If you're heading to Southern part of Cebu, I must say Fantasy Lodge will be one of best places to stay. I am not sure of how vast the options of hotels and resorts as of today but when we stayed here last 2016, Fantasy Lodge was definitely the gem of Samboan. Though most of my bias admiration was because of their overlooking balcony with a glass partition and their own private beach.
How to get There
The South Terminal at the City of Cebu is the gateway to the exit of the City. It caters buses going to the Southern part of the province. The journey starts once you hop on the bus with a Bato via Barili signage. If you're unsure, you can simply ask around and ask for the route going to Samboan or Oslob. There are air conditioned and non-air conditioned buses and considering the length of drive which was around 4-5 hours, I guess you know what you should pick. Fare was around P200. Sorry, this was 2016 and my brain retention with the small details already elapsed. :D. Just tell the bus conductor where you going and they will know where to drop you off. The resort was just along the highway and you will pass the resort before the bus reach Oslob.
F a n t a s y L o d g e
The resort was small, secluded and rustic. Once you enter the gate, the only thing that looks modern was the white house in the front facing the road. This Balinese inspired resort is surrounded by trees and plants with overlooking sea of southern Cebu. I loved that everything was wooden from floor to ceiling including all the stuff in the lobby and balcony that made the resort more appealing. There were few staff that we saw but they were out of sight most of the time during our stay, and at least just a room of one or two of guests that made the stay felt exclusive and private. Thank God we came at the last quarter of the year, we almost had the resort for ourselves.
Facade and entrance of the resort.
R o o m
The two-storey resorts has only few rooms. Our room which was good for four was located just beside the lobby/dining room area and has a simple wooden double deck bed and one double size bed that has mosquito net. It has its own small bathroom and a set of small table and chairs. There were no closet and ref. I didn't like that we cannot put out our clothes from our bags, but the overall vibes of the resort made it okay at the end.
Our stay includes a breakfast and though it was just complimentary, this was the worst part of our stay. The plated silog meal with an options of longganisa, tapa, hotdog, or corned beef was dry and in small portion. Well it was fine at first breakfast but having the same breakfast for 3 mornings because the rest was not available made us all fed up. This was also one of the challenges in the area. We didn't have much of a choice when it comes to the food because we are far from town and we were the only resort around the place. But based on the recent reviews of Fantasy Lodge, I think they already addressed this issue and have their own chef that improved the services of their meals. I am sincerely happy to know this as it was the only complain I have for them.
D i n i n g A r e a
The resort was small enough that it was easy to go around in a minute. The dining area was just in front of our room and beside the pool and the bar. Composed of few sets of dining table and chairs.
V i e w i n g D e c k
As I mentioned earlier, this is my favorite part of the resort. This deck serves as viewing point and lobby and most of our time was spent sitting here especially during the sunset. A wooden sun loungers were aligned to each other overlooking the sea. It was stunning! I think most visitors come to the resort because of this specific spot, which I am also guilty of.
This deck had been a witness of different photo ops. We just can't get over it.
And well, these loungers too! :D
If loungers are full, you can enjoy the sofa instead. Which i also facing the ocean.
Looking this view while it changed colors.
This table though. <3
A m e n i t i e s
B a r
Though there was a bar in the resort, we didn't remember ordering any liquor or drinks. And no one was actually around to serve. It was as if they are telling us to just take what we needed.
P o o l
The pool was not that big but considering the few number of rooms, it was just enough for this villa type resort. But take it seriously because the depth was until 9ft.
Spent some time relaxing in the pool and took advantage of the back drop of trees and plant that was so good in the photos.
S p a A r e a
I swear, I didn't know this resort has so many spots where photos can looked so good. I loved surprises like these. This massage area was an open space / balcony with an overlooking view of the sea as well and has two massage bed, loungers and hammock of its own. We didn't got a change to experience the service but the space was a lit. It was a few steps down from the main area of the resort.
K a w a H o t B a t h
Not sure where the kawa hot bath originated though I first learned about if from a blog in Antique Island. It suddenly became famous because it was not ordinary to use a big pan as a bath tub. And to add that they are really burning a wood to create the fire that will heat the kawa and the water so it was as if they are cooking a human. Whatever the reason why this kawa started, nowadays, it is offered as spa treatment since this method of soaking the body in the heat helps the muscle to relax and remove the toxins .
When I found out that Fantasy Lodge offers kawa bath, I was quite ecstatic. It was included in the package once you booked a stay in the resort though not everyone can try it. We were four in the group and only 2 persons were free for this. If everyone wants to try, it will be P1000 per head on the extra head. You need to book in advance since it takes time to heat the pan. There were 3 oil options to be put in the water. I chose jasmine which really smells good. The bath will be 45 minutes to an hour, depends on how long you can take the heat. Of course you need to check the water temperature before you get in. It may be too hot or not too hot for you. Just don't burn your skin, the kawa gets really hot.
The kawa experience was really extra ordinary. Just be sure you can handle the temperature. After the photos, the staff who prepared the bath left us here. We took advantage of enjoying the hot bath while looking at the beach in front of us.
B e a c h
I didn't expect that the resort has their own access to the beach since it was elevated and at least 50 feet from the sea level. They have a concreted steps going down which I forgot the count but it was quite steep. The beach was secluded and I think they were the only one who uses it. The shore was in cream color with some pebbles and big rocks around and the water was a little faint due to the rain a night before we got there. A resting area covered in nipa and a hammock attached to it was available for use for free. It was empty when we went down so we got ourselves our own beach. What a treat! :D
Looking back, I can still see how I was so comfortable sitting in the deck while watching the setting sun with my friends. I remember how the calm sea water touched my feet while walking around the beach at my skimpy one piece suit without worrying an eyes on me because I had the beach all by myself. I can still see myself soaked in the hot big pan imagining all the toxins running away from my body. This is how Fantasy Lodge will always makes me feel.
Nevertheless, Fantasy Lodge is definitely included in my favorite list of resorts. I loved the privacy and calmness of the place and though there were lapses, all the things we experienced covered it all. Because I am always into uncrowded places and rustic vibe. Not to say that Samboan is worth the visit. And we spent P7,060.00 only for our room in 2 nights. That was P1,765.00 per head for the four of us. What a catch!
x o x o
Faith
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