Haven of Fun Beach Resort - Victoria

Haven on San Antonio (Dalupuri) island is a wonderful place to dine and stay. Located just a short walk from the pier, they offer simple cottages, fan rooms, and air-conditioned rooms right on the beach. The restaurant provides pavilions of various sizes across from the beach, creating a lovely atmosphere for enjoying your meals. The food at Haven is delicious and served in generous portions. The staff is always friendly and attentive, making for a pleasant dining experience.

I was informed by the Filipino owner that I would be the first to place an order before I found a seat at the outdoor restaurant. After doing so, a male waiter led me to a table under a large tree a few meters from the sea, providing a beautiful view despite the inclement weather. The restaurant was busy with a group of 30 people from Catarman, who were having a seminar and enjoying a buffet lunch in the main dining area. I was not offered any water service. The sweet and sour pork and special vegetable fried rice were tasty and arrived hot at my table, as they should. With a drink, my bill came out to a reasonable P185. The waiter had limited English proficiency. A large sign at the entrance advertised a discounted price of P35 for Halo-Halo, a popular Filipino ice dessert. When I inquired about it, I was told it was not available because some of the ingredients were perishable. I suggested they source the ingredients from Allen on Samar Island or Manila, but the sign still remained at the entrance. This kind of situation is typical in the Philippines! Located about a kilometer from the road past the basic port of San Antonio Island, Crystal Sands Beach Resort is the only dining facility on the island that caters to both foreign and discerning Filipino customers. However, they need to improve their service to deliver a truly enjoyable dining experience.

Haven on San Antonio (Dalupuri) Island is a wonderful choice for accommodation and dining. Situated just a quick walk from the pier, this beachfront spot offers comfortable huts, fan rooms, and air-conditioned rooms. Guests can enjoy their meals in small or large pavilions facing the beach. The food at Haven is delicious and served in generous portions. The staff is consistently friendly and attentive.

I was 'greeted' rather sullenly by the Filipina female proprietor who informed me that I 'had to order first' before going to a seat in the outdoor restaurant. I did so and was then escorted by a male waiter to a table of tiles around a large tree a couple of metres from the sea, so despite the inclement weather it was a nice view.A company group of 30 from Catarman was occupying all rooms, had a seminar underway and enjoyed a buffet lunch in the main seating area.No 'service' water was offered.The sweet and sour pork and special ('veggie') fried rice was fine and arrived still hot at my table as should always be the case. Together with a drink, the bill was an inexpensive P185.The waiter's English was limited.A large sign at reception advertised a P35 (bargain!) Halo-Halo, the famous Filipino shaved ice dessert. I asked for one and was informed that it was 'not available Sir.' Given that the ingredients for this are not perishable, why haven't they ordered them from Allen on Samar Island (or Manila?) Why is the sign still stuck up at the reception booth? Only in the Philippines!Crystal Sands Beach Resort about a kilometre down the road past San Antonio Island's rudimentary port is the only establishment on the island that caters for foreigners and discerning Filipinos' dining needs.Haven of Fun needs to sharpen its act.