Hotel Review: La Vida Hostel
When you’re traveling on a budget, finding an affordable and decent place to stay can be a challenge—especially in a place as touristy as Samal Island. That’s how we ended up booking La Vida Hostel. It seemed like a good deal for a two-night stay, and since we were keen on exploring the island without splurging on luxury hotels, we thought it would be a practical option.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t exactly what we expected.
Our first impressions of La Vida Hostel
We booked our stay through Booking.com for a total of PHP 3,978 for two nights in their Deluxe Queen Room with Two Queen Beds. Honestly, the price was appealing for a place in Samal Island.
When we arrived at La Vida Hostel, I could tell right away that it had an artistic vibe. The reception area was filled with colorful paintings and quirky décor. It’s clear that the owner is someone who appreciates art. The whole place felt peaceful since it’s tucked away in a residential area—definitely not in a busy, touristy spot.
The garden surrounding the property was lovely, and there were only a few other guests around. The spacing between rooms gave a sense of privacy, which I appreciated.
Our room was simple, clean, and had all the basics—private bathroom, air-conditioning, and a balcony with a garden view. However, I noticed early on that the aircon wasn’t cooling the room enough, so the staff gave us an extra fan to help with ventilation.
There’s a beach near La Vida Hostel – Unfortunately, it isn’t great. It’s rocky, filled with corals, and not ideal for swimming. So, if you’re hoping to walk out and take a quick dip in the ocean, this isn’t the place.
La Vida Hostel is far from everything. There are no restaurants, cafes, or convenience stores nearby. If you don’t plan ahead for your meals, you’ll be stuck ordering food from the hostel’s limited menu—which, in our case, was a big letdown.
If you’re looking for the cheapest hotel in Samal Island, this might be it. But cheap can come with a price—especially when it’s in the middle of nowhere.
Since there weren’t any restaurants nearby, we had no choice but to order dinner at the hostel. We ordered the following:
- Lechon Belly – PHP 400
- Fried Pork Barbeque – PHP 350
- Ham and Cheese Sandwich – PHP 180
We requested that our food be served around 7 PM. By 7, we headed to the dining area to eat.
First bite, and I was already disappointed. The lechon belly was mostly fat and tasted like it had been reheated, not freshly cooked. The pork barbecue was dry and overly sweet, which I personally didn’t enjoy. Audrey wasn’t a fan of her ham and cheese sandwich either. The ham “tasted different”.
It was one of those meals where you eat just because you’re hungry—not because it’s good.
The next morning, we were hoping that breakfast would redeem our dining experience. Unfortunately, it didn’t. I ordered longsilog (a classic Filipino breakfast of longganisa, egg, and rice). There were very few options on their breakfast menu, and nothing felt appetizing.
Curfew Rules at La Vida Hostel
One thing that surprised us was the curfew at La Vida Hostel. The property implements a strict curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM.
This means if you plan to stay out late or catch an early ferry, you might run into problems. For us, this became a real issue when we needed to catch an early flight back to Manila. Our flight back to Manila was scheduled for 9 AM. We planned to check out at 5 AM to give ourselves enough time to travel from Samal Island to Davao City and then to the airport.
However, the hostel staff informed us that they don’t allow check-outs before 6 AM because their operations don’t start until then. This left us with a dilemma. We didn’t want to risk missing our flight, so we decided to cancel our last night at La Vida Hostel and move to a more convenient place closer to the airport.
We requested a refund for the unused night through Booking.com, but it was denied by the property. So, we ended up paying for a night we didn’t even stay there.
Overall Room Experience: Basic But Decent
The Deluxe Queen Room with Two Queen Beds we booked was fairly spacious and had the essentials. The beds were comfortable, and the linens were clean.
Here’s a quick rundown of what the room included:
- Private bathroom
- Air-conditioning (though it struggled to cool the room)
- Balcony with garden view
- Desk and seating area
It was basic and functional, but definitely not something that would stand out in terms of style or amenities. One thing to note: there’s no WiFi in the rooms. You’ll only get internet access in the common dining/lounge area.
Is La Vida Hostel worth it?
Would I stay at La Vida Hostel again? Probably not.
While it’s one of the cheapest hostels in Samal Island, there are quite a few compromises you’ll have to make:
- Limited dining options with below-average food
- Curfew restrictions that can be inconvenient for travelers
- Remote location with no nearby establishments
- Unswimmable beach
If you’re on a super tight budget and just need a bed for the night, then this place might work for you. But if you’re someone who values convenience, better food, and accessibility to activities and beaches, you might want to look elsewhere.
What I’d Recommend Instead
If you plan to visit Samal Island, consider staying in resorts or hostels closer to more popular beaches and establishments. Yes, they might cost more, but the convenience and experience will be worth it.
We learned this the hard way. Sometimes, saving a few pesos can lead to more stress than it’s worth.
La Vida Hostel Samal Island
Address: Barangay Catagman, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, 8119 Samal, Philippines
Phone: +63 917 770 0330
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