Casa Bianca Beach Resort

In March 2009, the resort was under renovation (but the only one available) and there was dirt, cement and rocks all over the place, also the construction guys were hammering and drilling all day. They need a new cook as one morning it took over an hour for instant coffee (this was after I asked three different people for help with the coffee) the pancakes were cold and undercooked and the omelets were terrible. They also have locals nearby that sing karaoke until about 4:00 am. I would recommend the resorts at Vitton or Amor. We viewed the other resorts rooms and also tried their restaurants and we were very pleased with the quality and service.

I went to Donsol a week ago and checked in at Casa Bianca because for me it came along with a lot of controversy on the net. One says you don’t go there and the other paves you encouragement coming in. Since I went there weekdays (more resorts have vacancies), in my mind, I can always walk-in to other resorts in case I don’t come to like staying there. To my surprise, I came there with a clean surrounding, lots of coconut trees that gave most of “stand-by areas” shade. A good landscape and you can always feel the breath of fresh air when you’re around. The paints on the building are not really that good. I do not know if the management saves money for that, but when we came into the room it was not that bad.-especially the sunset room. Very spacious and clean, very organized, from the placement of towels and so on. The toilet is fully equipped and spacious regular soap for free (not petite one like what other hotels give) so it gives more advantage for divers. And everything was fine. We stayed at room 301 (third floor) and everytime we wake up, a beautiful view greets us ‘good morning!’ Birds singing on coconut trees (we spot there blue birds) and the sound of waves tells our bodies “relax and be calm” as if they can always condition our minds to homeostasis.
And what is so good at Casa Bianca is the food, no doubt. We take pictures of every food that we eat. -From fresh squid to the flaming chicken. FLAMING CHICKEN AND MORE FLAMING CHICKEN... Food indulgence and gluttony could not be a sin here, but missing their food specialties is. Their restaurant is not yet finished but it’s clean and totally in order. Construction is no longer going on. And they have a very friendly staff here except for 1 (don’t want to describe) lolz.
Don’t expect much... but see the inner splendour of this humble resort right before your eyes as reality unfolds and care spreads in each corner.
Raffy, one of the staff, will teach you all the prices from tricycles and so on so that you will not be fooled by opportunistic people.
Next season, surprise me again Casa Bianca...
Grace Bueven

Contact them thru:
0906-309-93-72
0907-299-99-15

e-mail address: casabiancabr_4715@yahoo.com
web site: casabiancadonsol.multiply.com

If you plan on seeing the Whalesharks in Donsol, consider staying in Casa Bianca. You cannot expect a lot from the resorts there as you'd probably just stay for a night or two just to see the whalesharks, the fireflies or do island hopping (and yes, they have island hopping in Donsol --- something i never realized until I was there). While Casa Bianca is nothing different to the resorts around, I enjoyed my stay for the service and food. They have big beds, very spacious rooms and clean baths.

Their service... Everyone was very helpful, friendly, and very accommodating. They can arrange everything for you. I just had to say what we wanted and they make sure they have it done.

And the food... They cook everything fresh from the kitchen and all those that we tried were yummy. Must try are their sauted Shrimp (not sure if it's called "sugpo" but they're the big ones) and the Flaming Chicken. I couldn't get enough of those. Had I not been concious of calories and fat, I might have ordered 3 of both and finished it in one sitting. Actually, I think I may have finished half the chicken when we ordered (that's how good it was!).


I give it a 5 for Value (for money). It's cheap.
I give it a 3 for Location --- the beaches around Donsol aren't as beautiful as Boracay. The area has been known for harvesting shrimp and so the shore can be a little muddy (perfect condidtions for shrimps). You mainly go there to see the whalesharks anyway so the shore won't matter.
I give it a 4 for Cleanliness.
I give it a 3 for Amenities. They pretty much have the same amenities as everywhere else in Donsol.
I give it a 3 (close to 4) for Bed. The beds are big, the rooms were spacious. And...
I give it a 3 for Bathroom and Shower. The showers and heaters work perfectly well. The baths are spacious. I get too particular with baths so 3 is fair enough because 4 for me is hotel standard. :)

Rafie, the maitre d', mentioned that they're having a person from a very prestigous line of luxury hotels see the place and make improvements (which they have already started last year). So, expect a better Casa Bianca when it's done. :D

It has been a year already that my friends here visited the Philippines. We had about 4 drops in four exciting tourist destinations. First is Puerto Gallera, next comes Cebu, third is Boracay and last is Donsol, before we return to Manila and fly back home.

I miss the shopping we made to Bora with celebrity spottings right there. (Lots of Filipino Celebrities), the old churches in Cebu and most especially the whalesharks in Donsol.

Donsol became so close to me because it reminds me a lot of my home town Cotabato. We stayed at Casa Bianca Beach Resort there wherein they have a very vast viranda (on the 2nd floor and 3rd floor)that faces the romantic sunset.. I think they are the only resort in Donsol who has such virandas.

We stayed there for about 5 days. The foods are so great. Immensely satisfying to the tastebuds. This might be because of Ms. Wilma who had been a chef in one of the hotels in Manila. Even some tourists who were checked-in to other resorts came there to Casa Bianca Canteen because of the foods. The foods are various, from Filipino native delicacies to Italia's parmesan Fetuccini to Bahamas' continental frock.

The resort is spacious and has a lot of coconut tree that gives it a fresh ambience. The rooms are spacious and clean.

However, if u're going to stay there by March to May, be sure to make your advance reservation because during such time, they are usually fullybooked already.

Contaq no: 0906-309-9372
We're coming back there again this summer. See yah!

xoxo,
Jamiee