La Vida Hostel Samal Island

“静かでのんびり出来る、癒しの宿”

I checked in early and left my luggage; a part‑time university student handled me wonderfully—friendly, chatty, and the campus was spacious, green, and beautifully designed. The hand‑washing basin in the dining area (hand wash before meals) was a thoughtful touch that was soothing ♥️. The surrounding houses were quiet, letting me spend a calm night. My phone struggled with weak Wi‑Fi, so I couldn’t send many photos or videos. There was no shower curtain, so the toilet flooded after showering. The room lacked a hanger; they could lend one, but it would have helped me dry wet swimsuits. There seemed to be no restaurants or Sari‑Sari stores within walking distance.

ごまクルミ·Hace un mes

“緑とアートに囲まれたリゾート”

A clean, resort‑like place surrounded by greenery and art, with all staff friendly and smiling. When I caught a cold and couldn’t eat, they made ginger soup for me. The only downside was the weak shower pressure.

Shoji·Hace 2 meses

“Recomendable”

Everything was great—cozy house, wonderful terrace, good location, and the owner was very attentive and kind. The plumbing isn’t perfect and sometimes smells a bit, but nothing too bad. I’d suggest adding more mirrors; we were eight people and only had two, which was insufficient.

Eukene·Hace 2 meses

We liked how close the venue was to our event and found some rare city birds. However, there was no one at reception to greet us, so we had to wander around to find someone. We thought the place was close. Breakfast was served at 7:50 am (about 8 am) even though we told staff we’d be there by 7 am; we had woken up early for an early itinerary. The staff served others first, then looked at us and asked our room number, even though it was already past 7 am. A friend went to the café instead because we were late; we treated him to breakfast. We waited about 30 minutes and then another minute for a cappuccino. The service was slow—hope the café improves.

Kristin·Hace 3 meses

“LA VIDA - the TRUE HAVEN for those who SEEK LIFE within!”

The vibe at La Vida was spot on – the owner/artist set up a tiny reception, dining spot and gallery that feels both practical and chic. From the moment I checked in, I could sense it was going to be a real getaway. The receptionist was polite and friendly, and Ninio, the owner, was warm, informative and super helpful. The food was amazing – their Kinilaw, Davao’s famous fish appetizer (like ceviche elsewhere), served fresh. Breakfast was included and featured the usual sausage and egg with either rice or toast. We booked a room for two, while another room accommodated a family of five; the family room was especially nice because it had more space, perfect for two couples with a toddler each. The rooms were decorated with paintings that let you reflect, and my family could enjoy the whole area in the morning doing art coloring, quiet and peaceful, even the little ones stayed engaged. The atmosphere was very pleasant. On my second visit I joined the art workshop, which was an amazing experience; Ninio taught color blending, shadowing, and more, making it my first time painting on canvas and he guided me gently and encouraged me. I finished my first painting thanks to the space and opportunity he created. Thank you! The only downside: if the property were by the beach it would be perfect. You can walk to a public beach in about 2 minutes, and the more popular Kaputian Public beach is 30 minutes away. The water pressure in the rooms was low; flushing worked fine but showering was tough. A bucket was provided for easier bathing, but that’s something the owner could look into.

Enrisa·Hace 3 meses