Showing posts with label beach resort. Show all posts

Maayo Argao Resort Review: Our Family Stay in Argao Cebu

Our Family Stay at Maayo Argao Resort, Argao Cebu: A Relaxing Overnight Getaway Before Philippine Science High School Opening Day

If you're looking for a peaceful beach resort in South Cebu that combines comfort, elegance, and a relaxing atmosphere, Maayo Argao Resort should definitely be on your list. Our family recently had the opportunity to spend an overnight stay there on July 12–13, and although it was only a short visit, it became another memorable family experience worth sharing.

What made this trip even more exciting was that we booked our stay through Agoda on the same day we checked in. Luckily, there were only two Standard Rooms left, and we managed to reserve both just in time. It turned out to be a perfect place to rest before attending our daughter's school opening activities the following morning at the Philippine Science High School – Central Visayas Campus.

A Last-Minute Agoda Booking That Turned Into a Wonderful Stay. Sometimes, spontaneous trips become the most memorable ones. Since we needed a comfortable place to stay near Argao before the school opening program, we searched Agoda for nearby accommodations. To our surprise, Maayo Argao Resort still had its last two Standard Rooms available, so we immediately booked them. The booking process was smooth, and within a short time we were already preparing for our overnight family getaway.

Upon arriving at the resort, we were welcomed by a peaceful atmosphere that immediately made us feel relaxed. The property has a modern tropical design that blends beautifully with its beachfront setting. Everything looked clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed to create a calm and refreshing environment.

Klook.com

First Impressions of Maayo Argao Resort

The first thing we noticed was how elegant and spacious the resort looked. Unlike crowded beach destinations, Maayo Argao Resort offers a more peaceful ambiance that's perfect for families, couples, or anyone simply wanting to unwind away from the busy city. The landscaping is beautifully maintained, with lush greenery surrounding the buildings and walkways. The resort's architecture combines modern design with warm Filipino hospitality, giving guests both comfort and a luxurious vacation feel without being overly extravagant. Every corner seemed photo-worthy, making it easy to understand why many guests spend time taking pictures around the property.

Comfortable Standard Rooms

We booked two Standard Rooms, which were clean, cozy, and well-maintained. The rooms provided everything we needed for a comfortable overnight stay after a long day of traveling. The beds were comfortable, the air conditioning worked perfectly, and the room had the usual amenities expected from a quality resort, including a private bathroom, television, Wi-Fi access, and complimentary toiletries. Although our stay was short, we appreciated how relaxing the rooms felt. They provided exactly what we needed—a quiet place to recharge before the busy schedule the next morning.

Resort Amenities and Facilities

One of the things that impressed us most about Maayo Argao Resort was its excellent facilities. During our stay, we had the chance to walk around the property and appreciate the various amenities available to guests. Some of the highlights include:

  • * Beautiful beachfront with scenic ocean views
  • * Large outdoor swimming pool
  • * Landscaped gardens and open spaces
  • * Restaurant serving breakfast and other meals
  • * Spacious lobby and reception area
  • * Comfortable lounging areas
  • * Event and function spaces
  • * Well-maintained pathways perfect for morning or evening walks
  • * Parking area for guests
  • * Free Wi-Fi in common areas and guest rooms

The resort is designed for guests who simply want to relax without feeling rushed. Whether you're traveling as a family, celebrating a special occasion, or enjoying a quiet weekend escape, the facilities provide a comfortable environment for everyone.

Breakfast Options

One helpful thing to know before booking is that not all room packages include complimentary breakfast. Some room rates come with free breakfast, while others do not. During our stay, guests without breakfast included in their reservation could still enjoy the buffet breakfast for Php 440 per person. This gives travelers flexibility when choosing room packages depending on their budget and travel plans. The breakfast area also offers a pleasant atmosphere, making it a nice way to begin the day before heading out for sightseeing or nearby activities.

Our Early Morning Schedule

Our overnight stay wasn't exactly a vacation where we spent the whole day enjoying the resort. Early the following morning, my husband, my daughter, and I left the resort at around 7:30 AM to attend the school opening program and homeroom PTA meeting at the Philippine Science High School – Central Visayas Campus. Meanwhile, our two sons stayed behind at the resort. Since they didn't need to attend the school activities, they remained there to relax and would later take care of checking out of our rooms. Although we weren't able to maximize the resort's recreational facilities because of our schedule, having such a comfortable place to stay made our morning preparations much easier and less stressful.

Returning Before Checkout

After the school opening program and PTA meeting concluded around noon, we returned to Maayo Argao Resort. Before finally leaving, we decided to spend a little more time walking around the property. The midday sunlight highlighted the resort's beautiful architecture, manicured gardens, and beachfront scenery. Since we knew we wouldn't be returning anytime soon, we took some photos and videos to preserve the memories of our short family getaway. Every corner of the resort offered a wonderful backdrop—from the elegant buildings and landscaped pathways to the relaxing seaside views. Sometimes, even a brief overnight stay is enough to create lasting memories.

