Main tourist area of Bantayan Island is developing near the village of Santa Fe, at the south-east of Bantayan Island. There are around 20 resorts near Santa Fe, which might seem a lot, but most of the resorts are very small.
Beach Placid
We stayed at Beach Placid, a resort with the largest lot of ground and the most beautiful beach at the northern side of Santa Fe pier. The name of the beach is Alice Beach. Beach Placid offers newly built bungalows of different standards. The best bungalows (duplex) are air-conditioned and come with a fridge. There is hot water in the bathroom and a wonderful view of the beach and the sea from the porch. The bungalows are only about 25 metres from the sea. Next to the duplex, there are smaller bungalows (triplex) with equally spectacular view. The rooms are air-conditioned, but smaller. There is only cold water in the bathrooms (which did not bother us as it is rather hot in the Philippines). Triplex rooms are cheaper than duplex rooms, we paid around 25 € per night.
Recent additions to Beach Placid are a small restaurant and a bar. There was no restaurant when we visited, but they did have a kitchen where they could prepare some food for us. Sometimes we bought fish directly from fishermen and asked Beach Placid's kitchen to prepare it for us.
There are a few huts right at the beach where you can relax over a drink or a meal. There are lights in the huts and even power points, in case you wish to use your laptop. Beach Placid offers free Wi-Fi. Their connection is via 3G network and it is not the fastest, but perfectly OK for tempting your folks back home by sending them some pictures.
The staff at Beach Placid is wonderful and the friendly owner really goes out of her way to please guests. It is not surprising that Beach Placid has many returning guests and some of them stay for weeks.
Web: www.beachplacidresort.com
Other Bantayan hotels
Santa Fe Beach Club is the nearest resort to Santa Fe pier at its northern side. Santa Fe Beach Club has a nice beach with beach chairs and sun shades, but its proximity to the pier might be bothersome. Certain rooms at Santa Fe Beach Club are fitted with fridges.
St. Bernard's Resort is located north of Beach Placid. Its bungalows are concrete, built in traditional Filipino style. The beach at St. Bernard's Resort is smaller than the one at the nearby Beach Placid. St. Bernard's Resort has a restaurant with satellite TV.
Tickety Boo Restaurant is (for now) the last resort at the northern side of Santa Fe pier. Guests may choose from cheaper bungalows with a fan and pricier, air-conditioned bungalows. Tickety Boo Resort used to have live music every Friday and Saturday night. The band was quite good and sometimes joined by the owner's wife who used to be a professional singer abroad. There is a small dancing space at the hall where live concerts take place.
Bantayan Cottages resort islocated at the south of the pier, at Santa Fe village. It has a nice tropical garden with concrete bungalows, fitted with a TV and bathroom (mostly with hot water).
Budyong Beach Resort lies at a nice strip of beach. Some bungalows are air-conditioned. They have an open-air restaurant.
HoyOHoy Villas is a luxury resort with villas costing around 100 € per night (the price includes breakfast for 2 people).
Marlin Beach Resort has a vast selection of various quality bungalows. The prices run from 15 to 50 € per night, depending on comfort.
Sugar Beach has small, simple bungalows built behind the famous Sugar Beach. The latter is considered to be the most beautiful beach on Bantayan Island.
The above list of resorts at Bantayan Island is not exhaustive. There are new resorts keep springing up. Even if you get to Bantayan without a booking, you should be able to find a place to stay. The only exception to this rule is the Holy Week (a week after Easter), when all accommodation on Bantayan Island is booked out months in advance. If you would like to enjoy Bantayan in peace, avoid staying there during the Holy Week.