On my last weekend in Cebu, my friends Edeena and Val joined me for a quick trip to Bantayan Island. I had been looking forward to this trip, to finally breathe and relax a little.
We stayed at Ogtong Cave Resort. This resort is a little paradise located on natural rocks overlooking the sea. It has a beautiful white sand beach area, a pool, a sauna, a freshwater underground cave, and lush gardens. The rooms are certainly nothing like the rooms and bathrooms in four or five-star hotels, but they are spacious and clean. It has free wi-fi and 24-hour security.
And although we weren't very happy with the service (quite slow), we loved our stay here. The resort has a lot of charming little corners where you could get lost in a book or in your daydreams. It was just the perfect place to rest, swim, read, and while away time.

This is the resort's lobby. It has a huge fountain on the entrance.
And oh, I love the bougainvillae fence!

The open-air dining hall. It overlooks the pool. Just lovely.

The Lifeguard's chair and one of those charming round huts near the beach.
The resort is open to day tours. They have open cottages for day use at Php300.

Pool, sea, gardens. What's not to love?

Seaview Villas.
Accommodations
Aircon Rooms:
Seaview Villas (1 matrimonial bed or 2 single beds) : Php3,500++/night
Garden Villas (1 matrimonial bed or 2 single beds) : Php3,200++/night
Row House (1 matrimonial bed or 2 single beds) : Php3,200++/night
Family Room (3 single beds + 1 sofa bed) : Php4,300++/night
Family Room (1 matrimonial bed + 3 single beds) : Php6,200++/night
Duplex Room (rm 1: 2 single beds | rm 2: 1 matrimonial bed) : Php6,000++/night
Deluxe Room (1 matrimonial bed) : Php4,300++/night
White House (living rm, kitchen, 2 bedrooms with 1 matrimonial bed and 2 single beds) : Php7,000/night
Deluxe Suite with Jacuzzi : Php16,000++/night
Non-Aircon Rooms:
Cottages (2 single beds) : Php1,600++/night
Extra person for aircon rooms : Php280/person/night without breakfast
Extra person for cottages : Php150/person/night without breakfast
Extra person for Deluxe Suite : Php500/person/night without breakfast
Room Service Charge : 10%
Check-in time | 1:30pm
Check-out time | 11:30am
Day Tour:
Open Cottages for day use : Php300

The property is huge! But you won't get lost. There are signages like this around the resort.

That's our room at the Row House.

The resort's beachfront. White sand. Clear, blue waters.

And this is Ogtong Cave. Small and not very impressive, but I still think it's wonderful.
It is temporarily closed for swimming. They did not say why.

This island is famous for their danggit, so we had some.
Service here is slow. You have to be very patient. Food is served 30-45 mins after you order.
. . . . . .
How to go to Bantayan Island from Cebu City
Take a cab from Cebu City to the North Bus Terminal (near SM).
From North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port
Take a Ceres (aircon or non-aircon, your choice) to Hagnaya Port. Travel time: 3-4 hours | Fare: Php120-150
Or you can take vans-for-hire (or commonly known as V-Hire). Travel time: 2-3 hours | Fare: Php150-160
From Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island
Take a ferry (Island Shipping or Super Ferry) or take a RoRo if you are bringing your car with you.
Travel time: 1 hour and a half | Fare: Php165 (aircon, Island Shipping), Php150, non-aircon
Ferry Schedule
Hagnaya to Sta. Fe
7am | 8am | 10:30am | 12:30nn | 2:30pm | 4:30pm
Sta. Fe to Hagnaya
6am | 8:30am | 10:30am | 12:30nn | 2:30pm | 4:30pm
Schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
For ticket information, contact:
Hagnaya ticket office: 0919 5251388
Sta. Fe ticket office: 0918 7047196
From Sta. Fe Port to Ogtong Cave Resort
Call the resort and inform them of your arrival date and time. They provide transfer services from/to Sta. Fe Port free of charge for check-in guests.
Travel Time: about 10 minutes
Related Post
Le Petit Bonheur
. . . . .
Ogtong Cave Resort
Sta. Fe Beach Club
TeleFax: +63 32 4389129
Phone: +63 32 438-0165 | 5128928
Mobile: +639208999456 | +639324336282
E-mail: info@stafebeach.com

ooohhh... the cave was closed for swimming? tsk tsk tsk... camotes is one of cebu's precious gems! :D
ReplyDeleteSadly, it was closed. But I'm sure they have valid reasons for doing so.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think Camotes' Timubo Cave is bigger.
Bantayan Island is certainly one of Cebu's precious gems, too. Both islands are charming and beautiful. :) There's no comparing the two.
Hi. Do have any idea about the ferry's time of departure?
ReplyDeleteHi. I added the ferry's schedule in the entry. Also attaching it here. This is the schedule they gave us (with a disclaimer that it will change without prior notice). :)
ReplyDeleteHagnaya to Sta. Fe
7am | 8am | 10:30am | 12:30nn | 2:30pm | 4:30pm
Sta. Fe to Hagnaya
6am | 8:30am | 10:30am | 12:30nn | 2:30pm | 4:30pm
oh this place looks really nice! and thanks for the very detailed info. :) added to my bookmarks! Lovely blog Aileen <3
ReplyDeleteNice place !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wander Shugah! Bookmarked your blog, too! :)
ReplyDeleteIt truly is, Dave! Do visit the island!
ReplyDelete