Henann Alona Beach Resort: A very comprehensive and Honest Review

My humble friend spends his 2D1N vacation in Henann last April 2018. Since he does'nt have a famous blog or has high views of blog, he/she shares his/her rigid review thru my blog. 
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I stayed in Henann Alona Beach Resort last April 2018. My reservation was made last November 2017 for the reason of avoiding using the allocated budget of my summer vacation! Inspired by different reviews in Tripadvisor, Agoda and other travel websites, I was tempted to have a 2D1N vacation madness. 

I booked the deluxe room since it was an affordable price for me. It is a good start for a first timer. I promised myself to be back in the establishment if I am satisfied from their services. 

The deluxe room accommodation only includes:

  1. Free buffet breakfast in the Corals or Sea Breeze Cafe; 
  2. Complementary use of their 3 pools;
  3. Complementary use of the Gym; and
  4. Welcome drinks.
It was a good start to a first timer customer in a Henann resorts (since they have 5 Henann establishment in Boracay)

March 2018, I only have my follow-up since my booking was made. It was an amazing service since the company responded my telephone inquiry so quick and prompt to answer all of my inquiry. 

My inquires, to have a guide if you want to, are the following:

  1. What to bring pertinent documents upon check-in
  2. The required rate of security deposit
  3. Rate on availing their transfers from Tagbilaran sea or airport
  4. Request of making my identity in the resort CONFIDENTIAL

The answer to my request as follows:

  1. They require to bring Passport or ANY government issued identification card (ID) if Philippine Residents. If a foreign element, PASSPORT must be provided
  2. Since I made my booking thru bank deposit, I followed the cash security deposit. The rate of the deposit cost Php 3,000. If you transacted your reservation by Credit Card, they have a different mode of securing Security Deposit. Email or PM to the Henann group of resorts to their Facebook page.
  3. The rate of their transfers cost php250 each person IF joiners per way. If Private transfer, Php250 per person PLUS Php500 for minimum of 2 pax.
  4. The Henann resort accepts my request for confidentiality upon my stay with no charge. I recommend you to request for privacy reasons! 
Honestly, I did not avail immediately the transfers because I can ride a tricycle from the seaport to Henann. Eventually, I have a link in Tagbilaran that their tricycles asks gold price among tourist compare to boracay since their City Government only waits action if someone reports, not the real efforts of their government. Number of tourist complains the said issue and no action since they are one of the rich voters. Don't expect to have action since the politicians in the city pleases them. Me, as a tourist, is not a good image to the place. If no action, the Province will down because of passive governance. So better take advantage of the transfer (joiner) of henann. It cost cheaper than the tricycle!  The tricycle will cost php300-400 depending on the drivers' abusive power. 

1st Day

I availed the transfer service 2 hours before my arrival in the Tagbilaran Seaport thru phone call in Henann Alona Beach Resort. They reminded me that if I won't appear on my estimated arrival time, the php500 charge (since I have a friend who is with me) will be added to the price upon my check-in. By this, I have to be present in order to utilize my request!

12 noon+, I arrived in the Tagbilaran Seaport and unfortunately, the Henann Hiace Van arrived late for 10 mins+. Honestly, I have a negative side on that since the management is so strict on the automatic pay of transfer but their shuttle does not arrive on time and waited together with our joiners (they are koreans haha). But the driver explained why he is late. I don't blame the driver, but their is a need for improvement in terms of transfer from the planning efforts of the Henann Management. We believe the justification of the driver and I really believe in him. Kudos to the driver, he manages all our baggage even if we are 6 joiners all in all going to the resort. Upon entering to the van and arrival in the main lobby of the resort, he manages and making sure our baggages and his apologies will be accepted by us. Gladly, our korean joiners also understand him and our trip is in pack of excitement and positivity. Kudos to the driver!

From Tagbilaran seaport to Henann Alona Beach Resort, the time spent will cost 20-25mins depending on the traffic. Upon arrival in the main lobby, it was an elegant entrance. I compare myself entering in a grand lobby of a high rise hotel in major cities but in a resort. My partner goes to the check-in area and I was only waiting for her confirmation if the room is set. 

