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Restful and Blissful Stay at RB Lodge, Kalibo

A day before I left Manila for my week-long vacation, I called up RB Lodge in Kalibo to ask if they can still accommodate me. I searched for the cheapest place to stay in Kalibo and among the results listed, it has the best reviews. 

The guy on the other line (sorry, I forgot his name) answered in his soft Visayan accent which I found very comforting. He said they still have a room and when I asked if they accept walk-ins, he said I'd better reserve the room just to be sure. He didn't require me to deposit any downpayment but he already reserved a fan room for me. 

I inquired if they also offer service from the airport to their place. He said he could arrange for a tricycle that can pick me up from the airport. He just asked for my flight details. I gave him my schedule and told him I would just send a text message once I have boarded the plane. (I paid Php100, by the way, and that's already cheap considering the distance. I remember being charged Php100 in another place for a distance I could actually walk in less than 10 minutes.) 

I arrived at Kalibo International Airport a little past 9PM on Saturday, and I felt so special when I saw my name printed on a sheet of paper held by a middle-aged man. He was the tricycle driver tasked to pick me up and take me to RB Lodge. It took us around 10 minutes to get to RB Lodge. It was a chill ride (literally because of the cold wind, and figuratively because we went not more than 10kph I guess). 

Welcome banner. :)

When we arrived at RB Lodge, the only staff left (I believe he just waited for me) gave me the info sheet where I wrote my details. I then gave him the payment and he led me to my room on the second floor of the adjacent building. The tricycle driver brought my luggage upstairs and when I gave him a tip, he refused to accept but I insisted. How can he be so kind and helpful? Oh I shouldn't be surprised because that's just the way we are in Western Visayas. :) 

I didn't expect much despite the good reviews but when I got inside the room, I was really happy that my Php500 is so worth it! The room is well-ventilated, spacious enough for two people. There are two beds, one for me and one for my things. :D There's a chair, two hangers, TV, two pairs of towel and blanket, a table, a TV, and best of all, free WiFi! Hooray! :)

Fan Room for 2. 

I must admit I missed watching TV. Since we transferred to the new apartment back in June (we needed to lessen our things so we gave away our TV), I haven't watched any TV show except when I ride on buses with TV on board. I didn't waste the opportunity and so I watched Celebrity Bluff, I-Witness (featuring the documentary of my favorite Howie Severino), and Walang Tulugan (the whole show was a celebration of German Moreno's birthday). At the same time, I was replying to my emails and updating my social media accounts.



Sulit kung sulit talaga! :) 

Although the room didn't have a private bathroom (but aircon rooms have), the common toilet and bath was also spacious and clean. And since there are only three rooms in the second floor with at most two people in a room, then lining up for the bathroom isn't a problem. 

The other thing I appreciate about RB Lodge is the water dispenser located at the ground floor. There are also glasses available but since I have committed to take good care of myself more, and part of it is keeping my body hydrated, I always bring with me my own water bottle. Before I left, I re-filled it so that I can have enough supply for my travel to Iloilo. But yeah, thank God for the free water at RB Lodge. :) Speaking of water, I would also like to add that the tap water at RB Lodge doesn't smell bad, unlike in some of the places I have previously stayed in. So that's another plus point. :) 

More importantly, at least for me, the location of RB Lodge is really perfect especially for people who want to explore as much of the place with very limited time. RB Lodge is located at Pastrana St., right at the heart of Kalibo. I say so because the cathedral is just a five-minute walk away and so are the major establishments. It's also quite near the bus terminal plus right outside the lodge is a "semi"-terminal of vans going to Caticlan. Semi-terminal because they don't actually have a terminal. They just park there and wait for the passengers. 

To summarize, I did have a restful and blissful stay at RB Lodge. :) And I wouldn't have found such a comfortable and affordable place if not for the people who stayed there first and gave good reviews. So I'm paying it forward. I'm sharing my experience too so that the next time you go to Kalibo and you need a good place to stay where you can eat (yes, they offer breakfast too!), sleep, and surf (if the free WiFi is not enough for you, they also have an internet cafe at the ground floor where the reception area is, but believe me the WiFi connection is good enough for emails and social media updating), take a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to RB Lodge. It won't give you the luxury of a hotel experience, but more of a home away from home. And that's why I loved it! :) 
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