Siargao's Secret Paradise: Katig Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this is gonna be a long and messy ride. We're diving deep into the heart of what makes this hotel, well, this hotel. Forget the glossy brochure copy, we're getting REAL. Prepare for a review that's less polished and more…well, me. Let's get this started.
Hotel Review: A Rambling, Opinionated Odyssey of Comfort (and Occasional Chaos)
Look, I always approach these things with a healthy dose of skepticism. Hotels? They promise the world. But deliver… well, sometimes they deliver a slightly deflated balloon. This place? Let’s see if it pops, or if it actually soars.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Okay, major props for trying. They list it, which is a start. But without me actually testing it, I can only go on what they advertise. "Accessible" can mean anything from perfectly smooth ramps to "well, we tried to make it work." We need to know the details. Is it truly seamless, from the lobby to the pool? Or is it riddled with those "almost" moments that make you want to scream?
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Ditto. More specifics needed! Are the rooms properly equipped? Are the bathrooms actually usable? This is a must-have, not a "maybe."
- Elevator: Thank goodness! Gotta have an elevator, especially if you are in a wheelchair.
- General Impression: I'd want more detail on this aspect before I’d book. If accessibility is important to you, do your homework and call the hotel directly to check.
On-Site Restaurants & Lounges: Let’s Get Feedy!
- On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Need a breakdown of this. Just saying there's a restaurant isn’t enough. Are the walkways wide? Are there accessible tables? Is the menu printed in a large and easy-to-read font?
- Restaurants: Okay, this is where my stomach starts doing flips. A restaurant list is LONG. A la carte? Buffet? Asian Cuisine? International Cuisine? Vegetarian? All are exciting, but how is the quality?
- Bars: Essential for a good time. Poolside bar? Happy hour? I am THERE.
- Coffee shop: Coffee! The lifeblood of civilization. Important. Especially if they have good pastries.
- Snack bar: Perfect for post-pool grazing.
- Poolside bar: Let's get into some poolside vibes! One thing I’ll definitely be looking for is a quality pool.
Internet Access: Blessed Be the Wi-Fi!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms: Hallelujah! This is non-negotiable in 2024. No internet fee? Thank you, hotel gods!
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: All good. Redundancy is your friend. The more, the merrier.
- Wi-Fi for special events: This is awesome! It means they can handle big groups, which is a plus.
- Internet: Okay, this is really important!! How is the Wi-Fi?! I hate Wi-Fi that drops out every five minutes.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: My Happy Place!
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view: Oh, baby! A pool with a view is the ultimate luxury. I'm picturing cocktails, sunshine, and pure bliss.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Gotta work off those cocktails somehow!
- Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: Yes, please! Now we're talking! A good spa can make or break a trip. I love a good sauna and a steam room. Spa can be amazing.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap: Ugh, I am feeling the instant need for all of that.
- Things to do: I'm assuming this hotel has a concierge or something? What sort of suggestions are available?
Cleanliness & Safety: Don't Kill Me, Please.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, this is good. This shows they care. I feel safer already!
- Cashless payment service: Fine.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Great! I hate it when strangers breathe down my neck.
- Safe dining setup: Okay, I feel good about this.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: This is good. You never know.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Feed Me, Seymour!
- Restaurants: We already covered restaurants, but I guess it's important to list it again.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: I'm all about the breakfast buffet. I wanna eat ALL the things.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is vital! Seriously. 24-hour room service is a lifesaver. Late-night snack cravings? Solved.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Bottle of water, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Great.
- Alternative meal arrangement, Individually-wrapped food options: This is great, depending on dietary restrictions.
- Poolside Bar: This is one of the BEST!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter.
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning: Essential. I melt in the humidity. I don’t feel good if it's hot!
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Safety deposit boxes: Useful!
- Concierge, Doorman: Always nice.
- Contactless check-in/out: Awesome, especially if you just want to get in and out.
- Convenience store: I love a convenience store! Snacks!
- Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Ironing service: Score!
- Elevator: A MUST.
- Facilities for disabled guests: We've already discussed this, but I hope this is good!
- Food delivery: Depending on the area, this can be a game changer.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Okay for a quick something to take home!
- Luggage storage: So helpful.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars: If you're planning a conference or something, this will be vital.
- Smoking area: Important for smokers.
