After spending the New Year's Eve in Nature's Eye Resort in Guimaras, I wanted to try other resorts in the area so I came across Mamaley's Resort and made a reservation. I made my booking last May 2021 and was not able to go there until July 2022. Reason? Local travel restrictions.
They were super nice to still honor my reservation, and I was so glad I finally got to visit!
MamaLey's Resort is also located in Brgy. Tando, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras and offers a quiet, relaxing stay that's very close to nature. They only have four guest rooms which means only a limited number of people are at the resort in any given time.
I honestly appreciated the serenity that the place provided especially after a recent trip to Boracay Island (don't get me wrong, I fell in love with Boracay, but the crowd and energy of the place can be draining).
How to Get There?
I contacted the same private car driver I rented last year, so I can share his number if you prefer a private ride. (I highly recommend renting a van—the road to Brgy. Tando is narrow and bumpy!)
The rental rate has increased from last year's PHP 800.00 to PHP 1,000 for a trip from Jordan Wharf to Brgy. Tando, and might change depending on the number of passengers.
What to Expect
This area in Guimaras still has poor cellular network -- therefore, do not expect a real-time upload of your GGSS selfies. I know that the resort has a WiFi area, but the network was down during our visit so just set your expectations well. You should also let your friends and fam know that you might be out of reach so they don't contact the authorities and report you as missing. :)They have good food! They would ask in advance what you want for dinner so they cook it for you ahead of time. I didn't see any snacks though, but I'm sure they would be able to provide your requests with ample time.
The resort has access to public beach, but it's secluded so there were really no other people along the shore aside from hotel guests and a couple of fishermen prepping their boats, at least during our stay.
To get to the shore and back to the resort, guests would have to go through a flight of stairs -- about 53 steps (yep, we counted it lol), so this is not recommended for the centenarians and above.
There were kelps and other debris on the beach area so I would suggest to rent a boat that will take you to other islands and white sand beaches around the area (costs PHP 1,000 for a 2-hour boat ride, and PHP 1500 if you're a group of 5-10 people).
What to Bring
Aside from your swimming attires and usual travel stuff, here are some items that I recommend:
- Insect Repellant Lotion/Spray - I didn't notice a swarm of mosquitoes, but just to be on the safe side, bring a sachet or bottle in your stash.
- Your Own Water Bottle - Mamaley's Resort has a water dispenser so you can help save Mother Earth by skipping the disposables and just refilling anytime.
- Pre-downloaded Movies/Music - Since internet connection is slow, quality time is mandatory here. I recommend spending hours by the shore, but if weather decides to be gloomy, at least you have an indoor activity prepared.
- Book/Kindle - For the bookworms :)
- Chocolate/Energy Bar - It would be really hard to get or look for food if you get hungry in the middle of the night, so best be prepared!
K’s Final Thoughts 💜
This is a family resort, so don't expect fancy stuff. However, the cleanliness inside and outside the rooms are commendable. The staff are all friendly and approachable, and their food service is good!
Rent a kayak and a boat trip to maximize your experience, and enjoy nature's best (especially the scenic sunset!). Comment below if you need the car rental recommendation! :)
xoxo,
