Rosanna's Pension: Your Palawan Paradise Awaits!
Rosanna's Pension: Palawan Paradise? Let's Unpack This Messy Beach Bag!
Okay, so I just got back from Rosanna's Pension. "Your Palawan Paradise Awaits!" they scream on the website. Well, paradise is a pretty high bar, you know? I'm here to spill the tea – the lukewarm, probably-not-filtered-perfectly tea they serve with breakfast – on whether Rosanna’s lives up to the hype, the good, the bad, and the slightly questionable. Buckle up, buttercups, because it's gonna be a wild ride.
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Keywords: Rosanna's Pension, Palawan, Philippines, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Beach, Activities, Island Getaway, COVID-19 Safety, Family-Friendly, Budget Hotel, Honeymoon, Vacation.
Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Rosanna's Pension in Palawan! Exploring accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, dining, and everything in between. Is it a paradise? Read on!
Accessibility – The First Hurdle (And Maybe My Biggest Grumble)
Look, the website says "Facilities for disabled guests." But let's be real, in the Philippines, "accessible" often means "sort of, but not really." We're talking about a country where sidewalks are often non-existent or blocked by motorbikes. Rosanna's? Hmm. Wheelchair accessible? The common areas seemed okay, ramps in some places, but the paths to the beach? Let's just say my friend, who uses a wheelchair, relied heavily on the staff's help. The rooms themselves, again, claimed to be accessible, but I’m skeptical. The bathroom doors were tight, and I didn't get the feeling of a really truly accessible stay, not something I'd consider a real "paradise" for anyone with mobility issues. Important note: Definitely call ahead and specifically inquire about the room's features and the ease of getting around the whole place. They weren't unfriendly at all, but it felt like it was an afterthought.
- Accessibility Score: 5/10 – Room for Improvement!
Rooms – Functionality Over Finesse (And a Few Surprise Perks!)
Okay, the rooms. We had a "non-smoking" room, thankfully! (Smoke gets everywhere in the Philippines, lemme tell ya.) The air conditioning was a godsend, practically essential with the Palawan humidity. We had a desk, coffee/tea maker, and a refrigerator, nice touches. And the free Wi-Fi? Actually worked most of the time. I'm not sure if it connected using internet LAN either, but never asked.
The bathrooms were, well, functional. The shower was…a shower. The hair dryer was a weakling, so bring your own if you have thick hair. There was complimentary bottled water, which you needed in the hot weather. And, hold on… we had slippers and bathrobes! Luxury felt cheap, but hey, I'll take it!
The room's lighting was pretty bleak, though, and the blackout curtains didn't quite do the job. I woke up every morning at the crack of dawn, staring at the blinding sun. I should have used the wake-up service.
- Room Score: 7/10 – Comfortable, if a little… basic.
Cleanliness and Safety – COVID-19 Era Concerns
Rosanna’s was trying. There were signs of hand sanitizer everywhere, and they had the required staff trained in safety protocol. I noticed daily disinfection in common areas. They also had individually-wrapped food options at breakfast.
What didn't fully impress me was the sense of deep cleaning. I felt like the rooms were sanitized, but not professionally sanitized. There was no visible anti-viral cleaning products. It made me a bit nervous.
- Cleanliness & Safety Score: 6/10 – Effort is There, but More Could Be Done.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Mix of Hits and Misses (Mostly Misses, if I'm Honest)
Right, let's talk food. The restaurants? Plural? Well, that’s optimistic. There’s the main restaurant area and, possibly, the poolside bar. Don't expect Michelin stars.
Breakfast [Buffet] was included, which was a good thing. But don't get too excited. Everything was pretty standard – eggs (some sort of fried egg was all that was on offer), rice, some sad-looking fruit, and maybe (MAYBE!) some sausage. It was an Asian breakfast, though they had some Western options. They offered alternative meal arrangement, so if you asked politely, you could get better. I wished they had desserts in the restaurant to finish off the meal.
The poolside bar was handy for a cold beer (bottle of water was also on offer). The happy hour was a welcome respite from the heat. I ordered coffee/tea in restaurant, and the quality was… average.
One evening, I ate at restaurant, and ordered salad in restaurant. No complaints, but nothing extraordinary. I could have got breakfast in my room if I wanted (Breakfast in room). I wouldn't try the soup in restaurant.
- Dining Score: 5/10 – Barely Adequate, but the Beer’s Cold.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Trying to Find My Chill
Palawan is gorgeous. But what about Rosanna's offerings?
Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes, a lovely pool with a pool with view. But it was often packed with kids.
Massage? I tried it, it was okay. The Spa was just a small room with limited options. No sauna. No steamroom. No foot bath.
They have a fitness center, which I completely ignored, preferring to spend my time doing nothing, because I was on holiday!
