Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Malagos Garden Resort Davao!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Malagos Garden Resort Rollercoaster! (A Davao Review, Honest & Messy)
Okay, so the brochure promised paradise. And, yeah, Malagos Garden Resort in Davao does deliver a slice of it, but let's be real, life – and travel – is never a perfectly filtered Instagram post, is it? This review is my attempt to capture the real Malagos experience, the good, the quirky, and yeah, the occasional "what were they thinking?!" moment. Buckle up, buttercups. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Accessibility: Trying to Navigate Paradise…And It's Not Always Smooth Sailing
Look, I'm not usually one to focus on accessibility because it doesn’t really impact me, personally. But I noticed. And the resort is trying. There are elevators, ramps…which is great! However, navigating the sprawling resort, especially to reach some of the hidden gems, could be a challenge for anyone with mobility issues. Paths aren't always perfectly paved, and some distances are significant. (Accessibility: 3/5 - Good effort, but room for serious improvement!)
Wheelchair Accessible: Listed as a feature, and while some areas like the main restaurant and some rooms are, it's not consistently implemented everywhere. (Wheelchair Accessible: Partially, but be sure to check specific pathways when booking your room!)
Getting Connected (Internet, Oh Glorious Internet!)
Alright, let's get real. We’re all slaves to the Wi-Fi, right? Malagos claims the holy grail – FREE Wi-Fi in all rooms! - and they mostly deliver. It's a bit spotty at times, especially when you're buried deep in the resort's lush greenery. Expect some digital detox moments, which, honestly, wasn't always a bad thing. (Internet: 4/5 - patchy, but generally decent. Free Wi-Fi = a big win!)
Internet [LAN]: Didn't even try. Needed my fix of Instagram! Internet services: Standard, no complaints. Wi-Fi in public areas: Same as in-room – a bit temperamental but usable.
Things to Do: Beyond the Brochure (and the Instagram Filters)
Okay, this is where Malagos really shines. The resort is a playground. If you like being *active, they got it all over. Let's dive in!
Swimming Pool: The outdoor pool is gorgeous, a true oasis. The view? Stunning! Though, let's be honest, it's always crowded (more on this later). (Pool with view: 4/5 – worth the crowds!)
Spa & Relaxation Zone: Ahhhh… this is where the magic happens.
- Massage: Okay, friends, let me tell you about this massage. I was stressed coming from the city. I went in expecting a Swedish rubdown—what I got was something akin to a religious experience. Seriously. The masseuse, (I wish I could remember her name!) kneaded out tension I didn’t even know I had. I felt like putty. They used local, fragrant oils and, for a blissful hour, all my worries melted away. Heaven. Pure bloody heaven. (Massage: 5/5 - GO. Just go. Book it now.)
Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Gym/fitness: Did not experience.
For the active soul, and the fitness freaks: They had the Fitness center, but honestly, I was more interested in another mango shake.
Food, Glorious Food! (And the Occasional Glitch)
The food scene is a mix bag. Let's start with the good:
- Restaurants, Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Bar: Plenty of choices. The main restaurant, the name escapes me. Breakfast, buffet, was pretty good.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Good!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Good!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Standard selection, maybe slightly better.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Eh. Drinkable.
- Desserts in restaurant: Excellent!
The Bad:
- A la carte in restaurant: The service was slow, especially during peak hours. Ordering a simple plate of fries felt like an eternity, and I am impatient!
- Buffet in restaurant: Crowds. The buffet gets packed.
- Room service [24-hour]: Okay, so, I ordered something late one night, and it took forever. Maybe I'll blame it on the time.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Overall, it's a mixed bag. Vegetarian restaurant: Not sure if there was a dedicated one. Western breakfast: Pretty good, but I like my local stuff better. Western cuisine in restaurant: Good! Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: Never had any. Bottle of water, Essential condiments: You get it. Breakfast service, Breakfast takeaway service: They accommodated it. Happy hour: They had it!
Cleanliness and safety: They Tried, Bless Their Hearts
This is where Malagos really put on a show. In the age of Covid, cleanliness is king.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: All ticked off.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They try for you (and the staff) but it isn’t always possible!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart.
- Shared stationery removed: Good!
- Safe dining setup: Seems it.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Obviously.
