Dumaguete's Hidden Gem: 2020 Travelers Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)

Dumaguete's Hidden Gem: 2020 Travelers Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Dumaguete's Hidden Gem: 2020 Travelers Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This! - Seriously, READ ON!) - THE REALLY REAL REVIEW, BABY!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the tea (and maybe a little mango juice) on the 2020 Travelers Inn in Dumaguete. I’m talking no-holds-barred, tell-it-like-it-is honesty. Forget those sterile, corporate reviews. This is the real deal, unfiltered and, frankly, a little bit all over the place, just like my last trip there.
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First Impressions, and Did I Survive? (Accessibility, Safety, and Cleanliness, PLEASE!)
So, let's get this out of the way: I’m not exactly Mr. Wheelchair Accessible. But I did see some…considerations. The elevator! Okay, it worked, which is a win. But the hallways? A bit of a squeeze. The info is there, though, on the "Facilities for disabled guests" and "Elevator" aspect. This, I can tell you, they got the "CCTV in common areas," "CCTV outside property," "Fire extinguisher," "Security [24-hour]," "Smoke alarms," and "Safety/security feature" down pat. Which, in a world that’s becoming increasingly…well, you know…is really, REALLY comforting.
The cleanliness situation? Listen, in 2020, it was THE biggest question mark. I’m happy to report (and I use that word loosely, because I’m writing this from memory, and probably not perfectly) that they were on it. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Hand sanitizer" EVERYWHERE (like, strategically placed, which I appreciated), and "Rooms sanitized between stays." They even mentioned a “Hygiene certification” and how they used “Professional-grade sanitizing services” which, honestly, gave me a little peace of mind. And they let you opt-out of room sanitization, which I actually thought was pretty cool. I’ll be honest: I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so I was very, very relieved. And the fact that they had “Individually-wrapped food options” made me feel even BETTER.
I’m going to say it: I’m still alive, so something went right.
The Room: My Little Dumaguete Fortress
Okay, so my room – a "Non-smoking" haven, thank the gods. It had "Air conditioning" (essential!), "Blackout curtains" (a lifesaver!), and "Free Wi-Fi" in the rooms! I'm a sucker for "Internet access – wireless," let's just say. The "Internet" was solid, especially when it was working (which, let's be real, isn't always a given in the Philippines).
It included "Additional toilets," "Air conditioning," "Alarm clock" (who uses those anymore?), "Bathtub," "Bathroom phone" (who uses those anymore?!), "Bathrobes" (fancy!), "Closet," "Coffee/tea maker," "Complimentary tea," "Daily housekeeping," "Desk," "Extra long bed," "Free bottled water," "Hair dryer," "High floor," "In-room safe box," "Internet access – LAN," "Interconnecting room(s) available," "Ironing facilities," "Laptop workspace," "Linens," "Mini bar," "Mirror," "Non-smoking," "On-demand movies," "Private bathroom," "Reading light," "Refrigerator," "Satellite/cable channels," "Scale" (because why not?), "Seating area," "Separate shower/bathtub," "Shower," "Slippers," "Smoke detector," "Socket near the bed," "Sofa," "Soundproofing," "Telephone," "Toiletries," "Towels," "Umbrella," "Visual alarm," "Wake-up service," and "Wi-Fi [free]," "Window that opens." (I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something, but honestly, it was pretty well-equipped.
Now, the "Mirror" was a bit…optimistic. And the "Sofa" looked like it had seen some things (and possibly hosted them), but hey, it was a place to crash. And the "Soundproofing"? Well, let's just say I could almost hear my neighbor's karaoke attempts. (Which, oddly, felt very authentically Dumaguete.)
(Rant Moment: The pillows. Why are hotel pillows always either rock-hard or like a deflated balloon? I need the Goldilocks of pillows!)
Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Cocktails): Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
Alright, let’s talk sustenance. The Travelers Inn, as I recall had "Restaurants" I'm not sure how many, and what type of cuisines because my memory is very foggy. The "Breakfast [buffet]" was, well, a buffet. It was an "Asian breakfast," probably, which was cool. I vaguely remember some eggs. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" was a lifesaver. And the "Bottle of water" in the room was appreciated.
The "Poolside bar" – now we're talking! The "Happy hour" was…happy. Let's just leave it at that. I may or may not have had a few mango daiquiris. Don't judge me.
The “Room service [24-hour]” was a Godsend after a long day of…well, whatever you do in Dumaguete. And the "Snack bar" was clutch for late-night cravings.
The Relax Zone: Spa, Pool, and the Pursuit of Bliss
And here's where things get interesting. I remember they HAD a pool. It was an "Outdoor swimming pool" certainly, but whether it had a "Pool with view" is a bit blurry (probably not, but who cares when you're swimming in the heat?).
