Giddy’s Place Donsol

Giddys Place in Donsol has just opened in 2009.

Giddys is definitely in a league of it’s own in Donsol proper. They have wi-fi, spa treatments, hot showers, and all the stuff you would expect from a high end resort.

The food there is exceptionally good and quite cheap for what you get. The restaurant and bar are open until late in the evening.

Giddy’s Place contact – (info @ giddysplace.com)  +63 (917) 848-8881

The owner Raymond, gave me a tour last year and I was impressed. He tried to use some of the old timbers from the original building as kind of a memorial to the old place. I may be wrong but I think he grew up here as a kid – or at least this piece of property was in his family for generations.

He has other interests in Boracay and Manila and leaves the operation of the place in the capable hands of his cracker jack management team.

The lovely bartender.

Giddy’s Place now advertises budget or backpackers fan rooms, but they were not yet complete when I did my tour so I have no information on that.

We did have a look at the family rooms and they are quite nice – with refrigerator, coffee makers, nice tv but the wi-fi does not yet have a signal in the rooms.

We used the wi-fi connection  in the restaurant and were very surprised at the speed.

The whale shark tour center is 3 to 4 kilometers from town on Donsol Bay.

The local tricycle drivers will buzz you down there for 15 pesos per person.

I don’t know if  Giddys has a shuttle but they certainly can organize a lift for you.

It is not necessary to have an agency book your whale shark spotting boat.

You just have to show up at the visitors center in the morning and the tour office will do it for you.

I hope to get fresh pictures for this page in the 2011 season which peaks in Feb and March. I had to use a few repeats from other pages on my site but will try to update later -sorry!

The fee for renting the entire boat with BIO guide and boatmen is 3500 pesos.

They allow up to 7 snorkelers on the boat, so if you split the fee you will only have to pay 500 pesos each.

Mask and fins are available for rent at kiosks at the tour center – 150 pesos for the mask and 150 for the fins.

I have always been a fan of bringing my own gear but it is bulky. The rental gear is low quality but it works. There is also a 300 peso park fee good for a week.

Whalesharks

If you can swing it, try to stay in Donsol for a few days. It really is worth your time.

There are a bunch of links at the bottom of this story that are full of more information about lodging and things to do in the area.

Cagsawa Ruins Mayon

Giddy’s Place Donsol