Donsol Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts

The bucolic town of Donsol can get really busy during the whale shark sighting season so it's best to book your accommodation well in advance. There are numerous hotels near the interaction centre and along the coastal strip. The cheapest options would have to be the homestays but there are also a number of resorts in the area.

Budget

A mere 10-minute tricycle ride from the visitor centre, we liked Donsol Aguluz Homestay (San Jose St.) for its homey atmosphere and home cooked meals. We were treated like a family and they made everything convenient for us. They can easily organize tours for you and are keen to assist with your other travel needs. The facilities are clean and the rooms are comfortable. They offer free coffee and tea what is nice and the meals are cheap and delicious. Really good value for money and location is not bad at all. You can book their standard room for only 1,000PHP/night.

If you don't mind rooming with other travellers, there's a great backpacker hostel with a dormitory option – Viton &Woodland Beach Resort (Pio Duran-Donsol Road Barangay Pangpang). The great thing about this dig is that there are only 3 beds in each room which has its own bathroom, too, so you won't feel like competing for shower time each morning. Pay only 500PHP per bed per night – the rate includes your own locker to secure your belongings. There's no AC but there are two fans which make room temperature comfortable enough to sleep. Get access to their infinity pool, restaurant, and bar. It's a walking distance from the interaction centre, too, so it's really popular among travellers. Make sure to book months ahead. And oh, they have 2–5 happy hours a day, what more could you ask for?

Mid-Range

The AGM Resort (Barangay Dancalan) is a nice beachfront property that boasts facilities like swimming pool and jacuzzi as well as a massage shop and even baby sitting services. The rooms are clean and cosy and the staff are friendly and attentive. In the afternoon we loved chilling by the porch discussing the day's events while nursing a cold bottle of beer. The resort can also arrange day trips and what we miss the most is the awesome food they serve in their own restaurant. Private rooms are available from 2,200PHP to 2,600/night.

Located amid some rice paddies, the Amor Farm Beach Resort (Dancalan) is a charming and rustic accommodation choice in this category. It's a bit of a walk away from the interaction centre but it hardly matters as we loved its relaxing and quiet vibe compared to the other resorts in town. The rooms are nothing fancy but it’s clean and comfortable. The staff are also keen to help anytime. If there's any drawback it's that you have to pay an extra 200PHP for hot shower and the room rate does not include free toiletries. Other than that, everything else is worth the price. A standard AC room is available for 2,000PHP without breakfast.

Top End

Well, there are no 5-star hotels here but the Elysia Beach Resort with its eclectic mix of tropical and contemporary design comes close to the upper mark (Pio Duran Road). Everything about it is conducive to rest and relaxation as they've placed several hammocks, cabanas, and sunbeds by the beach. We also love that each room is close to the pool area. The sunsets are really beautiful and on a clear night, you will have an amazing time star gazing. Staff are polite and accommodating and rooms are clean and well-maintained. Rates at this resort start at 3,150PHP plus service charge.