Crystal Sands Beach Restaurant

In the remote areas of the Philippines, I am accustomed to finding a satisfying meal for around P200 at a humble kitchen. Prices are a bit higher at the Crystal Sands Beach Resort on San Antonio Island, but as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for." And that holds true here. Both my lunch of chicken and my dinner of lapu lapu in sweet and sour sauce (lapu lapu is known as grouper in Australia) were absolutely delicious and generously portioned at P300 for 300 grams, although the fish looked even bigger. The San Miguel Light beer was a refreshing choice. I enjoyed a mosquito-free experience at the Open Air Restaurant while chatting with a British Dutch couple who highly praised the Philippines, even though the woman had never been to Asia before. I also separately reviewed the property at Crystal Sands, and it left much to be desired.

We had unforgettable moments in this charming hotel. The cuisine is excellent, the setting is idyllic, and the owners Cora and Karl are adorable.

During my visit, I enjoyed a delicious lunch of chicken and a dinner of lapu-lapu in sweet and sour sauce (lapu-lapu being the grouper fish, as known in Australia). Both meals were fantastic and flavorful, especially the generous serving of fish, which was priced at P300 for 300 grams, although it appeared larger. I also had the pleasure of trying San Miguel Light beer, which was a great choice. The open-air restaurant provided a pleasant dining experience without any bothersome mosquitoes. I had a delightful conversation with a young couple from the UK and the Netherlands, who both spoke highly of their time in the Philippines, despite the girl never having visited Asia before. Overall, the dining experience at Crystal Sands Beach Resort was excellent, and I have also reviewed the accommodation, which I can also recommend.