(I know that this is kind of long, you may want to go straight to the review and prices comparison part. Hope this post will help.)

Background: Two foreigner friends of my kabarkada were planning to visit the country on March 25, 2011, Friday. My friend told me months before that she needed help in preparing one nice trip to the beach for her guests. They were only going to stay here for 5 days, so they didn’t have the time to go to Boracay. Initially, we were looking for a white sand beach with lots of activities, when I spotted this diving resort. Diving was pretty much a good idea, so yeah I thought to myself, let’s do it! That’s when I sent an email to Anilao Outrigger Resort.

I immediately received a call from Noreen Vanhaltren, a very nice lady. From then on, I would give her a call whenever I have queries, and she was very accommodating… at start. The week before the trip, I made a call to her and ask her about the rates of their Island Hopping activity, and the entrance fee for a maid and driver. She told me that the boating is priced at Php 2,500, which is only for 6 people. The entrance fee for the maid and driver is at Php 700, the same with the fee me and my friends are going to pay for. First I tried to negotiate with her, but then when she said that “ganoon po talaga, eh” (that’s the way it is), I kind of snapped. I started questioning her with reason. I didn’t realize that that encounter was only the start of something more disastrous. I let it pass, thinking “Bahala na” when we get there. We could probably just negotiate on the resort itself. I was thinking that maybe Noreen had no control of these matters, because she’s just working for the Makati office. Moving on, we then finalized our booking on March 15, 2011 (Tuesday) and paid a reservation fee of Php 3000 for a total of 6 adults scheduled for a day trip on March 26, 2011 (Saturday).

Fast forward on the day of the trip, when we got to Anilao Outrigger Resort, we were surprised to see a resort not even close to the photos advertised through their website www.outrigger.com.ph

Disappointments / THE Review: The place looked deserted, and it’s untidy. Their staff was the most unfriendly resort staff I have ever met. They didn’t even greet us when we arrived at the resort lobby. Hoping that we would still be able to discover a hidden paradise, I requested to tour around the resort only to find out that the sun deck that seemed so enticing in the website looked like it was about to fall off. The infinity pool was not even what it’s supposed to be, and it’s not ready for use. I had to point it out to the crew before they even fix it. The room, we didn’t even have to go in to realize that it’s not as welcoming as it should be. The place apparently was not well maintained. We were even told that the Sombrero Island for the boating trip was not that beautiful anymore. Like what my friend said, the resort’s gate says it all. It’s not worth its price. (Later, I’ll illustrate the comparison of prices and services between Anilao Outrigger Resort and Anilao Beach Resort—the place that saved our trip.)

I was very disappointed I had to call their Makati Office without even having second thoughts. I spoke to Jet Esposo. I told him I was with foreigners and I am so embarrassed I can’t even explain to them the cause of the delay. We left Anilao Outrigger Resort right after I made the call to your Makati Office.

RATES COMPARISON:

Anilao Outrigger Resort

Php 700 – entrance fee /pax (inclusive of food, WELCOME drinks, snorkeling gear)

Php 1,300 – day trip room

Php 1,500 per 15 mins. – banana boat

Php 165 / 305 per hour – kayak (1 or 2 seater)

Php 2,500 – boat for Island hopping (6 people)

Php 200 – entrance fee to Sombrero Island / pax

Php 800 – hut in Sombrero Island

Php 1,800 – intro to diving

Php 550 – massage

TOTAL: Php 4,367 per pax – estimated (if we do all activities, since that’s really the idea)

ANILAO BEACH RESORT

Php 650 – entrance fee / pax (consumable for food and drinks)

Php 1,800 – intro to diving

Php 2,200 – boat (7 people, plus 2 guides and 1 dive instructor)

Php 50 – entrance fee to dive and trek / pax

Php 150 – snorkeling mask

Php 500 – hut

FREE: parking / life vest / booties / kayak / billiard table / volleyball / football / horse shoe game (plus the customer experience is outstanding. You’ll know that they are thinking about what would make your stay relaxing, comfortable, and enjoyable.)

TOTAL: Php 2,927 per pax – actual price my friends paid for, since they took the intro to diving

I wrote Anilao Outrigger Resort a complaint letter on March 28, 2011, Monday. I must’ve made the mistake of sending them a harsh (somewhat straightforward to the point of insulting) letter, that this sales guy or the “boss” was kind of angry when he called me regarding my complaint and demand for refund. He had the nerve to ask me, “What kind of resort were you expecting anyway?”

Well, here’s the answer… We want the resort showcased in your freaking website! Not that resort we visited that looks dilapidated.

Until now, we’re still waiting for that 60% refund. For the 40% that they won’t give us back, this blog post is my response. Go keep the change. Like what my friends advised me, I’ll charge it to experience. And I’m sharing my experience with other people. Just hope this information will help readers and travelers in planning their vacation. Bon Voyage! Don’t let bad resorts ruin your perfect getaway trip.