The main relaxation option was the beach, which was a short walk away (depending on your accessibility issues). Beautiful, but crowded.
You could also arrange things to do, like island-hopping trips – they can arrange those.
It lacked a true sense of luxurious relaxation.
- Activities & Relaxation Score: 6/10 – Potential, but Lacking that Extra Spark.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter (Or Don't)
They had daily housekeeping, which was lovely. Luggage storage was also useful. Cash withdrawal was a lifesaver, since you need cash for everything.
Front desk [24-hour] was good.
Concierge, Doorman, and Valet parking? Nope.
They have a gift/souvenir shop which sells overpriced trinkets.
They did have security [24-hour], which felt comforting. And a safe deposit box in the room.
- Services Score: 7/10 – Functional.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly?
They advertise as family/child friendly, offering a babysitting service and kids meal. It felt a little bit like they just said that, rather than really embracing it.
Getting Around
They offer an airport transfer. This is vital because getting a proper taxi in Palawan is no easy feat! They also have a car park [free of charge].
- Getting Around Score: 8/10 – Convenient.
My Overall Verdict – Paradise… Revisited
So, is Rosanna's Pension a paradise? Well… not quite. It's a decent budget option.
Pros:
- Friendly staff.
- Free Wi-Fi (mostly!).
- Good location, near the beach.
Cons:
- Questionable accessibility.
- Food that's… forgettable.
- Lacking that wow factor.
Basically, if you’re looking for luxury, keep looking. But if you’re on a budget, want something convenient, and don't mind a bit of a rough around the edges experience, then Rosanna's might be okay.
Just manage your expectations. And maybe bring your own hairdryer. And a sense of humor. Because, let's face it, a little imperfection is half the fun, right? You won't have an amazing time here, but maybe you'll make some great memories.
Overall Score: 6/10 – Room for Improvement (But Still Enjoyable If You’re Prepared!)
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Rosanna's Pension: My Palawan Pilgrimage (and a Few Minor Meltdowns)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm fresh off a week in Palawan, and let me tell you, it was… well, it was an experience. Rosanna's Pension, specifically, was the launchpad for this whole adventure. And yeah, I'm still unpacking, both literally and figuratively. This isn't some pristine travelogue – consider this more of a therapy session with a side of sunburn.
Day 1: Arrival & Awkward Introductions (AKA "Lost Luggage and Existential Dread")
- Morning (10:00 AM): Landed in Puerto Princesa. The airport felt delightfully… small. Which was good, because my oversized suitcase wasn't. You know, the one packed with all the "essentials" (three pairs of unnecessary espadrilles and a book I’ll probably never read). Said suitcase, of course, decided to go on its own solo adventure to, I'm guessing, Dubai. Cue internal screaming session. The airline rep, bless his heart, looked like he'd seen this happen a thousand times before. "Don't worry, ma'am," he said with a weary smile, "it will be here tomorrow." Tomorrow. Great. At least the view from the airport was stunning, lush green hills, blue skies. Palawan, you tease!
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Taxi to Rosanna's. The ride itself was a rollercoaster in a rusty metal box. The driver, a man named Ernie, blasted Filipino pop music at a volume that threatened to shatter the windows. I considered asking him to turn it down, but honestly, the sheer energy was… infectious. Also, I was slightly terrified. Rosanna's wasn't exactly a palace. More like a charming, slightly ramshackle collection of bungalows. But the open-air lobby with the hammock swinging just begged me to sink in.
- Afternoon (2:30 PM): Check-in… or, as I like to call it, "The Great Mosquito Massacre." Rosanna herself, a tiny powerhouse of a woman with eyes that could sparkle a thousand sunsets, greeted me like a long-lost friend. However, the mosquitoes were also long lost friends, apparently. They descended upon me with the ferocity of a thousand tiny vampires. I flailed and swat and muttered under my breath. Finally, Rosanna, seeing my increasingly frantic state, handed me a can of repellent. "Welcome," she said, her voice a soothing balm. "You'll get used to them." Famous last words?
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at the pension. It was… basic. Chicken adobo (delicious!), rice, and a side of what I think was… mystery vegetables. A young backpacker with more tattoos than brain cells struck up a conversation about finding the "perfect" beach. I just wanted my luggage. After dinner watched the sunset and started a journal, my head swirling from the culture shock.
Day 2: The Beach That Almost Broke Me (AKA "Sand, Sunburn, and the Pursuit of Happiness")
- Morning (8:00 AM): After a fitful sleep (mosquitoes, again!), I decided I needed a beach. Rosanna recommended Sabang Beach – “Go, it’s very nice.” I found a local tricycle and headed off.
- Morning (9:00 AM): The tricycle ride was an adventure in itself. Imagine a rollercoaster, but with less safety and more dust. The views were, admittedly, incredible. Lush jungle meeting turquoise water. I felt a flicker of that "vacation" feeling.