- Hygiene certification: Nice!
- Sterilizing equipment: Ok.
Services and Conveniences: The Essentials & the Extras
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes. Important.
- Business facilities, Meetings, Seminars: Seemed to have it.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: All the basics.
- Food delivery: Didn't need it.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Cute stuff.
- Non-smoking rooms: Of course!
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Some rooms had 'em.
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking: Easy.
- Air conditioning: Always.
- Desk: Present.
- Free bottled water: Score!
- Hair dryer: Essential.
- High floor: Didn't matter.
- In-room safe box: Secure.
- Mini bar: Overpriced.
- Non-smoking: Of course!
- Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower: Standard.
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Soundproofing: It did its job.
- Telephone: To call downstairs.
- Towels: Many!
- Visual alarm, Wake-up service: Did not require.
- Wi-Fi [free]: You know it!
- Window that opens: Yes.
For the Kids: Family Fun (and Maybe a Babysitter?)
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely!
- Kids facilities: Playgrounds, kiddie pools, the works.
- Kids meal: Listed, but I didn’t partake.
Getting Around: Ease of Access?
- Airport transfer: Smooth.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy, plentiful.
- Taxi service: Available.
Rooms: Comfort & Quirks
- Additional toilet: Nope.
- Alarm clock: Yup!
- Bathrobes: Yes!
- Bathroom phone: Crazy.
- Bathtub: Check!
- Blackout curtains: Dark enough!
- Carpeting: Good enough!
- Closet: Plenty of space.
- Coffee/tea maker: Needed one (more so the coffee).
- Complimentary tea: It’s alright!
- Daily housekeeping: On point!
- Extra long bed: Yes, perfect!
- In-room safe box: Safe!
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Yes!
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: Yep!
- Ironing facilities: Good!
- Laptop workspace: Yeah!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! You're about to enter the beautifully chaotic mind of yours truly as I try to plan a trip to Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City. Forget those picture-perfect itineraries, this is REAL life, baby! Expect detours, meltdowns, and maybe, just maybe, some actual fun.
MALAGOS MADNESS: A Davao Dive (Possibly Disaster-Prone)
Day 1: Arrival & Jungle Fever (or, How I Nearly Lost My Luggage to a Lizard)
- Morning (Oh God, It's Early…): Arrive at Davao International Airport (DVO). Let's be honest, waking up at 4 am for a flight is a crime against humanity. Pray to the travel gods that my luggage actually makes it this time. Last time, it took three days for it to catch up with me in Bali. Three days of wearing the same slightly-sweaty t-shirt. Shudders. Note to self: pack extra underwear. And sanity.
- Transportation Trauma (or, The Jeepney Jitters): The plan? Get a pre-booked transfer to the resort. Pray it's not a beat-up jeepney with questionable suspension. Public transport in Davao is a whole thing. I've heard good things about taxis though, let's see. Anecdote in the future, when I use the taxi.
- Mid-Morning: Malingering Around Malagos (or, The First Glimpse of Paradise?): Finally REACH Malagos! Check in is a total lottery. Hope the room is clean and not a creepy horror movie location. I'm picturing lush greenery, chirping birds, the whole shebang. If it DOES look like a horror movie location, I might just… turn around and leave.
- Lunchtime Lament: After a possibly traumatic check-in, it's lunch at the Garden Restaurant. Supposedly, their food is to die for! I'll order something fancy, maybe the prawn and something something which I will probably forget the name of. I hope it lives up to the hype. If it does not… well, let's just say I'll be giving my honest opinion.
- Afternoon: The Chocolate Adventure (or, Is Chocolate Really Happiness?): Honestly, I'm MOST EXCITED for the chocolate museum. Who doesn't love CHOCOLATE? This is the main reason I chose this place. The tour and the museum better be as good as the ads say, or I might just melt down like a cheap chocolate bar in the Davao heat. I'm already fantasizing about the chocolate tasting. The pure bliss. I'm going to stuff my face. My taste buds are already doing a happy dance.
- Evening: Dusk, Dinner, and the Dread of Mosquitoes: Dinner at the resort. I'm hoping for something light, fresh, and… mosquito-free. I swear, those little bloodsuckers find me wherever I go. After dinner, maybe a stroll around the gardens, but with a liberal application of insect repellent. I'll probably end up glued to my phone. The best thing about traveling? Being able to disconnect, right? Yeah, right.
