Gustav's Place Beach Resort
Gustav's Place Beach Resort
Gustav's Place Beach Resort
3.5
Scuba & Snorkelling • Hiking & Camping Tours
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Gustav's Place Beach Resort
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
5 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Rubah
Basel, Switzerland300 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
we have been at gustavs place for a few days. he s super nice guy, how tries to keep every thing runing good.
from the airport you go to the busterminal und take the bus to sablayan. price is about 100peso, than take a tricycle to gustavs for 20peso.
we had a front sea beachhut. it was pretty basic but very good shape. there is a bed, night table and something for the clothes. bad thing i though there was no moscito net, we had our private one, so we didnt ask for, maybe you get one.
the beach is a black sand beach and you are almost alone there.
we went diving to apo reef with divemaster beni. it was an amzing trip. food was good, diving also. also gustav organised an trip to the mindoro nationalpark. it is a hike. one of the best things i ever done.
now the only bad thing. when we arrived gustav told us, if we like to eat diner there, it is an buffet, no a la carte. the price for the buffet is 400peso per person. its pretty good. but 800 peso for 2 person diner in a basic resort, it is to expensive. if you dont want to spend that much you have to go to the village 10 to 20 min from the resort.
from the airport you go to the busterminal und take the bus to sablayan. price is about 100peso, than take a tricycle to gustavs for 20peso.
we had a front sea beachhut. it was pretty basic but very good shape. there is a bed, night table and something for the clothes. bad thing i though there was no moscito net, we had our private one, so we didnt ask for, maybe you get one.
the beach is a black sand beach and you are almost alone there.
we went diving to apo reef with divemaster beni. it was an amzing trip. food was good, diving also. also gustav organised an trip to the mindoro nationalpark. it is a hike. one of the best things i ever done.
now the only bad thing. when we arrived gustav told us, if we like to eat diner there, it is an buffet, no a la carte. the price for the buffet is 400peso per person. its pretty good. but 800 peso for 2 person diner in a basic resort, it is to expensive. if you dont want to spend that much you have to go to the village 10 to 20 min from the resort.
Written March 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
engingursel17
Istanbul, Türkiye24 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
I’d spent 4 days in Gustave’s Place in February 2018 including a overnight diving trip to Apo Reef. It was totally great!
Gustave and his wife are doing great work there. Sablayan is a small town in Mindoro Island. Rooms and bungalows are very clean and convenient. You could sleep with sound of waves and wake up with sound of birds. Food is also great serving on open buffet concept every evening and they have always cold beer.
The staff is very helpful and always try to make you comfortable. In my opinion here is one the resorts you get best value for money.
Thanks to all
Gustave and his wife are doing great work there. Sablayan is a small town in Mindoro Island. Rooms and bungalows are very clean and convenient. You could sleep with sound of waves and wake up with sound of birds. Food is also great serving on open buffet concept every evening and they have always cold beer.
The staff is very helpful and always try to make you comfortable. In my opinion here is one the resorts you get best value for money.
Thanks to all
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your very good rating. I hope we can welcome you and your friends here again in Gustavs Place.
Best wishes and greetings
Written May 25, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SammyManta
London, UK20 contributions
Jul 2019
We are already looking forward to visiting Apo Reef again in the future but we would choose to dive with Gustavs again almost entirely because of of our wonderful dive instructor - Arnell.
A huge thank you to Arnell for literally doing everything. We’ve never seen such a hardworking dive master. From planning the entire trip with the boatmen, our chef and the coast guard, filling up all our tanks last minute, loading and unloading the boat and generally making sure we were happy and comfortable. He was great! I hope he is appreciated by Gustavs.
We took a risk and travelled to Sablayan off season in the hope that the weather wouldn’t stop us from being able to visit Apo Reef. The communication from Gustav before we arrived was very truthful - there was no guarantee that we could visit Apo Reef because of the weather.
When we arrived at Gustav’s all our communication about diving was with Arnell (dive instructor). My husband and I can’t say enough good words to justify how great Arnell was the entire time. From helping the boatmen and our lovely chef (Michelle) to playing cards with us in the evening, Arnell was so lovely and friendly the entire time. He worked tirelessly helping everyone and he was so professional in his approach to diving.
Arnell contacted the coast guard the day before we were due to travel to Apo Reef to ensure it was safe to go. He also checked with the coast guard on the morning we were due to go. We waited for 2 other boats to set off and we all travelled together. There was a great deal of consideration and work that went into ensuring that we were safe to travel.