Perfect for Families

One thing we appreciated was how family-friendly the resort felt. The peaceful environment makes it suitable for guests traveling with children, while the spacious grounds allow everyone to move around comfortably. Parents can relax while kids enjoy the open spaces or swimming pool. The calm surroundings also make the resort ideal for families looking to disconnect from the busy pace of everyday life. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, celebrating a birthday, hosting a reunion, or simply looking for a comfortable place to stay in Argao, Maayo Argao Resort is certainly worth considering.

Klook.com

Why We Loved Our Stay

Our schedule may have limited the time we spent enjoying the resort's facilities, but the comfort and tranquility we experienced made the overnight stay worthwhile. Although our visit was short, there were several reasons why we enjoyed staying here:

  • * Easy same-day booking through Agoda
  • * Comfortable and clean accommodations
  • * Elegant resort atmosphere
  • * Beautiful beachfront location
  • * Peaceful environment
  • * Friendly and relaxing ambiance
  • * Flexible breakfast options
  • * Excellent place for family photos
  • * Convenient location for our trip to the Philippine Science High School campus

Tips for Future Guests

If you're planning to visit Maayo Argao Resort, here are a few suggestions based on our experience:

  • * Book early during weekends and holidays since rooms can fill up quickly.
  • * Compare Agoda room packages carefully to see whether breakfast is already included.
  • * If breakfast isn't included, you can still enjoy the buffet for **Php 440 per person**.
  • * Allocate enough time to explore the resort instead of staying only overnight.
  • * Bring your camera or smartphone because there are many beautiful spots for photos.
  • * Wake up early if you'd like to enjoy a peaceful morning stroll around the property before other guests become active.

Our overnight stay at Maayo Argao Resort may have been brief, but it served exactly the purpose we needed—a relaxing and comfortable place to stay before an important family event. From the easy Agoda booking and welcoming atmosphere to the elegant surroundings and comfortable accommodations, everything contributed to a pleasant experience. Even though most of our time was spent sleeping, having breakfast, strolling around the resort, and attending our daughter's school activities, we still managed to create beautiful family memories.

Before leaving, we took several photos and videos as keepsakes, hoping to remember the peaceful ambiance and scenic beauty of this elegant beach resort. Sometimes, it's not the length of the vacation that matters most, but the quality of the moments shared with family. If you're searching for a relaxing beach resort in Argao, Cebu—whether for a weekend escape, a family vacation, or even just an overnight stop before exploring South Cebu—Maayo Argao Resort is a destination that deserves a spot on your travel list. We look forward to returning someday, hopefully with more time to fully enjoy everything the resort has to offer.

What's in Olango Island before COVID-19 Pandemic?

Olango Island I Justmom Travels 2020 

What's in Olango Island before COVID-19 Pandemic?

Speaking of Olango Island, what comes to your mind first and foremost? A bunch of questions, right? Is there a white beach there? How to get there? Where to stay? What will be the tourist spots in the area? Questions like that will guide and motivate you on how to be there actually. For a solo or duo trip, going somewhere you wish to visit is I think probably the easiest way to travel. But for a family, it really needs planning ahead. A good thing to know, google is reachable for everyone as long as you're online. You can search right away, read reviews from influencers, watch relevant media, check flights, and search hotel/beach resort accommodations nearest to the island or place that you're going to visit.

White beachfront in Olango Island, Cebu.
Need photos, visit Shutterstock / Adobe Stock

Here's the thing. According to Wikipedia, Olango Island is a group of islands found in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines and is a part of Cebu Province. The Olango Island Group comprises Olango island and 6 satellite islets namely: Sulpa, Gilutongan, Nalusuan, Caohagan, Pangan-an, and Camungi. It belongs to Lapu-Lapu City under the Municipality of Cordova. When you look at the island on the Google Map, it's the island w/ surrounding islets in between the big island of Mactan and Bohol. So that's it.

Bamboo Boardwalk at Olango Island,Cebu
Need photos, visit Shutterstock / Adobe Stock

Olango Island is popularly known for its wildlife sanctuary, the 920-hectare Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, and three Dive Sites: Mabini Point in the Northern tip of the island well known for hammerhead and whale sharks, Baring along the North-Western side with Grey reef sharks, tuna, barracuda, snappers and jacks can be found around the area, and further south is Santa Rosa. The dive starts with a sandy bottom covered in soft corals, leading to a drop-off at 15m, descending to 50m. There is a good variety of reef fish in the shallows here, while further down are fusiliers, catfish, jacks, snappers, and sweetlips, among others.
Olango Island I Justmom Travels 2020 - Olango Wildlife Sanctuary Boardwalk
Need photos, visit Shutterstock / Adobe Stock

Summertime is the best time to go to Olango Island. So we picked February this year to visit the island of Olango. Actually, it was on "Heart Month" when it comes to the most celebrated events of the year. It was a month before the ECQ and lockdown in most areas of the Philippines got started due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I remembered the last day we fetched our kids from school after their periodical exam on that month. Since then until this month of November, our kids and so with the rest of the students or pupils in our country are not yet allowed to go to school or even visit public places. So sad but it's real. I hope everyone is safe and healthy up to this moment.

