Davao's Paradise Found: Camp Holiday Resort's Unbelievable Fun!
Davao’s Paradise Found? Camp Holiday Resort: My Unbelievable, Messy, and Mostly Awesome Adventure! (A Real Review)
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Alright, folks, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a trip to Camp Holiday Resort in Davao, Philippines, and I’m ready to spill the tea. Forget those polished, generic travel reviews; you're getting the real deal, warts and all. Honestly, I’m still trying to untangle my brain from all the… stuff that happened. But hey, that's what makes a trip memorable, right? Let's dive in, because this place is a bit of a… well, ride.
First Impressions and Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Bumpy Ride… Literally.
Getting there was a breeze, thankfully. We opted for the airport transfer, which was a blessing because, let's be honest, navigating Davao traffic after a long flight isn't my idea of a good time. The resort itself is sprawling! And that's where things got interesting.
Accessibility is… complicated. The website boasts facilities for disabled guests, and there are ramps, which is fantastic. However, the terrain is… let’s just say it's not exactly a smooth operator for wheelchairs. Think cobblestone paths, some seriously sloped areas, and a few "adventures" that required a little extra muscle (and maybe a few sympathetic groans from my partner). They try, bless them, but some areas are definitely more accessible than others. Make sure to double check and inquire specifically about the paths to the beach and the pool area, if that’s critical for your group.
Check-in/out was a bit of a blur. We used the contactless check-in/out, which was great because, who wants to fumble with paperwork after battling jet lag? The front desk [24-hour] was always staffed with friendly folks, but I will admit, they seemed a little… overwhelmed at times.
(Rambles about the rooms and amenities below, apologies for the messiness. It's how my brain works!)
Rooms: Comforts and Quirks.
We snagged a non-smoking room, because, well, common sense. The air conditioning was a godsend in the Davao humidity. The room itself was clean and spacious. The bed… ah, the bed! It was a glorious, fluffy cloud of comfort after a long day of, well, everything. I think I could have slept for a week straight.
The bathroom was decent – clean, with a separate shower/bathtub (always a plus!). And the complimentary bottled water? Essential! The bathrobes were a nice touch. The in-room safe box was reassuring. But the mirror? Seriously needs a bit of a refurb. I'm all for character, but it might have been from the 70's. Not sure if I was scaring kids in the hallway or the mirror itself.
The Wi-Fi [free] was… spotty, at best. It’s not reliable enough if you're planning extensive Zoom meetings unless you're super close to the router. We managed to get some photos uploaded and respond to emails, so it wasn't a total loss considering my "digital detox," but this is something to be aware of. They offer Internet access – LAN, which sounds fancy, but I didn't try it.
Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Hiccups): Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
Okay, let’s talk grub. Camp Holiday has a lot of options. Several restaurants, a poolside bar, and a snack bar.
The Restaurants: They definitely understood the importance of food. Breakfast was a massive buffet in restaurant. Seriously, a feat of engineering. This is where the Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options came into play. It was amazing! They served everything from fresh fruit to pastries, and from omelets to traditional Filipino dishes. I'm a total sucker for a good Asian breakfast and, let me tell you, their tapsilog (beef with garlic rice and fried egg) was legendary. The coffee/tea in restaurant was plentiful (essential for this caffeine addict).
The Poolside Bar: This was where we spent a lot of time. The drinks were cold, the music was chill, and the pool with view was the perfect place to unwind. The happy hour deals were a bonus! I highly recommend the calamansi juice; it was pure sunshine in a glass. Food-wise, they had some great salad in restaurant and soup in restaurant.
The Snack Bar: Perfect for a quick bite. Nothing spectacular, but a convenient option.
The Vegetarian Restaurant: I'm not a vegetarian, but it's great that they offer it!
The Hiccups: The room service [24-hour], was a lifesaver on a few nights, when we just wanted to chill. Some items are overpriced.
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid-19 Considerations
This is where Camp Holiday really shines. They take Covid-19 precautions seriously.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Check.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services? Check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? Check.
We saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere. All the staff wear masks, and they take your temperature regularly. The sanitized kitchen and tableware items gave me peace of mind. I was also happy to see individually-wrapped food options at the buffet. They even had room sanitization opt-out available, if you wish.
I was also impressed with their response to an incident with a minor injury from someone else. They had a first aid kit readily available, and a doctor/nurse on call.
Things To Do and Ways to Relax (The Real Reason You Go!)
Okay, here's the fun part! Camp Holiday is packed with things to do, and for a relaxing stay:
Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool is the heart of this place.
The Beach: The resort has direct access to the beach. It's not the whitest sand I've ever seen, but the water is clear, and it’s perfect for a dip and some sunbathing.
Spa/sauna, which I spent a lot of time at. The Body scrub was lovely! I needed it after all the sunbathing. The massage was heavenly. They also offered a foot bath, which was a welcome relief after a long day. I could have stayed there forever.
The Gym/fitness center was there, though I didn’t get around to using it. I opted for more relaxing activities. They even had a sauna, which was great.
For the kids: There's a babysitting service, and kids facilities, which made it a great place for families.
Services, Conveniences, and Some Missing Pieces.
Camp Holiday offers a long list of services:
- There is a cash withdrawal service.
- They have a concierge and laundry service.
