<NOTE FROM AUTHOR: I am sharing this experience/review for first-time Puerto Galera visitors out there thus I am including bus/boat fares, approximate times for the trip and other whatnots.>

My boyfriend, best friend and I went to Puerto Galera last Velentine's weekend. We took a bus from the Jam terminal in Buendia/Taft Pasay to Batangas Port (162.00 pesos/head). We took the 6am Saturday trip and it lasted about 3hours. Porters from different boat companies are present in the vicinity and they would be willing to assist you with the boat tickets etc if you don't have tickets yet or do not have any idea what company to take (please make sure the porter you are dealing with has a VALID COMPANY ID lest you want your belongings lost or stolen). We rode the Blue Penguin 7 of the Father and Sons company and bought the two-way ticket package bound for White Beach in Puerto Galera (450pesos, 50 pesos cheaper than buying one way tickets at 250 each) + additional fees for the government taxes and evironmental taxes. The boat trip lasted approx 2 hours. (REMINDERS: be sure to include your name in the Manifesto and know where the life jackets are placed.. we were transferred to a different boat because the first boat we boarded was overloaded by 17 people! thus note that somebody from the MARINA should be inspecting the boat and the number of passengers before it is allowed to sail. if not, it would not hurt to ask. also if this is your first boat ride or if you are prone to motion sickness, sit at the back facing the bow---the front end of the boat. the boat faces the waves head-on so there is more "turbulence" at the front than at the back).

Puerto Galera, in my opinion, is not among the best beaches in the Philippines. Boats are docked almost everywhere along the shore (commercial outriggers, fishing boats, boats for the banna boat rides and parasailing, even a yatch) contributing to the gasoline smell (and spills) and the abrupt deepening of the shoreline... One moment the water is up to your knees, the next it's over your head! Also, due the huge number of people visiting (and partying in) the area, trash is abundant. I had an early morning walk along the beach with my boyfriend and it saddened us to see empty bottles of beer, opened bags of chips, cigarette butts, barbeque sticks and broken glass, dog poo (there are stray dogs in the area) and who knows whatelse scattered in the sand. We hope the local government or at least the locals do something about it. But let's remember we have to do our (us tourists) part as well! :)
Now to Lan Sei...

SERVICE:
We texted Lan-Sei the time of our departure from Batangas Port and sure enough, their staff Kuya Arvin was already there to greet and pick us up when we arrived. Lan-Sei offers free shuttle service to and from the beach all you have to do is make a request (the shuttle ride is about 5mins). Our room was ready when we arrived and even though it was just 11 am, they allowed us to check-in since I was still dizzy (and puking) from the boat ride. They even offered to drive to the nearby town to buy medicine!
The staff is omnipresent but not in an annoying way and are very friendly and helpful if ever you need assistance or are needing to make requests. They can even sing along with you on the videoke and are a great information provider on local spots (the falls and the caves as well as the best, cheapest, forgettable restaurants on the beach). A major plus is that among the hotels and resorts I've stayed in here in the Philippines, this resort is among the few with staff that are courteous enough to say Thank You and You're Welcome!

LOCATION:
The resort is not beachfront and is approximately 5mins away from the beach via shuttle. Perfect if you want solace from the crowd and nightlife. Plus walking to and from the beach is not a hassle if you want to commune with nature and have a leisurely walk along green backyards with your significant other or friends. Just be sure to have the resort's shuttle service pick you up if you plan to stay on the beach til late at night (there are no street lamps along the way). But remember the shuttle service is until 12midnight only.

GROUNDS:
The resort grounds has 3 small huts, 1 large cabana, and 2 covered duyan (native swings) scattered in a well-manicured garden beside the pool... very airy and relaxing. My friends and I had a great time napping in the duyan and dipping in the pool even if it was noon (the resort building is built strategically so that it shadows the pool and garden during the hottest times of the day. When we arrived, the staff was cleaning the jacuzzi so we had to wait before we can use it, but it's okay. There is a pool side fountain/waterfall and water sprays to keep you entertained while waiting. :) The use of billiards and videoke machine is free for hotel guests. There is also a lawn where you can play frisbee, volleyball and badminton (just ask the staff scattered around the grounds-mostly at the front lobby for the equipment). If you want a traditional massage, ask the staff and they can call a local masseuse for you (200 pesos per hour). You can have your massage while at the resort's cabana. They can even call for a manicurist to have your nails done for 100 pesos.

