The Last Resort said they don’t sell food, and referred us to Maxine by the Sea Lodge & Restaurant. Walking across the road to go to Maxine by the Sea, a kindly old boatman approached us and asked what we were looking for. He pointed us to the opposite direction for an eatery, saying it’s a bit expensive to eat at Maxine by the Sea. He then noted that he’s a boat man, if we ever need to rent a boat. Too bad he was not there when we were about to leave (by boat) for the Hundred Islands National Park.
Maxine by the Sea signage
the sea
stores in front of Maxine by the Sea
Maxine by the Sea is not only a restaurant, it is also a resort. There are stores in front of the resort that sell colorful beach clothes, hats and souvenir items but the entrance to the main building is pale and gray, because of the concrete walls. The restaurant is really big, and looks ok. There’s even a more intimate al fresco set up at one wing of the resort.
al fresco wing
al fresco close up
Other areas of the resort:
Dining on the first floor
waiting area
dining on the second floor
Mr. Boatman was right, price of the food in the resort is a bit steep if you’re on a budget. This was what we had for lunch:
rice platter (good for 3-4 people)
dinaing na bangus
seafood kare kare
menu card
Seafood Kare Kare was good. I did not try the bagoong (shrimp paste) because it looked salty. The Dinaing na Bangus (milkfish) was ok, but not really as yummy as I was expecting, since Pangasinan is famous for Bangus. Mango shake tasted like over-riped mango. It could be good, or bad, depending on your preference.
I paid P 105.00 for my share of food, and P 65.00 for my mango shake.
bill
Before going to Pangasinan, I got the resorts rates from the online support staff of the Hundred Islands’ official website. But the waiter in the restaurant said that their room rate is Php 2500.00 per room for 2 people, plus 5% at peak seasons. Here’s the rate that I got from the The Hundred Island’s official website’s staff:
- Php 1,288.00/day for 3 pax
- Php 600.00/3 hrs.
rooms with aircon & CR
Maxine by the Sea
MAXINE BY THE SEA
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel: (075)551-2537
[...] 350. We got to the town of Alaminos at around 9:30 AM and rode a tricycle (P100) to Lucap Point in Barangay Lucap to check in at The Last Resort. Lucap Point/Lucap Wharf is where you hire outrigger canoe to go to [...]
[...] water in the bathroom is definitely stronger than the water in Lucap Point. clean w/ strong [...]
I Lived in Pozzorubio for a 1/2 a year olunteering with the rice harvest and working construction. I went from Maine to the Philppines with two friends from Maine whom decided to live back in the PI where their from. I took three trips in April 2009 to Lucap and every trip I ate at Maxines and even stayed there for 3 days. The owners where from CA ( Filipinos) and were very pleasant . I loved my visit there it was so comforting looking over the water and enjoying the excellant food. I loved the Mango shake with Tanguy rum in it. I had the waiter make for me and the breakfast was excellant. Yes its a little more expensive but the atmosphere was worth it. I did not care for the room price though. 2500 for one person when down the street at Vista was only 1000-1500 better looking rooms and a WONDERFUL massage parlor run by CHERRY MAE. Back to Maxine I miss the outdoor patio and the kindness of the owners. Take care John in Sarasota Florida now waiting for my Fiancee from Baguio
PS i wish i was there right now at Maxines . I would again go across the street and play bilards with the trike drivers and sing Kareoke at the Sori-sori store 0 feet down on the opposite side of the street.
My heart belongs to the Philippines
Hello John! Thank you for the comments :) Maxine by the Sea looks ok inside, though we were not able to check out the rooms inside because we preferred to stay in the cheaper place since we’re only using the lodging to sleep at night and would be staying in the Islands for the whole day. My friends and I had longganisa in that Sari Sari store with the karaoke machine. I have yet to post my experience there. :)
You mentioned the mango shake with rhum, it’s probably Tanduay Rhum. I met a French man and he also liked our Tanduay, proudly made in the Philippines. I’m sure you love it here, commodities are relatively less expensive, the people are great and there are a lot of places to see and enjoy. :)
Thank you for your return response. Just a note:
I stayed in baguio several times lastyear and this year celabrating an original Igorotak feast during Xmas and New years. I was living in Pozzorubio (between ordineta and Sison) I travelled from there at the house in Tambugan all over. Bali Hai Beach, Baguio,Dagupan, Managwa,Angeles(Old Clark AB),Orani Batoan???,and sveral other towns eating and enjoying the wonderful culture. I use to live in Balibago for four years when I was in the USAF. I fell in love with everything about the Phillipines ( well almost everything). Thanks again and Take care. To any other readers. You should fill your heart with joy just by visiting Pangasinan or anyplace in the PI. Its wonderful.
Hi John! I am happy that you appreciate the Philippines so well :) Pangasinan and Baguio are also my favorite places to visit, so far, I have feature 11 articles about Pangasinan. I was there in February at Puerto del Sol Hotel and Resort then went back in April to see the Hundred Islands. Then back again on May to Geofarm (Organic Farm). And Baguio is my family’s annual vacation spot. We go up north to the Summer Capital of the Philippines. As I mentioned in my “Because the Philippines has more than 7,000 islands!” article, there are more than 7,000 things to love and enjoy here. Thank you for sharing your travel experiences here, and thank you for appreciating the Philippines. :)
Hi!
My family is planning to go at Hundred Islands. And I’m searching for a nice but affordable hotel to stay. Is Maxine By The Sea a really nice place to stay.
Does it have a website so that I can see its features, amenities and room rates?
Just reply to my e-mail.
Thank you and God bless.
Hi Unique. As i’ve mentioned in the article, we did not at Maxine’s and we did not check out the rooms, but it’s quite popular with the locals so it’s probably OK :) the restaurant is nice with good ambiance and that’s all we were able to experience at Maxine’s. Sorry i cannot help you with the accommodations. Hope you have a great trip :)
Where did you finally stay in Lucap? Thanks.
Hi Clarissa! We stayed at The Last Resort, here’s a link to the resort in front of Maxine by the Sea. :)
Alaminos is lovely!
I truly hope we were able to stay longer :)
http://jotan23.blogspot.com/2010/01/hundred-islands-alaminos-pangasinan.html
Lovely, indeed! Thanks for the link, Jotan! I will visit your link :)
This is my first visit here, but I will be back soon, because I really like the way you are writing, it is so simple and honest
Hi altumviditur,
Me, my husband and son are planning to go visit HI this April 3 to 4. Would like to stay there overnight ( apr-3) and take the bus back to MNL (apr-4) the following day.Can you recommend us a good place to sleep the night that has proper bath and toilet because i guess its hte necessary thing for the overnight stay. And for the package tours can you also recom. where to take or they all have almost the same rate?
Thanks in advance for your responce.
hi MJM, we stayed at The Last Resort, right in front of Maxine by the Sea and the wharf to the Hundred Islands. Both resorts are the nearest resorts to the wharf.
There are two T&B inside our cottage because it’s a really big cottage (good for 10-15 people and for big families). Both T&Bs are average, but will do.
We did not avail of any packaged tours because the boatmen will tour you around the islands to help you decide where to stay, and they know everything about the Islands, so there’s no need for a tour guide.
I hope you enjoy your stay there! :)
[...] Last Resort do not sell food so we ate brunch at the Maxine by the Sea Lodge & Restaurant which is just in front of it, right beside the [...]