The Hits and Misses of Misibis Bay

Reminder: To each his own. This post is my personal opinion.

The plan was to celebrate Remay's birthday at Misibis Bay. Honestly, we flew from Manila to Legazpi just to experience this luxurious resort. Since the overnight rate is steep, we opted for a day tour instead. Their Misibis Bay Day Tour rate is P2,888.00++ (P3523.36 nett) per person. It includes transfers, buffet lunch, use of non-motorized sports equipment, use of the pool and shower amenities. And luckily, since we were guests of Hotel Venezia, they said they will extend a 10% discount. Still quite pricey, but we willingly agreed. We knew it will be worth every peso we'll spend.

At exactly 9am, a Toyota Coaster was already waiting for us in the lobby. We're surprised that only 3 of us will ride this shuttle. Cool! The driver of Misibis Bay introduced himself to us. He provided details and trivias about Legazpi as he drives.

private coaster to Misibis Bay

After a 15-min drive, our driver received a call from Hotel St. Ellis, this is another sister company of Misibis and Hotel Venezia. Our driver informed us that there's a guest that needs to be picked up in St. Ellis. He asked if it's okay with us to go back. We understood the situation and we agreed. From St.Ellis, we met Mrs. Vee Nolan. She instantly became part of our group. Like us, she's going to do a day tour in Misibis as she was scouting a venue for her daughter's wedding. Rich si mother! ^_^

our group with Mrs. Vee
may drawing sa face si other friend kasi di daw nagpaalam na absent sa ofis.

You'll surely notice these solar lamp posts along the way. According to the driver, each costs P90,000! Misibis provided these for everyone's welfare.

solar lamp post @90,000 feysus each
yare sa Maynila yang ganyang poste.. hehe

Anyway, I found out that the resort is located in an isolated island. Everyone who wishes to go there needs to cross the water first. After the 45-min land trip, our driver said we need to transfer and ride the speed boat. This will transport us to the other side of the island.

short speed boat ride

and there's a Toyota Grandia that's waiting for us on the other side

We didn't mind being transferred again and again as long as the staff are very accommodating and the service vehicles are as comfortable as these. We haven't reached Misibis yet but we already felt the service deluxe.

And finally, we reached Misibis Bay. A welcome song is played while 2 dancers performed a traditional Ibalong dance. Two other staff gave us woven necklace and cold towels. Now this is a welcome.

Misibis Bay, at last!

fountain area

a dancer performing an Ibalong dance

i like her costume..
teh, palit tayo ng outfit?

We were guided to the reception area. Refreshments are served. The staff briefly oriented us about Misibis Bay, including the point that day tour guests can only be in the resort from 9am to 4pm. Mrs.Vee requested the staff if we could stay longer to catch the sunset. She explained that she's scouting a venue for her daughter's wedding. The staff couldn't grant Mrs.Vee's request because they have rules for day tour guests. We fully understood. We agreed to leave by 4pm.

reception area

watermelon shakes

crackers

After paying the day tour rate, we we're handed our own keys and we proceeded to the locker room. We're now ready to explore the place. But of course, I asked for an umbrella first. Granted!

additional item in my "Payong Everywhere Collection"

Okay, now we're ready to explore the resort. Let these photos give you a virtual tour.
(combined shots of Remay and I)

front view of the resort

pool chairs in the pool itself

shaded resting area with fresh towels

every pool umbrella is a gift, you have no idea how unforgiving the sun was

Yes, the place spells elegance. We walked towards the right side and found another pool. This one's nearer to the beach.

i admit, the pools are inviting

As for the beach, well it's a different story. Let's just say Misibis Bay guests should be aware that the beach is not something spectacular. Actually, there are some parts where construction is still on-going. Panira sa view.

panoramic view of the shore of Misibis Bay

Next, we proceeded where the rooms are located. The facade is modern and classy. Cheapest room in Misibis would cost $350/night, while the Beachfront Luxury Room with its private villa would cost $650/night. Luxury indeed has a price.

poolside hotel rooms

own little pool lounge

rare times where I enjoy the sunlight
maganda effect sa skin while being photographed ^_^

the birthday boy wears red *winks*

Jusko ang inet! This is us after career-in ang photoshoot..

haggardo versoza

As much as we love to take a dip into these pools, our stomachs were already growling. We checked if the buffet lunch is ready, and luckily we were informed that we can start eating.

This lunch is included in the day tour rate. I have high expectations on their buffet spread.

Dining area setup

Having tried a lot of hotel buffets, I have set an expectation for Misibis Bay. Too bad there weren't much entries to start with.

lunch buffet at Misibis

There's the "make-your-own-halo-halo station", fruit station, dessert station with brownies, carrot cake, and blueberry cheesecake. There's a salad station too. This post is already picture-heavy so I just made a collage of their main entrees.

Sauteed Veggies, Nasi Lemak, Braised Beef,
Hainanese Chicken, Pork something, Sweet and Sour Fish

Looks good but Im at least looking for some pasta station, tempura, or buttered prawns or any fresh seafood but there was none. Opcors di na ko umasa na may steak sila. Ambisyosa! ^_^

to be fair, i enjoyed the Hainanese Chicken and Braised Beef
and oh, they served soup too. yun lang watery and not creamy.

