Experience Travel and Living Volume 3 Number 3

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that food presentation is not one of their strong points, but assures guests that what they lack in look is made up for by the excellence in their taste and preparation. He is candid in saying the cuisine the resort offers is focused mostly on local dishes and other simple fare. For example, the pandesal at Kilimanjaro Kafe is baked fresh daily and is always one of the more popular pasalubong guests take home. It is not unusual for guests to order pandesal by the dozen.

Unique lagoon design Another important factor is the resort’s orientation. Plantation Bay has a strict no-tipping policy. Buencamino emphasized that what The esplanade offers picture-perfect A hassle-free stay matters most is that each guest enjoys moments his vacation. It is as simple as that. The key to its success, according This is another reason why to its amiable general manager Efren Plantation Bay is firm in its policy Buencamino, is the resort’s dedication of being honest with its guests. It to providing excellent service mixed openly admits that their open-sea with an honest regard for what the beachfront is only 88 meters long, staff can offer. Guests can expect compared with the 200 meters other no flowery words, no fluffy gestures hotels offer. However, they have during their stay—only pure and built several internal lagoons and family—daycare service for employees simple service. This is driven by the other freshwater swimming pools of is provided without charge, along resort’s goal in providing each guest varying dimensions to compensate hassle-free accommodation. Since its with shuttle service for those who for this. This gives the place a unique live far from the property. This launch, Plantation Bay has had one architectural freedom: every room of the highest occupancy rates among has resulted in guests who are is now only a few meters away from provided with service that is not all international-class resorts in the some sort of lagoon, pool, or seafront. only expedient but also involved. Philippines. There are also several function rooms Management is very particular Buencamino has been with the overlooking some body of water. This resort for 18 years, having previously about its training programs, which design layout has made it an ideal are heavily implemented across all worked with a hotel from a 12-year wedding destination. departments. These programs are stint as an airport transporter who received guests. His involvement with conducted regularly and Buencamino If you need to burn calories, climb the resort’s rock wall assures that the staff can handle any another hospitality establishment situation. In fact, Plantation Bay is helped widen his experience in the only resort in Mactan to boast resort management, allowing him a no-child-injury record since it to understand what can be done opened. The resort’s layout allows to truly make a guest feel welcome children to wander around without and comfortable. It is through his fear of danger. diligence, persistence, and passion that he has helped maintain the Delicious and Plantation Bay’s superior reputation. Take a break by the pool

Family-oriented staff The success the resort is enjoying is largely due to the staff’s familyoriented, safety-first, grace-underpressure mindset. Each employee is made to feel that they are part of the

sustainable meals

The management at Plantation Bay is conscious of sustainable dining and refrain from any type of exotic food. Buencamino says the focus of the restaurants is on quality and not on presentation. He jokingly admits EXPER IENCEPH.COM // Vol. 3 No. 3 // 2016

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