My overall sentiment:
Camp Holiday is not perfect. It has its share of quirks and imperfections, mostly of the more-than-a-little-tired decor kind. The accessibility is not ideal, but they are making an effort. But the friendly staff, the delicious food, the fun activities, and the commitment to safety made it a truly enjoyable experience.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! If you are looking for a fun, relaxing getaway in Davao, with plenty to keep you entertained, then Camp Holiday is a great choice. Just be prepared for a few bumps in the road, and embrace the imperfections. It's all part of the adventure!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Subtracting a star for accessibility concerns and some of the older decor. But honestly, I'd go back in a heartbeat.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is my planned descent, gloriously messy and probably disastrously over-optimistic, into the heart of Camp Holiday Resort & Recreation Area in Davao City, Philippines. Consider yourselves warned.
Camp Holiday: Operation "Escape Reality (and Hopefully Not Myself)" – A Disaster-Preparedness Itinerary (lol)
Day 1: Arrival and (Attempted) Relaxation
Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up in a cold sweat (because that's the only kind I do, apparently) at the airport. Flight from [Wherever you are] to Davao. Pray to the travel gods for no turbulence, because I’m not handling that today. Seriously, even a small bump and I turn into a shrieking banshee. Grab a taxi to Camp Holiday. Get the right Camp Holiday. Google Maps lies. Taxi drivers know all. Pray to the travel gods for a sane taxi driver, too.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Check into my "Superior Room" (I hope it actually is superior, because if it's not, I'm going to be very dramatic). Unpack. That's a lie. I'll probably live out of my backpack for the first few days, rummaging for the essentials. Discover I've forgotten something crucial – probably sunscreen. Panic. Curse myself for being an idiot.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Hunt down the resort restaurant. Evaluate the menu. Vow to try everything. Immediately order the most carb-heavy dish because, vacation. Stare at the view, which, according to the brochures, should be breathtaking. Actually, just breathe.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The Pool. The Pool. This is the centerpiece of my entire relaxation strategy. Find a lounge chair. Set up camp. Slather on the (hopefully purchased) sunscreen. Read a book – ideally, something trashy and escapist. Doze. Wake up with a slight sunburn and a profound sense of accomplishment. Realize I'm still slightly stressed. Sigh.
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Stroll. Maybe take a walk by the beach on foot. Try to be Zen about the sand getting in my shoes (likely fail). Dinner at the resort. Try to be adventurous with my food choices. Probably order the same thing because familiarity is comforting. Watch the sunset. Decide it's the best sunset I've ever seen (until the next one). Pass out from exhaustion and the general effort of "relaxing".
Day 2: Adventure Attempt (and Probable Mild Trauma)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): "Adventure Time!" I've signed up for the Zipline. I promised myself I would do it. Now, the butterflies of pre-panic are already doing a tango in my stomach. I'm pretty sure I will scream the entire way across, but hey, at least the photos will be hilarious. Pray to the travel gods to make this a beautiful experience. If not, I'm blaming them.
- Side note because I'm already getting anxious: I envision myself as a capable, adventurous type, but the reality is usually a trembling, slightly sweaty mess. I'm secretly hoping I can chicken out at the last minute. Don't tell anyone.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Back from the zipline. If I survived. If I did, I desperately need comfort food. Something fried. Something greasy. Something that will erase the memory of my near-death experience (or at least make it less vivid).
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The Water Park. More options. In theory, this sounds fun. In reality? I'll probably spend most of the afternoon clinging to the shallow end of the kiddie pool, watching actual children fearlessly conquer the slides. Then, Maybe the waterslides, depending on the level of "thrill".
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner. Reflect on the horrors of my day. Decide I deserve a reward – probably a cocktail (or three). Listen to the sounds of the night -- maybe a firework, maybe not.
Day 3: Recovery Day (aka "The Napping Marathon")
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Sleep. Lots of it. The zipline, the slides, and the general stress of "having fun" have taken their toll. This is my official "do nothing" day.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Resort food. Eat everything (again).
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Pool time (again). This time, with a book. This time, with the strong intention to accomplish nothing but peace and quiet.
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Find the best seats around a bonfire. Spend time, just chilling out, breathing. Maybe watch the sunset. Stargazing. Try to resist the urge to start planning my next vacation.
Day 4: Departure (and The Reckoning)
Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Pack. Try to find my sunscreen. Realize I didn't use half the clothes I brought. Swear I’ll learn to pack lighter next time (spoiler: I won’t). Check out. Pray the taxi driver shows up on time.
Departure: Airport. Flight home. Reflect on my time. Did I relax? Did I conquer my fears? Did I look like a fool on the zipline? Probably all of the above. Decide it was all worth it. Begin planning my next escape. Anecdote: During one of my recent adventures, a particularly aggressive sandfly threw me into the water. I spent the rest of the day as a quivering ball of anxiety, convinced that my entire body was covered in itchy bumps and that my vacation was a disaster. Emotional Reaction: I'm already feeling a mixture of excitement and sheer terror. I want to escape the everyday. I want to be relaxed. I also want to survive without permanent psychological damage.
Things I'm Probably Going to Forget:
- My toothbrush (always)
- Enough socks
- To actually unplug
- To actually eat healthy food
Overall Vibe: A frantic quest for relaxation, interspersed with moments of adventure and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. I'm aiming for 'recharged', but I'll probably end up slightly more sunburnt, slightly more anxious, and significantly more in need of another vacation. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.
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Davao's Paradise Found: Camp Holiday Resort - Seriously, Is It THAT Good? (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, so... Camp Holiday. Everybody raves. Is it *really* the paradise they make it out to be? Or is it just another Instagram trap?
Tell me about the accommodation - are the rooms decent? Like, are they *clean* decent? I have standards...
What's the food like at Camp Holiday? I'm a foodie, so this is crucial. Tell me *everything*.
What are the activities like? I don't just want to sit on a beach, I want adventure!
Can you talk more about that snorkeling experience? I need details! Seriously!
What are the crowds like? Is it a party place, or more chill?