- Morning/Afternoon (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Sabang Beach. Oh, Sabang. It was beautiful. Truly. The sand was white, the water was clear. I found a spot on the beach, ordered a mediocre plate of fried fish (a theme, apparently), and tried to relax. But… then the sunburn kicked in. Oh, the sunburn! And the sand. It was everywhere. In my hair, in my swimsuit, in places I didn't even realize I had places. And then the kids. Endless, insistent kids, trying to sell me their seashell necklaces. I felt guilty, harassed, and utterly pathetic all at once. The dream of idyllic solitude shattered like a cheap glass. I retreated back to Rosanna's, defeated.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Smeared aloe vera everywhere, and swore a solemn oath to reapply sunscreen every half an hour.
- Evening (7:00 PM): The missing suitcase STILL hadn't arrived. I ate another adobo dinner and, in a moment of profound despair, considered ordering a pizza. But the local pizza place looked… questionable.
Day 3: Island Hoping (Aka "Don't Trust the Boats, Trust Your Gut")
- Morning (8:00 AM): I tentatively decided to join an island-hopping tour. This, I reasoned, was what everyone did in Palawan. This was how you experienced the magic.
- Morning/Afternoon (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM): The island-hopping tour was a chaotic, sun-drenched blur. Four islands in total, each one promising paradise. The boats were… let's just say they weren't exactly seaworthy. I'm pretty sure I saw rust. But the water! The coral! The fish! The snorkeling was genuinely amazing. I saw a sea turtle! However, the constant rocking of the boat made me feel vaguely seasick. Lunch was a picnic of grilled fish (again, the theme!), rice, and this time, mystery fruit. The other tourists, mostly well-meaning budget travelers, were… loud. One guy kept loudly complaining about the lack of wifi. I wanted to push him overboard.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Ate dinner at the pension again, and spent the evening in the hammock, actually feeling the peace I was after. The missing luggage? It was like the bad dream of it was real, and then I would wake up to the reality.
Day 4: Underground River (Aka "Claustrophobia and the Beauty of Darkness")
- Morning (7:00 AM): A pre-booked trip to the Underground River. The tour was well-organized.
- Morning/Afternoon (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The Underground River was truly extraordinary. The darkness was captivating and the light from the boat’s flashlight illuminated the beautiful cave. The formations were astonishing, like something out of a different world. The tour guide, bless him, tried to inject some humor into the experience, pointing out the “Jesus” formation and the “broccoli” stalactite. However, the air was humid, the boat felt smaller than a bathtub and I think everyone felt a little claustrophobic. It didn't help that the cave echoed with the rhythmic dripping of water. A thought occurred: I was in the heart of a mountain, floating on a river in the dark, and it was stunning.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Ate dinner at the pension again and watched a very dark movie.
Day 5: Random Wandering and Realizations (Aka "Finding the Good Stuff")
- Morning (9:00 AM): No particular plans. I wandered around Puerto Princesa, got hopelessly lost, and eventually found a little market square.
- Morning/Afternoon (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Had the best meal of the trip at a tiny local eatery – a plate of pancit (noodles) that was fragrant and bursting with flavor. Met a woman with beautiful eyes and a smile that lit up the room, who was named Linda. Linda gave me directions and some of her wisdom, mostly about how to live life, not just exist.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Went back to Rosanna's. The missing suitcase arrived! I hugged it (and the airline rep) for five solid minutes.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Bought a few small things to give people back home.
- Evening (7:00 PM): The last adobo dinner. I was sad to leave.
Day 6 & 7: Departure & (More) Reflection (Aka "Palawan, You Weren't Perfect, But I Miss You Already")
- Morning (6:00 AM): Said goodbye to Rosanna. Her smile felt genuinely happy.
- Morning (7:00 AM): Airport. The flight was smooth, but I was still thinking about what I had just done.
- Throughout the day: Back home. Tired, smelly, sunburned, slightly traumatized. But also… changed. The imperfections of Palawan, the mosquito bites, the sand everywhere, even the missing luggage, were all part of it. They were part of the story.
Final Thoughts:
Palawan wasn't the polished paradise I'd envisioned. It was raw, chaotic, and occasionally
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Rosanna's Pension: Your Palawan Paradise? Let's Talk! (Seriously, I have opinions!)
Okay, so, Rosanna's... Is it actually *that* paradise everyone raves about?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because the rose-tinted glasses stay at *home*. Rosanna's... well, it's complex. Yeah, the photos are gorgeous – those white sands practically scream, "Come on in!" – and the sunsets? Killer, even if my camera skills aren't. But paradise? It's more like… *palawan-esque* paradise. Think, "beachside bliss with a healthy dose of reality."
