Marianne Port Barton

Marianne Port Barton is a small inn for divers who would rather spend their time close to the beach than inside a large resort. You get an air-conditioned room, a private bathroom, a balcony and a garden or terrace for the slower parts of the day.

The mood is practical and uncomplicated. Start with breakfast, head towards the sea, then return to a cool room when the heat and salt have done their work. Room service is available when you would rather keep the evening quiet.

The inn stands on Bonifacio Street in Port Barton, San Vicente, Philippines. Port Barton Beach is about 0.1 mile away, close enough for an easy walk in flip-flops rather than a logistical exercise involving transport and timetables.

You are also near the village's everyday eating spots. Gacayan Restaurant is about 0.1 mile away, while Jambalaya Cajun Cafe and Mabuti. Eat and Chill are each roughly the same distance. White Beach is about 2.6 miles away by road, and Pamuayan Beach around 1.4 miles by road.

San Vicente Airport is about 15 miles away by road. That is the transfer to organise before you start thinking about the first swim.

The two room categories are aimed at slightly different sleeping arrangements. The Classic Triple Room has one double bed and one single bed, making it the natural choice for a couple who want a little flexibility. The Superior Triple Room uses three single beds, which suits two travellers who prefer separate beds and do not want to negotiate blanket territory at the end of a long day.

Both options come with air conditioning, a private bathroom with a bath, a television, an electric kettle and a balcony. The balcony gives you somewhere to sit with a drink or a cup of tea, while the air conditioning matters when you return warm, tired and carrying the day's humidity with you.

Children of any age are welcome, and extra beds can be requested. Children aged seven and over are treated as adults for occupancy purposes, so check your chosen arrangement carefully if you are travelling with family.

Breakfast is complimentary, giving you an easy start before heading out for the day. There is no elaborate dining programme to plan around in the information available for the inn, so your main evening decision is likely to be which nearby restaurant deserves your appetite.

Gacayan Restaurant, Jambalaya Cajun Cafe and Mabuti. Eat and Chill are all within about 0.1 mile. That puts dinner within walking distance, with no need to turn a simple meal into another journey.

Room service is available for the evenings when you have had enough sun, sea and conversation. The kettle in your room is useful for the smaller requirements of dive travel: a hot drink, a quiet balcony and an early night.

The garden and terrace give you somewhere to slow down without having to leave the inn. A balcony adds a private version of the same arrangement, useful when one of you wants to read while the other is still deciding whether the day has finished.

For time on the water, the inn offers snorkelling and boat excursions. Island-hopping trips are also available, so you can trade the dive timetable for a day of moving between islands and beaches.

Jungle treks provide the land-based alternative. They are the sort of outing to keep for a non-diving day, when your legs want scenery but not another set of fins.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 22:00, and check-out is by 12:00. There is no age requirement for check-in, and children are welcome. Pets are not permitted.

Private parking is available on site and does not require a reservation. Payment at the property is in cash, so plan accordingly before you arrive in Port Barton.

San Vicente Airport is about 15 miles away by road. The inn's contact details are +63 917 865 6234 and +63 917 865 6233, with email contact at info@marianneinnportbarton.com.ph.