According to my partner, she/he was asked(1-2 item)  and given (3-7 item) by the Front Desk Officer of these items:

  1. Government Identification Cards OR Passport (especially foreign guests);
  2. Security Deposit of php3000;
  3. Resort map;
  4. Claim voucher of Welcome drinks (to be used within the day of your arrival only);
  5. Terms and conditions;
  6. Wifi Username and Password; and
  7. Room card (the key of your room).
Their transaction in the Front Desk approximately cost around 8-10 mins. After my partner made his/her transaction, he/she went to me and present the papers offered by the resort. The Concierge approached us when he saw the Room Card and lead us to our room. 

Upon going to our room located in 2nd floor, room 2___(for future privacy purposes), we taught that we will walk to our room. Gladly, the resort has elevator going to the 2nd floor. The elevator talks in every button we pressed. Example, when I clicked the close button of the elevator, the elevator response "Elevator close blah blah blah." A truly unique experience to have in my entire life! I taught it was a prank but it reached to the second floor! 

Now, we reached to our room for our vacation, first glance of the room, I was truly amazed. 

For me, these are my observations upon my first enter to the room:

  1. The room is so so clean!
  2. The room is so organized
  3. The room looks fresh and livable
  4. The room signifies a best vacation experience
  5. The Comfort Room is very clean. I can assure you the room is really a comfort!
  6. The tiles of the comfort room is made of marbles. Truly luxury!
  7. The water is hot and cold!
  8. The air conditioning unit is a split type. It can't produce noise upon sleeping!
  9. As I turn on the Television, it was nice since it was a Sony Bravia TV BUT the clarity of the channels are good for a cheap hotels. I prefer the channels and the cable TV used in Panglao Regents Resort!
  10. The balcony was ok
  11. The minibar was clean, enough to enjoy refreshments
  12. The cabinet is so clean and no odor of a cockroach be smelled!
  13. Slippers are repacked to ensure a cleaner product
  14. The bath trope is clean! 
  15. The beds are comfy, so clean and the odor smells so so good
  16. The switches functioning so well and fast 
  17. The switches are accessible
  18. The lights were so good and modern 
  19. The telephone was advanced since I tried calling their restaurant for their dinner buffet rates! 
As the concierge gave his words about the information of the room and the resort, we observed that his intonation and words are memorized and we are amazed by the management. He looks so confident with formality in a resort setting and it was great!

After the concierge left our room, I took a moment to rest, watch TV, took a bath, enjoy the comfy bed, have a time in the balcony, rest and decided to take a swim in the beach and their 3rd pool near the beach.

It was a funny time since the resort is so big, we had a hard time to look on the exit place going to the beach. Before we went out into our room, my partner reminds me not to bring the towel in our room for the purpose of making it as a pool or beach towel. The management prohibits to use it as they provide pool towels located in every pool in the resort.

There we walked first to the beach to have a good swim in the sea. Before we went to the sea, we lend a pool towel. Their is an officer who assigned to give the towel with a record from the guest. 

These information were being asked:

  1. Room Number (bring your card as a proof);
  2. Number of towels to be borrowed; and
  3. The signature of the borrower
Please return the pool towel after using it to avoid charges which will be deducted to your security deposit. I swear, the resort charge you x3 the original price of the towel. Better enjoy yet be mindful since you've signed a borrowing consent.

We left our things together with our lended pool towel in the beach seats (idk whats that term) and make it sure that you left your things near to the security as much as possible. 

Upon we walked going to the sea, we observed that the powdered sand of alona beach is so smooth unlike in Bolod beach. As we swim in the beach, the water is moderately hot and enjoyed the water! 

After having swimming in the beach, we swam in the 3rd pool of the resort. The pool is so big, long and has a good color matching the ambiance of a sea ambiance. The placement of the coconut trees nearby the pool is a perfect design for instagrammable pose! You can simply judge by your eyes that you are having a good vacation as its finest!

After an hour dipping into the pool and in the sea, we returned the pool towel and the borrower signed a form to signify that you returned the towel. 

We went to the room to take a bath and have a rest before going to have a spa(outside the resort since it cost much!). Upon having our bath, we observe the minute details of the comfort room. 

