Despite leaving Iloilo City early in the morning, we arrived at our next accommodation by nightfall already. While travel time is supposed to take only 3-4 hours, we stopped by several interesting places namely; the hablon weaving town of Salngan, the Ati community-run Balay Kape Nagpana and the Silagon Mangrove Eco-park in Ajuy. Not complaining but already feeling exhausted, I planned on getting a quick shower and a power nap before having dinner.
However, as all best laid plans are sometimes shelved, mine was no different. It must have been because of the Dinagyang atmosphere that greeted our arrival at Solina Beach & Nature Resort. Dressed in festival attire, the staff of the resort performed a lively dance accompanied by a celebratory drumming beats that had energy pumping back to my already dog-tired body.
The magical welcome performance lasted half an hour and by then, I felt like I’m ready to go for the next day’s Islas de Gigantes island hopping tour. We were then handed our keys to our respective rooms. I was expecting standard rooms typical of most resorts in the provinces. Yet, when the service buggy rolled near my assigned room, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it resembles like a big glamping tent with a small porch in front.
Inside, an adequately spaced room with a simple layout comprising of a double bed, side tables, a closet, work desk, TV and Ref, plus a private bathroom welcomed my weary self. I instantly felt right at home and would have dozed off if not for the buffet of mouth-watering seafood dishes waiting for us in the dinner hall.
Throughout our two-night stay in Solina Beach & Nature Resort, the Ilonggo fusion food served in their in-house Angga Restaurant retains the consistent rich-tasting and perfectly cooked seafood fare to go along with other vegetable and meat-based dishes. Some of my favorites includes the sisig scallops, steamed Singaporean crabs, and an assortment of other sea creatures served fried, sautéed, or with rich tasting sauces.
Spread over a 7.8 beachfront property, Solina Beach and Nature Resort is the perfect base for your Gigantes Islands exploration. Proudly providing employment to the locals with 85% of its workforce being pure Carlesonans, the resort also has ample amenities for those who would like to stay extra days just to relax.
There's the spacious swimming pools for kids and adults to take a dip until sunset, the Dayon Tower Bar for some cocktail drinks, a wellness and gym center, a function room for large events and most of all, a wide-open space to just enjoy nature.
Also hit hard by the pandemic, a staff told me how grateful she is to start seeing guests trickle back. Judging by the Zen atmosphere of the place and the quality of service and hospitality extended to us, I’m sure more visitors will end up staying at Solina Beach and Nature Resort.
