Batanes Resort is about 3 kilometers away from the town proper of Basco and we passed by it on our way to the port in Ivana when we were on our way to Sabtang Island, and we passed by it again when we were doing the southern tour of Batan Island.
When we decided to ride our bikes to Mahatao, we passed by it again and decided it was a great place to have dinner. They have a P200 set meal that included rice, salad and two viands. The food was absolutely delicious and was well worth the price.
The lobby and reception area
The lobby and reception area
They have two dining areas.
Dining Hall
Since it was a lean-season, the resort was almost empty. We had the whole dining area to ourselves. We opted to stay outside.
Pako salad
Lechon Kawali
Sweet and Sour fish
Grilled fish
The food was superb! We each ordered buko juice at P15 each and had such a hearty meal.
We stayed for perhaps an hour eating and talking, and it was at this place where the earthquake found us. Yes, an earthquake occurred, but it was mild enough to be unnoticeable to anyone else in our group but me. I remember scooping buko and asking, “Why am I swaying? Is that just me?” and no one paid me any attention. Only after about fifteen minutes or so, when I checked my phone, did I read a text message from my friend Lizzie who is in Singapore, asking me if we were still in Batanes, because they heard that there was an earthquake, and was asking if we were alright. (Thanks Lizzie for the love and concern even if you’re miles away. xoxo)
Food in Batanes Resort is so delicious that we decided it deserved another chance. We decided we would come back for lunch the next day.
The other dining area. This was our table the night before and it was still our table when we came back the next day for lunch.
The dining hall during the day
While we were waiting for our food to arrive, I went around the resort for a bit and took pictures.
H just chillin, resting from the hot sun, with a bottle of iced tea
When I was looking for accommodations in Batanes, I read blogs and reviews of Batanes Resort and considered staying there with my little family. Lia is most comfortable in quiet air-conditioned rooms and I thought she would like it there; but our tour guide, also caretaker of Novita House, which I have booked earlier on, said it would be too far from my mom and the rest of the group.
Duplex Bungalows
Walking back and forth town would not be advisable and tricycles are scarce, if not expensive (at P50 per trip).
The signage and entrance
Driveway
Batanes Resort is a government-owned resort nestled atop a hill. It now has 10 duplex bungalows with 2 bedrooms each, made of stone and made to look like the traditional Ivatan home. The resort, located on the edge of the cornice facing the South China Sea, offers a great panoramic view.
Bungalows right by the dining areas
The resort is right by the national road and has ample parking space as well as a simple reception area.
Bungalows facing the parking area
The hallway connecting the reception and dining areas
One of two chandeliers hanging over the dining hall
This window overlooks the garden outside the reception area
Loved these carnations growing abundantly in the resort grounds
By the time I was done roaming the resort, the food had arrived – and it was still as yummy as the night before.
We ordered grilled fish again and lunis. I had asked about dessert but they did not have a lot of choices, I settled for fresh fruit. The buko juice had to be bought from town and I did not think it was worth the resort’s effort to go into town just to get two (as opposed to the night before when there were four of us).
Lunis - the Ivatan version of pork adobo
Grilled fish
If we were to come back to Batanes at some point in the future, I would definitely consider staying in Batanes Resort, if only for the food.
Here are some pertinent info:
Batanes Resort:
Cellphone No: (+63 927) 582-9078
Batanes Landline No: (+63 78) 533-3444/ (+63 78) 533-3456
Manila Office No: (+63 2) 927-2393
Related links/reviews/blogs:
[…] the way just to eat. The food there was that good. I loved eating and hanging out at this place. (Click here to view separate post on eating at Batanes […]