**Siargao Paradise Found: Unforgettable Stays at Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast!**
Alright, Buckle Up! My Unfiltered Take on Siargao's Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast (aka Paradise… Eventually?)
Okay, so Siargao. The name itself just screams Instagrammable sunsets and perfect waves, right? And Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast? Well, the "Paradise Found" is a bold claim, let me tell you. I've been to enough "paradises" that turned out to be glorified mosquito farms to know better than to believe the hype completely. Let's get real about this place. Here’s my no-holds-barred, brutally honest, and hopefully helpful review.
First Impressions: The Arrival & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof)
Finding Bakhaw in the labyrinthine roads of Siargao was an adventure in itself. Forget navigating Google Maps; you're relying on vague directions and the kindness of strangers. Accessibility? Hmm… this is where things get a little shaky. While they list things like "Facilities for disabled guests" and "Elevator," I didn't see a ton of concrete evidence of serious wheelchair accessibility during my stay. Navigating the pathways, especially after a downpour, might be tricky. So, if you require specific accessibility features, double-check with the B&B before you book. Ask questions. Don't assume. (I really need to learn this myself.)
Arrivals and Departures: Smooth Sailing? (Kinda)
Check-in/out [express]: Absolutely a plus, no messing around, just a quick "here's the key, enjoy" - I approve of this, as I am one of those people who feels anxious for a long wait. Check-in/out [private]: This felt intimate and special, the perfect little welcome after the long travel. Doorman: The doorman, was very friendly and welcoming. Luggage storage: I loved this, as I was able to leave my luggage for hours and do some last-minute shopping. Airport transfer: This was very smooth, a comfortable ride and easy pick up.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe & Sound?
This is a big one for me, especially post-pandemic. I'm a germaphobe at heart. Anti-viral cleaning products? Hand sanitizer? Daily disinfection in common areas? Yes, yes, and yes! I saw the crew constantly wiping down surfaces. It felt like they genuinely cared about keeping things clean and safe. They boasted about their Hygiene certification and the Rooms sanitized between stays, which put my mind at ease. I also loved the presence of the First-aid kit and the Doctor/nurse on call – always a comfort. The Staff trained in safety protocol.
Rooms: Cozy, Comfy, and (Mostly) Quiet
Okay, the rooms. My room was… well, let's just say charming. Think rustic chic with a touch of island vibes. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver, and the Blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping in. I had Air conditioning in the public areas. I had a Seating area, nice and cosy, perfect for an evening of reading, or writing up a journal. The Bathrobes were a luxurious touch (I'm a sucker for a good bathrobe). Additional toilet and a Separate shower/bathtub were perfect. I appreciated the Desk, making it easy for me to squeeze in some work. The High floor was my favourite part, feeling like an escape. I especially loved the Wake-up service, always on time for me to get up and catch the waves. Extra long bed, I could stretch out freely. Free bottled water was essential for keeping hydrated in the heat.
Now for the Negatives (Because Nothing's Perfect!)
- Internet Access – Wireless & LAN: Okay, the Wi-Fi. Let's be real. It's Siargao. The internet is… patchy. Wi-Fi [free] is on the list, and it's technically available. But don't expect to stream HD movies or video conference without a struggle. Bring a book (or, you know, download your entertainment beforehand). Internet access – LAN was also available, however, I did not have a chance to try it out.
- Soundproofing: The Soundproofing could have been more effective because I could hear the people in the next room one night, and the kids running around.
Dining: Food, Glorious Food (Mostly)
The Breakfast [buffet]. Oh, the breakfast buffet! This was one of the highlights. Okay, so I am a huge breakfast person, so I take this very seriously, and here, they delivered. A delicious mix of Asian breakfast with my favourite Asian cuisine in restaurant and Western breakfast. I indulged in the Buffet in restaurant, with a lot of options. I also was able to have Breakfast takeaway service, so I could enjoy it in the pool. I found the Coffee/tea in restaurant delicious and essential. The Restaurants were full of flavour, I definitely want to come back. The Snack bar was perfect when I needed a quick snack. Dining, drinking, and snacking: I loved the delicious food, and the service was flawless.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Surfing, Sunsets, and Serenity
This is where Bakhaw really shines. Things to do: Of course, it's Siargao! Surfing, surfing, and more surfing! Ways to Relax: They've got you covered:
- I indulged in the Pool with view, which was stunning.
- So I went to the Spa. The massage? Heaven.
- The Gym/fitness was perfect, and you can enjoy your workout or the Fitness center to tone your muscles.
- They did offer a Steamroom and a Sauna, but I was too busy relaxing by the pool.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: yes!
- Daily housekeeping: absolutely reliable.
- Dry cleaning: available.