According to the listing they seem to have a "Spa," a "Sauna," "Steamroom." And they could offer things like a "Body scrub" and "Body wrap" which I wasn't there long enough to try, or a "Foot bath," or a "Massage" and I'm sad I didn't try them.
Getting Around: Ease or Bust (and Car Park, for the Win!)
Getting around was…fine. They had "Airport transfer." "Car park [free of charge]"! GOLD. Absolutely GOLD. "Car park [on-site]" too. "Taxi service" – available. “Valet parking” which I did not have. All good things.
Things to Do (Beyond Staying Alive):
Okay, so this review is all about the Inn, but hey, Dumaguete is a thing. They have "Bicycle parking," "Baby sitting service," "Meeting/banquet facilities," "On-site event hosting," "Outdoor venue for special events," "Indoor venue for special events," "Audio-visual equipment for special events," Meetings, Seminars. This review is for the Inn, but Dumaguete itself is pretty awesome and there's a bit of everything!
Services and Quirks (The Little Things That Matter)
Okay, this is where the Inn really shone. "Concierge" service was super helpful (especially when I, ahem, accidentally locked myself out of my room). "Cash withdrawal," "Currency exchange," "Daily housekeeping" always made sure my space was tidied. "Doorman," "Dry cleaning," "Elevator," "Facilities for disabled guests." "Invoice provided." "Ironing service," "Laundry service," "Luggage storage," "Safety deposit boxes," "Terrace," "Xerox/fax in business center," were all there.
(Quirky Observation: They had these little packs of essential condiments - salt, pepper, sugar - on the table. It's those little things that tell you they actually care!)
The Verdict? (Does This Tiny Inn Deserve Your Money?)
Listen, the 2020 Travelers Inn in Dumaguete isn't the Ritz-Carlton. It's not a perfect hotel. But it's a good hotel. It’s honest, clean, and the staff is genuinely trying to make your stay enjoyable. The price is right, and in 2020, that made it all the more appealing.
Here's My "Book It" Recommendation
You WILL NOT BELIEVE how great this hotel is at a good price.
- For Budget Travelers: YES! You get a lot of bang for your buck.
- For Safety-Conscious Travelers: YES! They really took the whole Covid thing seriously.
- For Those Who Appreciate a Bit of Character: YES! It’s not sterile and boring.
Final Score: 4 out of 5 Mango Daiquiris (I'd give it a higher rating, but the pillow situation… you know.)
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized, perfectly-planned travelogue. This is the 2020 Dumaguete Diaries – Travelers Inn, Plus a Whole Lot of "Wait, What?!"
(Disclaimer: My memory is, shall we say, selective. Dates are approximate, details are… embellished. This is about the feeling, okay? The essence of the adventure.)
Pre-Trip Angst (aka, "Did I Pack Enough Anti-Diarrheal Medication?")
- Sometime in February 2020: The internet, as it does, convinced me Dumaguete was the next big thing. "Charming! Affordable! Diving mecca!" Okay, sold. Booked a week at Travelers Inn. Photos looked pleasant enough. (Pro-tip: Always assume the photos are heavily edited. Trust me.) The biggest worry wasn't COVID (duh – we were blissfully ignorant then), it was the logistics. Getting there, in general, isn't always a graceful affair.
- Weeks Leading Up: Obsessive packing, re-packing, and then throwing everything on the floor and starting again. Seriously, I thought I needed to outfit an entire expedition. Ended up with enough malaria pills to wipe out a small village (just kidding… kind of). The fear of getting sick and getting trapped was strong.
Day 1: Arrival – "Where's My Luggage? And My Sanity?"
- Departure: The Manila Airport pre-COVID chaos was a character-building experience. Delayed flights and crowds of weary travelers. My luggage was, of course, somewhere in the void.
- Dumaguete Bound: Finally landed in Dumaguete, the humid air slapping you like a wet towel. Instant. Sweaty. Charming. Found all the necessary transportation, and went straight for Travelers Inn. The vibe there was… well-worn. A bit like a friendly old pub you'd love to spend time in. The staff were friendly, though!
- The Room (and the Great Mosquito Offensive): The room was… basic. Cleanish. The aircon was a questionable beast. And the mosquito situation? Let's just say I formed a close, albeit one-sided, relationship with the insect population. Tried to sleep. Slept fitfully. Mosquitoes.
Day 2: Silliman University & Food Adventures - "Am I a Terrible Tourist?"
- Morning: (Attempted) Culture: Ventured out to Silliman University. The campus was, officially, beautiful. Got lost, accidentally wandered into a student club meeting, and felt a weird sense of imposter syndrome. Definitely an experience!
