La Puerta Al Paraiso Resort

We went to La Puerta Al Paraizo last May 29, 2016. In a nutshell, you pay for the tranquility and solitude the place offers. And for a burnt out individual from... read more We went to La Puerta Al Paraizo last May 29, 2016. In a nutshell, you pay for the tranquility and solitude the place offers. And for a burnt out individual from the metropolis, those are rarities I'm willing to spend for.Location: the isolation of the resort is an advantage. It really transports you to a place vastly detached and distinct from the hustle and bustle of the city. It has is own cove, which is nice enough to swim in. The best time to lounge around the beach is early morning since the resort staff cleans the weeds etc. The shore has powdery white sand but the sea bed has bigger and rougher sands, but still small enough to walk on. It's not on the same level as Boracay, Panglao or Palawan, but it is good enough for the price you pay for. And honestly, given the exclusivity the place offers, I'd rather have a good-enough-white-beach than a crowded Bora or Panglao.Facilities: the pool does not look enticing, but the staff said the water is clean but the tiles give it a dirty appearance. But who needs to swim in the pool when the beach is right outside your doorstep?! The room we stayed in is their biggest, with its own veranda overlooking the other cove where the boats dock. It's a bit old, but still comfortable and clean. It has a spacious bathroom, 2 queen-sized beds, and a refrigerator. There is no television in the rooms. We arrived while the staff members were cleaning our room, and we saw that they took great pains to clean and prepare the room for the next occupants. That was very much appreciated. The resort has electricity, but it fluctuated for a bit during our first night. There is no cell signal in most parts of the resort. To others, it's a downside, but for me, it was a blessing as I was able to fully immerse in the tranquility of the place.The restaurant offers delicious meals, albeit on the expensive side. Comparing it with the food price in the cities, it's not really horribly expensive. But it will put a dent on your budget if you stay long. I suggest you order the chicken curry, bakareta, beef with mushroom, and calamares. The serving size is good for 2 individuals with average appetite.Staff: another advantage of the resort is the friendliness of their staff members. They were also very attentive and helpful. Those stem from the training of the owners who we met during our stay. They, too, were very friendly and attentive to their guests' needs.Other tips:-Do avail of their island hopping tour. 2 hours would be enough if you just want to see the attractions.-Ask for a late check out so you can maximize your beach experience in the morning of your last day. Their usual check out is 10:00 am -- earlier than most resorts, but their check in is at 12 noon. -I suggest hitting the beach at 6:00 am and staying there until around 9:00 am. The water is clean and warm. You can see little fish swimming near the shore.-Upon arrival from the Guimaras port, just rent a multicab going to La Puerta. It will cost around P700. It's worth the price for a group of 3 pax up. It takes about an hour to travel from the port to La Puerta, with about 15 minutes bumpy ride on a rough road going into the homestretch.-Bring speakers so you can play your music while at the beach. Bring books, magazines, or board games to keep you occupied.

The food here was distinctly average, but that did not matter as hosts David and Helen are wonderful to talk with, while tours of the beautiful mangroves, white... read more The food here was distinctly average, but that did not matter as hosts David and Helen are wonderful to talk with, while tours of the beautiful mangroves, white sand coves and to Magic Island resort for lunch can be tailored to the needs of individual travellers.The fried chicken was good but the mixed vegetables looked like they came out of a packet sold by a supermarket.

So far, this place feels like a jungle, with no one offering help when needed. It's very isolated and there's no Wi-Fi or phone service. The small sandy beaches... read more So far, this place feels like a jungle, with no one offering help when needed. It's very isolated and there's no Wi-Fi or phone service. The small sandy beaches and food seemed to be spoiled from being frozen for too long. If you're thinking of visiting, you'll regret it. You'd be better off going to Magic Island or Ramen instead.

The food here was clearly average, but that was not important, as hosts David and Helen are wonderful to speak while tours of the beautiful mangroves, white san... read more The food here was clearly average, but that was not important, as hosts David and Helen are wonderful to speak while tours of the beautiful mangroves, white sand coves and the Magic Island Resort for lunch can be tailored to the needs of the individual...Travellers. The fried chicken was good, but the mixed vegetables looked like they sold from a package from a supermarket.

We had the resort to ourselves when Stepon wanted to get married here. The facility was great and they took care of everything. The food was decent. The rooms w... read more We had the resort to ourselves when Stepon wanted to get married here. The facility was great and they took care of everything. The food was decent. The rooms were not very large, but they were sufficient. The air conditioning worked well and so did the showers. The beds were a bit small for two people. The large saltwater pool was very clean. Overall, it was a great experience, especially the wedding on the beach. There isn't much to do here, so make sure to bring your favorite book or music to keep yourself entertained while you relax. The resort is a bit far from the port, but the drive there was interesting. Mangoes were everywhere.