Escape to Paradise: Saffire Beach Resort & Glamping in Ilocos Norte!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the REAL scoop on Escape to Paradise: Saffire Beach Resort & Glamping in Ilocos Norte! This isn't your sanitized, boring travel brochure version. This is me, talking to you, about what I experienced, the good, the okay, and the "maybe skip that part." SEO be damned, let's get messy!
First Impressions (and a slight panic attack about getting there):
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise" sounds… well, paradisiacal. And I'm gonna be honest, the thought of a glamping experience in Ilocos Norte, with its rugged coastline, intrigued me. Accessibility? I'm gonna level with you, I didn't specifically check that box. I'm able-bodied, but the reality of Philippine resorts is always a gamble. More on that later. Getting to Saffire? I'll spare you the detailed saga of Philippine traffic and potentially dodgy public transportation. Let's just say, the airport transfer was essential (and a godsend). The resort itself? More on the "getting around" part later.
The Glam and the Glamp (and the Wi-Fi, oh the Wi-Fi!):
Alright, let's get this straight, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a huge deal. Forget that Internet [LAN], I barely remember it existing! I was a data fiend, constantly checking emails, posting pics, and generally being glued to my phone. Seriously, thank goodness for the Wi-Fi in public areas too, because that was a lifesaver when my room signal decided to take a vacation. The Internet services themselves? Well, they worked. Mostly. Look, you're in Ilocos Norte, not Silicon Valley. Expect some hiccups.
Now, the "Glamping" part… The rooms? Pretty good. Let's be honest, Air conditioning in this climate? A MUST. The Blackout curtains, bless them. Those sunsets are gorgeous, but sometimes, you need a nap, and the Bedding? Comfy enough to konk out on. The Coffee/tea maker was a godsend every morning, I was able to slowly open my eyes with the sweet smell of fresh coffee. The Mini bar was a welcome treat as well!
They had all the expected amenities, like a Safe box, bathrobes, but the real test is in its soul, and Saffire tries. The non-smoking rooms are a great touch, but I've seen some serious smoking in other places!
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (and Avoiding Overwhelm):
Okay, here's where Saffire really shines. The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Spectacular. The Pool with a view? Chef's kiss. Seriously, the views are breathtaking, and the pool is the perfect temperature at any time of day. The Sauna and Steamroom? I'm not usually a sauna/steamroom person, but damn did it feel good after a long day of… well, relaxing. The Spa looked amazing, but I regrettably missed out on getting a Massage. Regret. Seriously, book one. Don't be like me. The Fitness center was there, I think. I saw it. Didn't go. My idea of fitness on vacation is walking from my bed to the buffet.
And the beach! It's a beach! Do beach things!
Food, Glorious Food (and my weird salad drama):
The Restaurants, plural! This is a good sign. The Asian breakfast was delicious, and the Breakfast [buffet] was extensive. I'm not a buffet fiend, I always end up overeating and regretting it later. The Coffee/tea in restaurant? Always appreciated.
And then there was the salad. Okay, story time. I love salad. Like, obsessed. But I'm also a picky eater. So, I ordered a salad. The Salad in restaurant was… interesting. Let's just say it was not what I expected. It had things in it, things I didn't recognize or particularly enjoy. I may or may not have discreetly picked out the offending ingredients. Lesson learned: stick to what you know. On the other hand, the Soup in restaurant was a solid choice. And the Desserts in Restaurant were amazing.
The Poolside bar was a must for drinks! The Happy hour was pretty good as well, and I took full advantage. The Bottle of water? Necessary. The Room service [24-hour] was a very welcome option for those late-night cravings. And the Snack bar… well, you get the idea. I ate. A lot.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Ever-Present Hand Sanitizer:
Look, we're all a little obsessed with cleanliness and safety these days, right? Saffire gets it. They're trying. The Anti-viral cleaning products? Present. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. Hand sanitizer everywhere? You betcha. I had to check out the Hygiene certification. The Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. There were signs everywhere about Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and they wore masks, the whole shebang. The Rooms sanitized between stays? I hope so! They didn't have too many of the Room sanitization opt-out available, options.
I didn't personally need the Doctor/nurse on call, but it was reassuring to know they had them. It also had a First aid kit. The Cashless payment service was super convenient. But let's not kid ourselves: the Hand sanitizer was my new best friend. I was practically bathing in the stuff.
