During our family vacation in Ilocos Norte in April 2009, we stayed at Playa Tropical Resort Hotel in Currimao, Ilocos Norte. We booked a 4 day, 3 night package for three persons (my husband, my 12-year old son who is now considered an adult in the travel world, myself) while my 7-year old daughter was not charged anything.
The package included daily breakfast for three people (more on this in a future write-up) and roundtrip transfers from the Laoag Airport.
Booking a stay with Playa Tropical Resort Hotel was very easy. Ms. Toni Carag of Playa Tropical efficiently responded to all my e-mails. To confirm your reservation, you will need to make a 50% deposit to their bank account (Banco de Oro). The balance can then be paid upon check-out. Major credit cards are accepted.
Our flight to Ilocos Norte was delayed by an hour and a half and as we still waited at NAIA 3, Toni was already checking on us by cellphone. She was thus updated as to the status of our flight. Upon landing in Laoag, I got a text message from her right away that the van was already waiting in the parking area.
The van that picked us up was comfortable, nice and cold and we were picked up by a driver, Toni, and Harlene who were all so warm and helpful. It takes about 35 to 40 minutes to get to Playa Tropical from the airport. Since our flight was delayed, we arrived at the resort at past 10pm and the coffee shop, Cafe Amarra, which is the only food outlet in the resort, usually closes at 10. Through Toni’s instructions, however, the kitchen stayed open until we were done with our dinner. (More on food in a future write-up).
As soon as we arrived, we checked into our Premiere Room where I asked for an extra bed for my son. My husband and I would share the big bed with our daughter. We managed to sleep comfortably although the room became quite cramped when the extra bed was set up and with our luggage and bags all over the place. On hindsight, I suppose we could have taken a bigger room but it was still comfortable enough. Our room also had a small sofa which was nice to sit or sleep on when we just wanted to rest or laze around.
Our room was clean and it was interesting to check out the designs of the tiles and the stairs throughout the resort, and even the lamps. Playa Tropical’s theme is that of a circular pattern (which appears on the casas and also on their shower curtains) and when I asked Toni what it meant or stood for, she said that it just represented “life.”
The kids enjoyed the different activities that one can do at Playa Tropical while my husband and I enjoyed the Ilocos Norte tour that the resort helped us arrange. In the coming weeks, we will share with you details on these, as well as our food experience at the resort.
Would we recommend Playa Tropical to our friends and readers? Yes, we would! The rates are reasonable, Toni and her staff are very nice, although food choice can be quite limited. The beach is also not that great. Anyway, we will tell you what we liked and will also tell you what can be improved. But all in all, it was a good vacation for us and I hope it will be a good vacation for you too.
Please watch out for our other write-ups.
The official Playa Tropical Resort Hotel website is at playatropical.com.ph
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:10 am
Okay ang customer service ha.
Nung na-late din kami nang dating sa Havana, muntik na kaming di nakakakain sa hotel. They knew about the flight and luggage delays but they made no effort to make allowances for the guests. Ang dami pa naman namin. After a long haul flight at near midnight, kahit madaming kainan lalabas ka pa ba to eat? Lalo at di naman katabi nang hotel yung mga restaurant mag-ca-cab ka pa.
anywho… i’m looking forward to more of your stories
From LipadNa: Hi Auee! Thanks for all your comments and for dropping by the site. Okay ang customer service sa Playa Tropical. So did you get to eat at the hotel?