These are the observations:

  1. There is no molds inside the comfort room;
  2. They have complete amenities such as shampoo, lotion, conditioner, soap, shaving materials;
  3. They have a hair dryer;
  4. Mirror with led light in the side of the mirror;
  5. They have 3 towels inside the comfort room;
  6. A towel exclusively outside the shower area in order not not reach the water in the toilet area;
  7. The toilet is so clean, no leftover of any sh*t;
  8. The flushing of the toilet is so fast!;
  9. 2 tissue papers; and
  10. Exclusive hanging for your swimwear inside the shower area for the reason of not hanging it in the balcony (the resort explains to preserve the beauty of the resort).
I enjoyed my bath for 20 mins because the water is so hot and you can see the smoke because of its heating water! So good!

After the bath, I took a rest and by 5pm, we are ready to have a spa in Nuat Thai (6 mins walk from the resort!)

Me and my partner decide to have a dinner in Sea Breeze Cafe which is located in near beachfront area of the resort. We made our reservation before we had our spa and the assigned officer told us that we must arrive at 7pm or else 15mins after, our slot will be given to others who wishes to have their buffet dinner in the cafe. By that, me and my partner decide to have a fast spa in Nuat Thai (which is recommended in Tripadvisor and it was a relaxing moment, truly the best) and making sure that we could reached in the cafe before 7pm.

We remember that we did not utilize our welcome drinks and we decide to consume it before we have our spa because the welcome drinks voucher is good for the day of your arrival. Make sure to consume it! We took the Mango and Watermelon juice, it was a real juice. The best!

We went back to the resort at 6:43pm or 18:43 and saw the lightings from the landscape of the resort. We feel the vacation on that time. We changed our outfits that is good for a dinner set-up and after 10 mins, we went to the cafe to have our dinner. 

At 6:58 or 18:58, we arrived in the cafe. Their policy is we must pay first the buffet price before entering the cafe. 

In our case since we are in-house guest, the officer asked my partner of the following information:

  1. Room number
  2. Ask if buffet or menu styled 
  3. Ask for your payment (in our case, we paid 1600+ for 2, with taxes and etc)
They gave us a brace tag (haha) to signify that we are availing the buffet type of dinner and upon entering, a crew from the resort escorted us for a table. She put a reserved sign on our place in the cafe. 

The cafe was full of foods, from western to eastern cuisine, you can find the best food in the cafe. Also, desserts has a full variety of selection in the cafe.

Honestly, me and my partner were full because:

  1. We want to taste all of the foods (as much as possible)
  2. The resort follows no leftover policy, meaning the resort will charge you if you have leftover. 
  3. The foods are full of sweets and carbs additives, for sure

We advice you:

  1. Not to buy drinks, since it is not part of the buffet. They will charge you another amount of it
  2. Get little amount of foods in every recipe, at least if you don't like the food, you have the option of eating it in a little moment
  3. Only drink water, not beverages or drinks since you will be enjoying the food already. The water is free and unlimited. Don't worry.
  4. Drink water if you can resist your thirst. You get easily full is you drink water. You cant enjoy the food anymore so lessen the drinking of the water.

After eating, we went to our room and prepare outfit for our night swimming in the 1st and 2nd pool. 

We immediately changed our clothes since we are excited to dip and have a little exercise, by swimming, since we ate a lot! 

Same process, we lend pool towels and left our things to the nearest security personnel or resort personnel on duty. 

I love their pool during at night since:

  1. Their is lights under the water;
  2. The resort personnel always watching for any emergency situations;
  3. The 1st and 3rd pool is friendly among all, especially non-swimmers; and
  4. Foreign guest are not "usiseros" so you can swim whatever we do. Note: do not also be "usisero" to them because they also hate that kind of attitude!

I observed that their 4 jacuzzi pools located in the 1st pool was not functioning, how sad! But its ok, we enjoyed a lot in having our swimming in the 1st pool. What I truly amazed is that when I took a picture to my partner, I can see the clarity of his/her pose because of the water or the lights? I think it is the water because when my other friend tried to have underwater picture in Bohol Tropics, he/she cannot see the person since the water has whitish surroundings. Is it the pool, the water or the water treatment? Anyways, I appreciate the 1st pool in henann.

We did'nt finish our swimming, we also went to the 2nd pool. 

Things to be remembered in the 2nd pool:

  1. The 2nd pool is good for swimmers since it has a deeper feet comparing to the 1st and 3rd pool. 
  2. What makes the 2nd pool unique is that the beauty of infinity pool. 
  3. But on that side, make sure you hold the sides if you are not a good swimmer. The feet is so deep. 
  4. Swim on the pool during daytime. You can't appreciate since it has no much lights and can't see the light in the sea!
Last, we dip in the 3rd pool. Same as the 1st pool, it was a great swimming since it has more lights and more coconut trees. You can still recognize the trees as the resort provides much lights which make the landscape be recognized in the middle of the night. After 1 hour on dipping in the 3rd pool, we went to the room to have a rest.