- Facilities for disabled guests: not as good as promised.
- Ironing service: yes, what a life saver.
- Laundry service: available.
- Safety deposit boxes: a plus.
- Terrace: I took some time here, to rest and to read.
- Wi-Fi for special events: and a bonus for future events.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: yes, a plus if you can drive.
- Car park [on-site]: yes.
- Taxi service: yes, on-site.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service: good to have.
- Family/child friendly: yes.
- Kids facilities: good but not amazing.
- Kids meal: absolutely.
Things I Wish I Knew Beforehand
- Mosquitoes: Bring bug spray. Seriously.
- Island Time: Things move slowly. Embrace it. Don't expect things to be exactly on schedule.
Final Verdict: Would I Recommend Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast?
Okay, here's the honest truth. Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast is a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it offers a genuinely relaxing and enjoyable experience. The staff is fantastic, the location is great, and the amenities are well-maintained.
Would I call it "Paradise Found"?
Well, let's just say it's more like "Paradise… Being Sought. " Siargao itself is paradise-adjacent, and Bakhaw is a comfortable, stylish, and welcoming basecamp for exploring the island's many wonders.
My Final Score: 4 out of 5 Stars (Minus one star for the wonky Wi-Fi and potential accessibility issues).
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Crafting a compelling offer for booking that highlights the unique benefits:
Tired of the Ordinary? Escape to Siargao & Discover Unforgettable Stays at Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast!
Imagine waking up to the sound of gentle waves, breathing in the fresh island air, and knowing your day is entirely your own. At Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast, we don't just offer a place to stay; we offer an experience.
Here's why you need to book your Siargao getaway NOW:
- Your Sanctuary Awaits: Cozy rooms designed for ultimate relaxation. Each room includes the **Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to Siargao, baby, and it's going to be less "perfectly planned" and more "winging it with a healthy dose of coconut-induced euphoria." This is Bakhaw Bed and Breakfast, after all. Expect sand in places you didn't know existed, and a soul that's slightly more sun-kissed at the end of it.
SIARGAO: A Messy, Wonderful, Possibly-Burnt-to-a-Crisp Itinerary (Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast Edition)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Mango Massacre (Or, My First Encounter with Paradise…and its Inevitable Mosquitoes)
- 11:00 AM – Arrival at Sayak Airport (IAO): Okay, so the plane was late. Classic. And the airport? Tiny. Like a glorified shed. But hey, the second I stepped out and got hit with that humid, salty air, any travel woes evaporated. I swear, the air smells like freedom. And coconuts. Lots and lots of coconuts.
- 12:00 PM – Transfer to Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast: The trike ride was an adventure in itself. Wind in my hair (and probably a few rogue sand grains), grinning at everything like a loon. The driver, bless his heart, clearly knew every pothole personally. Arrived at Bakhaw. It’s gorgeous. Seriously, the photos don't do it justice. The welcome drink was this pineapple concoction…heavenly. I immediately asked for the recipe. Which I’ll probably forget by tomorrow.
- 1:00 PM – Settling In & Mango Madness: Found my room. Simple, breezy, perfect. And then… the mangoes. Oh, the mangoes. They left me a welcome basket! It’s all about the mangoes, the juiciest, sweetest, most ridiculously delicious mangoes I've ever had. I ate about three, and nearly choked on a pit. (Don't judge, I was hungry!) Note to self: pace yourself, even with paradise. Also, the mosquitoes. They got me good. I'm covered in itchy welts. Apparently, my blood is a gourmet delicacy for Siargao's finest.
- 3:00 PM – Beach Wandering & the Existential Crisis of the Sand: Walked to the beach. (Short walk, thankfully). The sand! So white, so soft. I sat there for a bit, staring at the waves. This is where the existential crisis struck. Like, what am I doing with my life? In a good way. Like, I’m getting sand in my toes, watching the ocean… Maybe this is it. Maybe this is as good as it gets. Then a wave splashed me and reminded me I was probably sunburned.
- 6:00 PM – Dinner at Mama's Grill (or, the Art of Dodging the Squall): Found Mama's Grill. Simple, casual. The food was fantastic (especially the seafood!). And as I was halfway through my grilled fish, the sky opened up. Rain. A torrential downpour. We all crammed under the makeshift awnings, grinning and laughing. It felt like a movie. The rain stopped as quickly as it started. This place is magical, I swear.
- 8:00 PM – Bedtime: Crashed. Absolutely, completely, utterly crashed. This traveling thing is exhausting. But a good kind of exhausting.
Day 2: Surfing, Sunburns, and the Sacredness of a Cold Beer (Cloud 9, You Got Me)
- 7:00 AM – Wake Up & Regret: Woke up. Okay, it's not actually a "wake up", it’s a "waking up in absolute agony from the sunburn you got yesterday". But the ocean is calling so. Off to Cloud 9.
