By: Carrie A. Javier
Photos By : Mary Villanueva
The Philippine Airlines plane slowly descended upon rows of green fields and taxied to a stop in the small runway of Bancasi Airport in Butuan City. As we went down the steep stairs, I felt the weariness bearing down on me. I’ve heard the expression travel sore often enough and its hitting me now in full force, having woke up at five in the morning to catch this flight to Butuan City, Agusan del Sur.
My discomfort quickly vanished the moment I stepped into the welcoming ambiance of Almont Inland Resort, a mere 20 minutes from Bancasi Airport and only five minutes away from Butuan city center, near the Gaisano Shopping Mall.
The cozy atmosphere instantly soothed my tired mind and body, the sumptuous lunch of fresh fish, sinigang broth and fruits in season lifted my spirit. Before long, I was raring to take a stroll around the four hectares of spacious grounds comprising the resort, and to take a dip in the inviting swimming pool with its splendid man-made waterfalls.
I noticed that each room has a spacious veranda overlooking either the swimming pool or the man made lake, quite beautiful in the evening, since both are illuminated by softly flickering torch lights reflected in the water.
The resort has deluxe rooms and suites which are fully air-conditioned with cable TV, refrigerator, mini bar, NDD and IDD telephone, hot and cold running water and bathtub.
Likewise, the resort boasts of complete conference facilities including a ballroom which can accommodate up to 1800 people or the Carmen Room which can seat 100 people and a restaurant offering local and international cuisine.
The resort also takes pride in its array of sports facilities (10-hole putting green, horse back riding, biking, tennis and volleyball courts and fishing at the man-made lagoon).
According to the staff, the resort offers other services and facilities, such as, airport transfers, babysitting, car service, currency exchange, parking, safety deposit boxes, wakeup call, airline/booking confirmation, city tours and tour packages, company doctor on call, massage service, laundry/pressing services and 24 hour room service.
A serene get-away
After a hearty dinner, I walked around the resort, reveling in the serenity, my senses keenly attuned to the sights and sounds of nature-crickets chirping, frogs croaking, the whistling wind and the thud of leaves falling on the concrete pathways. I sat on one of the wrought iron chairs facing the man-made pond enjoying the cool evening breeze and the stillness of the place. Here, I could forget for a while the frenetic pace of city living and the daily struggle for survival. I also felt secure because of the staff discreetly roving within the premises, making sure that all is well with their treasured guests.
Thus, it is with reluctance that I bade goodbye to the friendly and courteous staff of the resort, a place which I’ve come to cherish.
Truly, Almont Inland Resort is a home away from home, a soothing balm and a wonderful destination to unwind. I’ll definitely bring my kids here next time around.
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on Feb 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I want to see more of boracay, but i think i hear it’s already congested..
on Feb 14th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Man, from what Ive read in your post.
The Almont Inland Resort is worth visiting to.
on Feb 18th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
You have experienced a total comfortable trip.
on Mar 12th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Must be an employee wrote this review or something. I went there last summer and the room smelled strange. The staff had a bad attitude. Wouldn’t let me take any outside snacks into my room. Wanted us to buy them for the hotel. I won’t go back. I will stay in Davao City.
on May 31st, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I just wanted to make one quick correction: Butuan City is located in Agusan del Norte and not Sur.
on Jun 16th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Hallo Sir/Madam,
Good afternoon! I would like to ask for I want searching for rent over there Inland resort in Butuan. how much it to parment in two person one room, Inland resort? and exclusive for from breakfast also there. I hope you can hear me.
I wait for your answer this afternoon hope you can give me consederation for searching very nice place over there thank you Sir/Madam good afternnoon.
Greetings,
Saturnina
on Aug 17th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I guess I have to be the one who breaks this news to you all…The Almont in my book, for several reasons, is like my 3rd choice out of 3, for hotels in Butuan. I have stayed in the city on and off for 2 years now and prefer Dottie’s Place due to the staff, food, rooms, privacy, and price. All in all a whole lot better.
I have reluctantly stayed there at the Almont a few times but only when it was a last (resort)…no pun intended. The Staff has been rude, and unprofessional to both my fiancé and I and even for those reasons aside I try to stay away. But also, the times we have stayed there the rooms were less than clean…I am not a neat freak… just the opposite actually,…but there were dead bugs all over the place and it had a real grimy feel. The drinking cups were not washed and to top it off they charged me for food we had not eaten. The second time around I made them do an inventory prior to our nights stay and it would have happened again if we had not done this. It presents itself as the best but in comparison to the place Dottie’s up the block it, it totally lacks. If you do not believe me, go check it out for yourself or ask those who have stayed at both places. Dottie’s also cost much less and the staff is like a solid 4 star. On a scale of one through 10 I give the Almont a 5 and Dottie’s a 7.5 to 8. I have stayed at many 4, and 5 (and once even a 6 star) hotels and have a pretty good idea of what to and what not to expect.
on Aug 17th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I just have one more thing to add and it is directed to the people who own and run the Almont. For a City like Butuan, with so many good and hard working folks looking for employment, you really should consider ether, better professional training for your staff or hiring more qualified people. You have such a potential but fail awfully, due to the people you have. I hope you take this advice to heart, for you can fool some of the people some of the time but not all of us. Your place to us is like a beauty of a pineapple that has a rotten core…looks great until you get inside. The only good staff expirences I have had there was getting a drink at the Bar.