Aureo Resort: A Gem in La Union with a Few Rough Edges
Aureo Resort is located in San Fernando, a coastal town in La Union, Philippines. This location places the resort along a notable 400-meter stretch of beach, known for its golden sands and scenic views. San Fernando itself is a region celebrated for its coastal beauty, making Aureo Resort a fitting addition to the area's natural attractions. The resort's placement in La Union also lends itself to a mix of local culture and natural scenery, providing visitors with a chance to experience both relaxation by the sea and the local Philippine lifestyle.
When it comes to reaching Aureo Resort, travelers have several options. For those who prefer driving, navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps offer real-time driving directions, guiding visitors directly to the resort. This is particularly convenient for those familiar with driving in the Philippines. Alternatively, for those who prefer to use public transport, there are several buses that traverse Manila to La Union. You can book your tickets here:
Check-In
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the courteous front desk staff who were always ready to accommodate visitors. They even went the extra mile to allow us to check in early when we arrived ahead of schedule, which was a pleasant surprise.
The check-in process was smooth and efficient. The staff were professional, friendly, and attentive to our needs. They made sure that we were comfortable and had everything we needed for our stay. They were also very informative, providing us with all the necessary information about the resort and its amenities.
The resort itself was a sight to behold. It was beautifully designed, with a stunning view of the ocean. The ambiance was relaxing and inviting, making us feel right at home. We were particularly impressed with the pool area.
Room and Room Features
The well-appointed rooms at Aureo Resort exude cozy comfort, providing a relaxing ambiance for guests. Our beachfront deluxe room was one of the newly renovated ones, offering stunning panoramic views of the shimmering ocean through floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors. Stepping into the room, the crisp white linens and plush pillows beckoned while the wooden furnishings added a touch of tropical flair, making you feel like you're really on vacation! ♡
The room has amenities like a large flat screen TV with cable channels, bathrobes and slippers, and basic toiletries. The spacious bathroom has a rainfall showerhead. The air conditioning unit kept the room cool while operating silently. And the electronic door lock and safety deposit box ensured security during our stay.
We appreciated the meticulous housekeeping that kept the room spotless throughout our visit. However, we noticed some signs of wear in the other room that our friends checked into, like traces of mold on the ceilings or wet patches on floors. One of our friends also reported issues like faulty air conditioning units that were not cooling properly, which I guess is quite understandable with this kind of heat in the Philippines.
But to the staff's credit, they responded promptly to address each room issue reported. Engineers worked diligently to repair defective air conditioners. The staff's commitment to quickly resolving room issues to ensure guest comfort was evident during our stay. And we hope renovation efforts will continue to enhance the remaining rooms and amenities.
Resort Amenities
Aureo Resort boasts a lush tropical landscape with meandering pathways leading to its premier amenities. The sprawling infinity pool offers panoramic views of the sea for a relaxing dip any time of day. Poolside bars provide refreshments to quench your thirst after a swim. I would recommend to the resort to have more lounge chairs and shaded huts around the pool to enhance the experience for guests wanting to bask in the sunshine.
The lagoon pool proves a hit with its fun slides and kid-friendly depths. Our family appreciated the colorful floats and pool toys available for children. Teens meet by the poolside bamboo cabanas. While visually appealing, some facilities need maintenance after heavy use like missing pool tiles, slippery surfaces and cracked floors near the deck area.
When you need pampering, Aureo's full-service spa offers massages and body treatments using natural oils and aromatherapy. I wasn't able to get a massage but some of our friends did. The gym provides cardio and weight training equipment for a workout with an ocean view but again, we were not able to use it because we were at the beach eating and drinking most of the time. LOL! Yoga sessions took place on the open-air platform facing the sea and some of our friends joined that as well. I'm not really into yoga so I passed. Guests also have access to the hotel's water sports equipment and beach volleyball court.
