Tristan’s Resort Reviewed
Last week, I had the opportunity to head over to Bantayan Island for a night. I choose to stay at Tristan’s again. It was my second time to stay overnight at Tristan’s. It is hard to improve on the experience at Tristan’s.
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That's me relaxing at Tristan's Resort. Love that cool ocean breeze.
The owner of the resort is Nancy and she is attentive as they come. If I’m hot, I get a fan turned on. The food is fantastic and they take great care in the presentation of it. I had some breaded pork chops that tasted of butter. Just like the last time I had it, it is one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth. It is just unbeatable to me.
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My pork chops and Jessie's soup. Enough food for four normal people.
Tristan’s has these wonderful bamboo reclining chairs that I love too sit in for hours and soak up the cool breeze off the Visayan Sea. Tristan’s is right on the beach except at high tide when the beach sometimes is replaced with water licking the steps of the resort.
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Rusty and Joe enjoying the view and breeze at Tristan's Resort
Tristan’s is all about a peaceful place of rest. If that’s what your looking for this is the place to be.
The cost of Tristan’s is quite low. If you can get room one or two, you might pay a little more for those but they have a ref (refrigerator) and air con. I think all of their rooms have air con though. They don’t have hot water but I’ve never been there or any where else on the island where that is needed. The water is warm right out of the tap. On this last trip I paid only P800 for the room. During peak season the price will be higher. During Holy Week the price will be much higher, if you can get a room at all. Unless you book it well in advance, you will not be able to get a room at all any where on the island during Holy Week.
If you visit Tristan’s please tell her that Rusty sent you. I would make a reservation if at all possible and you should make arrangements if you’re going to be later than 1pm but check with Nancy about that time.
Her nephew is the cook and its obvious he’s had some training as its not your normal meal in the Philippines, it will always be presented nicely. Jessie loves the pizza there but I’m more inclined toward those breaded pork chops.
For this visit, I spent only P2500 for my overnight stay. That’s around 50 bucks and that includes the meals.
Tristan’s now has a boat to take guest to nearby Virgin Island, the captain is included for P1500. I hope to give that a try on my next visit. There will be the opportunity to go snorkeling as well.
If you do make it to Tristan’s Resort, please tell us how things went for you.
Contact: Nancy Fernan. Tel #: (032)438-9041. Mobile #: 09195371536
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Kumusta!
My friend and I are planning to go to Bantayan Is. next month but haven’t decided when and where. Reading your review on Tristan’s Resort and the reviews of Trip Advisor on St. Bernard Beach Resort has now got me in a dilemma. I just want a peaceful place to stay where they’ve got great food and tranquil nights (not a big fan of videoke). So, yeah hopefully you get a review as an overnight guest at St. Bernard’s too.
Thank you.
Joy
Hi Joy,
I stayed at a resort very close to St. Bernard’s, I don’t recall hearing videoke at either place. I walked through St. Bernard’s and the canopy provided by the trees makes it seem like a very peaceful place indeed. At least when I was there. Yes Please tell us how it goes. I’m pretty sure St. Bernard’s will be a nice place to stay.
Thanks for the comment!
Rusty–
what is ur take on the following on Batayan, as I would be interested in buying a home there.
1. security of Americans there
2. fresh foods and vegetables
3. christian born again churches
do u have any contacts on the above? or info?
Hi Walter,
I feel very safe there, I hope its not an illusion. I use bots to search and send information to me via the web. I’ve seen nothing of crime on Bantayan except for one wife beater that was an expat. Two guys got bot busted for being in suspicious circumstances with minors. I haven’t seen any crime toward foreigners except once. On my first visit there, a German had someone cut a backpack off his back. The locals thought it had to be someone from another Island. People that live there are not likely to make a life out of crime because its too easy to track them down, everyone knows everyone.
The food I had was like any place else I’ve been here, except presented a lot nicer. However, its an Island and I suspect there might be shortages of one’s favorites from time to time. I know they have a very hard time keeping Coke Zero in stock. A resort owner explained that they ran out of it. Based on my experience, they run out of it more than they have it. Coke Zero may not be important but it may be indicative of other situations.
There are a lot of farms in the center of the Island. There is of course, always plenty of fresh fish.
I have not noticed any protestant churches on the Island, hard to believe there wouldn’t be at least one though. The protestant churches are run by Filipino and unless you know the language, I’m not sure how much point there is unless you go mostly for the singing. There is a baptist church near my home and I can hear them singing old Baptist hymns that I gew up with, sometimes in English.
Personally, I think it would be an awesome place to live, and is one of the safest places you can find. The downside is going to Cebu City from the Island. Its going to add about two hours to your drive to Cebu City, each way. For that reason, I will likely continue to live in Bogo City. It takes me less than two hours to get there.
You probably already know, under current law you can’t own land yourself, any where in the Philippines.
You can only own property in the Philippines if you are a Filipino citizen.
Finally got us booked in Bantayan is. However, we’re having the 10:25am flight from Iloilo. So, what’s the possibility of us getting the last ferry to Bantayan is. on the thursday of sept 17? I hate that everything got rushed but it’s always the unplanned vacations that actually push through.
I’m not sure if I follow you Joy.
It takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours to get from Cebu’s North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya.
Sounds like you’re pushing it very close to me. However, its not impossible! A lot would depend on how on time your flight is and how fast the airport gets your luggage too and then finally how much traffic there is between the airport and the bus terminal.
I think I underestimated traffic in Metro Cebu. I rebooked for sept 16 for the 9am flight. Hopefully, we get to North Bus Terminal before 12pm and to Hagnaya Port before 4pm. I find it very stressful being the brainchild of this trip when the main objective is to de-stress us.
we was in tristan resort last dec24 till 26 celebrating our christamass hmm just last year 2009,it was fun and good in there,the owner which is her named nancy is very nice person,,and also to her all stuff and also them cooker named ronald is also very good cooker,he cooked so well,them food are all so delicious,,them place is not expensive,also they got a bike for rent for very low rent,only 300pesos for 8hours,,,so yeah,my husband and me was having fun and enjoying so much in them resort,
hi rusty! quite an informative review..! i’m planning to go there in march or april mostly for photography stuff.. does bantayan offer nice sunset views? what’s the average number of tourist say for a 1KM patch of beach? have you explored ogtong cave? can you rent motorcycles so you can drive around the island? gosh i have so many questions
Hi. We are planning with my cousins to visit bantayan. Which resort would you recommend for 8 pax, would prefer to eat outside (try local food) or ask resort to cook for us and where we can rent a boat for island hopping? Thanks in advance. So excited for this vacation.
hi. just wanted to know if you have a review of bantayan cottages. have you seen their place? what cn you say? thnks. will wait for your reply
Hi there I will be going there on June 19.
Just want to ask what are the resort which are not that expensive but near the beach?
What time is the first trip of the North bus terminal?
Thank you.
First trip would be quite early. I don’t know the time though.
Tristan’s is right on the water and a great price and awesome service.