Al Faro Cosmio Hotel Palawan

Al Faro was the highlight of my trip to the Palawan region. We were lucky enough to get the top room in the tower, which had the most amazing views. The pool was great, happy 3 hours between 3-7 was very good value and the staff were absolutely amazing. There is a steep climb to the reception area when dropped by boat here, but that climb was very much worth it. So much better than more expensive places I stayed. Pizzas are great too

I stayed here while on a diving trip and a recomendation from a friend. Restaurant & Food: Inconsistent best describes it. Great Pizza and Pasta. Vienna Schnitzel and 2nd Bruschetta were awful as were the fries. Schnitzel was so tough it was impossible to cut. Bruschetta had no garlic and was on soggy bread. Drinks were generally ok. Coffee press ok but the stuff they served for breakfast was more like brown water. Staff could do with some extra training as they frequently forgot basic things. Juice for breakfast, cuttlery missing etc. Some guests were smoking in the restaurant. Staff did nothing about this in spite of it being illegal in the Philippines. Room: Unique would best describe it. But it was not the room I booked! Adequate size with open windows. This was nice but allowed wildlife in the room and mosquitos. Poor finishing and annoying lighting system outside the room as the adjacent room had no ceiling so complained about me putting the light on. Not my fault!. Nowhere to hang clothes as advertised and no bidet as advertised. Shower ok but no hot water and sink water pressure very poor. No aircon but not needed. Staff: Very nice and friendly but could do with some targeted extra training. Wifi: Useless. But if you can "persuade" the staff to give you the password for wifi#34 that works fine. Transport and access: Car transfer from airport then short boat ride to resort and a climb up a mountainside. Driver is dangerous being regularly on the wrong side of the double yellow lines in the middle of the road. Sooner or later he will have an accident. The yellow lines are not a decoration ! The resort is accessed up a very steep hill and is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues or cardiac issues and would be dangerous for small children. Be warned there is an environmental fee scam starting as you exit the airport and again in each town. This lines the local potiticos pockets and has nothing to do with the environment. Pool: Small and nice but should be exclusive to resort guests and no outsiders. Price: Price was fine if you pay cash. They have an illegal 4% surcharge on all card payments. I guess they get away with this as most guests are foreigners and dont know the laws in the Philippines but the BSP rules are very clear on this so unless you want to be scammed bring cash. Im sure management are aware of this but if you do get surcharged you can complain and get your money refunded by submitting a complaint through the Bangko Sentrals website and the establishment will be warned to cease this or risk cancellation of business permit. Overall a very nice place with great potential just needs a few things fixing as outlined and will be perfect.

I have just spent three days on a yacht mooring and had choice of a few places to eat each night. Al Faro had been described as the best so that was where we went ashore on night 1…..and night 2….and night 3. Im normally not a fan of returning to the same place each night but the staff were wonderful, the sunset views sublime and each dish we ordered was tasty and good value. The crab dish and fish curry were especially good accompanied with solid wines off a short wine list. Everyone at Al Faro certainly made our evenings special; little touches like Roma remembering my name were a nice suprise. I hope we can pass through again before we sail home.

Nice place good value rooms. Novel arrangement. Great sunset. No Air-condition. Food average and bland but not expensive They get you on the cost of transport. To and from the airport same price as a room for the night. Seems costly compared to rest of Philippines.