Work-free Family Haven
Costabella Resort - Mactan, Cebu, Philippines
Area: Southeast Asia (Mactan, Cebu, Philippines)
Average price: $190 – $500 USD a night
Space type: Resort rooms with desk, table, and bathtub (family-oriented resort)
Honest Review of Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel
We stayed at Costabella for 5 days and 4 nights as a family trip, and this stay was a treat from my sister and her husband. At around $190–$500 USD per night during high season, we felt it was a pretty reasonable deal overall. That said, the experience was a mixed bag, with clear strengths and some important drawbacks depending on what kind of traveler you are.
The Good
Costabella is very family-friendly, and that’s where it truly shines. The staff are generally warm and helpful, and the resort is well set up for kids.
What we loved:
- Two swimming pools
- Water sports
- A playground for kids
- Spa and gym
- Attentive front desk staff – they allowed us an early check-in, which was a huge help since we arrived with restless kids.
- Kiddie corner with a nanny available from 10 am to 5 pm (usage capped at 2 hours during busy times)
- Three restaurants, including a fun tapas bar with a pool table and darts
- Easy, convenient airport transfer
The beds were extremely comfortable, and the rooms were decently sized, which made longer stays more comfortable. I personally loved the bath tubs too!
The Not-So-Good
If you’re planning to work remotely, this is where Costabella falls short.
- The room had a desk and table, but the Wi-Fi was very slow. Speed tests showed under 10 Mbps for both upload and download.
- It was fine for messaging, light Netflix, and social media, but not reliable for work or calls.
- Booking flights took me almost an hour because pages wouldn’t load properly. 👉 We do NOT recommend working from this resort.
Another downside was the poor soundproofing. We stayed on the second floor near the pool, and during the day we could clearly hear kids running around and screaming. It made daytime naps difficult. Nights, however, were peaceful.
Also, while the rooms were comfortable, I’d suggest upgrading the TVs to smart TVs, which would be a nice modern touch.
Dining Service – Inconsistent
Restaurant service was hit or miss. On our first day, we ordered hot chocolate and had to repeat the order three times, with the server returning repeatedly as if the order wasn’t registered properly.
That said, one staff member stood out: Enting. He was attentive, remembered small details about our group, and genuinely elevated our experience. He deserves recognition—and honestly, a promotion.
Do you want your property featured on Rich and Remote? Simply fill out the short form at our Get Featured page.
Work-free Family Haven
Final verdict:
Costabella is a great choice for families, especially those traveling with young kids who want a relaxed beachfront resort with plenty of activities and accommodating staff.
However, if you’re a digital nomad or planning to work during your stay, this may not be the right fit due to unreliable internet and daytime noise near common areas.
Best for: families, leisure travelers, kid-friendly vacations
Not ideal for: remote work, business travel, or light sleepers during the day
⭐️ Overall: a comfortable, family-oriented resort with great amenities, but with clear trade-offs to consider.
P.S. We also had an accident. My sister sprained her ankle and had to use a wheelchair. The hotel staff assisted swiftly and were also able to transfer her to the PWD-friendly room. We were super grateful!