- Terrace: Perfect for relaxing.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Useful!
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
- Babysitting service: Helpful!
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: If you’re bringing the kids, this is essential.
Access:
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour], Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Exterior corridor: Very important! Safety is key!
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer, Taxi service: Great.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Car power charging station, Bicycle parking: All these are useful.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty Gritty.
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.: This is a good list!
The Verdict: A Very (Very!) Tentative Recommendation
Okay, so here’s the deal: This hotel seems to have its act together. The basic amenities are there. The cleanliness and safety protocols sound reassuring. The pool situation (and the possibility of a spa!) has me very intrigued. The 24-hour room service is a huge plus!
However, I'm still holding back on a full-throated recommendation. Why?
- Accessibility Details Needed: I need more information on accessibility.
- Restaurant Quality Unknown: "Asian cuisine" and "International cuisine" are vague. Are the restaurants actually good? That's
Siargao: Katig, Chaos, and a Whole Lot of Sand in My Underwear (A Messy Diary)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread by the Infinity Pool (Mostly Joking)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up in Manila. Ugh. The pre-flight anxiety is already bubbling. Did I pack enough sunscreen? Did I remember to call Mom? Did I really book the right dates for Katig? (Spoiler: I didn't. But let's pretend I did).
- 9:00 AM: Flight to Siargao. The usual airport circus. Babies wailing, stressed-out businessmen clutching their briefcases like life rafts. Found a surprisingly good cup of coffee, which is always a small victory.
- 12:00 PM: Land in Siargao! The air hits you like a warm, salty hug. This is it. Island life. The real escape. Except… my luggage is missing. Figures. Just my luck to be the one whose bag went on a solo adventure to… somewhere. Probably Bali.
- 1:00 PM: Taxi to Katig. The drive is a blur of waving palms, dusty roads, and vibrant murals. The driver, a cheerful local named Leo, keeps yelling "Welcome to paradise! Paradise!" I'm cautiously optimistic.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at Katig. The room is… well, it's amazing. Seriously. That ocean view? Unreal. The infinity pool? Tempting. I'm momentarily speechless. Then I remember my missing luggage and the bubble of stress returns.
- 2:30 PM: Mandatory pool time. I tell myself I'm de-stressing, but really I'm just staring at the ocean, wondering if I'll be wearing the same clothes for the entire trip. Also, the sun is intense. I look like a lobster already.
- 4:00 PM: Attempt to order a cocktail. Apparently, the bar staff is on "island time." Translation: everything takes forever. But hey, I'm on vacation, right? It's all part of the charm… maybe. Eventually, the cocktail arrives. It's delicious, but I'm already slightly sunburned and a little bit… philosophical. Like, what even is the point of life if you don't have a decent swimsuit and a cocktail by the ocean?
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Katig restaurant. The food is good, but I'm still haunted by the ghost of my missing suitcase. I've basically accepted that I'm going to have to walk around in a sarong for the rest of the week. Silver lining: tan lines will be epic.
Day 2: Surfing Shenanigans & Existential Dread Revisited (Less Joking)
- 6:00 AM: Woken by the sun. It's brutal, but also… beautiful. The ocean looks like liquid turquoise. Today… surfing.
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast at Katig. The scrambled eggs are perfect, so I order more. I will start my weight loss plan as soon as I get home.
- 8:00 AM: Head to Cloud 9 with a local surf instructor named, let's call him, "Rico." He's a surfer, so you know… chill. The beach is a madhouse of surfers attempting to master the waves, like me.
- 9:00 AM: My first surfing attempt: utter disaster. I mostly swallowed seawater and felt like I was being repeatedly slammed against a concrete wall. It's humbling and hilarious all at once.
- 10:00 AM: Second surfing attempt… slightly less disastrous. I managed to stand up for like, a whole second. It felt like the greatest accomplishment of my life!
- 12:00 PM: A huge lunch in a warung near Cloud 9. I ate the biggest fish I had ever seen. The joy of eating outweighs the disappointment of yet another surf fail. And so does the sun.
- 2:00 PM: Back to Katig for a required nap: my energy levels are depleted. The waves and the sun are relentless. I'm so tired I almost fall asleep in my clothes. That nap was the best thing!