- 8:00 AM – Breakfast at Bakhaw: The breakfast at Bakhaw is amazing. Simple but delicious. And the coffee? Strong enough to resurrect the dead. Needed that.
- 9:00 AM – Surfing Lesson at Cloud 9: Cloud 9! The legendary wave. I signed up for a lesson. Turns out, surfing is HARD. Like, really hard. Falling off the board, swallowing seawater, and looking utterly ridiculous are all part of the process. But, I managed to stand up a few times. The feeling? Pure bliss. Maybe even better than the mangoes. (Okay, maybe not. The mangoes are still winning.)
- 12:00 PM – Lunch and Beach Bumming: Cloud 9 is crowded. Ate at this basic place near the beach. Siesta time? YES. Laying on the sand, avoiding direct sunlight (duh), contemplating the meaning of life. Again.
- 3:00 PM – More Surfing (and More Bruising): Back in the water! Determined to be slightly less terrible. Got better… maybe? Bruised my ego a little more than my body.
- 6:00 PM – Sunset Drinks & the Perfect Beer at a Bar Named "Nine": It’s obligatory to watch the sunset at Cloud 9. Found this bar on the beach. Cold beer in hand, watching the sky explode in colours… It’s moments like these. This is why I travel. The beer was the most perfect thing I’ve ever tasted (maybe even better than the mangoes).
- 8:00 PM – Dinner & Debriefing: Ate dinner at a restaurant, where I regaled my fellow tourists (who are not yet my friends, but in the close confines of vacation, that’s almost immediate) with my surfing triumphs (and failures). Bedtime after a long day. I'm starting to worry about my tan.
Day 3: Island Hopping, Hidden Lagoons, and the Inevitable Karaoke Disaster
- 8:00 AM – Breakfast, Again. Because, Food: The Bakhaw breakfast is becoming a ritual. The coffee is magic.
- 9:00 AM – Island Hopping Adventure: Booked an island-hopping tour. Guys! Island hopping! Did I mention the water is CLEAR? Crystal clear. First stop: Naked Island. A tiny sandbar in the middle of the ocean. Then, Daku Island, for lunch. Grilled fish, rice, fresh coconut. Paradise in a plate.
- 1:00 PM – So Long, Sunburn: Found the most incredible lagoon. Turquoise water, hidden coves. The silence was broken only by the sound of my own awestruck gasps. Honestly, I'm running out of superlatives. This place is ridiculous.
- 3:00 PM – More Sunbasking: Back on the boat. A slight sunburn, but I'm ok.
- 7:00 PM – Karaoke Night (At My Own Peril): Karaoke. Because, Siargao. A few too many San Miguels later, I'm on stage. My rendition of… well, let's just say, the locals were entertained. Mortified might be a better description. I think I butchered at least three songs. No videos allowed. Never. Ever.
- 9:00 PM – Stumbling back to Bakhaw: Okay, I might have had a few drinks. Bakhaw looks like a safe haven after the night.
Day 4: Rest and Relaxation + The Final Mango Farewell
- 10:00 AM – Sleep…and Then More Sleep: Slept in. Big time. Needed it. Sore muscles, slightly fried brain.
- 11:00 AM – Lazy Breakfast at Bakhaw: Did I mention the food is great?
- 12:00 PM – Massage at the Hotel: I got a massage. Pure bliss. The knots in my shoulders melted away. This is how life should be lived..
- 2:00 PM – Hanging Around: Strolling around, talking with some other tourists. The Bakhaw’s area is a great place to meet up with some other people.
- 4:00 PM – The Last Mango, and the Sadness of Leaving: The last mango. Devoured with gusto, but also with a tinge of sadness. I don't want to leave. Siargao has crept under my skin.
- 7:00 PM – Farewell Dinner & Packing: Final dinner. Reflecting on the chaos, the joy, the mangoes. Packing is a chore, but I know I'll be back.
- 9:00 PM – One last walk on the beach: Just to take it all in one last time.
Day 5: Departure (With a Sunburn and a Heart Full of Sand)
- 7:00 AM – Farewell Breakfast at Bakhaw: Tears? Maybe a few. This place is going to be so hard to leave. The amazing staff, the mangoes, the perfect breakfast.
- 9:00 AM – Sayak Airport: The tiny airport. A quick goodbye. The last view of the ocean.
- The plane… The plane was late. Again. But who cares? I'm already planning
Siargao Paradise Found: Bakhaw Bed & Breakfast - Your Burning Questions (and My Honest Answers!)
Okay, spill the beans! Is Bakhaw REALLY as dreamy as the Instagram photos?
