Bolinao has become a favorite destination, and Punta Riviera Resort remains my first choice of place to stay. In my previous blog on Bolinao, a reader asked about other accommodations and that made me realize that, unlike my other blog posts, I focused on Punta Rivera. Pardon me for that – – – I couldn’t then find a better place.
the gazebo by the infinity pool of Punta Riviera
the only resort in Bolinao where you can go kayaking by the river beside it
the only resort with a sandbar, for lazing, and venue for beach weddings
jsut added: a spa with sauna and jacuzzi, and this bar by the river
and a brand-new pool table
If you want to know more about this great resort : https://boyplakwatsa.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/bolinao-pangasinan/
But I hear you – – so I went around to see other decent but cheaper places. And I found a gem. Solomon’s Paradise on Patar beach. Nothing like my favorite Punta Riviera. But it has a charm that travelers may not be able to resist.
Solomon’s Paradise is on the far end of the stretch of white sand beach. Almost close to the famous lighthouse.
your private cove
It is a backpackers’ haven. Only 5 rooms made of native materials. Makes one feel like he is staying with a relative in a barrio. The floor is made of bamboo you can actually see the ground in between the slats. The bed is also made of bamboo, but a mattress stands ready for those who would want a softer bed.
5 rooms all in a row
an almost see-thru floor, just like provincial bamboo houses
The resort is owned by a Brett Solomon, a rather young Australian married to a Filipina. The couple stays in the only concrete Greek-inspired structure that also serves as the kitchen and the bar that opens to a magnificent, and probably unique, view of the ocean.
kitchen - bar
The beach at Solomon’s Paradise is so private it is bounded by rocks on both ends, forming a cove that is exclusive to guests of the resort.
I promised to look for inexpensive accommodations, and here it is. P1,500 per night for 2 persons, P2,400 for 4 persons. The rate goes up by P500 per day during the peak season, but they throw in breakfast with the increased rates. Not bad at all. Now I have a decent place to recommend to friends looking for low-budget but great accommodations.
You may contact Solomon’s Paradise at (+63905) 398 1470 or (+63928) 4748845. Or email them at solomonsparadise@yahoo.com. Visit their website http://solomonsparadise.multiply.com
OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS:
ILOG MALINO
Ilog Malino is a huge property that seemed empty when I visited. Well, it was off-peak. The resort has a swimming pool, huts near the shore, air-conditioned rooms, and a bar that I am told operates when there are a good number of guests.
They didn’t have a tariff sheet ready, but their rates can be viewed from their website http://www.ilogmalinobeachresort.com.
Or you may call their amiable Resort Manager, Jennyfer Pedroso at mobile numbers (+63939) 6073001, (+63927) 5745866
COCOS BEACH
probably the longest beachfront
After Punta Riviera and Solomon’s Paradise, Cocos Beach is my next choice. Nothing fancy. Just cheap, clean cottages. Aircon or non-aircon. The big plus is that they have family rooms with cooking facilities. They do not operate a restaurant but have an arrangement with a popular restaurant closer to the town center for deliveries.
entry to Cocos
big family room (aircon) with kitchen
family room
smaller, cheaper cottages
a P1,500 per day nipa room
The caretaker showed me the rates as booked by a group coming in March : Family Room, aircon : P4,000, Room for 4, aircon : P3,000, Aircon for 2 persons : P2,000, Bamboo Rooms P2,000. All of these rooms have verandas.
Nipa rooms (fan only) P1,500.
call the numbers above for reservations on peak season
COCOS BEACH contact : Nida at (+63916)6750367 or the numbers listed on the signage as photographed.
SUNDOWNERS
This is a bistro with accommodations on the hill overlooking Silaki Island. Sundowners is NOT within the beach area. Rather, it is at the far end of the town proper, past the municipal wharf. Go past the wharf until a structure ahead blocks your way. To your left is the entrance to Sundowners.
I chanced upon the bistro/hotel while looking for a place for lunch. Fantastic view, but the food was so- so. The warm welcome and the attentive staff kinda made up for the unremarkable meal.
nice watching the busy wharf going to Silaki
the island just across
I was shown the accommodations after going thru 2 flights of stairs. I figured I am not staying here if I am going to have a drink. I might make a wrong step and not make it to my room. The room is clean and bright, though. And the rate is inexpensive at P1,000 per day ( king size bed, aircon, TV). Further up is the villa, also available for guests. The villa, with 3 rooms, accommodates 12 persons at P12,000 per day.
two flights of stairs to this room
don't get drunk nor tipsy before bedtime
You may reserve rooms or the villa thru their Resident Manager, Ms Carmen Chiong at telephone (+6375) 5544203 ot via mobile (+63916)4554496. Or email them at sundownersbistrorestaurantbolinao@yahoo.com
RESTAURANTS
My favorite eatery in Bolinao is Adora’s, a 24-hour eatery serving home-cooked meals. This I call cheap but great. Find Adora;s at the left side of the church, beside ukay-ukay stalls. Visitors are allowed to park inside the church compound.
the beautiful church
turo-turo style, good food, and cheap !
Tummy Teasers is a popular restaurant, and does deliveries to guests in the resorts in Bolinao. They are also the partner-restaurant of Cocos Beach. Find them right aftar CarMak, the turn-off to the beach resorts, coming from the poblacion.
COOK YOUR FOOD!
Near the resorts, just before the bridge, are several stalls selling dorado, yellow fin tuna and other fish varieties caught just a while ago. The stalls also sell vegetables and all the ingredients you might need for your sinigang, pinangat, or whatever.
JUST PHOTOGRAPHED
You may want to also check out the following:
probably the cheapest accommodations along the beach
I knocked but no one answered - - worth a call
I pushed open the gate and called out, no one answered. So I just took this photo from the gate.
this is PROBABLY the rest house for rent mentioned in the poster outside the gate
GOING TO BOLINAO
By private car, the beach resorts are about 5 hours away from the balintawak entry of the NLEX. Take NLEX – SCTEX and exit at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. Past SM Tarlac, turn left going to CAMILING. First town you will hit after Tarlac City is San Jose, followed by Sta. Ignacia. And then Camiling, and San Clemente. After San Clemente, you will pass thru the Pangasinan towns of Mangatarem, Aguilar, Bugallon, Labrador, Sual, and Alaminos. The Bolinao beach resorts are an hour away from Alaminos City, passing thru Bani.
You can take buses, and the bus company that travels most to this part is 5-Star, with terminals in Cubao and Pasay City.
LAKWATSA 