Batanes: Shanedel's Inn and Cafe

Contact Person : Delly Millan

Contact Number : +011 63 920 4470737

 +011 63 929 4152293 

US No.  : +001 209 4877495

Email: shanedels@yahoo.com

Web Site Address: www.wix.com/Shanedels/Batanes

One of the pioneer inns in Batanes. The place was called Mataw Reef and Restaurant (Mataw-Meaning Fisherman's reef) in the mid 1990's. It was then named after the owner Ms. Delly Millan and her husband, Shane (Shane+Delly). Shanedel's formally opened as a simple family-run homestay year 2002. Now, with a total of 15 rooms, 9 air conditioned and 6 regular fan rooms, the inn can accommodate a total of 32 guests.* Over the years, Shanedel's has estabished a name as an affordable by the sea inn and are popular with anglers. 

Pros:

Maybelle, the daughter of the owner was very accommodating and had gone the extra mile in making us feel comfortable during our stay.

E.g. She brought an ice pack when my friend got injured, arranged a candle lit dinner, and offered to wake us up at 4AM for our flight.

The room we got was a triple room with a full view of the sea, it was priced at 1800Php/night but we got it at a discounted rate of 1500Php/night. The room was fairly clean.

 There's a veranda right outside our door. It's a bit cluttered though because of the ongoing inn renovation, which is fairly common during off season.

 At sunset...

One of the best souvenir shops is right outside Shanedel's, along the street.

Paintings of Ivatan Artists (Prices from 800Php and up)

I was super tempted to buy one. I would have done so had I not been thinking of being stranded for a number of days more and not having some cash at hand.

 Rock painted to look like a traditional Ivatan house-A good paper weight. 150Php

 Traditional Ivatan Sandals, humorously called Chavaianas by the locals. =) (250Php)

 More paintings...

The food was surprisingly good. It was actually way better than I thought it would be.

Shanedel's version of the Pako salad. 

 Sea Crab cooked in Butter and Spices-It was delicious. 

The sound of the waves, the candles and Nora Jones' Sunrise in the background created a very relaxing ambiance. I also have to commend their good sound system.

I must say that mosquito repellant is a must in Batanes, but not in Shanedel's. =)


To top it, it's a good spot to watch the sunset.

Watching the sunset from the restaurant Area...

...and the veranda.

Cons

The towels were really really old, they should consider changing it.

A decommissioned ship was placed before the sea wall right in front of Shanedel's to help break the waves, which can be pretty strong especially in bad weather (like when we were there). The problem was every time a strong wave would hit the ship,it would slam against the sea wall causing the area where our room was located to tremble. Nat Geo's Seconds from Disaster kept flashing in my mind. I was wondering if the continuous slamming would weaken the Inn's foundation enough over the years to make it collapse. 

The water pressure on our room was weak, specially on the shower.

***

Overall, with the good view and warm service, it's a good place to stay at - as long as the waves are not as strong.

Cost: 

Tricycles can bring you to and from the airport for 30 Php/way.


*Facts courtesy of Ms. Delly Millan and Daughter Maybelle