Blanco Beach Resort is one of the newest resorts in Malapascua Island, having opened its doors on December 2016. It is located on a hillside of Bario Beach, overlooking both Bario and Bounty Beaches. Blanco offers a very unique stay, close enough to everything yet still quiet and private. This makes it one of the nicest resorts in Malapascua, and staying there is always a satisfying experience.
Blanco Beach Resort is not on Bounty Beach, the main beach where most of the resorts are located. Instead, it’s situated on a hill in front of Bario Beach. Bario is known to be the main port of Malapascua (though you can’t really call it a port) – a quiet beach that has a lot of charm to it even if not as beautiful as Bounty. However, Blanco is just 2 minutes walk from the eastern end of bounty beach, which makes it very close to the action, while being in Bario still means it’s very quiet. Bario is also home to two of the best Italian restaurants in Malapascua, Ristorante Angelina, and Amihan (which has the best sunset view in the island).
Excellent service from a very attentive and caring owner and staff.
Both rooms and public areas are clean and very well maintained.
Clean and modern rooms, but a bit lacking in amenities - only one bottle of water and no shampoo or toothbrushes in shower.
Very nice small and private beach, but no pool.
Although not a central location, it is not far from the popular beaches. Better for those who seek peace and quiet.
Decent hotels in Malapascua aren't cheap, and Blanco is no exception. However, you do get excellent return for your money - as you enjoy a boutique hotel with excellent service and a personal touch.
When we arrived in Blanco Beach Resort we were shown around by the owner Andrea himself, as he insisted it was his pleasure. This was a good sign, as his care and attention was clearly visible thereafter. The concept of Blanco Resort was born out of Andrea’s hospitality and design philosophy.
Andrea wanted to create a place that is modern but still naturally blends with its tropical surrounding. A resort that will make any guest feel at home while in touch with the island’s simple and clean spirit. Andrea is present in the resort at almost all times, and makes a fantastic host, while making sure that the highest standards are kept.
Blanco is a fairly new hotel, so guest reviews is still fairly limited. On top of that, there are only 13 rooms on site. Since tourism to Malapascua is quite limited, this also makes it hard to gather reliable feedback. Booking.com shows 58 reviews, but all of those are positive. Reviews especially praise Andrea the owner and her staff for their excellent service Agoda reviews are also overwhelmingly positive - 35 reviews with an average rating of 8.9. Again, guests praise the staff, as well as the cleanliness and overall level of rooms. Andrea takes time to answer each review on these sites, which is another testament to how seriously he takes his customers.
Almost all guests are really enjoying their stay at Blanco. Here's a summary of what they liked most:
There weren't many complaints, but some guests did find issues with the following:
Blanco Beach Resort is recommended for those who value privacy. Couples, both young and mature, are sure to enjoy this place, as the romantic atmosphere is present everywhere. All 13 rooms are spacious with an ocean view and a veranda. The resort and rooms have a clean modern design the projects tranquility. With so few rooms your privacy is guaranteed at all times. Whether you’re in Malapascua for diving or just for a secluded getaway, staying in Blanco Beach Resort will make your time on the island intimate and special.
However, if you can’t handle climbing stairs this is not the place for you. All of the rooms and the breakfast and bar area are connected by stairs, since the resort is built on a hill. That said, the unique location means you get to enjoy a spectacular view of the ocean, as well as a passage to a private beach in a small cove, just between Bario and Bounty. While there’s no pool in the resort, with a private beach within 2 minute walk it’s not a big deal. The resort doesn’t serve lunch and dinner, but you can easily reach the two restaurants mentioned above or take a short walk to bounty beach.
While there aren’t any 5 star fancy resorts and hotels in Malapascua, there are a few really nice places you can stay in which are really fancy, and follow the strictest international standards. Blanco Beach Resort is indeed one of them. It will not overload you with activities and attractions, but rather give you a chance for intimacy in a tranquile environment.
All the rooms in this category can accommodate up to 3 guests. Sea view rooms are furnished with a queen size bed and an additional single bed can be brought in upon request. The size of the rooms is 25m2 with a 10m2 veranda, so they are spacious and comfortable. There are more rooms at the highest point of the resort that are bigger in size: 30m2 with a 10m2. They face the other side of the ocean and are more private.
The rooftop of the upper rooms is the highest point of Malapascua, and offers the best view of the island. All rooms have an air-condition, Wifi, mini ref, hot water, hair dryer and a safety box. All of the seaview rooms, like the name implies, offer a view of the sea, as well as privacy, contributing to the intimate atmosphere of Blanco Beach resort.