- 4:00 PM: Exploring General Luna town. It's a vibe. So many shops with bohemian dresses and jewelry, and a little bit of a 'surfer bro' energy and some cool bars.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant overlooking the water. The fish is good, but my attention has to be on the waiter.
- 8:00 PM: Back at Katig. Realizing I did not put enough sunscreen on. I don't think I've ever been so red in my life. I try not to think about how I might look tomorrow.
Day 3: Island Hopping, Snorkeling, and My Deep-Seated Fear of Jellyfish
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. It's hard to tell if my red skin is a sunburn or a symptom of general exhaustion.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at Katig. I make peace with the fact that I will never truly master eggs Benedict. I order more. I need energy!
- 10:00 AM: Island hopping time! We hop on a boat and head to Naked Island. It’s just a sandbar! Beautiful, but I can't help but feel like I need to be doing something.
- 12:00 PM: Snorkeling at Daku Island. The water is unbelievably clear and the coral is pristine. I see a sea turtle! I am officially converted.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch on Daku Island. More fresh seafood, of course. I'm starting to feel like I'm permanently full. But hey, I'm on vacation!
- 2:00 PM: Another snorkeling adventure at Guyam Island. This time, I'm expecting a jellyfish. I'm terrified of them, but I bravely plunge in anyway. Nothing. Only an island full of stray dogs. I'm not sure which is scarier, a jellyfish or a pack of hungry dogs with no owner.
- 4:00 PM: Back at Katig. Just. Pure. Bliss. I've got the whole afternoon stretching out ahead of me.
- 5:00 PM: Reading on my balcony. A quiet moment of pure contentment. I am happy. For now.
- 7:00 PM: Sunset drinks at the Katig bar. The sky explodes with color. I may or may not have shed a tear. It's just so beautiful.
Day 4: Motorcycle Madness, Hair-Raising Roads, and the Pursuit of Perfect Instagram Photos
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast and decision time: Rent a motorbike. This is either going to be the best or the worst idea of my life. I'm leaning towards the latter.
- 9:00 AM: Motorcycle rental. The guy hands me the keys and says "Be careful, miss!" Great advice, but I'm already feeling a mix of excitement and terror.
- 10:00 AM: I can ride! At least on a straight road… The roads are bumpy as hell and I'm gripping the handlebars for dear life.
- 11:00 AM: Drive to Magpupungko Rock Pools. The scenery is spectacular, but this will be a challenge. The roads have the best views, but are not made for bikes.
- 12:00 PM: Magpupungko Rock Pools: Arrive. The pools are beautiful, but full of Instagrammers. I attempt to take a photo, but the lighting is terrible and there are too many people everywhere. I give up and jump in the water. It's nice, though!
- 1:00 PM: I meet a group of locals and have a laugh. I'm a bit exhausted, but this is fun!
- 2:00 PM: The drive back is terrifying. I nearly crash a million times. I realize I should have taken lessons.
- 4:00 PM: Back at Katig, alive. I am also covered in dust. I order a strong drink to recover.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Katig restaurant. I sit on my balcony and stare at the ocean. I feel like the experience today has changed me a bit.
- 7:00 PM: Watch the sunset. In silence. I'm still processing the day.
Day 5: Farewell's, Reflection, and the Ongoing Search for My Lost Luggage
- 8:00 AM: One last breakfast at Katig. I'm going to miss this place. The staff has been lovely, and you know, even the near-death experiences on the motorbike have a certain appeal.
- 10:00 AM: I have some time to wander around the beach. I watch the surf again. This time, with a deep sense of accomplishment.
- 12:00 PM: Check-out. My suitcase is still
Okay, so… what *is* this even about? (Like, actual *thing*)
Beats me! Well, kinda. This is supposed to be a "Frequently Asked Questions" thing, right? About... anything, I guess? Mostly me rambling, I'm pretty sure. You know, the kind of stuff people *think* they want to know, but usually don't actually care about. Honestly, I'm already bored with the concept. Let's just call it "Random Thoughts and Mild Panic." It's more accurate.
Do you *like* FAQ pages? (Be honest, I'm judging.)
Ugh. Okay, fine. No. Not really. They're usually so… sterile. Like, robots wrote them. "Is this product vegan? Yes." "Can I return it? Possibly." Where's the *passion*? Where's the *drama*? Where's the glorious messiness of actual human thought?! That's what I'm trying to inject here. Did I succeed? Probably not. But at least I *tried*, right? RIGHT?! (I'm sensing a lot of eye-rolling already...)
