Hof Gorei

October 25, 2009. Great Service. Great Food. Great Views. That's how I describe Hof Gorei Resort in Kaputian, Samal.

It's a 45-minute boat ride from Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao. Our pick-up time is at 11am. You should make your reservation with the resort at +63-082-2860238 or +63-0918-6096966 ahead of time, and you choose your pick-up time either at 11am or 3pm, if you will be staying overnight. While at the resort, we were able to inquire that they also allow Day Tour at the rate of P950.00 per person, and you may also opt to be picked-up at 8:00am so that day tour guests can stay longer in the resort.

While on board the boat, we were able to pass by Malipano Island and later on noticed that Hof Gorei is in the neighboring stretch of Pearl Farm Beach Resort. Their "makeshift port" is quite an adventure, it's my first time to walk along floating planks of wood, but the view of a much larger and concrete port is already being constructed nearby.

There's always a surprise at the Hof Gorei Beach Resort. The moment you alight from the boat, resort staff would greet you with a cool face towel for you to freshen up. Hahaha! Believe me, I didn't know what I would do to that face towel at first. I thought the staff was serving food. Hahaha!

As you enter the resort, you will again be greeted by another set of resort staff at their bar where a glass of cold, fresh fruit juice awaits you. It was melon juice for us that time, truly refreshing! You will then be introduced to your hmmm, shall I call it valet? It's your own personal assistant, tour guide, waiter, everything. I actually would want to hire someone in real life, not just on vacation-mode. Our valet is Ate Ging-ging, and she's such a pro at what she's doing. I have never received such kind of great service at any other resort I've been to.

We stayed at one of the resort's Roundhuts. It's like a modern treehouse, located at the higher grounds of the resort. I like the architecture, it's mostly wood, and nicely decorated. The room is almost complete in itself, you can make your own coffee/tea, you have your own mini bar and refrigerator, and they even provided umbrellas for their guests. Hahaha! And the color of the umbrella is the same as that of the curtains. Nalingaw jud ko!

It's time to tour the resort.

First stop: Jacuzzi. The jacuzzi is located at the resort's highest peak. You have to walk 230 steps up to reach it. It's super super cold up there, but it would give you a very good view of the Davao Gulf, Mt. Apo, and the neighboring resorts. Simply amazing!

Second stop: The Beach. Hmmm, Cali is disappointed with the beach. Me too. I expect Samal to have the best beaches Davao has to offer. But this time, it seems that the resort is not much inclined into developing their stretch of beach. It's not as good as that of Chemas and Isla Reta. Anyway, there are other resort facilities to check...

Third stop: Swimming pool. I expected the swimming pool to be as cold as the jacuzzi, but it isn't. Ate Ging-ging said that their pool is equipped with a water heater system. It's a plus! So, forget about the beach, and better lounge and stay at their swimming pool. They even have a poolside bar! Wow!

Fourth Stop: Al fresco restaurant. It's dinner time! The resort surprised us with a candlelit dinner for two, how romantic! And the restaurant is located on higher ground, there's a scenic view of the sea while you dine. They have a delectable menu where you could choose a variety of dishes, some of them I could not even pronounce, hahaha! Their food is a bit pricey, plus they bill an additional 10% service charge. You won't feel robbed for the taste and service, though.

It's time to go back to the roundhut and have a good night sleep. Oh wait, before I forget, do you know that "Hof" means Farm? While touring the resort, expect to see lots of animals: ducks, different kinds of birds, monitor lizard, monkey, snakes, geese, etc...

Rise and shine! It's breakfast time! The breakfast is included in our package. We dined at the al fresco restaurant, but guests may also opt to dine at their cottages. So, what's for breakfast? There was coffee or tea, at your own choice. Then you can choose between the continental breakfast, filipino breakfast, pancakes, or fresh fruits, all served to perfection. I loved my filipino breakfast while Cali enjoyed his pancakes so much and he got intrigued with the strawberry marmalade, hahaha! And there's a fruit juice to end your meal. Yum!

Rates:

Day Tour: Php 950.00 per person

Overnight Room Accommodation: Php2,500 to Php4,000 per room (good for two)

Food: Php200 to P700 per person/meal

Drinks: Php50.00 to Php200.00

You may also opt to avail of their Samal Island Tour Package at an additional rate of Php950.00 per person. They would take you to Hamigit Falls, Maxima Aqua Fun, and Bat Cave

For more information, visit their website at http://www.hofgorei-resortdavao.com