Zk's 2021 Geotags (5-Point Scale Review)

If it were not for the pandemic that has gravely impacted people mobility---the borders are closed and travels are restricted, we would have not explored the different local tourist attractions --- you see, we have always looked forward to booking trips off Mindanao, thinking that places here are easily within our reach. Given this Go Lokal opportunity, we've mapped out six (6) different geotags 📍, all of which were visited and reviewed using a set of indicators that represents our preferences (while the results were generated in quantitative manner, do recognize the distinct bias behind them plus the circumstances and/or conditions at the time of stay). 

4th Wedding Anniversary at Magnaga Waters Beach Resort

 

1. Accessibility

Owen, my husband, would tend to verify a location’s ease of access via the Google Maps before deciding if it’s a go or no-go. For instance, we would determine how long it would take us to depart from Davao and arrive at Camp Bernardino de Lavigan [Camp], Governor Generoso, where are the possible pit stops before getting there, or would the trip entail dangerous curves, etc. We had realized the value of accessibility when we visited Hof Gorei Beach Resort [Hof] in Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal --- where we got lost on the way due to the lack of directions and/or unclear resort signages, and when we finally got to the resort’s entrance, we were welcomed with a long, steep stairway leading down to the beach which was a major setback for our company at the time. 😰

Anyway, the most accessible for us is the Magnaga Waters Beach Resort [Magnaga], Pantukan, Compostela Valley, a 2-hour travel from Davao and can easily be reached with its entrance located just by the highway. Besides the four-to-five-hour travel time, getting to the Camp has been an almost challenge-free discovery in spite of the long trip. 🛣️ Our all-time favorite – Cavanico Il Mare Resort [Cavanico] in Samal would have been at the top if not for the strict QR requirement (Camp also required one, btw). The La Entrada Beach Resort [Britania], located in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, was the most remote place. With slight consideration on its geographical distance from home, the location is actually reachable, especially when we had Mangagoy, Bislig as base for departure (Britania was a spontaneous side-trip from our planned Mama Phem visit). Finally, a rough-road detour to Castle View [Castle], Babak, Island Garden City of Samal is rated as less favorable than the rest. 🚧

 

2. Accommodation

Executive Room at Magnaga Waters (January 17, 2021)

Although working from home presents a great deal of advantages, sometimes, it feels like we’re living at work 🥺 so, finding an alternative and short-term stay has become a necessity. The Castle’s accommodation underscores this need with its cozy studio and an unparalleled view of the city and the sea, the pool and the surrounding garden of the Castle. Flaunting its high-speed internet connection, the place is a temp abode for any digital nomad. On the other hand, the Executive Room stay during our 4^th wedding anniversary at Magnaga has given us cabin vibes with plenty of breathing space --- an imperative decamping from our ordinary home.

All the rest offered room-for-a-change feels, except for the Camp, where we spent our first Glamping experience. Unfortunately, getting a standard tent without the airconditioner would turn out to be inconvenient for my AC-dependent husband and son with the overall impression downgraded... and so our tip? Upgrade to deluxe 🤑! Meanwhile, we had always wanted a Layag room in Cavanico especially with our 2019 experience of its complimentary room offer, but our recent stay presented few undesirables --- from dusty floor, undisposed swab and snack leftover to annoying unhinged restroom door (in any case, don’t book for Layag #10 🧐). The low-scores for Hof (whilst the professional butler service) and Britania were attributed to non-operational backup power generator at the time of stay when there were unscheduled blackouts (hopefully, these resorts would ponder on the word “backup”). 🤨 

 

3. Food

We would usually find personal sense of a place with respect to how good the food is --- exactly why we connected easily with the Camp, Magnaga, and Hof. The foods they served were so glorious that made our guts overjoyed 😋 --- a definite 5-score delish. Our meals at Cavanico did not entirely disappoint, but we had better food experience with the resort in the past. Comparably, I had way more delectable meals back at home than what La Entrada had served us at the time of visit. And with the Castle, you have to bring or cook your own food (in our case, we arranged the Pahongs dinner with a local caterer).

 

4. Swimming

Infinity Pool at the Castle View (April 10, 2021)

All of these resorts share one *critical* feature in common --- a swimming destination! In fact, this may be the only indicator that would qualify for any trips approved by Owen 🤭 --- that he and my son, Zk, could share the best water experience together (we had this inside joke that I would only be the bantay-bag-si-Mama on the side 🥴). For that, Britania is conceivably at the top of the list with its beautiful islets, pristine white, fine sand and clear seawater. I had never been to anywhere close to Britania’s perfection which highly demands a repea-trip (maybe will try out O’s Landing for overnight stay next time).