Day 2: Birds, Butterflies & Possibly Bedlam
- Morning: Birdwatching Bonanza (or, Did That Parrot Just Judge Me?): Up early (again?!) for the bird sanctuary. I'm not a huge bird person. But the pictures look amazing. Maybe I'll find an appreciation for feathered friends. I'm also hoping I don't get dive-bombed by an angry eagle. I'm picturing myself getting pooped on. Praying it won't happen.
- Mid-Morning: Butterfly Bliss (and a Possible Breakdown): The butterfly sanctuary is next. I'm slightly terrified of butterflies. Their flitting, their wings… I do want to face my fears though. I'll try to embrace their beauty. If I have a full-blown panic attack, I'll hide in the chocolate museum. It's safe there.
- Lunchtime: More Food, More Expectations: Lunch at the resort. Another chance to sample the local cuisine. Crossing my fingers for a delicious meal that doesn't involve anything that tastes like… well, leaves.
- Afternoon: The Chocolate Apocalypse (or, Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Chocolate?): Okay, confession time: I'm going back to the chocolate museum. I need more. It’s an addiction. It’s a legitimate need. I'm going to analyze everything: the aroma, the texture, the sheer joy of chocolate on my tongue. I might even try to learn how to make it. Or just eat more. Probably eat more.
- Late Afternoon: Poolside Panic (or, Will My Swimsuit Fit?): Hopefully, I'll have time for a swim. I've been working hard at the gym to get ready for this. Will my swimsuit still fit after two days of chocolate consumption? Tune in to find out. 🤣
- Evening: Farewell Feast (and a Little Bit of Sadness): Farewell dinner. I'm going to gorge myself on all the deliciousness one last time. This trip is over way too soon. I am also very sure I'll be sad that it is ending. I'm guessing I'll be having a minor existensial crisis while I eat my ice cream.
Day 3: Leaving the Lovely (or, The Post-Chocolate Hangover)
- Morning (Still Early!): Final breakfast. Sigh. Time to pack and prepare myself for a long travel day. I'll probably be dreaming about chocolate.
- Check Out & Transfer: Check out. Hope it goes smoothly. Then, the dreaded transfer back to the airport.
- Departure Delight (or, Until Next Time!): Board the flight. Reflect on the mess, the joy, the chocolate. Plan my next adventure. It's going to be amazing. Or maybe it's going to be a disaster. Either way, I'll let you know.
Notes to Self (Because I Can't Remember Anything):
- Pack snacks. Because, chocolate may not be enough.
- Bring a first-aid kit. For blisters, mosquito bites, and potential chocolate-induced sugar crashes.
- Charge your phone. Because, Instagram.
- Embrace the chaos. That's were the REAL adventures are.
- Most important: Have fun! And try not to get arrested.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary is more of a suggestion, a starting point. Things will go wrong. I will probably get lost. I'll definitely embarrass myself. But that's the beauty of travel, right? It's messy, it's unpredictable, and it's a chance to experience life in all its gloriously imperfect glory. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go buy more chocolate. Wish me luck!
Escape to Paradise: Your Atami Ocean Villa Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Malagos Garden Resort Davao! – Or Is It? (My Messy Take)
Okay, spill the tea: Is Malagos REALLY paradise?
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because the "paradise" tag? It's… a *lot*. Yes, Malagos *is* beautiful. The gardens? Stunning. The butterflies? Honestly, almost enough to make me a butterfly enthusiast (keyword: *almost*). But let's be real. Paradise implies perfection, and my experience was… well, let's just say it involved a rogue mosquito, a near-miss with a rogue *chicken* (yes, really), and a serious craving for instant noodles at 2 AM because the restaurant closed early. So, is it paradise? Kinda. Is it a flawless, airbrushed postcard reality? Nah. And thank God for that, honestly. Makes for a better story.
The Food! Tell me about the food! Is there good food?
