Mangrove Resort Hotel

“Fantastic Stay at Mangrove Resort! A Restful break at a Hidden Gem on Baloy Beach."”

From my very first email to secure a booking, I was greeted with sincere warmth. In a remarkable display of personal service, staff members, particularly Miss Joy and Miss Lea, remembered me from visits five years prior, from before the pandemic. The entire team is pleasant, charming, and professio… more

From my very first email to secure a booking, I was greeted with sincere warmth. In a remarkable display of personal service, staff members, particularly Miss Joy and Miss Lea, remembered me from visits five years prior, from before the pandemic. The entire team is pleasant, charming, and professional, taking obvious pride in their work. Their familiarity with the local area is a great asset, and their assistance made me feel like family. To top it off, the check-in process is always quick and easy. Don't let the hotel's unassuming appearance from the street mislead you; stepping inside is like discovering a hidden gem. The resort immediately opens up, looking and feeling like a charming, casual, family-run seaside resort in Europe with a style of understated elegance. This atmosphere extends directly to the accommodations. I thoroughly enjoyed my premium king room; it had a lovely balcony where I often ate breakfast overlooking the pool and the sea. Unlike at most hotels, the rooms here are enjoyable enough to be a destination in themselves—a perfect space to relax with a coffee. The attention to detail is excellent, with thoughtful amenities like bathrobes, slippers, and additional towels for the pool provided. For those seeking more privacy, I noted the adjacent room's balcony offers a direct sea view and is not overlooked. Even the standard rooms are well-considered, opening onto outdoor landings with pool and sea views while using one-way glass to maintain privacy. Regardless of the room type, I've found them to be clean and well-appointed. The poolside rooms, for instance, are another great option, ideal for families seeking close access to the water. The pool area itself is managed with respect for all guests; the rules are reasonable, posted, and followed. The pool closes in the evening for daily cleaning and chemical maintenance, a thoughtful policy that ensures noise levels are kept down for a peaceful atmosphere. This is not a corporate brand hotel; it has a distinct and personal character. The public areas are mostly open-air and sheltered from the elements. A perfect example is the al fresco dining patio; there is no enclosed dining room. The space is a lovely mixture of covered areas and nestled, sheltered nooks, which creates a wonderful tropical holiday feeling. As someone who usually prefers to sit inside when given a choice, I never once missed or wanted that option here. The dining is wonderful day or night. Whether for a couple on a romantic holiday or a family enjoying the seaside view, the setting is ideal. It also serves as a great workspace for remote workers enjoying a morning coffee with their laptops, as I often did. A pleasant side effect of this open layout is a staff that is always present and available, and stunning sea views can be enjoyed by all. As a professional mariner, I often felt the pool areas were reminiscent of an ocean liner, with a layout that brought to mind an aft pool deck and an adjacent sun deck. Good to Know for Your Stay Who It's For: This is a perfect place to escape the madness and truly relax. It's ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, and friends seeking a tranquil getaway. Location & Accessibility: The hotel is the kind of place you can settle into for days without needing to leave. For necessities, a convenience store and a McDonald's are just a short walk away. Getting here is easy by bus services like Victory Liner; just ask to be dropped off at the Baloy Beach McDonald's. Just five minutes up the road ( 18 peso jeepney ride), you'll find local mall-style shopping, and in the opposite direction the Subic Bay Freeport Zone—with its higher-end dining, music, and coffee bars—is about 10 minutes away by taxi. It's important to note that you can only enter the Freeport Zone by taxi or private vehicle, not by trike or jeepney. To save money, I took a trike to the bridge where the Freeport zone begins. Walk across it and from there got a taxi inward to the Freeport zone. By doing this, I probably saved about five dollars US. Hotel Accessibility: It's important to note that the hotel does not currently have an elevator, though I was told this is a future project. If mobility is a concern, I would recommend requesting a lower-floor room. Booking Tip: I usually use Expedia for my travel, so I was surprised when I couldn't find the hotel listed there. I found that bookings are made either directly with the hotel or through Agoda. The Beach: The beach area is more for looking at than for swimming; I recommend the hotel's excellent pool for this. For water sports, there are other dedicated locations around Subic Bay. The Food: The menu offers a good variety, including Filipino, American, and English breakfasts alongside other Filipino dishes. What makes it unique is its fusion with Australian and Western influences, featuring items like quality mashed potatoes. While still offering good value for the money, the food on my current trip was good, just not as impressive as on past visits. The Bar & Future Plans: The current bar is wonderfully small and intimate. I was excited to hear from staff about future plans to shift the reception area to create a larger bar space. A Comparison: To put my praise in context, I have also stayed at another hotel in Subic, Central Park. I will not stay at Central Park ever again. That experience was a reminder as to why I so highly recommend the Mangrove Resort.

less