Tawi-Tawi: Where to stay in Bongao
Rachel’s Place, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Tourism is not really the main draw in Bongao, Tawi-tawi so there aren’t that many accommodations to choose from. There are however three notable hotels there which caters to businessmen, visitors and the occasional travelers in Tawi-Tawi. We were able to stay at some of them and we can say that don’t expect any 3-5 star types here. Most of the rooms are basic and spartan.
Beachside Inn Room
Beachside Inn Hotel and Restaurant. This is said to be the first hotel in Bongao. It has a very spacious ground and garden. It’s open-air restaurant is also quite popular for its food and use for different functions. We got a double room here for Php 700 per night. It is big with aircon and TV. The lights at the bathroom was busted so we had to improvise for lights at night. Water is powered via a water tank, if it rans out, ask the reception to fill in the tank again. Food is fairly good. Even towns people go here just to eat.
Simandagat Beach across Beachside Inn
Another highlight for this Inn is that it’s located just across the Simandagat beach if you like a peaceful and quiet beach setting. The downside here is that’s it’s quite a distance from the town center itself.
Beachside Inn Hotel and Restaurant
Sowangkagang, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Tel: (068) 268-1446, (068) 268-1435
Tawi-tawi Hotel Juana Room
Hotel Juana Grill and Sandbar Restaurant. Now if you want to be at the heart of the action, this is where you wanna be. It’s at the center of the town just at the main street. We got a double room at the second floor for Php 1350 per night . The room looks nice but shabby since it seems it’s not regularly cleaned. Some cobwebs at the corners. Our room doesn’t even have a window. There’s your regular air conditioning, cable TV and good running water. But we had to clean the aircon since it seems the filter hasn’t been cleaned for some time blocking the cool air from it.
Hotel Juana Street View in Bongao
It has a restaurant downstairs but I found their food too expensive and not that good. Better eat out somewhere else. Locations is the main advantage in this hotel.
Hotel Juana Grill and Sandbar Restaurant
Datu Halum St., Bongao Tawi-tawi
Tel: (068) 268-1018, 0915-4044478
Rachel’s Place Room
Rachel’s Place Hotel and Restaurant. Just a walking distance from the town center but away from the hustle and bustle of the street, Rachel’s Place is a large compound with spacious inner garden and multi-purpose hall and dining area. We got a double room on the second floor for Php 950 per night. It is a spacious room with air conditioning, good running water and cable TV.
Rachel’s Place Building Tawi-Tawi
The adjoining restaurant serves very good and cheap food which I really liked. It’s an enclosed compound just on the street so security is quite good. When we were there, major renovations are being done so expect improvements there.
Rachel’s Place Hotel and Restaurant
Ilmon Street Lamion, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Tel: (068) 268-1248
My Pick: From the three Hotels mentioned, my pick would be Rachel’s Place, good rooms, tasty and cheap food and good security. It’s just a walking distance to establishments as well.
Others: We learned from other backpackers that there are some other cheaper guesthouses ad lodgings in Bongao for as much as 400-200 per night. Most have shared bathrooms and fan rooms. It pays to ask around as well.
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Tags: Bongao, Mindanao, Sleep, Southern Mindanao, Tawi-Tawi
Posted on
Monday, February 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm 
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February 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
you certainly redefined tawi-tawi in my books. great job again ferdz.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 pm
thanks for this ferdz. you’ve been giving us infos ahead of the places that we can definitely visit. i didnt know that there are actually big hotels, motels like that in tawi tawi. i like the rachel’s place, simply because of the nearby beach. it has it’s own disadvantage though.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:26 am
you really dont need all the luxuries when travelling. you need a bed, roof over your head and shower that works, after all you are outside exploring the entire day. really interesting accommodations i’d say.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
thanks for this info. nakakainis kasi nakakainggit. promise talaga, one day, mararating ko din ‘to.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Thanks Oman! That’s one of my aims here in this series is to show people on what’s there.
I myself never expected to see such places there Dom.
So true Photo Cache! That’s why we don’t spend too much on accommodations since we don’t stay there all day.
Makakapunta ka rin dyan Barok. Hope the information here would be of great help.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
The rooms are neat – really … And they look comfortable too.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:03 am
SALAMAT PO NOON PA AKO NAGAHAHANAP NG MGA BEACH