Alright, alright, let's cut the crap. Instagram lies. (Mostly kidding, but you get what I mean, right?). Yes and no. The photos are gorgeous, the sunsets are legit *breathtaking* (I nearly cried the first night), and the palm trees DO sway dramatically in the wind. BUT... and this is a big but... it's also real life.
My first impression? "Woah, this is paradise... and also a little dusty." There's a certain… rustic charm. Think less perfectly manicured resort, more "laid-back island vibes with a healthy dose of authentic Filipino life." You know, stray dogs might stroll through the grounds, the internet? Variable. But if you’re looking for a genuine, chill experience, with a touch of magic? Yeah, it's pretty damn dreamy.
What's the food situation like? I'm picturing endless bowls of adobo…
Adobo? Yeah, you'll get your adobo fix, don't you worry! Breakfast is included, and it’s a solid spread. Think eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee (thank the heavens for the coffee!). Lunch and dinner are where things get interesting. Bakhaw doesn't have a full restaurant, but they can usually set you up with delicious home cooking, local dishes that are fantastic and prices are pretty good.
Seriously, one night they made this seafood curry… I’m pretty sure I dreamt about it for a week. The one time I ate something from the resort on one of my trips, was the best experience, and I'm not sure how better it can get. However, take note, the menu is not Michelin-star, it’s homey cooking that will change your mind.
How do I get around? Renting a scooter a good idea? I'm a terrible driver.
Okay, scooter talk. This is important. If you're a decent driver, go for it. Siargao is best explored on two wheels (the feeling of the ocean breeze is incredible!). However… if you are a menace to society on a scooter? Stay away. Seriously. The roads can be bumpy, there’s unpredictable traffic, and let's not forget the occasional rogue chicken crossing the road! I saw a guy take a tumble and the look in his eyes... pure terror.
Tricycles (the local taxis) are plentiful and cheap. You can easily hail one, or have Bakhaw arrange one for you. Just factor in a bit of extra travel time. Or, if you're like me, and completely scooter-phobic? Embrace the tricycle life, and enjoy the ride!
Is it noisy at night? I need my beauty sleep!
Noise levels are relatively calm. There are times when it can be noisy, you'll hear the hum of the occasional motorbikes to the late-night karaoke from a neighboring establishment. If you're a super light sleeper, consider bringing earplugs. However, most nights are filled with the gentle sounds of the ocean and the rustling palm trees. Pure bliss! Honestly, I sleep like a log there.
What's the vibe like? Party central or chill retreat?
Bakhaw is definitely on the chill side. It’s not a party hostel. It’s more about unplugging, enjoying nature, and soaking up the serenity. You’ll find a mix of people - surfers, couples, solo travelers looking for a break - all united in their quest for relaxation. The atmosphere is friendly and laid-back. I made some genuine connections there - people I'm still in contact with! (And no, it wasn't just because we were all slightly sunburnt and in the same boat… literally!)
Okay, so what REALLY went wrong on your trip? Be honest!
Alright, here's the messy truth. On my second trip, it rained. A LOT. Like, torrential downpours for days. Suddenly, the dreamy island views were replaced by muddy paths and slightly damp everything. My sandals fell apart. I got a mosquito bite that swelled up to the size of a golf ball. The internet went down more often than it went up. I also ran out of sun cream and turned into a lobster.
But… (and it's a big, unexpected "but")… it was still awesome. I spent hours reading on the porch, listening to the rain drumming on the roof. I finally finished that book I'd been putting off. I got to chat properly with the locals. I even befriended a stray kitten. It showed me that even when things aren't perfect, there’s still beauty to be found. It’s a testament to the fact that even when the sun doesn't shine, the spirit of Siargao, and Bakhaw, still manages to warm you from the inside out.
Are there any nearby attractions? Besides just...being in paradise?
Yes, Siargao is all about exploring! Bakhaw is close to Cloud 9, world-famous for surfing. You’ll want to check out the Magpupungko Rock Pools (but check the tide schedule!). Also, don't miss Sohoton Cove, which is an absolutely incredible experience (take a boat tour). And of course, island hopping is a must! Guyam Island, Daku Island, Naked Island – each one is a slice of heaven. They can give you tips. My advice: Book tours in advance, especially during peak season.
How’s the Wi-Fi? I need to check my work emails (sigh).
Don't expect reliable Wi-Fi. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's (and again with the truthful realism) abysmal. If you absolutely *need* to be connected, get a local SIM card with data. Embrace the digital detox while you can. Honestly, it's a blessing in disguise. It forces you to disconnect and actually *live* the experience.
Should I go?
If you're looking for an authentic, laid-back island experience, with a good dose of charm, yes!Hotel Radar Map