For me – and look, I'm an easy sell for a good view – it depends on your expectations. If you're expecting Four Seasons, you're in the wrong place. If you're expecting a chill vibe, friendly faces, and a stunning view that'll make you forget you spent twelve hours on a crowded bus getting there? You might just fall in love. I totally did, even with the… issues.
Case in point: the first time I was there, I stepped out of my room (which, by the way, was *tiny* – more on that later) and *bam*, face-to-face with a giant lizard. I swear, it was the size of my arm. Nearly had a heart attack. Said lizard, however, seemed completely unfazed. Classic Palawan, I guess. So, paradise? Define "paradise" first.
What are the rooms like? Because photos can be deceiving.
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. The rooms at Rosanna's… they're *varied*, to put it politely. Some are definitely better than others. I've stayed in a 'budget' room that felt smaller than my college dorm. Seriously, navigating around the bed was a challenge, especially after a few San Miguels! The bathroom? Let's just say that the shower pressure could be improved (and the hot water? A mythical creature, occasionally sighted).
But then… the view. Oh, the view! Even in that shoe-box room, I could sit on the tiny veranda (if you could call it that), cup of instant coffee in hand, and watch the sunrise paint the water every glorious shade of orange and pink. It was *breathtaking*. And sometimes, that view, that peace, is worth sacrificing a little space (and a decent shower).
My advice? Splurge on a slightly nicer room if you can. The extra space and the better amenities are worth it. Just maybe pack some earplugs – the roosters do *not* care about your sleep schedule.
The food! Is it any good? And is it affordable? 'Cause I'm on a budget.
The food at Rosanna's restaurant... alright, let's be real. It's not Michelin-star quality. But it’s filling, it's tasty (mostly!), and it’s definitely affordable. This is a huge win for budget travelers like myself. Think fresh seafood, grilled to perfection (or at least, pretty darn close), with more rice than you can shake a stick at.
Breakfast? Yeah, they have the usual stuff: eggs, toast, coffee (again, the instant kind, but it does the job when you're staring at that view). Lunch and dinner? Get the fish. Seriously. I had a grilled snapper the size of my head (okay, maybe not *that* big, but you get the idea) for, like, five bucks. Five bucks! I almost cried with happiness.
Now, I'm a sucker for spicy food, and sometimes the spice levels were... let's just say, calibrated to the tourist palate (aka, *not* spicy enough for my taste). But hey, they're accommodating! I’d always ask for extra chili, and they’d happily bring it. Just don’t expect gourmet. Expect good, honest, Filipino food, with a view that'll make you swoon.
How is the location? Is it easy to get around?
Location, location, location! THIS is where Rosanna's *really* shines. It’s on the beach, people! Like, you walk out of your room and you're *on* the sand. Bliss. The beach itself is pretty sweet – powdery white sand, turquoise water, and usually not too crowded. You can rent a kayak or a paddleboard right there, which is a huge plus.
Getting around? It's easy enough. You can walk to the nearby restaurants and bars. If you want to go further afield, you can hire a tricycle (local taxi, basically) or a motorbike. The staff at Rosanna's can arrange transport for you, which is handy. Just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride – the roads in Palawan aren't exactly smooth sailing. I once lost my hat on a particularly pothole-ridden road! It was a sad day.
What activities are there?
Okay, let's talk activities. Rosanna's isn't exactly a hub of non-stop action. It's more about unwinding. Which, honestly, is exactly what I needed when I first went. But you're not going to get bored, not really.
They can arrange island hopping tours. Do it! Seriously. The islands around El Nido are stunning, with hidden lagoons, snorkeling spots, and beaches that look like they're straight out of a postcard. The guides are usually very friendly and they'll cook you lunch on the beach. That alone is worth the price of admission. Just be prepared for a slightly chaotic but incredibly fun day. Oh, and bring sunscreen. Lots and lots of sunscreen. I got burnt to a crisp on my first trip! Learned my lesson the hard way.
Other options? Rent a kayak, go snorkeling, or sit on the beach with a book. Do absolutely nothing. That's a perfectly acceptable activity in Palawan. Seriously, the best plan I ever made was to just soak up the sun, read a book, and order a few cocktails at sunset. Pure happiness.
The staff – are they friendly? Because a good vibe is important to me.
The staff at Rosanna’s… Generally, they are lovely. Seriously. They're mostly incredibly friendly, helpful, and always smiling. They'll go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. Now, I'm not saying it's perfect – there might be a language barrier sometimes, and things sometimes move at a "relaxed" Palawan pace (aka, slow). Expect to wait for things sometimes.
But the warmth and genuine hospitality more than make up for any minor inconveniences. They’re always happy to help with anything, from arranging tours to recommending the best places to eat. They even managed to find me some calamine lotion when I got that terrible sunburn (see my earlier point!). They truly seem toComfort Zone Inn