So, what's your favorite color? (Important questions only!)
That depends! For walls? Probably a slightly-off white that hides the crayon marks. For clothes? Black. It's practical, hides coffee stains (and I'm VERY proficient in spilling), and makes me feel slightly less awkward. For feelings? Honestly, I'm still trying to figure that out. There's a lot of… well, a rainbow of anxieties, I think. A lot of muted purples and desperate blues, possibly with a splash of impulsive yellow. And occasionally a terrifying, overwhelming RED. You know, just for fun.
What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? (Come on, spill the tea!)
Oh, honey, where to *begin*? There was the time I tripped over absolutely nothing in the middle of a crowded shopping mall, flailing like a dying fish while my groceries exploded everywhere. (Apples, everywhere! And a rogue carton of milk that sprayed a small child. Mortifying). Or the time I accidentally wore mismatched shoes to a job interview (and didn't realize until I was getting my picture taken). Or, or, or… look, let's just say my life is a constant parade of potential facepalm moments. I embrace it. It’s character-building, right? (Probably not.) Okay, I lied. The most embarrassing thing? Probably that time I accidentally texted my extremely critical aunt a picture of me, mid-snack, face covered in chocolate, looking like a swamp monster. She still brings it up. Every. Single. Holiday.
Do you have any hobbies? (Besides rambling?)
Hobbies? I *wish* I had more! I try to read, but I get distracted by the existential dread of knowing that every book I read takes time away from all the *other* books I’ll never get to read. I *attempt* to cook, which usually ends with a kitchen that looks like a culinary crime scene. I used to paint, but then I realized I was just making a mess. So, yes, professional rambler and consumer of instant noodles… and I’m *very* good at both.
Coffee or tea? Fight me.
COFFEE, ALL THE WAY. Okay, okay, simmer down, tea drinkers. I *like* tea. Sometimes. Earl Grey, specifically, the kind that makes me feel sophisticated even when I'm wearing sweatpants. BUT coffee… coffee is a NEED. Coffee is the lifeblood of my existence. Coffee is the reason I’m able to function, think, and occasionally, string together a coherent sentence. (As you can tell, I'm riding the caffeine train right now. CHOO CHOO!) If you take my coffee, you take my soul. Don't say you weren't warned.
What's the one thing you'd change about yourself if you could? (Deep thoughts!)
This is getting a bit… heavy, isn't it? Fine. If I *had* to pick one thing, I'd probably choose to be less… anxious. Less prone to overthinking every single interaction, every single decision, every single… *thing*. Maybe just a little less of the crippling self-doubt that whispers in my ear. But… then again… would I still be me? And if I’m not a neurotic, overthinking mess, would I still find the humor in life? Honestly. I can’t decide. Maybe I’ll just stay the glorious disaster I am. It’s easier that way. Less work.
What's the worst piece of advice you've ever received?
"Just be yourself." Oh, the *optimism*! The gall! The complete and utter lack of understanding of the fact that "myself" is a perpetually awkward, often-confused, occasionally-incoherent bundle of contradictions. It's great advice if you're already, you know, a functioning adult who has their life together. When I was younger I just kept repeating to anyone who would listen, "But... what *is* myself?" And then I would have to explain why I spent all day trying to write a perfect story only to realize the characters were all horribly derivative of some book or movie that I loved. I think that's the part that always stuck. Turns out, I *had* to be 'myself'. I just didn't know how to do it. So the "be yourself" advice actually was great because it taught me *to learn* who I was. But only after a good amount of suffering. So... good advice? Bad advice? Honestly, I still have no idea.
Do you believe in aliens? (Prove it!)
Okay, this one's complicated. Logic says, statistically speaking, there *must* be other life out there somewhere in the vast, incomprehensible expanse of the universe. The sheer number of galaxies, stars, planets… it's mind-boggling! But my *heart*? My anxiety-ridden, overly-analytical heart? It gets all jumpy at the thought. What if they're terrifying? What if they want to probe me? (figuratively, of course. ...Or...? I need a nap.) So, I'm on the fence. I *want* to believe, but the idea of alien invasion fills me with a level of existential dread I can't even describe… Maybe I'm just afraid of more awkward social situations, but this time, withHotel Radar Map
