Despite leaving Iloilo City early in the morning, we arrived at our next accommodation by nightfall already. While travel time was supposed to take only three to four hours, we stopped by several interesting places, namely the hablon weaving town of Salngan, the Ati community-run Balay Kape Nagpana, and the Silagon Mangrove Eco-park in Ajuy. Not complaining but already feeling exhausted, I planned on getting a quick shower and a power nap before having dinner.
Where to Stay in Carles, Iloilo | Solina Beach & Nature Resort
However, as all best-laid plans were sometimes shelved, mine was no different. It must have been because of the Dinagyang atmosphere that greeted our arrival at Solina Beach & Nature Resort. Dressed in festival attire, the staff of the resort performed a lively dance accompanied by celebratory drumming beats that had energy pumping back to my already dog-tired body.
The magical welcome performance lasted half an hour, and by then, I felt like I was ready to go for the next day’s Islas de Gigantes island-hopping tour. We were then handed our keys to our respective rooms. I was expecting standard rooms typical of most resorts in the provinces. Yet, when the service buggy rolled near my assigned room, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it resembled a big glamping tent with a small porch in front.
Inside, an adequately spaced room with a simple layout comprising a double bed, side tables, a closet, a work desk, TV, and ref, plus a private bathroom, welcomed my weary self. I instantly felt right at home and would have dozed off if not for the buffet of mouth-watering seafood dishes waiting for us in the dinner hall.
Throughout our two-night stay at Solina Beach & Nature Resort, the Ilonggo fusion food served in their in-house Angga Restaurant retained the consistently rich-tasting and perfectly cooked seafood fare to go along with other vegetable and meat-based dishes. Some of my favorites included the sisig scallops, steamed Singaporean crabs, and an assortment of other sea creatures served fried, sautéed, or with rich-tasting sauces.
Spread over a beachfront property, Solina Beach and Nature Resort was the perfect base for your Gigantes Islands exploration. Proudly providing employment to the locals, with eighty-five percent of its workforce being pure Carlesonans, the resort also had ample amenities for those who would like to stay extra days just to relax.
There were spacious swimming pools for kids and adults to take a dip until sunset, the Dayon Tower Bar for some cocktail drinks, a wellness and gym center, a function room for large events, and, most of all, a wide-open space to just enjoy nature.
Also hit hard by the pandemic, a staff member told me how grateful she was to start seeing guests trickle back. Judging by the Zen atmosphere of the place and the quality of service and hospitality extended to us, I was sure more visitors would end up staying at Solina Beach and Nature Resort.
Resort Fact Box
Room & Suite Categories
- Kamalig (Glamping Cabins / Duo / Quad / Reyna) 20-37 sq. m. | Unique eco-designed structure mimicking stylized upscale glamping safari tents. Fully air-conditioned and fitted with comfortable single or queen bedding setups, private bathrooms, work desks, and an intimate front porch.
- Higdaan (Pods / Duo) 20 sq. m. | A highly functional and cost-efficient option for solo adventurers or couples. Features a garden-facing balcony complete with a cozy dinette, choice of twin single beds or one queen size bed.
- Balay (Villas / King / Queen) 45 sq. m. | Elevated luxury villas ensconced amid towering coconut trees. Beautifully appointed layouts featuring premium bedding, in-room refrigerators, private paths, and scenic garden or shoreline vistas.
- Balay Palangga (Honeymoon Suite) 40 sq. m. | Maximum two adults. Tailored specifically for couples seeking romance and privacy. Boasts high-end room appointments and a private garden-facing viewing terrace.
- Puluy-an (Premier Rooms) 41 sq. m. | Set within a gorgeous full-serviced two-story building. Represents the property's newest modern category, complete with a 55-inch LCD TV, premium finishes, and a sprawling balcony fronting panoramic sea views.
- Family Room 82 sq. m. | Massive multi-room space designed for large family units or groups. Features one grand king bed paired with multiple double sofa beds, a shared patio lounge, and expanded dressing spaces.
Dining & Lounges
- Angga Restaurant The resort's signature in-house culinary sanctuary specializing in traditional Ilonggo fusion fare and ultra-fresh local seafood delicacies (scallop sisig, steamed Singaporean mud crabs, fresh oysters). Overlooks the pool deck.
- Dayon Tower Bar An elevated open-air bar and lookout tower perfect for nursing bespoke craft cocktails, refreshments, and light bites as the sun sets over the Visayan Sea.
