This is a place very far away from Manila that can make you blurt the perfect awww: Bernie’s Bed and Breakfast in Ivana, a sleepy town in Batanes some 15km from Basco Airport.
Bernie’s is a two-storey seven-bedroom hotel inspired by the traditional Ivatan architecture with touches of modern. Its “quaintly” features? The stone-dotted façade with trellis and vertical windows; the stone path leading to the entrance; the homey but bright and airy interiors, and the careful mix of wooden furnishings, kerosene lamp-inspired fixtures, ornamental plants and art pieces. One nice touch at Bernie’s are its books, shelves of them, that are the first to greet guests.
The B&B is logically designed—the social spaces are on the ground floor while the rooms on are on the second floor.
Slip at the small garden at the back for a quiet moment by yourself and take in the sun and Ivana’s peaceful surroundings.
Sleep
Author Jonalyn Fortuno enjoying some peace and quiet at the Queen Room
There are queen bedrooms and double bedrooms, all spacious. I stayed in a queen room with whitewashed walls and stone tiles, well-furnished along with mod cons. It has a spacious bathroom with fine toiletries. At full house, Bernie’s can be filled with up to 21 people.
Eat
Bernie’s only serves breakfast and it’s typically what’s available like fried flying fish, rice and coffee. The innkeeper may cook a meal for guests.
Do
See Batanes’ famous landmarks close by: the House of Dakay, the oldest stone house in Batanes; Honesty Coffee Shop, an unmanned store that operates solely on trust; the Old Spanish Bridge.
The basics
Starts at Php3,500 (USD67) per night
Facebook.com/Bernies-Bed-And-Breakfast
Get there
SkyJet flies daily from Manila to Batanes Book a SkyJet flight now.
Story by Jonalyn Fortuno; photos by Ferdz Decena
