For our 10th wedding anniversary, RomanfamBam family drove all the way to Ilocos Sur. We wanted a road trip this time.
We left Manila around 6:30 in the morning. Audrey gets bored fast, so I packed activities. Coloring books. Movies on her iPad. Car games. Snacks. We sang a lot. We stopped a lot too.
Around 1:00 PM, we reached the Ilocos Sur welcome arch. Our hotel, Safari Hotel and Villas in Vigan, was still about an hour away. We arrived tired but excited to finally rest.
Our Experience at Safari Hotel and Villas in Vigan
We reached Safari Hotel and Villas in Vigan around 4:00 PM. The signage going in was small and easy to miss, but Google Maps guided us well.
At the gate, the guard handed us a pass we needed for the entire stay. As we entered the property, animals walked freely around us. Audrey got excited when she saw the Indonesian deer up close. Some guests were even feeding them.
Check-in felt slow. After a long drive, I just wanted to get to the room. We signed several papers and paid a 2,000 peso incidental deposit. Breakfast was already included, so they handed us coupons.
The staff explained that their restaurant only served breakfast at the time. They mentioned a free shuttle to nearby restaurants. WiFi was available in the room, but the signal was very weak.
I honestly wished they served welcome drinks or hot towels. This is one of the luxury hotels in Vigan, so I expected small touches like that.
After check-in, an electric shuttle train took us to our room. Staff helped with our luggage, which I appreciated.
We stayed in the Elephant King room. The room came with free toiletries and a private bathroom with shower and slippers.
Inside the room were a flat screen TV, a wardrobe, a safe, a small ref, a microwave, and a water heater. There was one king-size bed and a small living area with a couch.
Kids aged 0 to 9 stay free. The room works for two adults, with a maximum of three guests.
The room felt dim for my taste. Lighting could be improved.
WiFi was another issue. Staff already warned us the signal was weak, but there was actually no connection at all, even in common areas like the lobby and restaurant.
We stayed for three nights. There was no proactive housekeeping. We had to request garbage pickup and replacement of shampoo bottles, which were already empty when we arrived.
If you need anything, you have to call a mobile number provided by the hotel.
The free shuttle service did not work for us. Each time we requested one, the shuttle was low on battery. Other guests also looked frustrated while waiting. We ended up using our car instead.
The hotel uses smart features, even in the toilet. During a power outage, the toilet would not flush since it needed electricity.
The pool looked dirty. The surface had not been cleaned for a while. There were unfinished construction areas nearby. I also noticed construction workers using the guest restroom near the pool. There was no clear restroom for men or women. The restroom also had no lights.
Seeing deer walk around was nice, but they left droppings all over the property.
Amenities and Facilities
There is a swimming pool on site.
Breakfast at Safari Hotel and Villas in Vigan
Breakfast runs from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. During our stay, a large group checked in, so the first two mornings had buffet breakfast.
On day one, the spread included rice, boiled eggs, sautéed cabbage, daing na bangus, tocino, and bananas.
Breakfast was decent, but service felt off. We arrived at 7:00 AM on the first day, and no food was ready yet. Other tables already had platters, which felt awkward. We waited around 20 minutes for the buffet to be set up.
We asked for sunny-side-up or scrambled eggs, but they said only boiled eggs were available. Other guests had scrambled eggs served, which added to the confusion. The boiled egg we tried tasted like it was from the day before.
On day two, there were rice, boiled eggs, papaitan, Vigan longganisa, tinapa, poqui poqui, and fruits.
On the second day, we arrived later. Only a few dishes were left, and refilling took a long time.
Drinks included hot chocolate, coffee, or juice.
On our third day, there were fewer guests. Breakfast was plated instead of buffet. We chose beef tapa with scrambled egg and bagnet silog. There was no kiddie meal, so Audrey ate a Spam sandwich we prepared in the room.
Would We Stay Here Again?
Honestly, no. The deer were the highlight of our stay. The rest needs serious improvement, especially service, cleanliness, and basic maintenance.
Safari Hotel and Villas in Vigan Contact Information
Address: Katipunan St, Vigan City, 2700 Ilocos Sur
Number: 0977 064 1580
Facebook: facebook.com/SafariHotelandVillas
Website: safarivigan.com
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