Best Posts in Thread: getaway from Duma

Interesting that there is such a huge difference in first-hand experience between @mrossbach and @DavyL200 for the same resort.

So I looked at tripadvisor and found the same disparity: Excellent 24%, Very Good 23%, Average 17%, Poor 15%, Terrible 21%. A few of the 'Excellents' were more recent but many were 2016 and before, which is where most of the 'Terrible' comments are from.

One 'Terrible' comment was based solely on dining there and I found it very off-putting to read how him and his wife were treated.

I suppose if a resort has 53% average or below ratings then it is best to avoid until it proves itself with significantly better ratings. A pity, as its location looks very good.

 

Yep, was quite surprised when I took the trouble and strife here last March. A bit remote, and a bit of a schlep from Duma. We had a villa with private pool but totally peaceful.

Yep, was quite surprised when I took the trouble and strife here last March. A bit remote, and a bit of a schlep from Duma, but not demanding. We had a villa with private pool, totally peaceful with zero karaoke floating down the breeze. Never heard a manok either as I recall. A big plus. Antulang is a bit sprawling as a resort and some of the buildings look like an escaped architect from the Soviet bloc circa 1956 had a hand in their design, but it ticked all the boxes for me.

The rooms aren’t going to win any design awards, nor the furniture either. But we were comfortable and left pretty much to our devices. You can call for housekeeping during the day if your bacchanalian Rock n roll party has caused a bit of a mess. Just don’t try to bung the TV set over the cliff. You might put your back out.

Lunch and dinner weren’t too bad - order at least 45minutes in advance, go have a swim or whatever takes your fancy as service was a bit slow. But I just didn’t care, I wasn’t going to starve to death. Meal ingredients were fresh and portion size was ample, beer was cold. The breakfast buffet is to be avoided at all costs however. Please see earlier rants on this crime against humanity. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Couple of drawbacks, it’s perched on a cliff edge and there is no beach to speak of. Just rocky shore, though you can take your life in your hands and follow their concrete path n steps down if you want to get swept away by some pretty rough seas....they were when we were there. The advantage, open those sliding doors, let a pretty stiff sea breeze into your enclosed, walled villa. Security is a peach, it will take a pretty determined burglar who has watched the Guns of Navarone once or twice to make it up those cliffs. Thus bathing au naturelle is perfectly feasible without outraging the decency the local population. Important if you are worried about bikini strap lines etc. WiFi - er, we are in the Phils.

Hide your booze in your vehicle as with most resorts this is where the markup occurs, but don’t let ‘em catch you. In line with the Soviet architecture they promise some pretty Eastern Bloc punishments for transgressions...salt mining, expulsion to Siberia, borscht for a treat on Stalins birthday etc (ok maybe I’m exaggerating). But if you like a tipple best stash some in the car.

Big thumbs up from me for Antulang for sheer peace n quiet. Perfect too for letting the very Devil himself entwine and choreograph that sexual ballet with the wife you had been plotting if it wasn’t for the kids/staff interrupting every 5 minutes at home. Sigh....

 

Mike's Dive Resort in Dauin.

 

Coral Cay Resort in Siquijor has great beaches, good food and reasonable accommodations. Rustic setting with great sunsets.

 

For a good sandy beach, relatively shallow water near the shore, a pool, accommodation overlooking the sea, acceptable food and nearness to the ferry, I would go for Tori's Paradise on Siquijor (although not "Somewhere South").

Btw, not to be confused with Tori's Backpacker.

Other accommodation is, of course, available on the island and some is cheaper. If you wish to take the risk, it is usually cheaper not to pre-book via a third party site but to book in on the day direct.

 

You might consider Cove Sands in Siaton. Take a look @their website if this is the place you will like.

 

Coco Grove is the oldest resort on Siquijor and has their own boat/ferry to transport their guest, high-end resort and nice place

 

Agree, the only disadvantage when low tide, too many urchins that cannot be avoided when walking to deep water to swim in the sea, though you can still swim in the pool of course.