Accessibility (the elephant in the room):
Alright, here's the truth bomb. I didn't assess this specifically. But based on what I saw? It's a mixed bag. The terrain itself might be rough for some. The Elevator? Yes, but I certainly didn't use it! The Facilities for disabled guests? I'm not sure exactly, I didn't scope it out. My guess is, to be on the side of truth, is that it's probably not the most accessible place. Maybe you should reach out to them.
Services and Conveniences (the little things that make a difference):
The Concierge was helpful. The Laundry service got my swimsuit dry in a pinch. Daily housekeeping kept the place tidy, and I appreciated that. The Luggage storage came in handy on checkout. The Gift/souvenir shop was there, but I didn't find anything I had to have. If you're looking for basic needs the Convenience store is more than enough! They provided an Invoice as well.
For the Kids (and the kid in me):
I didn't have kids with me, but I saw families. The Family/child-friendly vibe was definitely strong. The Babysitting service was listed in the services as well!
Getting Around (the adventure continues):
The Airport transfer? Again, essential. The Car park [free of charge] was a major plus. But navigating the resort itself? Be prepared for some walking!
Final Verdict (the messy, honest truth):
Escape to Paradise: Saffire Beach Resort & Glamping in Ilocos Norte! is a solid choice for a relaxing getaway, especially if you want to enjoy the beach. The service is generally good, the food is decent (salad-related trauma aside), and the views are breathtaking. The Wi-Fi is a lifesaver, the pool is divine, and the overall vibe is chill.
BUT…
It's not perfect. Accessibility could be an issue. The sheer distance to the beach, and the walking overall can be a bit much for some.
My Very Opinionated Recommendation (and how to book):
Here's the deal:
- BOOK IT IF: You want a beautiful beach escape, love the glamping concept, prioritize a strong Wi-Fi signal, and aren't overly concerned about 100% perfect accessibility.
- MAYBE SKIP IT IF: You require top-notch accessibility, are extremely picky about food, or are looking for a super-luxe, polished experience.
Here’s a deal for you to consider (and I mean, what are you waiting for?!):
Escape to Paradise: Your Perfect Ilocos Norte Adventure Awaits!
Tired of the same old boring vacations? Craving sun, sand, and serious chill vibes? Then pack your bags, because Saffire Beach Resort & Glamping in Ilocos Norte is calling your name!
Here's what you get:
- Unforgettable Glamping Experience: Cozy up in a beautifully appointed tent with air conditioning, blackout curtains, and all the amenities you need (including a coffee maker for those sunrise moments!).
- Beach Bliss: Spend your days soaking up the sun on pristine beaches
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Here’s my attempt at a chaotic, honest, and utterly human itinerary for Saffire Beach Resort and Glamping in Ilocos Norte. Consider this less a schedule and more a… well, a therapeutic purge of my potential experience.
Subject: My Ilocos Norte Adventure (May Contain Excessive Sass & Sand)
Day 1: Arrival of the Slightly Delusional Tourist
Morning (AKA: The Great Airport Panic): Landed at Laoag International. Air was thick with humidity and the faint, alluring scent of… something I couldn't quite place. Mango? Seaspray? The promise of adventure? Whatever it was, it got me giddy. Getting through customs? A blur. Did I remember my passport? Pretty sure. Did I look like I had my life together? Absolutely not. More like, "lost tourist," which, let's be honest, is pretty accurate.
Afternoon (The Glamping Dream Begins…with a Minor Misunderstanding):
- The Great Transfer: Pre-booked transfer. Lovely driver, but I was pretty sure he took the scenic route. Felt like a bumpy, wonderfully chaotic movie ride.
- Check-in Chaos: Arrived at Saffire Beach Resort. The pictures? Gorgeous. Reality? Well, the reception was a little…understaffed. But hey, a little wait is character-building, right? Except my character was already pre-built with extreme impatience. I was finally checked into my "Glamping" Tent-cottage! It was beautiful.
- The First Beach Stroll (and the Realization That My Legs Are Weak): Beach beckoned. Sand felt divine against my feet. Sun? Glorious. Tried to be all Insta-influencer, but my poses were more "awkward flamingo" than "beach goddess." The waves were more powerful than I expected from the photos. I took a few steps. Panting. Okay, maybe those beach walks are gonna take some practice.
Evening (Sunset, Cocktails, and the Fear of Spiders):
- Sunset Spectacular: Oh. My. God. The sunset. Unreal colors. Managed to capture one decent picture (out of 50 blurry ones).