The Beach
Aureo's pristine beachfront stretches down the coastline, showcasing powdery sand that meets crystalline blue waters. It's powdery alright but don't expect it to be white sand similar to Boracay or Coron. The sand here has a grayish tone and would appear golden brown during sunsets.
But it's very clean, which is most important. The resort's staff diligently maintain the cleanliness and security of the entire beach. Guards regularly patrol while staff members swiftly pick up any trash, ensuring guests enjoy an unspoiled tropical paradise.
BUT MAN, THE SUNSET IS MY FAVORITE BIT! NOTHING BEATS THE SUNSETS IN LA UNION!
Designated lounge chairs line the beach, beckoning visitors to relax while listening to the gentle lull of waves. Our group built sandcastles near the water's edge as couples stroll barefoot along the surf. This serene spot becomes a sanctuary for reveling in the island vibe.
Local ordinances unfortunately prohibit swimming due to strong currents. While disappointing for some guests, the resort tries to offset the restrictions by offering paddleboards, jet skis and banana boats as alternative water activities.
Restaurant and Food
The onsite restaurant, Coast, is situated right along the powdery shores, offering diners a spectacular beachfront dining experience. Its open-air design allows guests to bask in the sea breeze as they savor generous portions of Filipino and continental fare.
During our visit, the restaurant was abuzz with guests raving about house specialties like crispy pata with its crackling skin and tender meat, as well as fresh seafood selections like grilled tuna belly and shrimp gambas. For pasta lovers, the carbonara and baked lasagna also garnered praise for their rich, creamy flavors.
We even experienced one of their grill nights. I think it was P750 per head during our visit and it was totally worth it!!!
However, the limited menu does leave room for more variety to suit different palates. Expanding options in vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and children's dishes could make meals more inclusive. I personally don't have any preference on food but just thinking about other guests who might have these diet restrictions.
Service also slows down considerably during peak occupancy. With only a small kitchen crew and few wait staff, food orders and delivery tend to lag, dampening the overall dining experience. Adding more personnel could help ease this bottleneck. I guess it was because we visited during a weekend so this might have been something expected.
While the breakfast buffet offers a breathtaking view, offerings and quality proved inconsistent. During our first morning, we enjoyed tasty garlic rice, fluffy eggs and crispy fried fish. However the next day saw bland eggplant salad, soggy bacon and lukewarm rice. Ensuring food quality and availability across both slow and peak periods would elevate the breakfast experience. It was good overall!
Customer Service
The resort staff exhibit exceptional warmth and willingness to meet guest needs across all areas of the property. Several visitors singled out front desk manager Rohit for going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. His sincere hospitality and attention to detail represent the caring service Aureo strives for.
We did have one experience which in my opinion, might need a little refinement is communication flow between departments. We requested to arrange a room with extra bedding but we arrived to find just a mattress on the floor instead. It was replaced immediately by the staff but I think front desk, housekeeping and operations would benefit from tighter coordination to align understanding of policies and procedures to avoid inconvenience to everyone.
Final Thoughts
Overall, our stay at Aureo Resort was a memorable one. The resort's location, room features, and amenities were top-notch. However, the food could use some improvement. Customer service is also topnotch - the foundations have been laid for quality customer service - but I think continued training and oversight are essential to smooth out remaining rough patches. I would rate my experience at Aureo Resort a 4 out of 5 and I would still highly recommend Aureo Resort for its beautiful location and relaxing ambiance. The resort is indeed a gem in the North, but it could use a bit of polishing to truly shine.
How to Contact Aureo Resort
Address: Barangay Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Number: +63-38-502-8288, +63-38-501-3088, +63-917-716-7609
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthPalmsResortPanglao
Website: https://www.southpalmsresort.com
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (as of January 2020 in Tripadvisor)
See more reviews here: Tripadvisor Reviews of South Palms Resort
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- South Palms Resort thru Agoda
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- Direct booking with South Palms Resort
- Day Trip at South Palms Resort Panglao with South Farm
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