Im looking for my plate where I got brownies and blueberry cheesecake, I just cant find the photo. These items weren't remarkable anyway.

my mais con yelo with ube can't go wrong! =)

While we were eating, all the staff surprised my friend with a birthday song and cake. Panic mode, sabay abot ng camera, sabay capture the moment.

im surprised as well, di ako prepared to take this shot! haha

As much as Tita Vee convinced us that it's a complimentary cake for guests who celebrate their birthdays, we strongly believe that she was the one who informed the staff and bought the cake.

thanks po tita Vee! answeet!

How do we know it's not a complimentary cake? Simple lang. Restaurants never give whole cakes. They only give slices. Right? ^_^

Okay moving on, after we stuffed ourselves with the free lunch (we really stuffed ourselves because any *food* purchase inside Misibis is expensive), we told the staff that we wanted to tour the Church, Zipline area, and the Amphitheater with Stonehenge in the center. We found out that the way to get there is thru a golf cart. I got excited because I thought I'll be driving my own golf cart, but no - one golf cart per group and there's an assigned driver for each. Eto pa, rate is P150/pax. Yes, P150/pax not per golf cart. This is crazy expensive. Why pay per person kung aandar din naman yang golf cart na yan even when you're alone. Haaay.

Im not very much convinced but since I wanted to see those spots, so be it. P150/head. Move on.

i wish they would allow the guests to drive this golf cart by themselves

It's only a 10-15min drive to reach our target spots. First is the Amphitheater with Stonehenge. This attraction is actually the one that convinced me to pay P150. Haha Move on na di ba?

Amphitheater with Stonehenge

so that's a stonehenge

great, the stonehenge is gone. haha!

Next spot is the Cathedral. It's made of glass and though we didn't enter the church, we saw expensive-looking chandeliers inside. Gorgeous.

nearest church to Misibis Bay
obviously for wedding purposes

wagas na pagbilad sa arawan =)

And finally, the zipline area. Di ko feel. Joke, since they were still not fully operational, guests can try ziplining for free. Kahit na free, di ko pa din feel. Bad mood? Hehe

launching spot

Remay enjoying the free ride.

We hurriedly went back to the resort and change our outfit. It's snorkeling time. Misibis has a designated area where guests can snorkel and learn basic diving lessons. Looks promising.

way to the marina (where the snorkeling site is)

free usage of snorkeling gears in case you dont have one

I had my hopes high that this is somehow a good snorkeling area. We took a dip, swam farther and more, but we didn't see any interesting creatures or corals. Fail.

very few small fishes

Kinda disappointing for our group because we're actually excited to take photos of the underwater creatures in this sanctuary. What we saw were small fishes and huge rocks. Nothing more.

Nonetheless, I commend the accommodating staff which assisted us. Inferness, kahit alam kong di sya magaling lumangoy (inamin din naman nya), pinilit nyang maghanap at magpicture ng corals at isda. Hehe

gamit na gamit ang rashguard na to!

Time check: 30 mins to 4:00pm. We used our remaining time by enjoying the pool area. After a quick dip, we washed ourselves, packed our things, and proceeded to the lobby. We're ready to leave by 4pm, as instructed by their staff.


Stop reading if you don't want to get annoyed.
15mins and 30mins gone by but the van is still nowhere in sight. At 4:45pm, the van finally arrived. We started our journey back to the city. At the point where we need to cross the water, the van stopped. The driver informed us that the speed boat was rented by some other guests for their sunset cruise.

driver: Ma'am, sorry po wala po yung speed boat. Ginamit ng ibang guests.
me: Okay, so paano kami tatawid ng island? Lalangoy?
..of course I was joking.

We waited as if we knew what's happening next. Then the driver informed us that we'll need to ride the public barge instead. The same barge to transport public jeepneys and trucks. Wow, seriously?!

oh yes, the driver was serious about us riding the barge.

On top of that, we waited for one hour more because it's still not time for the barge to cross the water. We totally forgot we were Misibis Bay's paying guests. Annoying. Not luxurious at all.

time check - 6:14pm and we're still standing and waiting inside the barge
buti pa yung iba, nakasakay sa jeep, nakaupo sa truck. kami nakatayo lang sa gitna.

we still witnessed the sunset, but while waiting inside the barge.

What's annoying is that we requested for a late departure time but it wasn't granted - only to find out that the van will be late and there'll be no available speed boat to transfer us back. We could have waited in the resort instead than wait inside the barge. Di kami maarte, at anytime willing akong mag-RORO, but as far as I know our group paid P2,888 +12% +10% each, and this complimentary transfer is included. We don't deserve this.

the barge

To be fair, the drivers were really apologetic. It's not their fault, waste of time ma-highblood. I wanted to address our concern with the higher management. I sent them a lengthy email. I also send them an FB message in their fan page. It took 48 hours before a Marketing Supervisor replied and acknowledged my email. And finally after 10 days since I addressed my concern, I received an apology letter from Misibis Bay's General Manager.


The fact that Misibis Bay took time to read and replied regarding my concern, this already proves that they can handle feedbacks and they value their guests. Plus points to me.

Im just surprised to receive a generous gesture too.
Guess we'll be visiting Misibis again, soon. Thank you in advance.

Misibis Bay
Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay
Phone: (63 2) 661.8888 Fax:(63 2) 470.3607 / 637.3342
www.misibisbay.com

updated as of 2/14/2012:
our sweetest escape in Misibis Bay. click the image to view the full entry.

Misibis Bay is sweeter the 2nd time around! ♥