- Cocktails & Crabs: Found a beach bar. Sipped a calamansi margarita. Perfectly tart, and the beachside ambiance made it better. I saw a crab, it was going to steal my peace and quiet. I felt a strange impulse to name all the crabs, maybe that's what happens when you have an adventure alone?
- Dinner & Glamping Fears: Dinner at the resort restaurant. The food was pretty good but I was still kind of full, and the lighting gave me the creeps. Now with the thought of a spider lurking in the corners of the tent… My mind ran wild. Seriously, I'd take on a kraken before a house fly. Played some calming music. But, the sounds of the night… the waves crashing, insects chirping… and the rustling in the tent. Definitely needed a serious pep talk and a flashlight to get through the night.
Day 2: Rambles, Ruins, and Regret
Morning (Wake-Up Call from the Dawn Patrol):
- Sunrise Fails: Woke up to a view, but I would be lying if I said it was an early wake-up call. Managed to get a mediocre sunrise photo. My sleep was fitful due to the spider paranoia.
- Breakfast Buffet Bonanza: Breakfast was… good. But I may have over-indulged in the mini-pancakes. Regret set in before I even left the table.
Afternoon (Historical Hijinks & the Heat is On):
- Windmills & Wonders of the North: Hired a tricycle (or a trike, as the locals call it). Wandered around Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, which was impressive. The sun was brutal. Felt more like I was being slowly roasted than enjoying the scenery. Then I went to Bangui Windmills, I had seen them on instagram, It was spectacular and windy. I almost fell from the viewpoint.
- Church of Saints, and the Weight of History: Visited the San Agustin Church in Paoay. Absolutely stunning architecture, but a little bit of a downer since it's full of history I never really liked. I felt like I was supposed to act reverent. I failed.
- Lunch & the Overwhelming urge to nap: Went for lunch, found a cute little resto. Food coma hit hard. Decided to take a nap instead of adventure.
Evening (Beach Relaxation 2.0 and Existential Mudpies):
- Beach Bliss (Take 2): Back to the beach. This time, tried to be more chill. Successfully managed a few moments of actually enjoying the sun and the waves without the internal monologue of self-doubt.
- Muddy Mess: Ran into some kids making mud pies and I had an urge to join them. It was so fun!
- Dinner and Stargazing (and the Spider Never Left My Mind): Dinner again, same restaurant. I was starting to get used to the place. After dinner, I took a walk on the beach to look at the stars. Found a dark spot with no lights and the sky was full of stars. Amazing! Then, back to the tent. Spiders were still a concern.
Day 3: Adventures, Abrupt Goodbyes and Emotional Meltdown (Maybe)
Morning (The Water's Call and the Near Death Experience):
- Watersports: I tried the surfing because I could. Falling into the water was humiliating, but fun.
- Goodbye to Glamping Life?: Ate breakfast, and packed my things.
- The Grand Departure: Last walk on the beach and last photos, I made sure I was ready to leave.
A Brief and Unscheduled Interlude (Which Could Have Been a Disaster):
- The transfer to the airport almost got me into a car crash.
- I was late for my flight.
The Flights
- The plane was bumpy and I was scared, and very hungry so I ate.
My "Reflections" Section:
- Low Points: The heat. The spiders. The airport drama. My utter and complete inability to master the "effortlessly cool beach pose."
- High Points: The sunset. The crabs. Some of the food. The people i met!
- Would I Do It Again? Absolutely. Even with the chaos, the imperfections, and the existential dread of every spider. It was a gorgeous, messy, real-life adventure. I am definitely coming back.
So, there you have it. This is the kind of Ilocos Norte itinerary I can actually reliably deliver! Now, excuse me while I go back to daydreaming and trying to find the perfect filter for my blurry beach photos.
Unbelievable Okinawa Getaway: Super Hotel Nago's Hidden Paradise!
Okay, so, "Escape to Paradise"... is it *actually* paradise? Like, is it *really* worth losing my precious internet connection?
Alright, deep breaths. Paradise? Depends on your definition. Is it like, pristine white sand, and perfectly manicured cocktails? Nah. Is it a place where you can genuinely *disconnect* (and I struggled with this, I REALLY did) and feel like you're a million miles from the daily grind? YES. There’s a good chance your Instagram connection will be dicey, a blessing and a curse in equal measure. Prepare to *really* talk to people. And laugh. And maybe even get a little sandy in places you didn’t expect. It's a raw, untamed beauty. More Robinson Crusoe *meets* Pinterest-worthy glamping, if that makes sense. My advice? Embrace the slightly gritty, slightly messy, and let go. Seriously, I think that's the point. Plus, the sunsets? Oh. My. God. Forget the filter, just breathe and *look*.
