The last time I was in Puerto Galera, I was with my high school friends. This time, the company I’m currently working for booked Utopia Resort and Spa for our 2-day, 1-night team-building event. This resort in Puerto Galera is just a 5-10 minute drive from Muelle Pier, so if saving travel time is a concern, Utopia is the best resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines to choose for its accessibility.
While it is accessible, Utopia still manages to provide what most people seek — a majestic view. Utopia boasts a scenic view of Mount Halcon, Varadero Bay, and the Puerto Galera harbor. Moreover, they have a significant advantage over other resorts in the area since they offer a spa. Guests can de-stress not only through the breathtaking views but also through the relaxing touch of a spa massage, which Utopia offers.
Utopia Spa Rate
We arrived at around 9 AM, and the staff welcomed us with a roll of damp towels to clean our hands or freshen up our faces. With that gesture, they had already demonstrated their adaptation of spa rituals.
Utopia Resort Room
Utopia’s interiors and furniture feature contemporary Filipino designs. They have 9 or 10 villas that can accommodate guests throughout their stay. The rooms are suitable for groups ranging from 2 to 3 people up to larger parties.
Note: Underlined are the bad points.
Our company had all the villas occupied. However, some of us encountered a problem during check-in. By 2 or 3 PM, eight of us still hadn’t been assigned rooms. Nevertheless, the staff apologized for the inconvenience and provided complimentary biscuits, tea, and coffee sachets.
Upon entering the room, we were satisfied to find clean linens, plenty of towels, and well-stocked toiletries. There was also a laundry bag, slippers, and a bathrobe. The room featured a flat-screen TV, a rack for room service, a safety vault, reliable Wi-Fi coverage, a telephone, and a terrace with a lovely view.
After that, we discovered that the air conditioning was not functioning well, and our shower mostly splashed warm water no matter how much we adjusted the heater. The rooms that experienced these issues were Lily 1 and 2 for the air conditioning, and Lily 2 for the water heater. As for the rest of the rooms, I believe they functioned well.
On a positive note, our shower room was designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities or those who use a wheelchair, which was a thoughtful feature.
Swimming Pool
Beach resorts with swimming pool are what most people look for and Utopia also has it. It has a bar area where the other side of the bar will let your feet sink in the pool water.
Contrary to the size of the entire resort, the pool is quite small. There’s a section in the pool with raised flooring that’s suitable for kids. What puzzled me, however, is that the pool’s depth ranges from 5’4” at its shallowest to 6’2” at its deepest. While there’s no lifeguard or staff on standby, life vests are available.
The pool area also has a stage good for a dance performance or live band. The WiFi works well, too, in this area. I also like the elegance of the comfort room here.
Utopia Resort and Spa The View
I didn’t fully appreciate the charm of the place when I was looking at the scenic view from the dining area. So, I stood at the center of the greenery, probably between the pool area and the dining area. From that spot, I realized that the view was truly an enthralling beauty.
I also like that Utopia has a big space that is deemed fit for events like garden wedding, team building, etc.
The Beach
Utopia Resort and Spa has access to the beach, but the stairs and the road leading there are steep, so it is not recommended for families with kids or senior citizens.
Moreover, the beach is not exclusive, so there were some locals when we went down, but that was okay. There are nipa huts available too. We also held our Amazing Race challenge here in the beach area. The rocks also make a great backdrop for solo photos. I don’t have many photos from here because I didn’t bring my camera.
At night, we had a bonfire and burned the marshmallows to eat while digging in the cool breeze and the sounds of crashing waves.
Also, my officemates helped me see the milky way and enjoyed the night photography.
Food
The food was good, but not particularly remarkable. Since this was a team-building event, our facilitators were able to request that our dinner be set up near the beach, which was a significant effort for the staff since the beach is far from the resort.
The Service
I appreciate all the services provided by Utopia. The staff were all kind, humorous, courteous, and attended to our needs beyond their duties, especially Lourdes. However, it seems they are understaffed.
Anyway, Utopia Resort and Spa is perfect in its own way. After all, we have our own utopias. Should you wish to book them, details are below.
Utopia Resort and Spa
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Utopia Resort and Spa Address: Utopia Resort & Spa, Sabang Road, Bgy Palangan, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines,5203
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Photo watermark is named after my old site.
