Villa de Gloria Hotel in Dauis Bohol – Review

Staying in the Philippines for some weeks was too short. Indeed, we had our chance to tour a bit in Bohol and we chose a superb hotel which was inexpensive at all. We stayed 5 days at Villa de Gloria in Dauis Panglao Bohol. And the verdict? You’ll surely see it here.

There are thousands of inexpensive yet worth to stay hotels in Bohol. We came up with a choice which meets our specific criteria and hopefully will please us whilst on our stay in Panglao.

Villa de Gloria Hotel

Villa de Gloria has charmed us for its simplicity, Filipino culture based features, location, and mostly its environment. Now you know why we have chosen this hotel. However, there are many things to consider before saying that it’s the best or it has really made us satisfied with our stay for 5 days.

Viewing its rate and reviews on Agoda, I would say they have more positive reviews than negative ones. As my husband thought me on how to pick hotels, he always says choose your category on quality and price average score. That’s the best way to see if the hotel is efficient and has the balance between their price and services offered.

Villa de Gloria is a 2-star Hotel located at Seaside St., Songculan, Dauis, 6339 Bohol, Philippines. It’s not that far from the Port nor too close at the Bohol Airport. In Panglao Island, there’s this gap between the city since it has a small bridge to cross from the island.

The hotel is about 7 kilometers away from the Tagbilaran Airport. It’s more or less 20 minutes ride via car or tricycle. If you’re traveling via ferry like us, it will take the same time because of the traffic especially crossing the bridge.

Hotel’s Information

The hotel provides 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out, and luggage storage. Villa de Gloria has 11 rooms including villas. Furnished and provide comforts such as television LCD/plasma screen, towels, closet, non-smoking rooms, air conditioning.

The hotel offers fantastic facilities, including private beach, golf course (on site), outdoor pool, and diving.

The Landscape & View

Arriving in Panglao Port our hotel service came to get us. They send us the driver and he was holder a signboard indicated our names and the hotels. We ask the driver to wait for us since our luggage is still on the ferry.

After minutes of waiting for our luggage was out and we claimed it and directly went to the drivers’ car. It was a long drive to the Hotel, getting there was a bit bumpy on the road. There’s this way where roads aren’t cemented and undeveloped so you have to be prepared.

The rain had stopped in Bohol when we arrived, lucky for us but the undeveloped road is filled with rainwater and mud. We felt lucky to have a shuttle service to brought us to the hotel.

We did our check in and the hotel keeper lead us to our respective rooms. But first, I was stunned by the view of the pool and the landscape of this place. What a great place to unwind and relax. We explored the whole hotel resort for a while and it was great.

As you I go to the end of the hotel’s place, there’s a secret access to the seaside terrace and there you will see this view. A fantastic and romantic view where you can see the other island which is part of Bohol. And the blue/green clear sea water.

Apparently, this is a private beach own by the hotel so the guest is secured that no one from the outside can infiltrate in the hotel’s seaside without permission.

In the sea, I’ve seen some fisherman’s boat. I’m sure there’s a small village on the other side of the island.

The Rooms

We have reserved two rooms, one for me and my husband and one for my brother and sister-in-law. We took the Deluxe Villa. On the other hand, my brother and his wife took the Honeymoon Sea View. Offers mainly the seaside view from the room and other facilities.

Reviewing the Honeymoon Sea View room looks luxurious mixed with Japanese and Filipino style. The bamboo designs add a great blend to make it very presentable and elegant. Most of the furniture that we have seen in the rooms are made of bamboo. Even the lampshade and the bed.

I also like the painting on the wall it gives a lot of good vibes and freshness inside the room.

On our side we had a laid back simple room, well, I call it a hut (a primitive style villa). This kind of villas is mostly existing in Asia especially in the Philippines. I remembered our stay in Boracay, my husband also chose this kind of hotel and he finds it really amazing. I thought of choosing the same features since he like this kind of style

Roaming inside our room, we first check if the fridge is working and the wi-fi of course. The hotel keeper told us all the information that we needed to know then told us about the services that we can ask from them.