Glamping? Is that just fancy camping? I'm not exactly outdoorsy.
Look, I'm a city slicker at heart. The closest I get to roughing it is a slightly delayed delivery from my meal kit. But *glamping* at Saffire…it's a game-changer. You're basically in a beautifully designed tent, with a *real* bed (thank the heavens!), and a *real* bathroom (with hot water!!). Think bohemian chic meets the beach. I brought my own silk pajamas, don't judge! You still hear the ocean, smell the sea breeze, and feel a connection to nature, without the whole "sleeping on the cold, hard ground" part. The tents themselves are amazing – spacious, airy, and with these ridiculously comfy beds. And you know what the best part was? Waking up to the sound of the waves. It beats the hell out of my usual alarm clock (which, let's be honest, is my cat screaming for breakfast). The only slight imperfection was a rogue mosquito. But hey, nobody’s perfect, not even paradise… allegedly.
The food! What's the food situation like? Because I'm a 'hangry' person.
Okay, food is IMPORTANT. And Saffire delivers. I'd say it was a delightful experience. The breakfast was a highlight! Honestly, I could have eaten their *tapsilog* (a Filipino breakfast staple) every single morning. They have a lovely restaurant, and the view from it takes your breath away. Also, the staff were super attentive and accommodating. One morning, I was craving something that wasn't on the breakfast menu, and they totally whipped it up for me. They were brilliant! Just be prepared for a bit of a wait during peak times. It’s island time, baby. And honestly, the wait was worth it. I would go back *just* for the food.
Beach time! Is the beach... you know, *beachy*?
Yes! Absolutely! It's a beautiful beach. The sand is golden and the waves were gentle. Some days, the waves were a bit wilder, which was good for surfing but a bit intimidating for a casual swimmer like me. I spent HOURS just lounging on my beach chair with a book and a drink (their cocktails are a must-try, the sunset ones, ugh). And the sunsets... I’ve mentioned them before, right? They were INSANE! Seriously, pack a good camera. And some sunscreen! Don’t be like me and forget the sunscreen. My skin looked like a lobster after the first day.
What activities are there? I get *bored* easily.
Okay, so, beyond beach bumming (a perfectly valid activity, by the way), there's actually quite a bit to do. They offer surfing lessons (which I chickened out of, because, you know, giant waves), paddleboarding, and island hopping. Definitely do the island hopping! The nearby islands are stunning. Bring a camera, or five. Also, they have bonfire nights on the beach, which are super fun. You can chat with people, meet new friends, sing, and have a drink—a total vibe. If you're feeling adventurous, you can rent a motorbike and explore the surrounding area. Just... be careful. The roads can be a bit rough. Oh, and the stars at night… incredible. Just incredible. I'm not even a "star person," but wow. They are breathtaking. I spent one night staring at them for hours, just feeling… humbled.
The Staff? Are they nice? Because I'm picky.
Honestly? THE BEST! The staff at Saffire are incredible. They were incredibly friendly, helpful, and always went above and beyond. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed. I'm not exaggerating; I felt it was the best decision I've made in my life. I remember one evening when I was feeling a bit under the weather (probably from too much sun and too many cocktails), and they arranged for some ginger tea to be brought to my tent. It was the sweetest thing. They really care about making your stay special. Big props to the team - they definitely contributed to the overall amazing experience. They are the real MVPs.
Okay, so, what about the *negatives*? Anything I should be aware of before I go? Be honest!
Okay, alright, I'll be brutally honest. It's not *perfect*. Here's the down-low. The wifi…it’s spotty, bordering on nonexistent. Embrace the digital detox, I beg you. I was so attached to my phone, and it was almost a physical pain to detach. Then, there's the distance. Ilocos Norte is a bit of a trek to get to. Not for the faint of heart. Factor in travel time getting there, and getting back. Also, the sand is…well, it’s sand. It gets everywhere. In your shoes, in your hair, in your *soul*. Bring a good brush and embrace the beach hair. And finally, (and this is minor, but still) they could improve the water pressure in the showers. But, honestly, these are minor quibbles, really. Nothing that would ruin the experience. It was still completely fantastic for me overall.
I'm sold! Any specific experience you want to gush about?
Okay, alright, I *have* to tell you about the sunrise I witnessed there. I woke up early one morning (which NEVER happens), and the colors5 Star Stay Find
