We booked our stay at Coral Cove - mainly because it is just over the hill from where my brother has bought a house. It is on the end of peninsula extending from Puerta Galera. We flew in to Puerta Galera on the Subic Seaplane, got a "banka" ferry to Puerta Galera and then were picked up by the Coral Cove Jeepney.

Getting to Coral Cove from the Puerta Galera ferry took about 25 minutes in the Jeepney (converted jeep transport|) over a narrow partly unmetalled road. via the small town of Sabang.

The hotel is currently being refurbished so prices were very competitive - roughly $40 (2000 pesos) per night for a twin bedded cabana.

The rooms are comfortable and clean. They all have an air-conditioner, modern TV, wc & shower. The fittings are distinctly old and for example although the shower has hot and cold running water the basins only have a cold tap - this is quite common in the Philippines. So for a hot water shave you have to get hot water from the shower - there is a small bucket.

We stayed in a separate cabana (#16 - recommended). The fixtures & fittings, curtains, bedcovers, towels etc were distinctly old. But it was very comfortable and to sit in the shade on the verandah, reading a book was bliss.

However the location is stunning, set in a cove overlooking the Mindoro strait. Coral Cove doesn't have a swimming pool although there are plans. There is a tiny harbour with a golden sand beach although at low tide this reveals a lot of rocks. See photos.

The main hotel building is long verandah with reception, bar, kitchen, shop and dive office located off it. To sit on the terrace with tropical breezes blowing is quite idyllic. The public rooms have been refurbished and include an airconditioned conference room. But all meals etc are in the non airconditioned bit on the verandah

Coral Cove has a new British manager and a fully qualified British Diving instructor. We don't dive - but the people we spoke to at the hotel that went out diving were ecstatic about the diving conditions.

The staff were all friendly and extremely competent. The food was good. As befits a hotel managed by a former Gurkha Officer one of the specialities is Indian Curry (every saturday night). But there is a good menu - not gourmet food but all tasty and well prepared.
Meals are not expensive - breakfast of fresh fruit, toast and coffee is around 150 pesos ($3) per person and a full american breakfast 250 pesos ($5).

Don't expect modern facilities or modern luxurious accommoddation. But I just thought it was an absolute gem.

Its the sort of little hotel with could attract a cult following once the rooms are upgraded.