How to go to Olango Island?

Going to Olango Island is very easy if you're already in Cebu. From the Mactan International Airport, you just take a taxi or ride a jeepney plying the Punta Engaño route going to port beside Hilton Hotel which is now known as Movenpick Resort. The other way is to go to Angasil Port found near Mactan Newtown Beach (previously known as Portofino resort) in the Mactan Newtown area. You may use the Waze app or Google for the directions. These are the two routes going to and from Olango Island. Make sure to prepare your fares and terminal fees in CASH because credit or debit cards can't be used to pay at this time. There are many ATM machines in the Mactan Newtown area and in the Arrival Area of Mactan International Airport.

Olango Island I Justmom Travels 2020 - going to Angasil Port.
Need photos, visit Shutterstock / Adobe Stock

Olango Island I Justmom Travels 2020 - from Mactan Port beside Movenpick Resort
Need photos, visit Shutterstock / Adobe Stock


Trans-Olango Fare Rates

Where to stay on Olango Island?

Since Olango Island is a popular tourist destination in Cebu, there are many beach resorts or hotels of your choice to book. But to us, we go directly to booking sites available like AGODA.COM, BOOKING.COM, etc. Down below you can search directly the partnered beach resorts and hotels in Olango Island, Cebu. One advantage of booking your trip online on any of the booking sites is that you can find the best deals and discounts offered by their partnered merchants. So during our visit to Olango Island, we booked Casa Blanca by the Sea for our accommodation. Check my review about this beach resort, Justmom Beach Resort Review | Casa Blanca by the Sea





Casa Blanca By the Sea

Visit Casa Blanca by the Sea for room rates & discounts.


Sagastrand Beach Resort

Visit Sagastrand Beach Resort for room rates & discounts.

Triponia’s Seaside Homestay - Agatha

Visit Triponia's Seaside Homestay - Agatha for room rates & discounts.

Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary

Visit Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary for room rates & discounts.

Things to Do on Olango Island

The popular things to do on Olango Island are beach swimming, diving to any if not all of the popular diving sites (Mabini Point, Baring, and Santa Rosa), visiting the  Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary where you can watch some of the different species of birds and 48 of which are migratory birds out of the 97 species, and eating at floating seafood restaurants.

Olango Island I Justmom Travels 2020 - Olango Wildlife Santuary

Olango Island I Justmom Travels 2020  - Floating Restaurants
Need photos, visit Shutterstock / Adobe Stock


Uncovering Hidden Beach Resort on Special Day. ♥♥♥

justmom-travels-cebu-aloguinsan-white-beach-hidden-beach-resort
Hidden Beach Resort.
Thinking where to go sun bathing in secluded beach? You may try Hidden Beach Resort in Aloguinsan, Cebu. The beach has less than a kilometer of white sugary shoreline, still ocean water, and bed rocks where the accommodation rooms settled on top. It's a good place to celebrate special day without surrounded by many people.

Klook.com  
How to get there?
  • *** By bus or private car (look for bus schedule in Cebu South Bus Terminal ahead)
  • *** Travelling time is 3-4 hours of road trip from Mactan International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City
  • *** Use navigation app like Waze to direct you the place in timely manner. You may use Google Map/ Earth too.

Accomodation
  • *** Aircon Room - Php 2500 (good for 2 persons) -  Php 3500 ( good for 6-8 persons)
  • *** Fan Room - Php 600 (good for 2 persons) 
  • *** Cottages  - Php 300 - Php 600 (overnight use)
    • ****** nipa hut/ concrete
    • ****** with lighting bulb and outlet for charging

Entrance Fee
  • *** Adult - Php 70
  • *** Children / Senior Citizen - 50% off 

Parking Fee - Free

Amenities
  • *** Beach Store (charcoal &  6-galloon drinking water are available for sale, hot water in styrocup, snacks & sandwhiches, beverages, canned drinks, wines & liquors)
  • *** Shower area
  • *** Toilet 
  • *** Grilling Area
  • *** Karaoke 

Family Travel Tips
  • *** To enjoy the beach, make sure to search the beach water level (High Tide/ Low Tide)on the exact day to stay. 
  • *** Beware of dogs beacause the resort has many of them roaming around.
  • *** It's a remote area and the path going to the resort is not cemented.
  • *** Since it's a long road trip, you may use offline music since No FM signal on the place as we observed.
  • *** To have more private stay in the resort, go on weekdays instead of Saturdays and Sundays.




DIRECTION 



Reception Area
Parking Area
Pathway




ACCOMMODATION




Klook.com  AMENITIES



Disclaimer: Above info details are my own observations about the place by the time my  family and I had checked in. I am not connected with the management. Photos and videos were personally taken during our stay at the beach resort.