Bed and breakfast vacation rentals in Batan Island

I stayed here for 2 nights from January 15 to 17. I had volunteered as a photographer to an ordination of a friend and chose this place for its proximity to the Cathedral. I anticipated needing to go to the Cathedral several times so being close to the Cathedral would be a big help. Manang Necy's place is indeed very close to the Cathedral. Manang Necy's place is a 3-storey concrete structure. The ground floor is her residence. There is a separate entrance to the stairs that leads to the 2nd and 3rd floor. The walk up the stairs is a manageable climb. Reaching the top, there is a living space foyer that leads to the rooms and also to the kitchen, to the front balcony and another stairs leading to the 3rd floor. I occupied what is denominated as Room 1. I had access to the front balcony from the room and a front and side window. January being a cool month, I did not turn on the airconditioner and preferred to open the windows to take in fresh air. The windows are of the jalousies type, and have a wire mesh and an insect screen plus curtains which ensures privacy and protection from any insects. The room also has a wall mounted electric fan which I utilized to maintain a continuous circulation of new air. The room has a private toilet and bath with provision for a water heater for the shower. Using international standards, the bed would be classified as a double-sized bed which while comfortable for a single person may be a bit tight to comfortably fit two full sized adults. The common area outside the room has a table where one could take breakfast. Importantly, it has a filtered water dispenser with three options, water at room temperature, cold and hot. I did not use the kitchen but it is available if one wants to prepare and cook food. The host Manang Necy arranged for the airport transfers are also provided breakfast. Manang Necy's warmth and hospitality made my stay special and memorable. In addition to ensuring that I had what I needed for my stay, Manang Necy was an invaluable resource person for understanding many aspects of the way of life in Basco and Itbayat where she is from. On my first night, the ever solicitous Manang Necy asked if I had taken dinner and even accompanied and walked to to a nearby restaurant where I took a sumptuous dinner. She also arranged for me to meet a friend that helped me to better understand the minutiae of a bucolic and idyllic life in Batanes. Thank you Mananag Necy! In addition to being about 2 minutes walk to the Cathedral, the small grounds around Manang Necy's place is planted with many beautiful flowers. It was a delight to stand outside the balcony in the 2nd floor and take in all the beautiful flowers below. There is some road noise from the tricycles that intermittently passes by in front of the house but the tranquil and placid pace in Batanes plus the cool fresh air quickly lulled me to sleep. I would have no hesitation to return and stay at Manang Necy's place if I need to travel alone and stay close to the Cathedral and near the town center.

Ukuy's Place is a gem on a fairly undeveloped island of Batanes-- It is clean, with spare and comfortable rooms, and has friendly helpful staff with tasty Filipino breakfasts. It sits on top of a hill, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean to the East and North China Sea to the west. The air is fresh and there are many pastoral walks, amidst the caribao and local farms. It is a few miles (and a motor tricycle ride) from Basco, so there is just one restaurant nearby (Fundacion), which is quite good, for lunch and dinner. Kristine was a superb host, who helped us at every step with early check-in, ground transport, tours, and food recommendations.