Top Hotels Near Apo Island Marine Sanctuary in Dauin from NZ$60

"The property has been around for 40 years. Transfers from seaports and airports were seamless. Check-in was a little chaotic and even had an issue with another guest being checked in before us. No apologies from the staff even though I called it out. Aside from swimming pools, the beach and other amenities; nothing really stood out. The room we stayed in was massive. It does need an upgrade. There’s visible signs of wear and tear. Food is not allowed in the rooms due to ants. However, fruits and soda were offered in the room and fridge. Those also attract ants. Given the nature of the property, there were a lot of mosquitoes, be prepared. Staff around the property were polite to say good morning etc. what we did not like were the staff at the 2 restaurants we ate at. This is where we felt that we were foreigners in our own country. It felt that we owed the staff something even though we paid for the services. It was also evident that teamwork was lacking. We weren’t a demanding bunch but a little hospitality and simple smile would’ve been appreciated. This is not our first island resort, and while this has the best view among all that we visited, the way we were treated by the staff took the beauty away. In our 3 days and 5 visits to the restaurants, only Regina made a difference and knew how to treat her guests. Hope the rest of the staff have the same attitude as her. There is a need for restaurant staff retraining on how to treat their guests."

"Plenty of drinking water and a kettle for tea, coffee, powders. Beach is only steps away for great sunsets, pleasant staff and motobike parking. "

"Nice clean rooms The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The included breakfast was good. I stayed in two different rooms. First I was in the suite which was fabulous. Very nice immunities and very comfortable. Next I was in a deluxe room which was average. The hot water in the room would cycle on and off several times during a shower. Also I was in a corner room and the wifi was not available in the room. I asked at the front desk and they said they would fix it but never did. "

"Never had to leave resort, great staff and plenty of gluten free food options."

"Great diving opportunities, friendly staff, comfortable rooms, convenient restaurant on the premises. "

"nice property. if you are a diver it is likely better than 5 stars. owner and staff all really nice people!"

"Room (Stargazer) was clean and bed was comfortable. It’s on the top of 2 smaller rooms below. So it does have stairs. It had a mini fridge and a big porch with a table/chairs and lounge chairs. Food was good that we had. If you can’t eat it all the kitchen will wrap for you and keep it in their fridge and you can have them reheat it for lunch the next day. Breakfast has a decent buffet with a different theme each morning. Grounds were clean and we enjoyed the cushioned sun loungers and that there were 2 different adult pools and 1 kids pool. "

"Marielle and Kim were the two welcoming smiles that greeted us the moment we arrived at Lavanya, and from that point on, we knew we had found something special. We loved it so much that we extended our stay twice—it truly felt like a home away from home. The entire staff was wonderful, and I will genuinely miss them all. The interns, in particular, completely stole our hearts, and the local kids are an absolute treasure. Being so far from home in the US and fully immersed in a different way of life was an unforgettable experience. The food was honestly incredible—fresh, delicious, and far beyond reasonably priced. Snorkeling right off the shore was easy and fun, adding to the magic of the place. Out of everywhere we stayed in the Philippines, Lavanya was our favorite. It’s more than just a place to stay—it’s a community, an experience, and a memory we’ll carry with us. We will absolutely be back—with our boys. 💙"

"Vidal Homes Resort in Dauin was a really enjoyable stay. MJ, Tes, and Jerson were my favorite staff members—both were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and genuinely accommodating the whole time. The restaurant food was amazing, and the overall service stood out. Every staff member consistently greeted me with “Good morning, sir” and “Good night, sir,” which made the resort feel warm, respectful, and well-managed. I had a great experience and would happily stay here again. Thanks Tes!"