RESTAURANT:
The hotel also has a restaurant and prices range from 100-400 pesos/head. We got to try the Filipino breakfast (150 pesos- rather average serving of tocino/longganisa/tapa, garlic rice, egg cooked to your liking, orange juice and coffee), Pork Sinigang (175 pesos) and Grilled Tambakol (220 pesos- which was actually fried and was just one fillet..we thought it was good for 2 because the price was equivalent to a kilo of that fish in the market). Meals are so-so but having your own waiter (they charge 10% for service though) and hut in a serene garden somewhere in a crowded beach like Puerto Galera makes up for it. They also charge 150 pesos for the use of utensils if you bought your own food and I suggest you choose from the beachfront restaurants/eateries if you don't want to eat at the resort.

ROOM:
Our room was located at the second floor over looking the pool. It was a room for 4 (2500 pesos, lean rate) with two beds, an airconditioning unit, a 14-inch tv, closet, bedside table and a bathroom. They also included towels and soaps for each guest. The room was clean and averaged sized, and doesn't smell old and musty; the bathroom tidy with high a pressure shower and faucets. And since it's away from the hustle of Puerto Galera nightlife, be assured of a quiet evening and peaceful sleep.

Overall, if you want an affordable place to stay in Puerto Galera with that homey and relaxed setting (plus great customer service) come stay at Lan Sei.

Though I was skeptical at first, since the resort is not beach front and you have to walk for a couple of minutes depending on how leisurely you stroll with you love one, the overall experience was fantastic.

I've been to alot of beaches in the country and the only disappointment I had was the White beach of Puerto Galera and that's why I enjoyed my stay at Lan-Sei. You don't really need a beach front hotel to enjoy White Beach. We spent most of our vacation dipping at the pool and the jacuzzi. The rest we strolled at the beach especially at sunset.

The staff are very much accommodating and they even helped us on the directions for taking the fastcraft since my friend at that time was traumatized by the nauseating boat ride.

Food was good and priced reasonably but I was perplexed to see lots of tilapias and bangus offered on the menu and only few real "seafood." This observation was also noted on most restaurants at White beach.

The few minutes stroll didn't bother us, but the staff kept on reminding us to use their shuttle, so we have to ride a couple of times. At our last night we had a drinking spree and one of the staff willingly escorted us back to the resort. Talk about service, its like having your own butler or yaya.

Rooms are not too fancy but are very much worth the price.

I will definitely come back to this resort!

Months before r 3p to puerto galera i have been busy finding for the perfect place 2 stay dis summer..together wid 3 of my friends..since its my 1st time..don't want to be disappointed..i chose Lan-sei because of d good reviews bout the cleanliness, the service and compared with others..it's kinda affordable for all d amenities it could offer..pool, jacuzzi,billiards,videoke,lots of nice spots to take your vanity pics.. & to top that all..it has a free shuttle service that could drop u & fetch u near d white beach (since it's not located beachfront)..available 8am-2am..d driver is just a text away..how cool dat can be..in galera beachfront hotels r not good..d day we left..we also tried their breakfast..also good but not pricey..but what's best is d location..it's on a nipa hut..but maybe u cud request for other spots..they also have a cabana if your in a group..they r strict wd der rules..better read it..i stained der rag w/henna & i paid 300 for it..worse if its a bed sheet..they will charge u 1,000..so careful..better yet put a shirt on & use your own towel f you'll try to have henna..rules r rules..and also don't expect they will clean your room coz its a resort not a hotel after all..nothing bad bout Lan-sei..d staff r super nice...thanks to Lan-sei..i didn't end up disappointed for my first puerto galera experience!...

My baby and I had a great experience during our stay at lan sei resort! The ambiance is beautiful, since we came there during slack season and the weather was not that good at that time. We were the only couples who stayed there during that time, thats why we were so pampered =) The Rooms are cozy, the staffs are accommodating and good service especially the free ride to the beach proper. The next time we'll go back to puerto galera, We would definitely stay at lan sei again. =)

I already recommended it to my friends as well!!