A little surprise is that we don’t have a telephone in the room so we have to communicate through our own mobile phone with the phone number that they have given.

And for the breakfast it’s from 7:00 am but you have to choose your menu in advance. They also have Tours & Services and Car Rental offered. We ask them to organize us for the car rental but after knowing about the information that we have to get the car near the Panglao Port by ourselves we changed to other company who offered better service.

The Pool & Jacuzzi

One of the special features of Villa de Gloria is their swimming pool and jacuzzi. It was the most attractive part which triggered my instinct to choose this place. Since the location is a bit isolated I thought that it would be a good place where people can think peacefully and far from the busy buzz of the city.

The swimming pool is free of charge, yes! it’s free! It’s open in the morning until 10:00 pm in the evening. On our first day here, after our dinner at Island City Mall. We went swimming at night and it was a blast! Best moment ever for us!

You will see it on my previous post about our Trip from Zamboanga – Cebu to Bohol City. 

Near the seaside, you can try their jacuzzi while adoring the view of the island. Unfortunately, we haven’t tried it ourselves since we were too much occupied by our everyday tour of the island. Indeed another plus points for this hotel!

The Food

Early in the morning at 7:15 am we had our breakfast. I chose the one with fried rice, omelet and corned beef. They gave us banana for dessert and brewed coffee (unlimited) which my husband was very happy.

Honestly, the portions of the food is not that much but for a person like me who doesn’t really eat early in the morning, it was fine. But for those who are a morning person and who love to eat early, it’s not really ideal.

You have some choices for your breakfast like plain or fried rice, sunnyside-up egg or omelet, plain or fried tocino and many more. For the drinks, they have a water dispenser where you can fill your bottle or glass for a drink and coffee as I’ve mentioned that is unlimited.

For those who don’t like plain brewed coffee, they also have these small sachet of sugar and powdered milk. (which I actually used since I love coffee with milk).

The Private Beach

At the seaside area, the hotel has made a small hut for guest to unwind and be able to relax and loosen up. This area is restricted and open only for the guest of the hotel. The hut has even a security camera to make sure everything is under surveillance.

Villa de Gloria has some advantage and disadvantage to its location but it always depends on what hotel guests are looking for in a hotel. I would say this was an ideal hotel for us.

Other Hotel Services 

The hotel offers Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Safety deposit boxes, Daily housekeeping, Library, Luggage storage, and Smoking area. You can also request for an Airport transfer, Car park (free of charge), Rental car, and Bicycle rental.

Check-in/Check-out
Check-in from: 14:00
Check-out until: 12:00

Recommendations: 

If you are going to Bohol via Ferry, it’s better to contact the hotel and tell them your ferry schedule and time of arrival in the port so that the shuttle service will be there to get you.

Don’t forget to buy a local sim card and save the telephone number of the hotel. As I have explained earlier, the hotel doesn’t have a telephone and in the rooms either. You need to call the receptionist via your own phone.

If you’re staying more than 2 nights at Villa de Gloria hotel, the shuttle service is free of charge. (one-way only)

Rent your own car or motorcycle. The hotel’s location is a bit far from the city and there’s no transportation available around. You’ll have to contact the hotel every time you have to go out.

Another thing, the service/taxi is quite expensive if you’re a local. I understand that the location is isolated but the fare is too much for locals.

Once you get at the hotel (first day) the hotel personnel will explain you about the absence of convenience store around. It is advisable to go to the supermarket and buy your own groceries for the days of your stay.

Lastly, visit all the tourist attractions nearby, especially the Hinagdanan Cave and the Alona Beach.  Don’t hesitate to ask to the personnel of the hotel they will surely help you.

Verdict: 9/10

I would like to personally thank the kind, helpful, and friendly employees of the hotel. Thank you for your patience and for being so helpful to us!
Visit Villa de Gloria’s Website  and Facebook Page for hotel reservation and more information.

Villa de Gloria Hotel in Dauis Bohol – Review