Laly's B5: Your Dream Subic Bay Getaway Awaits! (Zambales, Philippines)
Laly's B5: Your Dream Subic Bay Getaway Awaits! (Zambales, Philippines) - A Frankly Honest Review (With a Side of Wi-Fi Woes)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just wrestled my way back from Laly's B5 in Subic Bay, and I'm here to spill the beans. Forget those sanitized, cookie-cutter reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all, sprinkled with a healthy dose of digital nomad anxieties and a desperate craving for a good cup of coffee. (Spoiler alert: the coffee situation needs some serious work.)
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the "Where are the Ramps?"
Let's start with the basics. Getting there? Easy peasy. Subic Bay is, thankfully, not on the moon. I’m not sure about wheelchair accessibility, but it is on the road and accessible by road. But inside the hotel, it could be a mixed bag. I didn’t notice ramps everywhere, so if you need them, call ahead. Seriously. Do it. Don’t be like me, assuming everything's hunky-dory.
On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Again, needs some investigation. I saw a few places, but "accessible" can mean very different things to different people. Definitely ask.
Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Call. Be proactive. Please.
Internet: Wi-Fi Dreams (and Tech Nightmares!)
Okay, now we get to the meat of it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (They shout it, and with good reason, bless their hearts). And it's… well, it's there. Sometimes. Look, I’m going to be brutally honest: the Wi-Fi was a fickle beast. It would be zippy one minute, and then decide to take a permanent vacation the next. I swear my Instagram feed aged a decade during my stay because of the buffering. Internet [LAN] I didn’t even try. Internet services were a mixed bag. Wi-Fi in public areas was, in theory, available. In practice, it mirrored the room service: hopeful, but often failing to deliver. I'm a digital nomad clinging to the edge of sanity, and I need my internet! This was my biggest frustration. It was like my coffee machine, when it worked it was great, but the rest of the time it sat there mocking me. Internet, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, were all technically available but hit or miss.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and the Spa That Almost Cured Me)
Okay, so without the internet, what was there? A lot, actually! Subic Bay is beautiful.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view: Gorgeous. Seriously. The pool was chef's kiss. Views to kill for. I spent hours just floating, pretending I was a millionaire with no deadlines.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: Okay, this is where Laly's really shines. The massage was divine. Absolutely divine. I’m talking, “all your stress melts away and you become a puddle of bliss” divine. I highly recommend the full body scrub, (Body scrub) and if you are looking for an expensive indulgence, consider the Body Wrap.
- Fitness center/Gym/Fitness: Didn't see it, didn't ask. Post-massage bliss demanded a nap, not a workout.
- Foot bath: Ooh, that sounds tempting.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe & Secure (Almost)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Tick. Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent. Felt safe.
- Hygiene certification: I didn’t see the certificate, but my gut said they were trying.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Crucial!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely.
- Safe dining setup: Always a bonus.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I certainly didn't get sick.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour]: Good to see!
- Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Smoke alarms: Standard, but important
- Safety/security feature: The door locks felt solid.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Always reassuring, though I (thankfully) didn’t need either.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Gastronomic Adventure (with Ups and Downs)
- Restaurants: Yes, plural!
- Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: The breakfast buffet was decent. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid enough to fuel a day of pool lounging.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: The coffee situation… I'm not going to say it was bad, but it could definitely improve. Bring your own instant, just in case.
- Poolside bar: Very convenient.
- Happy hour: Definitely happy.
- Room service [24-hour]: Handy.
- Snack bar: Useful.
- Vegetarian restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Bottle of water, Desserts in restaurant: all there, just… you know, not Michelin-star level. But good enough.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Variety is the spice of life!
- Alternative meal arrangement, Breakfast takeaway service, Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: These are all pluses!
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Amenities
- Air conditioning in public area: A must, in this climate.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: I didn't use them, but they were available.
- Business facilities: Okay, back to the digital nomad woes. Xerox/fax in business center, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, Projector/LED display, Wi-Fi for special events – all technically there, but the Wi-Fi dependability… let's just say I wouldn't rely on them for a critical Zoom call.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Appreciated, especially these days.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: Useful for last-minute purchases.
- Daily housekeeping, Ironing service, Laundry service: Excellent.
- Doorman: Welcoming.
- Elevator: Thank goodness.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See first section. Get clarification before you book.
- Food delivery: Yay!
- Luggage storage: Essential.
- On-site event hosting, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events: Good for weddings/parties, I guess?
- Invoice provided: Fine.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
- Seminars: Didn’t see any seminars.
- Shrine: Interesting touch.
- Smoking area: For those who partake
- Terrace: Nice.
- Xerox/fax in business center: See above wifi issues.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Bicycle parking: All good options for getting around.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: For those travelling with children, all seems well.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service: available!
- Family/child friendly: Yes, seems like it!
- Kids facilities: didn't see any, but this is a resort that seems suitable for children
- Kids meal: Also available!
Available in all rooms:
- **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is Laly's B5 Cozy Transients Home in Subic Bay, Philippines, and we’re about to get real. Prepare for tangents, mild panic, and a whole lot of "wait, what did I even DO yesterday?"
