was
Unbeatable Montrose Getaway: Quality Inn & Suites Black Canyon Views!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a totally unhinged, possibly disastrous (but hopefully hilarious) trip to the promised land of Darayonan Lodge in Palawan. This ain't your polished travel brochure, folks. This is real life travel…with all the messy, beautiful, and sometimes embarrassing bits.
Darayonan Lodge: Hell or Paradise? (Probably a bit of both)
Day 1: The Great Arrival and the Quest for a Cold Beer
- 7:00 AM (Ish) - Wake up! (or what passes for it after a red-eye): Ugh. Let's be honest, that airport coffee tasted vaguely of despair. Did I remember my passport? Did I even pack underwear?! Still, excited to be in Palawan.
- 9:00 AM - Manila Airport - Terminal 3 – The Chaos Begins: My flight was delayed, naturally. Because the universe knows I'm trying to get somewhere. Ended up sitting next to a guy who kept loudly complaining about his ex. Good times! (Said no one, ever.)
- 11:00 AM - Flight to San Vicente: A small plane! Tiny, but with surprisingly comfy seats… until the turbulence hit. I gripped my armrests so hard I think my knuckles permanently molded to the plastic. But hey, the views! The emerald ocean stretching on forever. Breath-taking. Or maybe I was just holding my breath.
- 12:00 PM - Arrival in San Vicente & The Van Ride from Hell (Part 1): Okay, so the San Vicente airport is… rustic. Let's call it that. The ride in the van to Darayonan Lodge was a beaut. Winding roads. Lush green hills. The driver blasting some questionable pop music. I swear, the driver was trying to kill us.
- 1:30 PM - Darayonan Lodge - HOLY MOLY, IT’S BEAUTIFUL!: Okay, I take it back. The van ride was worth it. Darayonan Lodge? Utterly and completely gorgeous. Those photos? They don't do it justice. I walked in and just… gaped. That view! The perfectly manicured lawn! The beach! I'm a sucker for beauty.
- 2:00 PM - Check-in and the Elusive Cold Beer Hunt: The friendly staff. The welcome drink (a delicious iced tea). The utter desperation for a cold beer after a hellish travel day. The bar? Closed for a short lunch break. Seriously?! This calls for a minor meltdown.
- 2:30 PM - Beach Bliss (and beer acquisition): Okay, fine, I'll survive. I grabbed my bag and headed straight for the beach. The sand is the finest, whitest thing I’ve ever seen, like powdered sugar, and the waves are just the right amount of gentle. Then, someone miraculously found a stash of San Miguel Light. Crisis averted. World restored.
- 3:00 PM - Swimming, Sandcastles (sort of), and general chillaxing: I proceeded to act my age of 8 years old. Pure, unadulterated, childish bliss. I tried to build a sandcastle. It looked more like a sand-puddle. But the effort was there!
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Drinks & Dinner: Sunset was a masterpiece. The sky exploded with orange and pink and purple. Got a cocktail (or two). Dinner was fresh seafood. Delicious. Stuffed. Content. Life is good.
- 8:30 PM - Bedtime: Lights out. I'm done.
Day 2: Island Hopping (and the Quest for Perfect Sand)
- 7:00 AM - Wake up (ish again). Sunrises, or I can't be bothered!: Decided to skip the sunrise. I'm on vacation, dammit! I want my sleep!
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast: A buffet breakfast, but I think I'll just stick with the omelet.
- 9:00 AM - Island Hopping Tour: The tour? Oh, the tour. They promised pristine beaches and snorkeling. They delivered. The water was so clear, and the fish! Little silver ones that danced in the sun. Absolutely magical. The boat ride was a little bumpy, which, again, brought back the fear but the view was unbelievable.
- 11:00 AM - Island #2: The Sand, The Sand!. Finally, the perfect sand. Fine, white, and powdery. It's what dreams are made of!
- 12:00 PM - Lunch: Lunch on a deserted beach was something out of a movie. Think fresh grilled fish, rice, and mangoes. Delicious! But, let's just say I got slightly sandlogged. Not cute, ladies, not cute.
