Comments on: Costa Marina, Samal Island Garden

By: cliff

cliff — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:17:36 +0000

i went to Davao twice as a sailor. shop close to Tefasco aws fabulous. full of fun. seafood malls girls remind me good times. the past that I cannot forget..

By: costamarinashit

costamarinashit — Sat, 28 May 2011 00:25:20 +0000

stupid place alot of fees! even your camera has a corkage 2,000php every move you make there are limited and alot of fees! i hate this place because of there management with no education approach in short professionalism very bad place..if they see you bring beer or RHUM they will charge you again 450php…I will not recommend this one because even the owner has no consideration on the place! I will not back this place forever!

By: lee mac

lee mac — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:03:33 +0000

The case of the P2,000 photoshoot fee
The Maniniyot Community is a young group of photography hobbyists, enthusiasts and professionals in Davao City. We decided to hold our summer get-together in the Island Garden City of Samal and among the many resorts, we chose Costa Marina resort since… it would be less crowded than its popular neighbor thereby conducive to holding our group activity which included a photoshoot. When we got there, our bags and items were frisked by the security guard which is SOP. When the guard opened one of my bags containing my light stands and tripod he asked us if we were going for a photoshoot and then told us about the resort policy of paying P2,000 for a photoshoot. We reasoned out that its not a professional photoshoot, we were just an amateur photography group holding our activity. And normally we would bring our gears. (I usually bring my light stands and tripod with me.) The attendant/receptionist then reiterated the policy- pay P2,000 for a photoshoot. They told us that since we brought the cameras, it is tantamount to a photoshoot . We asked for consideration, we decided to compromise by scrapping our photoshoot, instead we will just be taking pictures (picture-taking) to document the get-together, as normally we would do if we bring our cameras, we promised them that there will be no more model photoshoot. (we had brought a model and a make-up artist for the occasion). However the management was adamant, no photoshoots of whatsoever even taking of pictures unless we cough up P2,000. The group then protested that we were not informed by the marketing office when we called up to inquire about the resort. There was no prior information whatsoever that there will be a photoshoot fee, a f*cking P2,000 photoshoot fee. We then asked for another consideration. however they denied our request. Since we were 20 in the group we just decided to collect P100 from each member to raise the amount needed for the shoot and after paying we were able to conduct our activity and the photoshoot with very heavy hearts. I remember that I covered this Visit Samal program by the Department of Tourism and wrote stories about this tourism program for Samal and Talicud Island. but this stupid photoshoot fee or what I will call DSLR camera Corkage fee of Costa Marina (which is also said to be practiced by some resorts) will be a big blot to this tourism project. Although it is a private resort and it is the management prerogative, I couldn’t just understand why on earth would that resort charge us for taking pictures at an unreasonable fee of P2,000?? They should have informed us, they should have posted their rules and not when we are already lining up to pay for entrance fee. They should also define what a PHOTOSHOOT is since even a simple picture-taking is not allowed unless you pay P2,000. Why make money out of people taking pictures?? Dont these people know that picture takers/photographers are the best marketing people out there. A single picture could have the power of enticing a thousand visitors. Digital cameras particularly DSLRs are becoming common nowadays I just hope no DSLR toting tourist would stray into Costa Marina premises unaware of this picture-taking fee rule. I also hope the DOT and our tourism stakeholders could perhaps rein in some stupid policies such as this Costa Marina photoshoot fee or if not post this weird stupid policies in their Visit Samal booths so people (potential tourists) would be well- informed. See More
By: Rudolph Ian Alama

By: Jc Karwoski

Jc Karwoski — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:48:54 +0000

Thanks! You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog

By: Jace

Jace — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:57:18 +0000

A friend and I stayed October 2 and it was a bit disappointing.

Plus side – there were very few guests so it was quiet, compared to neighboring paradise.

Down side –
no flexibility / notion of customer service at all

we made a last minute booking via their davao office and found out that their davao office didn’t give a heads up to the resort that we were coming over.

we would only be allowed to check in early for P500. there was no guest ahead of us, the cottage was empty. we were given an outright 10% discount, but we weren’t allowed to check in early without charge.

we forgot our goggles and asked if they had any to rent out. they did not. the neighboring resort, paradise island, might have goggles for sale and we requested that they ask. the supervisor we were speaking with, not only did not give us feedback but we never saw him again either!

food was disappointing.
they only had 2 choices for the fish although they listed like 4 on their menu. we ordered sinigang na bangus and received a very small fish. we asked if they can get a fisherman to procure fish for us and they’ll cook to our liking. hello it was an island, wouldn’t you know a fisherman or two. so they said they can procure fish for us, even if we make our own procurement they are not allowed to cook it for us, even if we are willing to pay extra.

take note of their published rates above. they had to cable tv, their shower was not working and you had to pay more for a cottage that had hot and cold shower. in my experience with resorts in palawan and batangas, they had free flowing coffee, tea and water. this place had none.

By: Mansterrr

Mansterrr — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:57:53 +0000

@upset costumer, You’re a cheap ass that is why you keep whining. Next time why don’t you swim across from CoaCo ? Or rather stay in the other side so that you can scratch all the itches of being a cheap fuck.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:23:57 +0000

Check out http://www.samalbeaches.com
you can find list of Samal Island resorts that list all their ammenities and room rates.Also you may want to go on your own ways of travelling, like taking the bus at Santa Ana pier and then ask the locals or better yet ask the motor bike driver where they can recommend a better place for you.Locals knows best!!
My question is; does this place even have a tourist info office if not then they should.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:17:00 +0000

I keep hearing about crazy corkage happening inmost places in Samal Island beaches.There are not dozens of places you can find where such craziness don’t exist.Too bad some resorts are now taking advantage to this boomtown Island ;(

By: Upset costumer

Upset costumer — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:32:36 +0000

Costa was one of our favorite resorts to visit. The accommodation was good and they had a very friendly and polite manager. When my family came to visit, I was thinking of bringing them there but to our disappointment it was a total rip off when they started to have corkages in everything that you bring there including rice, meat, fishes and even fruits. It was understandable that they had corkages for soft drinks but having corkages on food was a total “opportunista”, in short its REALLY NOT WORTH it.

They even asked boat fare for my 5 months old nephew. What the freak!?

And the workers are not polite anymore. They should have been more accommodating.

For sure, I am never going back there. EVER!!!!!

Take my advice, better go to Paradise or even pearl farm. Even if you are going to pay more, at least its really worth the price.

Costa Marina is a suuuucccckkkaaaaa!!!!!

Rip off!!!!!

opportunista!!!!!

impolite!!!!!

ggrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

By: Marinette

Marinette — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:36:11 +0000

i want to know the package tour…were only 2,my close fren and want to visit samal island and get a tour…..email me pls….thanks