Laly's B5 Cozy Mess Express: A Subic Bay Odyssey (with copious amounts of caffeine and questionable decisions)
Day 1: Arrival - AKA "Where's My Damn Luggage?"
- Time: 6:00 AM - Ugh, the sun? Seriously? Land in Manila. (Long haul flight, my butt is welded to this airplane seat)
- Transportation: Taxi, then the dreaded Victory Liner bus to Subic. Victory? More like defeat, am I right? The bus was so airconditioned I nearly turned into an ice sculpture.
- Anecdote: Okay, so first hurdle: My luggage. Gone. Vanished. Poof. Apparently, it's "currently enjoying a tropical vacation in…Rome?!" (Or maybe it's just playing hide-and-seek with the baggage handlers. Bastards.) Filed a report. Started plotting revenge. Maybe I'll just knit a new wardrobe out of bus tickets.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated panic mixed with a healthy dose of "well, now what?". I'm currently wearing the same clothes I flew in, and let me just say thank god for body odor deodorant.
- Arrival at Laly's: Finally. Found it tucked down a side street that only Google Maps knew about. It was a blessedly quiet street, compared to the chaos of the bus terminal. Checked into my room. Small. Cozy. Exactly what I needed after a flight that felt like a cross-country road trip with the entire population of a small country.
- Quirky Observation: Laly's smile. That woman could charm the socks off a grumpy octopus. Seriously. She's the heart of this place. The room is tiny, but the aircon is humming, and the bed looks like a fluffy cloud of sleep. I might just crawl in and not see daylight for 12 hours.
- Evening: Dinner at "The Pier." Overlooking the water. Ordered what I thought was fish. It turned out to be something that tasted vaguely of the sea, but mostly of adventure. The best kind, obviously. Got hopelessly lost on the way back. Subic is a labyrinth, especially at night. Found my way back eventually.
- Opinionated Language: The Victory Liner bus? Needs a serious upgrade. And those airport baggage handlers? They owe me a new freaking wardrobe!
- Imperfection: Ate too much. Now feeling vaguely sluggish. Wish I had a digestive elixir.
Day 2: Beach Chaos and Questionable Decisions
- Morning (ish): Woke up later than planned. Blame Laly's comfy bed. Decided to go to the beach, because, you know, paradise.
- Transportation: Tuktuk. The local mode of transport. A rolling, painted testament to Filipino ingenuity.
- Beach Time: Oh. My. God. The beach. Imagine everything good in the world, sprinkled with sand, and then topped with a generous helping of sunshine. But, and here's the catch: I forgot sunscreen. Major Rookie Move.
- Quirky Observation: That ice cream vendor is a saint. He just knew I needed a mango ice cream bar, even though I hadn't said a word. Pure magic.
- Doubling Down: Stayed at the beach too long. My skin is now the color of a cooked lobster. This is not good.
- Transportation (Return): Tuktuk again. Haggled like a pro (well, maybe).
- Afternoon: Naptime. Because the sun has rendered me utterly useless.
- Evening: Dinner. Small restaurant. Had some calamari. It was…okay. Found a bar later. The bar had karaoke. Thought I'd be cool and sing.
- Emotional Reaction: I sounded like a dying cat. The karaoke machine ate my soul. Regret.
- Night: Drunk. Fell asleep fully clothed with my book and a half-eaten piece of calamari. Seriously. I'm a disaster.
Day 3: Recovering and Regret
- Morning : Wake up. The sun is a cruel mistress.
- Breakfast: Needed something to counter the pain. Went to the nearest place. They had eggs with a local twist
- Transportation: Walk in order to reduce the pain. Not far from the place and very easy to navigate
- Afternoon: Started to feel better. Decided I need to find my lost luggage.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm starting to miss my luggage. But this trip has taught me a lot of things that I could never have dreamed of
- Evening: I had dinner and slept early. I need to recover myself for tomorrow
Day 4: Last day!
- Morning: Woke up early. Realized, I do not want to leave.
- Transportation: Bus.
- Late Afternoon: Goodbye, Subic. Goodbye, Laly's. Goodbye, sanity (possibly).
Messy Thoughts & Unedited Rambles:
- Okay, so, the food. So much food. I'm not sure I can ever look at a mango again. Or calamari. Or possibly anything that comes from the sea. (Except maybe the ice cream vendor. He gets a pass.)
- Laly? She’s a gem. Seriously. Book early, because this place is going to blow up.
- The beach? Stunning. Just…wear sunscreen. Seriously.
- The karaoke? Never again. Unless enough tequila is involved, then maybe…just maybe.
- My luggage? Still missing. But hey, at least I have a good story (and a slightly sunburned face) to prove I was somewhere.
Rating: 4/5. Minus one star for the missing luggage and the sheer volume of embarrassing things I did. But overall? Absolutely worth it. Subic, you unpredictable beauty, I'll be back. Assuming my luggage ever decides to show up…and hopefully, my singing voice improves.
Escape to Fremont's Charming Cobblestone Inn & Suites!