Michelle our chef made us plenty of delicious food. We were advised to bring snacks if we wanted to. Which we did, we would not expect the dive centre to provide us with snacks.
The boatmen and Arnell were fantastic at steering us through the stormy weather and sea. They were calm and in control the entire time. We were in awe at their strength and energy.
I’ve read through some of the previous feedback from other customers and all I can say is that our experience was great.
A huge thank you to Arnell for literally doing everything. We’ve never seen such a hardworking dive master. From planning the entire trip with the boatmen, our chef and the coast guard, filling up all our tanks last minute, loading and unloading the boat and generally making sure we were happy and comfortable. He was great! I hope he is appreciated by Gustavs.
We took a risk and travelled to Sablayan off season in the hope that the weather wouldn’t stop us from being able to visit Apo Reef. The communication from Gustav before we arrived was very truthful - there was no guarantee that we could visit Apo Reef because of the weather.
When we arrived at Gustav’s all our communication about diving was with Arnell (dive instructor). My husband and I can’t say enough good words to justify how great Arnell was the entire time. From helping the boatmen and our lovely chef (Michelle) to playing cards with us in the evening, Arnell was so lovely and friendly the entire time. He worked tirelessly helping everyone and he was so professional in his approach to diving.
Arnell contacted the coast guard the day before we were due to travel to Apo Reef to ensure it was safe to go. He also checked with the coast guard on the morning we were due to go. We waited for 2 other boats to set off and we all travelled together. There was a great deal of consideration and work that went into ensuring that we were safe to travel.
Michelle our chef made us plenty of delicious food. We were advised to bring snacks if we wanted to. Which we did, we would not expect the dive centre to provide us with snacks.
The boatmen and Arnell were fantastic at steering us through the stormy weather and sea. They were calm and in control the entire time. We were in awe at their strength and energy.
I’ve read through some of the previous feedback from other customers and all I can say is that our experience was great.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelBeaks
76 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We had arranged to come to Gustavs a while im advance to go diving at the Apo Reef. He knew we were making a long journey to get there. However he messaged us at 5pm the night before and said we could no longer do the trip on the arranged dates with no offer of alternatives or any offer to help us rearrange our very intricate travel plans. After that he just stopped replying to our messages and completely left us in the lurch with no apology.
Disgraceful customer service.
We did, however, manage to get a last minute trip with Sablayan Divers - it was amazing, if you want to go to the Apo Reef check out Sablayan divers you will not be disappointed. Just make sure you avoid Gustavs terrible customer service!
Disgraceful customer service.
We did, however, manage to get a last minute trip with Sablayan Divers - it was amazing, if you want to go to the Apo Reef check out Sablayan divers you will not be disappointed. Just make sure you avoid Gustavs terrible customer service!
Written May 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your assessment. For clarification we would like to contribute a lot. Your first mail coming on 11.05.2019 at 10:57 arrived with the request - Diving at the Apo Reef for 2 days from 05.14.-05.15.2019. Already 15 minutes later on 11.05.2019 at 11:11. I have answered them to help them rearrange their complicated travel plans and also to make an offer for alternatives, here is the wording of my reply to them:
Hello, thanks for your inquiry.
We have planning for 14, only sorry we can not go to Apo Reef on May 14th now.
The news has just come from the naval office, on the 14th the annual check will take place from the boat.
Maybe you like May 13, we go to Discovery Bank (on the way to Apo) and next tour 15th and 16 day trip.
B regards Gustav
You have already been informed on my first response that the Apo Reef Tour will be canceled on May 14th, that is not our fault, the dive boat review date was set by the Marine Office for May 14 at short notice not to be changed.
First Mail from you: - 11.05.2019 10:57
Hey there, we just saw that your next trip to Apo Reef is on May 14th. Is this a day trip or overnight? We stay in Sablayan from May 12th till May 15th and would like to join a day trip to the Apo Reef. We are a couple with advanced certification. Looking forward to your answer. Best regards
My answer: 11. Mai 2019 11:10
Hello,
thanks for your inquiry.
We have planning for 14, only sorry we can’t go to Apo Reef on May 14th now.
The news has just come from the naval office, on the 14th the annual check will take place from the boat.
Maybe you like May 13, we go to discovery bank (on the way to Apo) and next tour 15th and 16 daytrip.
B regards Gustav
your answer: 12. Mai 2019 07:46
Hello Gustav,
thank you for your answer.
