Resort Review: Vitalis White Sand (Santiago, Ilocos Sur)

Date of Stay: February 17-18, 2017

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ******

Rooms: ******

Condition and Cleanliness: *******

Staff Performance: ******

Room Comfort: *******

Food and Beverage: *******

Other Amenities: *******

Value for Money: *******

Vitalis White Sand

This 3-star, 3-storey hotel, along beautiful Santiago Cove, has 27 stylish and comfortable airconitioned rooms with private ensuite bath with hot and cold shower, hair dryer (on request), bathrobes, rainshower head and toiletries.  

It also has cable TV; NDD telephone; IR electronic lockset system; blackout drapes, coffee and tea making facility; mini refrigerator; complimentary bottled water; writing desk; balcony and free wi-fi. 

The 30 sq. m. Standard Rooms have a queen size bed and mountain (PhP5,000) or ocean (PhP4,500-5,300) views; the spacious 48 sq. m. De Luxe Room has 2 queen size beds and mountain (PhP5,500) and ocean (PhP4,900) views; the Ocean Family Suite (PhP9,500) has two adjoining rooms; while the Penthouse Suite (PhP11,500) has 1 king-size bed and 2 queen-size beds. 

Rates include breakfast and use of the pool and billiards. Children 12 yrs old and below sharing bed with parents are free of room charge. Check out/check in time is 12 noon and 2 PM respectively  

For over and above minimum capacity, an additional charge of PhP1,000 net/pax will be charged, inclusive of breakfast. PhP495 will be charged for additional breakfast for 13 years above and PhP350 for  7-12 years old only.

The resort's swimming pool

he resort also has a 24-hour front desk, restaurant (Fishermans Boat Grill), coffee shop, outdoor swimming pool, children's pool, poolside bar (Macario),  cabanas, conference room, designated smoking areas, business center, videoke, billiards and beach volleyball. Some public areas have free wi-fi. The clean, private white sand beachfront has cabanas and beach lounge chairs.

A watersports haven, it offers jetskis, banana boat, kayak, pedalboat, paddleboard, wakeboard, snorkeling and scuba diving. Its Vida Verde Spa offers massages, body treatments, facials, manicure and pedicure. The daily breakfast (6 - 10 AM) is plated (garlic rice, eggs, Vigan longanisa, etc.) but includes a salad bar, cereals, milk, hot chocolate, brewed coffee, fruit jams, soup choices, etc.

Fishermans Boat Grill

It also offers laundry, luggage storage, concierge, currency exchange, airport transfer, tours, ticket information, express check-in/check-out, free self parking and room service. It is the sister resort of the  luxurious Santorini-inspired Vitalis Villas, located just across the cove. A shuttle (5-min. drive) and zipline (P350) connects both resorts.

Vitalis White Sands is located 13.9 kms. from the town center, a 10-min. drive from Manila North Drive (National Highway), a 40-min. drive from Candon City and a 45-min. drive from Vigan City.

Sister resort Vitalis Villas located just across the cove

Watersports facilities along Santiago Cove

Vitalis White Sands: Santiago Cove, Brgy. Sabangan, Santiago, Ilocos Sur.  Website: www.vitalisresort.com. Reservation and Information Centers: Manila: (02) 404-4784, Subic (Zambales): (047) 252-9978.

How to Get There

From San Fernando Airport in San Fernando City, head north, along Airport Rd. for 950 m., turn right toward Pennsylvania Ave. for 400 m., take the first right onto Pennsylvania Ave. for 290 m., take the first left onto Mabini St. for 1.5 kms., turn right onto Ancheta St. for 300 m., turn left onto MacArthur Highway for 49.9 kms., continue onto National Highway for 19.6 kms., continue onto Manila North Rd. for 20.3 kms., turn left toward Sabangan Bridge for 1.3 kms. then finally turn left onto Sabangan Bridge for 81 m. Santiago Cove will be on the right.