Anika Island Resort is a charming little beachfront property nestled in Sta. Fe town in Bantayan Island, Cebu.

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Anika Island Resort is possibly one of the most unique hotels that we have been to because it uses repurposed cargo containers for its accommodations. Aside from this, the resort is also one of your best choices when looking for accommodation on Bantayan Island, Cebu because of its attractive lawns, comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and affordable price.

Anika Island Resort

Anika Island Resort: A Beautifully Unique Seaside Resort In Bantayan Island

Our experience at Anika Island Resort

We were not really expecting Anika Island Resort to be stunningly attractive. Sure, it looked good in photos but it was much more splendid when we saw it in person. What really lured us to finally book a room was the price.

Relaxing on the beach

You see, every time we travel, we seldom give much care about our accommodation because we'll be out and about most of the time. We will just use our room to sleep and take a bath. So, as long as we have the basics (i.e. clean bed and toilet, strong water supply, and powerful air-con unit), we are good to go. In short, we always put the priority on practicality. 

That's why it's always such a big bonus whenever we chance upon hotels that offer much more than the basics for a reasonable price. Anika Island Resort is that type of accommodation; it combined a good balance between affordability and good quality.

Welcome gift

The accommodation package that we got also included a transportation service to and from Sta. Fe port. Anyway, as soon as we entered the gates of Anila Island Resort, we immediately noticed how well-maintained its gardens and facilities looked. 

The cargo container rooms were also something that we could not forget because of its distinctive design. It was such a fresh deviation from the usual architecture commonly seen in other seaside resorts.

Choosing a room

We booked a Courtyard Room, the smallest type since it was just Khris and me who will stay in the room. However, depending on how large your group is, you may choose to get any of the following rooms:

Courtyard Room

Ocean View Room

This is the most expensive at P4,000 per night. The Ocean View Rooms are nearest the beach, so this is a good choice if your idea of a great morning would be to immediately step into the sandy shores of Bantayan Island.

This can accommodate three to four persons (an extra mattress is billed separately).

Sunrise View Room

The Sunrise View Room is priced at P3,300 per night, ideal for groups of three to four persons. Again, if you need to request an extra mattress, it will be charged separately. 

Garden View Room

The Garden View Room is surrounded by lush greeneries and colorful blooms. It is priced at P2,800 per night and is ideal for two persons up to a maximum of three.

Sunset Pool Side

The Sunset Pool Side rooms overlook the swimming pool and feature a verandah. The poolside rooms are further categorized into three: Sunset Poolside Twin (P3,000 per night for two persons), Sunset Poolside Clubhouse (P3,500 per night for three persons), and Poolside Clubhouse Deluxe (P2,500 per night for one person).

Courtyard Room

The most affordable at P2,000 per night and good for two persons.

The Courtyard Room is small, just enough to fit the two of us, but it looked comfortable and homey. Anika Island Resort's website said that the Courtyard Room can fit a third person but I think that would already make it too cramped.

The bed

Anyway, we do like that the queen-size bed had fresh sheets and the toilet was clean. The bed was so comfortable that we instantly fell asleep as soon as we put our bags down. We must be that exhausted from the long journey from Manila to Bantayan Island. 

The toilet

The room did not have an electric kettle though so we had to ask for hot water at the restaurant when we wanted to have coffee. It was just a minor issue that did not affect our great experience at Anika Island Resort.

5 top things to do in Anika Island Resort

Anika Island Resort is a small hotel so there really isn't much to do in terms of indoor facilities. However, why spend it inside when the beach at Sta. Fe is magnificent? Here are some of your options:

1. Beach bum

At Anika Island Resort, you can just relax and spend a lazy day at the beach. They have a well-maintained beachfront with fine, cream-colored sand. 

After walking along the beach

The aquamarine water is inviting so a dip is definitely in order. At night, there are no parties or loud music so it's really just the calming sound of the waves that will lull you to dreamland.

2. Swim on the beach

The crystal-clear water of Sta. Fe beach is inviting. It's okay to give in, don your swimming attire, and spend a good hour enjoying the seawater.

3. Swim in the pool

 

If you feel that you've already had a good dose of the beach, you can also spend time in the swimming pool. 

4. Take a leisurely stroll along the beach

Sta. Fe beach

Khris and I enjoyed walking on the fine white sand of Sta. Fe beach. We also took a peek at the nearby resorts to see what they had to offer.

5. Watch the sunset

No beach getaway is complete if you will just miss the sunset. The setting sun on the horizon, against the blue water, was a sight to behold. Sit on the sand, enjoy the breeze, and watch the sky as it changes its colors.

If you wish to explore the town of Sta. Fe, you may arrange an island-hopping or a familiarization tour at the resort's reception.

Chloe Cafe

Dining at Anika Island Resort is also another experience courtesy of Chloe Cafe. The restaurant offers Filipino, American, and Italian dishes. 

Outside Chloe Cafe

The interiors of Chloe Cafe

When we first ate here, we were expecting the servings to be small, having been used to the hotel food portions in other popular tourist destinations. To our surprise, each item can feed three hungry people well.

Fish tinola

What's good about it is that food is reasonably-priced without compromising the taste and quality. Try their fish tinola, fish kilawin, and grilled meats and seafood. 

Inihaw na liempo

I particularly enjoyed the fish tinola. It's one whole red snapper cooked in a broth flavored with spring onions, spicy green chilies, and ginger. The soup was flavorful and invigorating, a good cure if you are sluggish or hungover.

Pancit canton

The experience, of course, would never be complete without Anika Island Resort's ever hospitable and helpful staff.

Epilogue

Anika Island Resort gave us wonderful memories of our visit to Bantayan Island. The resort is good-looking, it offered great food, and the price of its rooms was just right.

The next time our friends ask us for a recommendation on where to stay in Bantayan Island, we would definitely tell them to get Anika Island Resort.

Anika Island Resort is located in F. Roska St., Brgy. Okoy, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines. For inquiries and reservations, you may contact Anika Island Resort via its mobile phone numbers: (+63) 917 328 4898, (+63) 999 886 4465, and (+63) 922 843 9517 or through is telephone number: (+63 32) 438-9073.

Credit cards are accepted at Anika Island Resort. For deals and promos on Anika Island Resort, you may check here.

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Also read: 20 Top Things To Do In Bantayan Island