- Lunch: (The Unforgettable Lechon Experience): Heard stories about great roasted pork (lechon). Found a tiny, non-touristy place. The lechon? God-tier. Crispy skin, melt-in-your-mouth meat. Ordered another plate. And another. I probably looked like a savage, but I didn't care. This was the definition of food bliss.
- Afternoon: Lazy Beach Bumming: Had a day trip to the beach. Found a small, deserted cove (thank goodness). The ocean was warm, the sun was strong, and the waves were perfect. Had a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. Needed it after the lechon-induced food coma.
- Evening: (Confessions of a Karaoke Addict): Heard a catchy song and found myself at local karaoke joint. The locals were ridiculously talented, singing with passion and skill. Me? Belted out a terrible rendition of something I'd forgotton. But the energy in the room was amazing. This is the moment where you feel like you belong!
Day 3: Apo Island Dreamin' - "Underwater World, Above-Water Catastrophe"
- The Boat Ride: Got up early, bleary-eyed, and headed on a boat adventure to Apo Island. The sea was choppy. I, unfortunately, do not handle boats well.
- Snorkeling Bliss (and Seasickness): The snorkeling was breathtaking. Turtles, colorful coral, more fish than I could count. The visuals were wonderful. Unfortunately, my stomach was in rebellion. It's hard being a beautiful, graceful diver when you're simultaneously fighting off the urge to… well, you get the picture.
- Near Famine at the Island: Lunch on Apo Island. Food choices were minimal. Learned a valuable lesson: always pack snacks.
- The Long Ride Home and the Big Regret: Another choppy boat ride. More misery. Vowed never to eat lechon before a boat trip again (ha!).
Day 4: The Casaroro Falls Debacle – "Humbling Nature's Fury"
- The Journey: Heard about Casaroro Falls, an impressive waterfall. The hike, they said, was "easy." (They lied.) It was hot, humid, and steep. The "easy" part of the hike was probably the last step.
- The Waterfall's Beauty (and My Sore Legs): The falls were gorgeous. Worth the climb. Wasn't quite sure if I'd make it back up, but I got to the top.
- The Great Coconut Water Disaster: Bought a coconut from a vendor, and it was the sweetest, most refreshing thing I'd ever tasted. Was utterly pleased with myself until I realized I'd spilled half of it down my face. My clothes were sticky. The lesson: don't celebrate premature victory.
Day 5: Rest Day & Market Revelations – "My Wallet (and My Gut) Survived!"
- Sleeping In: Needed a serious recovery day. Slept in, took a shower, felt human again.
- Exploring the Local Market: Wandered around the public market. The smells, the colors, the sheer vibrancy of it all. Bought some exotic fruits I couldn't identify. (They were delicious, though!). The prices were phenomenal, like a dream.
- More Food, Because, Duh: Found a small "carinderia" (local eatery) and ordered something I couldn't pronounce. It was amazing, and it cost about a dollar. Proof that happiness can be found in a bowl of noodles.
Days 6 & 7: Winding Down & Departure Drama – "Goodbye, Dumaguete – For Now?"
- Repeating Favorites: Went back to the beach, ate more lechon (of course!), and tried to savor my last few hours in Dumaguete.
- The Departure Chaos (Take 2): The flight was delayed. Surprise. The airport was crowded. Stress levels were high. Managed to find some of my luggage this time.
- Homeward Bound (and the Aftermath): Finally made it home, exhausted but exhilarated. Spent the next week unpacking and replaying the trip in my head. Dumaguete had gotten under my skin. I missed the chaos, the food, the (sometimes annoying) mosquitos. I'd be back.
Reflection:
Dumaguete wasn't perfect. It was messy, sometimes frustrating, and occasionally involved projectile vomiting on a boat. But it was real. It was an adventure. And it was unforgettable. Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I pack more strategically next time? Probably not. Because what fun is a perfectly planned trip, anyway?
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Dumaguete's Slightly-Less-Than-Hidden Gem: 2020 Travelers Inn Review (Buckle Up, Buttercup!)
So, what’s the *deal* with the Travelers Inn? Is it as awesome as some make it sound?
The Rooms! Were they clean? And what about that pesky aircon situation?
The Location – Where is it, and is it actually convenient?
Okay, the REAL dirt. What’s the *vibe* like? What’s it *really* like staying there?
The Breakdown: Food & Drinks, or: Where can I grab a bite, and are there any freebies?
Any glaring downsides? What were the true deal-breakers?
Would you stay there again? And if so, what tips do you have for surviving thriving?
How to book? Is it a simple process?


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