Laly's B5: Your Dream Subic Bay Getaway - FAQ! (Because Seriously, You Have Questions.)
Okay, Laly's B5… what *is* it, exactly? Like, is it a resort? A hut? Do I need to bring a hazmat suit?
Alright, settle down, explorer! Laly's B5 is basically a collection of self-catering villas right on the beach in Subic Bay, Zambales. Picture this: you, the sand, the sea, and a comfy place to crash after a day of… adventures. (More on those later, trust me.) Think more "rustic charm" and less "sterile hotel room." No hazmat suit needed, but maybe pack some bug spray – those little buggers *love* a good sunset. I once saw a cockroach the size of my thumb casually strolling by. It was...memorable.
What are the rooms like? Are they clean? I'm a clean freak. (Don't judge me.)
Okay, listen, cleanliness is subjective, right? (Don't @ me, clean freaks!) The villas are generally clean, but remember, you're at the beach. There *will* be sand. And possibly the occasional… small, but enthusiastic, ant. They're battling for crumbs, okay? It's a whole ecosystem. The rooms themselves are comfortable, with aircon (thank the heavens!), a basic kitchen, and usually a TV. The bed I slept in last time was… well, let's just say it wasn't a five-star hotel mattress. But after a day of swimming and sun, I slept like the dead! My partner, however, complained about the pillows. He’s a *pillow* person. I'm not. See? Subjective!
Is there a pool? Because, you know, sunbathing is a workout.
Nope! No pool. But HELLO, you’re steps away from the ocean! You see that big, blue thing right there? That's the pool of the *gods*, my friend. Honestly, who needs chlorine when you have the waves? (Okay, sometimes the waves are a little… vigorous. I got totally wiped out by a sneaky one once. Embarrassing.) Plus, the beach at Laly's B5 is pretty chill. Great for just… floating. It's heaven when you feel like you can just float and do nothing and not be judged. It's what vacations are for, right?
How far is it from the airport/major cities? Driving direction from Manila?
From Manila, it's about a 3-4 hour drive (depending on traffic, and let's be real, there *WILL* be traffic). Google Maps is your friend. Type in Laly's B5 and let the digital goddess guide you, because I'm terrible with directions. Just make sure you leave early to beat the Manila exodus. You CAN take a bus, too, which takes a similar amount of time. The drive is… well, it can be a bit of a slog, to be honest. But the payoff at the end is WORTH IT, I swear! Especially if you pack lots of snacks. And maybe a good playlist. And a pillow. (Thinking of my partner again...)
What can I *do* there? Besides, you know, existing.
Besides existing? Oh baby, the options are endless! Swimming, obviously. Sunbathing. Building sandcastles (don't judge my skills!). Eating mountains of seafood. (Seriously, the seafood is divine.) You can rent a boat and go island hopping or snorkeling. The marine life in Subic Bay is pretty spectacular if you’re into that sort of thing. There are also a few nearby attractions, like... I think there's a zoo? And, obviously, the bars. Did I mention the bars? Because, yeah, the bars are important. I may have spent a significant amount of time at one particular karaoke bar. Let's just say my rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" was... enthusiastic. (And possibly caused some ear damage.)
There's something more... how's the internet? I *need* to stay connected. (Work, you know?)
Okay, let's be honest: The internet at Laly's B5 can be… patchy. Don't expect lightning-fast connections. This isn't a high-speed data paradise. It's more of a "check your emails once a day and then disconnect and actually *enjoy* your vacation" kind of vibe. I mean, you *are* on vacation, right? Embrace the digital detox. It's liberating! (That being said, I did have a mild panic attack when I couldn't upload my Instagram story. So… bring a backup mobile data plan, just in case.) Prepare for the potential for intermittent connection. Don't let it ruin it. The sunrises will be better than whatever you're missing online. If you're lucky.
Is it good for families with kids?
Yeah, absolutely! The beach is generally calm, and the villas are spacious enough. Kids will love running around, building sandcastles, and splashing in the waves. There's a lot of open space for playing. Just keep an eye on them, of course. And bring the sunscreen! Lots and lots of sunscreen. I saw a kid get *severely* burned one time. It was so bright red! And the tantrums that came after… Let's just say I felt grateful I didn't have kids with me at that moment. There's also a tiny shop on site that sells snacks and drinks. Makes it convenient if the whiny monster wants chips.
Am I going to be bored?
Bored? That depends on you! Are you the kind of person who needs constant stimulation? Then maybe. But if you're okay with chilling, reading a book, sipping a cold drink, and enjoying the peace and quiet, you'll be in heaven. Seriously, there's something so incredibly *relaxing* about Laly's B5. It's a chance to unplug, unwind, and rediscover your inner zen (or, you know, just binge-watch Netflix on your phone with dodgy wifi if your zen is a little… complicated). I usually go back to reading my books after a day of doing nothing. I once got so lost in a book that I forgot to eat dinner! It was glorious. Then, the hunger caught up with me, and I was so hangry!
What's the food situation like? Can I cook? Are there restaurants nearby?
You have a kitchen! That meansFind Hotel Now
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