MY trips to Western Visayas had been limited mostly to Iloilo and its capital city, so the only thing I knew about its closest neighboring island, Guimaras, is that it is the Mango Capital of the country (it exports to both the White House in the US and Buckingham Palace in the UK).
I’d read and heard a lot about the province over the past few years, but I never really considered putting it on top of my travel bucket list. It wasn’t that I did not find it beautiful (it actually is a tropical haven, as I found out after this trip), but I’d been told that there weren’t too many resorts in the area.
Of course, if you’re traveling either solo or with friends and family, the first thing that you research about is accommodation. In my case, and thank heavens I got lucky, I didn’t have to because I was sent to Guimaras for an assignment. I was honestly not expecting much, so just imagine my shock when I first saw Andana Resort tucked in the coastal municipality of Nueva Valencia.
THE FIRST FIRST-CLASS RESORT IN GUIMARAS
COCOONED in lush forest at the center of the mountain, Andana Resort is like a secret cove that looks out to the clear serene waters and turquoise sky of Guimaras. Watching the hazy summer sun disappear into the horizon as wafts of salty air touched my sand-soaked skin was simply
memorable, and it is definitely an experience you should try for yourself.
HOTEL LOCATION
ANDANA Resort (www.andanaresort.com) is in Sitio Talisay, Poblacion, Nueva Valencia. From Iloilo, you can take a 15-minute pump boat ride going to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras from the Iloilo City harbor or Ortiz Wharf. Fare for this costs P14 as of this writing, with operations at 5 am to 6:30 pm daily. If you’re coming from Bacolod, go to Pulupandan Wharf, then take a pump boat to San Lorenzo, Guimaras. Travel time is around 45 minutes and the fare is P75. The ferry leaves five times a day.
From Jordan/San Lorenzo, there are vehicles that you can hire to go to the resort, like air-conditioned SUVs that start at P600/one-way trip. Andana Resort also offers transport from any part of Guimaras starting at P1,200 to P2,000 (maximum of eight per van).
Take note there are no direct flights to Guimaras, and the cheapest way to get there is by booking a flight to the Iloilo International Airport, which is the nearest, or the New Bacolod-Silay International Airport. The provincial capital, Jordan, is about a 30- to 45-minute drive from Andana. Here, you can see the Mango Research Center; the “Smallest Plaza in the Philippines,” as per Guinness Book of World Records; the Trappist Monastery; and Museo de Guimaras. There’s also the San Lorenzo Wind Farm and the historical Guisi Lighthouse.
While you’re at it, don’t miss out on such repast destinations like Olivia’s (which sells famous mango pizzas) and Biking’s, a little diner that serves fresh seafood. You have the option to tour these destinations via jeep, multicab, or hotel van rentals.
ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE
THERE were four hotel staff at the resort lobby when I arrived last March. They quickly offered me coffee and water, and they asked me how my trip was as they prepared my room. The resort’s receiving area is spacious, and there are comfortable sofas that you can sit on just parallel to the small pasalubong center also in the lobby. One of the bell boys, I assume, assisted me with my luggage right after his colleagues told him my room number. He was also quick to extend a cold towel to me.
ROOMS
AS I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t expecting much before I set foot on the property. However, I was routinely surprised. The Poolside Room I stayed in was sparkling clean and spacious, and the outdoor patio overlooking the infinity pool and the blue sky outside was just mesmerizing.
There was also a wreath of flowers and a small card wishing me a pleasant stay at the resort.
A trek down the steps to the beach area led to accommodation pods—air-conditioned and compact private dwellings for a maximum of three people that opens out onto a small terrace all facing the beach. Like the Seaside Suites, the pods are also equipped with a flat-screen TV and all the standard amenities you will find in a four-class hotel.
Those looking for a bigger villa can choose from two Presidential Suites with more space and personal Jacuzzi. More interesting is the luxurious Seaview One-Bedroom Suite aboard a boat owned by the resort in the ocean. The firm behind the property, R.G. Simbulan, is responsible for outfitting the interiors of Shangri-La Boracay and Shangri-La Fort, Resorts World Manila, as well as Grand Hyatt Manila and Sheraton Manila, and a number of hotel projects in the Middle East and Maldives.
FOOD
ANDANA Resort has two in-house restaurants: Estrellita and Danilo’s alfresco dining bar. Both offer scrumptious Filipino dishes from starters to mains.
In Estrellita, I recommend the Chicken Binakol (sweet and savory) and Pinakbet (with plenty of succulent pork and just the right amount of bitterness). For seafood, there’s Sinigang na Hipon, Sinigang na Isda, Shrimp Rebosado and Buttered Shrimp—fresh from the islands’ fisheries.
Danilo’s Beach Bar was named after the founder of the resort, Danilo Ang. Here, have a bite of gambas and sisig and enjoy your personal concoction of tropical alcoholic drinks.
RESORT FACILITIES
FOR adventure junkies, Andana offers off-site activities, such as snorkeling and diving. The use of the Water Park and water sports equipments can be arranged at the front desk with additional charge, but the resort also offers deals that will be included with the guests’ accommodation package.
The infinity pool is often empty, so I didn’t really have to worry about people watching me as I pose for many Instagram photos.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the property free of charge, while parking spaces will also be reserved to guests upon check-in. Airport shuttle services will also be provided with additional charge, as well as the use of the business center. The concierge and the 24-hour front desk will be available to extend assistance with booking meeting/banquet facilities inquiries and general inquiries.
DEPARTURE
DEPARTURE was a breeze because the checkout process was orderly and quick, all thanks to the attentive staff manning the desk. They also offered to buy mangoes for me from a farm and it only cost me P120 for a kilo of sweet, almost-ripe mangoes. The Andana managerial team of John Michael Vinas, Mary Jane Galero and General Manager Benedict Bryan Alava were all there to wish me safe travels as I loaded my baggage to the van.
To sum it up, I had a very relaxing stay in Andana. It kept at bay the bustle of city life, even for just a few days, and it was all I needed to restart my pace and give myself the time to clear my mind.