Note:

  1. 1st pool is operating from 7am-10pm
  2. 2nd and 3rd pool is operating from 8am-12mn
  3. 3rd pool is the largest among the 3 pools
  4. 1st and 3rd pool has bars. 
  5. Be aware of the lights in the 3rd pool. It came from the said bar with the music.
We got shower, hair dryer and go to sleep. 



2nd day


Me and my partner had a good sleep because:

  1. The bed is comfy
  2. The air conditioning unit is so silent (since it is a split type air con)
  3. The pillows are comfy

The only thing that we annoyed is:

  1. The lights from the landscape reached to our rooms, even if we closed our side doors 
  2. The machine connected to the split type air con can still be heard especially from 12mn-4am. I even woke up on that time.

We knew that we are entitled for a complimentary use of gym, but our drive was lost since our room is so comfortable!

We decided to have our breakfast at corals cafe earlier since we are so hungry!

From our room, we are so blessed that the cafe is located few meters away from our room. Less effort, more excitement!

Upon entering the cafe, an officer called us and asks the following:

  1. Room Number
  2. The person who reserve the accommodation
  3. Name of the companion (the one being declared by the person who made the reservation!)

After the queries, a crew leads us to a table and put "reserved" sign. They are so accommodating and responsive to every tourists' needs. They set up the spoon, fork and the water. After that, we chose our foods to be eaten. Remember, it is a buffet breakfast and it has a variety of foods, with real juices!

The cafe is also following no leftover policy so make sure that your food that is being picked by you will be charged upon check out!!!

Note: 


Buffet Breakfast will be served in:
  1. Corals Cafe: from 7am-11am
  2. Sea Breeze Cafe: from 8am-11am
  3. Beyond that time, no buffet breakfast will be served.

After taking our full breakfast, guess, we need to release our foods. We had taken our poop and wow, nice to be pooped in our room! After that, we have our swimming in the sea and the 3rd pool. Same process to be followed on the previous day and it was an amazing experience. The pool was cool and the ambiance is cool. Bit crowdy but can satisfy my relaxation! 

We tried to use the shower and restroom area found in the right side of the 3rd pool. Wow, the room can be portray like the CR in the US that has Split type aircon, lockers, urinals, toilets and shower. 

After that, we went to our room since the check-out time is approaching, we need to prepare everything and making sure that we had no damages made from our entire stay. 

10:58am we went to the Front Desk and gave the key to the officer. We waited for 5 mins before the releasing of the Security Deposit. With our due diligence and obedience to their regulations, we got our security deposit (Php3000) without deduction. 



My General Pros and Cons

Pros:

  1. The security is tight
  2. The landscaping in the entire resort was good
  3. The room is livable to a foreign tourist
  4. The resort provides many pools
  5. The food was good
  6. Hospitable and greeter crew in different departments
  7. Restrooms are true comfort
  8. Handsome and beautiful crew
  9. Many lights that is match to the landscaping
  10. Many lights in the pool which are useful in the nights. Capable of taking underwater shots at night

Cons:

  1. More curtains especially in the sliding door
  2. On time transfer service
  3. Some crews does not know how to smile
  4. I need to see a real contented crew which I feel the management is so strict to their crew that affects their physical and psychological ways in the work
  5. Pool 1 has leafs sometimes
  6. No discount on spas (hahaha but i respect their rates)
  7. More complementary offerings to the guest (if kaya pa sa budget ng resort haha)

Overall stay of the Henann Alona Beach Resort, it was a superb experience. From the welcome service to our check-out, they always value their tourist to make your vacation a memorable one. 

I recommend others to stay in the resort. This is not a paid review since I presented honestly the pros and cons of the resort. 

Pictures from my stay in resort. 


I have a few pictures since I want to unplug myself from my whole duration of stay in Henann. But these are my best pictures from the resort:


Deluxe Room





Views of 3rd Pool









Views of 3rd Pool at night






Views of 1st Pool at night



Other places 




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From my friends' perspective, he/she provides a rigid review and experience from Henann Alona Beach Panglao.

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