The food… oh, the food. Okay, so, the main restaurant, the Orchid, is pretty decent. Good, not mind-blowing, but you get your classic Filipino fare. Lechon *was* phenomenal that day, super crispy and succulent. But I'm obsessed with the *details*, OKAY? Like, the breakfast buffet… It was a pleasant experience until *that* one pesky day where they were out of eggs and the only thing that was left was rice, a bit of longanisa, and a bad day when the coffee was extra weak. Seriously, I needed about 3 cups to get my caffeine fix. Is it good? Yes... most of the time. Did it always satisfy? Nope. Did I still inhale three plates? Also yes. I had a *moment* with the chicken adobo. Pure bliss. But even I, a lover of good food, had to hit up a *sari-sari* store for a snack at one point. The struggle is real, people.
About the Rooms! Were they comfortable? What about the service?
The rooms, ah yes. The rooms are lovely! We got a cottage facing the gardens, and it was SO pretty. The bed was comfy enough. They had a decent AC. My only complaint, and this is nit-picky, but… the lighting was a little… dim. I felt like I was living inside a romantic movie! (And I'm not a morning person so the dimness was not ideal!) Service? Generally, the staff are super friendly. They really try. But remember that "kinda paradise" thing? One time, the hot water ran out, which was not great after a long day of hiking. They fixed it, eventually, but… yeah. Look, they're trying hard, and their hearts are in the right places! But perfection? Not quite. And honestly, the imperfections make the experience more memorable. It’s a human experience and I am here for it.
The Pools! Are the pools any good?
The pools? Okay, this is where things get *interesting*. There's more than one pool, which I LOVED. One is a bit more… lively, good for a dip with the fam, the other is more serene and relaxed. I found the serene one to be my haven for a while. It’s super Instagrammable, all that lush greenery around it. But here's the messier detail... you know how chlorine smells? Well, it smelled a little too much of it and it was a bit crowded on the day I went! So, yeah, pools – good, but not *flawless*. But hey, a little chlorine never hurt anyone, right? (Probably?) I spent a good chunk of my time in the relaxed pool, but I was happy not to wear my favorite sunglasses, which made the whole experience a lot more pleasant. Still a win!
What activities are there beyond just relaxing?
Oh, honey, Malagos is NOT just about lounging! (Though, let's be honest, there's a LOT of lounging. It’s hard not to!). There's a butterfly sanctuary, which is incredibly beautiful. I, like, nearly lost it watching the butterflies flit around. Like, legitimately teared up a little from the overwhelming beauty of it. Then there's the chocolate museum. Yes, a CHOCOLATE MUSEUM! I spent approximately two hours there, and I regret *nothing*. They also have a bird show, which is cool and informative. You can hike, and the trails are decent. But! Don't be like me and wear flimsy sandals. The trails are not always easy. I almost bit the dust. Remember the rogue chicken I mentioned? That was *after* my near-death hiking experience. It was a day. A good day, but… a DAY. So, activities? Yep. Something for everyone, but be prepared for a slight adventure... and maybe some chicken-related chaos.
Should I go? What's your final judgment? Did you enjoy it?
Okay, here's the truth: Yes, absolutely go to Malagos. Go, but go knowing it's not pure, unadulterated perfection. Go expecting some minor inconveniences. Go expecting to be a little bit charmed and a little bit frustrated at the same time. Go expecting to eat delicious lechon, see beautiful butterflies, and maybe encounter a rogue chicken. Do you want to know whether I enjoyed it? HELL YES! Despite the dim lighting, the occasional lack of hot water, and the near-lethal hiking adventure? I loved it. I saw the world from the perspective of someone who appreciates a bit of imperfection. The humor, the beauty, the quirks...they all created some of my best memories. Malagos Garden Resort is the perfect escape – imperfectly perfect. Go. And tell me all about it! I wanna hear your messy, beautiful experiences too!
Transportation? How do you get there?
Getting there… alright, this is where it gets a *little* less idyllic, if I'm being honest. You can hire a car, which is probably the easiest and most comfortable option. It's a bit of a drive from the airport, mind you, so buckle up. There's also public transport, but I’m not going to lie, I didn't brave it. I’m a comfort person, alright? And after the hiking mishap, I was happy to pay to avoid any more adventure. So, yeah. Car recommended, but adventure seekers can probably hack it on public transport if they're feeling brave. Just factor in the time, and the potential for… well, let's just say it’s part of the Malagos experience! Embrace the journey!
Best time to go? Any tips?