Infinity Pool at Magnaga Waters (January 18, 2021)

First stop: Hagonoy Islet (Britania Islands - April 23, 2021)

Since all of our trips are well-researched with spots carefully chosen, the rest get one score lower than Britania, of course! But to recapitulate: Cavanico – you get to fairly enjoy the sea and pool (a rare combo); Castle –  cannot beat the view from the cleanest infinity pool ever (we witnessed how its “robot” pool vacuum cleaner has done twice the job of its human counterpart); Hof – cold,  6-ft deep freshwater pool, suitable for any good swimmer like Owen; Camp – child-friendly sea in the south (knowing that the Mati beaches nearby are mostly otherwise), and; Magnaga – featuring a decent tiered rectangular pool setting the perfect lap for Owen and toddler-safe depth for Zk. 🏊‍♀️

 

5. Customer Service

You know how they say about restrooms reflecting the quality of the services in your business? I may remember the good food but it’s hard to forget a room that gives me discomfort.  It’s just one of the many good customer service signs I look for in a resort. But this part of the review is primarily based on which resort had been consistently genuine to their customers from the moment we entered the place up to the exit point --- and without a doubt, Camp is our number one. The interaction with every person was unexpectedly consistent throughout our entire stay. Further, the proactive customer service they exhibited has totally set the bars high. Btw, the comfort-room-check proved my point. 🚽☑️

La Entrada Beach Resort (April 23, 2021)

With the unscheduled power interruption at Britania’s La Entrada, it’s hard to be in their shoes when they had to manage us while dealing with the backup power failure. To be fair, they handled us without any hint of frustration (or maybe, their actions reflected my calmness in such situation --- thanks to my Yoga practice!). Anyway, the same behavior and response were demonstrated by everyone (from the front desk officer to the boat operator) -- this consistency equates to a less perfect score for they could have offered something to cover for the mishap (O’s Landing, here we come!). And for the rest, we've just received what average customer service feels like --- inconsistent and reactive. 🤷

 

6. Toddler-Friendliness

Playhouse at Camp Bernardino De Lavigan (March 5, 2021)

Aside from considering Owen’s preferences (not mine 🤫), we also look at how Zk would be able to relive the out-of-house experience whenever choosing for the next vacation spot --- right on, see the playhouse at the Camp! It’s every toddler's vacation dream --- the sea and the sand, the toys in the playground, and the heat with a playmate (Summer --- wherever you are, Zk hopes to meet you again). Surely, he had the best fun when he would also spend his worst tantrum as soon as we hinted “home”.

As I’ve mentioned, Cavanico – our all-time favorite, has earned this tag because Zk loves both the sand and the kiddie pool --- apparently, a scarce feature (trust me, I have spent most of my social media time searching for this combo). Then we have the Castle (City View Room) with its long and wide space that any toddler could spend his entire day running back and forth (also, it is hard to dismiss the adult+kid’s fun with the Foosball ). Finally, swimming had been the core fun with Zk at Britania, Magnaga, and Hof, if you’d ask. 

Cavanico Il Mare (May 9, 2021)

 

7. Budget

Known to be kuripot, we would prioritize spending our money on the needs and essentials but with the lockdown period and long WFH days, our mind and soul demands at least short breaks from our home-office. Btw, we’re affected by the economic impact of this pandemic that both of us are actually on a reduced workweek (a.k.a. reduced earnings 📉) but we’re able to manage our finances, sufficient for us to afford the *mentally essential* trips. 🧖

Excluding the transportation costs, we would allocate at least P6,000.00 on an average with the highest being at the recent Cavanico stay (Mom's Day) and the Camp (Kuya Micco's Birthday), reaching at least 50% more than the average on each trip. The expenses in Britania and our anniversary date at Magnaga were the most warranted at the time of spending while the expenses accounted for my birthday at Hof were just below the average (well, the getaway was largely sponsored by my family 😇). The Castle’s stunning view was an overstatement of how we actually paid for that sight --- at least 3,500.00 and could still go down if we would have brought ready-to-cook foods. It may all have accumulated to a significant spend, but at the end of the day, we’ve used up the temporary and tangible means to create the best intangible moments and store them into our core memories as a family. 👨‍👩‍👦🤍

Zk at Hof Gorei (March 18, 2021)

 

Owen and I at Camp Bernardino De Lavigan (March 6, 2021)

…and the top geotag as of this blog post is…Magnaga with 0.14 faint lead from the Camp in its 4.00 average score. Sharing at 3^rd place spot are Britania, Hof and Cavanico --- each of which has specific edge over the other. While the food score may have dragged the Castle down from the rest of the group, it has facilitated one of the most memorable bonding experiences with my friends (especially that we celebrated double baby showers even in the time of pandemic).

As depicted in the radar chart on the left, Magnaga’s strong suits are Accessibility, Accommodation, and Food while the Camp offers similar leads plus the Toddler-Friendliness but all its pros came with a hefty price tag. And for the rest, Britania = Swimming, Hof = Food, Cavanico = Swimming + Zk-friendly, Castle = Accommodation. 

 

With relationships, mental wellbeing and Wigo milestones all dialed up early this year, we could now revert to ultra-health-and-wealth saving mode. 'Til next year! ✈ 🤞

P.S. In case you're wondering, Camp was the resort observed with high regard to health and safety protocols. Review as of the time of stay is presented in the figure below with 1 as very low and 5 as very high.We had anticipated the inconsistent implementation of safety practices, so regardless of where we were, we ensured our protection by enforcing personal safety measures to prevent infection and transmission of COVID-19. 🖐️😷

If you have clarifications on the review scores, let me know in the comment section. 🤗