Mellow Apartelle and Tourist Inn Bohol

Our accommodation at Mellow Apartelle was already pre-booked by Ate Kathy (wife of Kuya Tatsky Cubero who managed our trip to Bohol). 

the apartelle signage outside

Mellow Apartelle and Tourist Inn is located in Dampas – Binayran Road which is just a few minutes tricycle ride away from the seaport. I chose Mellows because they have a superior room that only cost 1,300 per night and can accommodate the four of us comfortably without having to pay much. Although the place is not that well reviewed in the internet, I still opted for it due to the pictures posted in its website (which I discovered later on as very different in the actual view). Ate Kathy already informed me first hand that its location is secluded from the downtown area, and it would not be easy to go the mall because only few public transportation vehicles pass by the area. But I still insisted to stay there, so she booked for us.

For reservations:

Mellow Apartelle and Tourist Inn

Dampas-Binayran Road, Dampas District

6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines

Phone Numbers: +63 (38) 411 2211 / +63 (38) 501 7040

Mobile Number: +63 920 867 6405

Telefax: +63 38 411 5378

Email: info@mellowapartelle.com

Website: http://www.mellowapartelle.com

We arrived at the Tagbilaran Port at exactly 5:00PM, and outside the visitor’s lounge, a man carrying a signage bearing the greeting “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAAM MYRNA” (I asked a favor with Ata Kathy to contact Mellows to have that signage) was already waiting for us.

the signage bearing the Happy Birthday greeting for my mother

(NEGATIVE Point #1: I was not happy with the banner because among the 5 drivers who were waiting for their guests outside the port, our driver was the only one carrying a “hand written” signage. The other 4 were bringing with them a type written one)

I went to him and asked him if he was the assigned driver of the hotel, he smiled and politely greeted us good afternoon, and led us to our van.

the van sent  by Mellow Apartelle to pick us up from the Tagbilaran Port

After around 15 minutes drive from the port, we arrived at the apartelle. 

(NEGATIVE Point #2: it's a little bit far from the heart of the city) 

(NEGATIVE Point #3: no restaurants or food stalls available nearby)  

The lady receptionist attended us with our reservation details, and gave me the key for our room. Since we were to stay at the second floor of the apartelle, I asked if someone can help us bring our things to the room, but no other person was there except her. So I carried our baggage to the second floor using the stairs 

(NEGATIVE Point #4: no elevator and no one helped us with our baggages) 

When we reached the second floor, we were surprised with the dark hallway. I was not able to take a picture of the hallway because I was already disappointed with the place that time.

(NEGATIVE Point #5: no lights along the hallway, and it was already 5:45PM that time) 

After the 5 bad points, we still continued to our room. I thought the bad vibes will end there, but unluckily not. 

Upon entering the room, I like there setting, there were 2 bedrooms, a receiving area, a kitchen and a bathroom. The room was clean with a balcony outside to enjoy the view of the beach far away.  (you can check their website for the pictures of the Superior Room)

(NEGATIVE Point #6: But one problem was there were many big mosquitoes flying inside the room)

So with this 5 bad points plus there were no restaurants or mall in the vicinity, I said this is enough. I called Ate Kathy and requested for a car to pick us up because we will transfer to another hotel. After only 15 minutes, an orange Accent car arrived. Kuya Rikrik introduced himself and drove us to Rio Andre.

LESSON LEARNED: This experience made me realize that I should trust my agent regarding the accommodation because they know well what's the best place to stay in Bohol that will meet our needs. And also, not only rely with the pictures posted in the website of any hotel. 

I'm very thankful to Ate Kathy for her help all throughout our stay in Bohol. 

view of the apartelle outside

But after all the negative reviews we had with this apartelle, I'd still consider the place because of the following:

• Affordable- with only P1,300 you can have a condo style unit with 2 bedrooms, 1 comfort room, 1 kitchen, 1 receiving area, and a balcony
• Clean- although there were mosquitoes around our room, but still the bed linens, pillows, and towels were well washed 
• Quiet Vicinity- the area is a bit far from the main road, so you'll not hear noise coming from vehicles passing by. So if you're looking for a place to really relax, well this one is for you
• Free Trans-in and Trans-out from the airport and seaport
• They have a swimming pool
• They have personal computers with internet connection displayed in their lobby for their guests