- 1:00 PM - Snorkeling Fail: Turns out I'm not the best snorkeler in the world. Goggles fogging up, swallowing seawater, nearly face-planting into a coral reef. But hey, at least I tried, right?
- 3:00 PM - Back to the Lodge and a Nap: Decided I needed a nap. All of the sun and water has taken my energy away.
- 4:00 PM - Beach Relaxation: Another swim. More sandcastle attempts (slightly improved this time). Pure vacation vibes.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner - More Seafood and a Near Catastrophe: Food was once again delicious, with all of the fresh seafood. Near catastrophe? Let's just say my clumsy nature almost caused me to spill a whole tray of drinks. Near disaster averted!
- 8:00 PM - Stargazing: The stars were unbelievable. So many stars I thought I was actually in space. Truly, truly breathtaking.
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime: Sleep.
Day 3: The Day of Reckoning…or Relaxation (Mostly)
- 8:00 AM - Wake up: Ready for breakfast!
- 9:00 AM - Beach Time or Local Charm? (Can't decide!): Contemplating whether I should venture to the surrounding town, or just stay and relax at the beach. I think the beach wins out again. The allure of sand and sun is too strong.
- 10:00 AM - Spa Treat - Bliss, Then Panic!: Decided to get a massage. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Then I realized I'd forgotten to tip! Panic mode activated. Scrambled for some cash, but the masseuse was too kind and gracious to let me stress.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch: More seafood! Still amazing. Starting to feel like a local.
- 2:00 PM - Kayaking: Kayaking in the crystal-clear water. It's so peaceful out on the water. No, wait… are those… jellyfish?! Nope, just my imagination. Still scared though.
- 3:00 PM - Beach Bumming & Regrets (slightly): So, I got a little too relaxed on the beach. Didn't reapply sunscreen. Now I'm a lobster. Note to self: Listen to your own advice and wear sunscreen!
- 5:00 PM - Sunset Watching: Another sunset, another cocktail. Living that good life.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner (and the inevitable sunburned shoulders): Dinner was delicious, but the sunburn was a pain. I'm thinking I need a whole bunch of aloe vera.
- 9:00 PM - Pack and prepare for departure tomorrow.
- 10:00 PM - Sleep: The best sleep!
Day 4: Farewell, Palawan! (Until Next Time…hopefully)
- 7:00 AM - Wake up: Time to sadly say farewell.
- 8:00 AM - Last Breakfast: One last delicious breakfast.
- 9:00 AM - Check out, and the Dreaded Van Ride (Part 2): The journey back to the airport.
- 10:00 AM - Farewell, Darayonan Lodge!: I actually shed a tiny tear when I left. Truly a slice of paradise.
- 11:00 AM - Flight to Manila: Goodbye to the beauty.
- 12:00 PM - Manila - Airport - Home Bound - Post Trip Thoughts: Arrived! Now I'm thinking about the sunburn, the sand, and the fish.
Quirks & Reflections:
- The Food is Life: Seriously, the food. Fresh. Delicious. I gained a few pounds, worth it!
- Sunscreen is Your Friend: Listen to your mother. Wear sunscreen.
- Island Time is Real: Schedules? Pfft. Embrace the relaxed pace.
- Humanity is…human: I got sunburned, I spilled drinks, I almost drowned (kinda). This is travel!
- Would I Go Back?: In a heartbeat. Darayonan Lodge, you were a dream!
- Final Recommendation: Go. Just go. You won't regret it. Just pack sunscreen
Escape to Paradise: Darayonan Lodge FAQs (Answered by a Slightly Sunburnt Real Human)
1. Okay, seriously, is Darayonan *actually* as dreamy as the photos? Because I've been burned by Instagram before...
2. How do you *get* to Darayonan? My travel anxiety is already kicking in. Long flights? Rough boats? Tell me the truth!
3. The bungalows. Are they… bug-infested? Because I have a *thing* about bugs. A BIG thing.
4. What's the food like? I'm a foodie! Is it all just, like, noodles and rice?
5. Activities? Beyond, like, staring at water all day (which I'm totally down for). What *is* there?
6. Service: Is it friendly? Do they speak English? Is it… reliable?
7. Let's talk about the internet. I need to post my photos! Is there Wi-Fi? Is it… good?
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