We will arrive today in the afternoon and we stay at the hotel just next to you. So maybe we can just pop in and talk to you about the dives in the next days?
Looking forward to see you.
My answer: 12. Mai 2019 10:43
Hello,
thanks for answer.
When you arrive, we can talk for diving.
See you soon.
B regards Gustav
Written May 25, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rey D
Metro Manila, Philippines1 contribution
We did not stay in the resort. Our main destination was Apo Reef and Gustav's was a terrible choice in so many ways.
1st: The food they prepared in the island was terrible, not just for us but for all of the resort's guests in Apo reef. I feel really bad for the foreigners who mistook the other resorts' food as Gustav's and the sad face they had when their food was being served. The one thing that really irked me was that before the trip we kept asking Gustav (the german owner) for the menu of foods that they will serve and he insisted that they don't have a menu but assured us that the food is really good. maybe his standard for "good food" is really off. again the food was terrible.
2nd: when we are coordinating before the trip, since it was our first time to go to Apo reef we asked about the inclusions in the travel package we are getting and we were again assured that the trip is a "everything covered trip. a worry free trip" so we expected that there will be enough food and water for us in the island. Sadly, the worry free trip became survival mode trip. we were starving and gadamn thirsty the whole day of the 2nd day.
3rd: Their transport, the boat that brings people to and from apo reef was so slow, so it took us like more than 4 hours. what a waste of time doing nothing. Then on the 2nd day, our last day on the island, we had to wait for more than 3 hours because there was no available boat. So we had to join the other guests' transport like hitchhikers just to go home. my friends were afraid because the boat already looks overloaded!
4th: Gustav the owner was nice at first, but when we confronted him when we came back he turned his back on us and hid. we've never seen him again. not a sorry or whatever.
5th: Its not worth the price!
Im definetely going back to Apo Reef, but ive learned my Lesson. make sure you are prepared for adventure and make sure the dive resort is not Gustav's.
1st: The food they prepared in the island was terrible, not just for us but for all of the resort's guests in Apo reef. I feel really bad for the foreigners who mistook the other resorts' food as Gustav's and the sad face they had when their food was being served. The one thing that really irked me was that before the trip we kept asking Gustav (the german owner) for the menu of foods that they will serve and he insisted that they don't have a menu but assured us that the food is really good. maybe his standard for "good food" is really off. again the food was terrible.
2nd: when we are coordinating before the trip, since it was our first time to go to Apo reef we asked about the inclusions in the travel package we are getting and we were again assured that the trip is a "everything covered trip. a worry free trip" so we expected that there will be enough food and water for us in the island. Sadly, the worry free trip became survival mode trip. we were starving and gadamn thirsty the whole day of the 2nd day.
3rd: Their transport, the boat that brings people to and from apo reef was so slow, so it took us like more than 4 hours. what a waste of time doing nothing. Then on the 2nd day, our last day on the island, we had to wait for more than 3 hours because there was no available boat. So we had to join the other guests' transport like hitchhikers just to go home. my friends were afraid because the boat already looks overloaded!
4th: Gustav the owner was nice at first, but when we confronted him when we came back he turned his back on us and hid. we've never seen him again. not a sorry or whatever.
5th: Its not worth the price!
Im definetely going back to Apo Reef, but ive learned my Lesson. make sure you are prepared for adventure and make sure the dive resort is not Gustav's.
Written June 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear guests, thank you very much for your assessment. To clarify their terrible choice, I would like to say something.
If we go to Apo Reef there is no menu, we could not organize that with the price (12450 PHP for overnight - 6 dive - all inclusive olso entrance fee 2940 PHP). And then I wonder if the food was so bad, why did you eat everything? We also offer vegetarian and vegan food for our apo tours. By the way, my standard for good food is very good and we get very positive feedback and reviews for the food at Apo Reef as well as in our resort.
On the island itself, there is no food or water to buy, everything is brought from the mainland and we had enough there.
The only thing I'm going to apologize for again is for the boat. Our boat had a motor damage shortly before and so we rented a boat to carry out the tour of the Apo for our guests. We informed all guests in advance and explained the situation to them. Incidentally, when the sea is rough, it often comes to a journey of 4 hours or more. It was all organized, they did not have to hitchhike leave the Apo Reef and if they think the boat was overloaded - that certainly was not it. In this situation (rent a boat) we did everything we could to make our guests happy. And the rest of the guests were also satisfied.
I'm not the owner and I do not need to hide from you. You are welcome to come back!
B regards
Written May 25, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience