On our latest visit to Loboc, we were certain we wanted to spend a night at one of Bohol’s most popular hotels. We’d seen hundreds of photos and videos of it on social media and, at last, the time had come to stay at Fox & the Firefly Cottages, a highly recommended hotel in Loboc.
Location of Fox & the Firefly: by the Loboc River
As we already mentioned in the Things to do in Loboc article, the river is the heart of this part of Bohol and we were looking for accommodation that would let us be right next to it. Although we were quite sure from the beginning where we wanted to stay, we did a search to look at other possible options. The Nuts Huts resort has very complicated access and was somewhat basic, while the Loboc River Resort (also very beautiful, but considerably more expensive) seemed a bit far for what we were looking for this time when, in addition to being by the river, we wanted to be a stone’s throw from the main road to head out and explore Loboc.
Fox & the Firefly struck us as the perfect choice in terms of location if the river is a must on your visit to Loboc. It’s located 5 minutes by motorbike from town, connected to a super rural area you can visit on foot, and it has a pier right on the river itself, where you can sit and enjoy the sunset, take a swim, or even swing on its rope swing.
Fox & the Firefly Cottages, a highly recommended hotel in Loboc
The Fox & the Firefly Cottages has different room types but, given its success, it’s highly advisable to book as far in advance as possible to get the one you like most. In our case, we stayed in the Deluxe Double Room, but they let us see other types of accommodation since the guests hadn’t arrived yet.
The Deluxe Double Room is a “gem”, one of those places that wins you over at first glance. It features minimalist décor with touches of local craftsmanship, everything in a condition that looks brand new, and a truly comfortable bed. Next to the bed is one of the highlights of these rooms: the terrace overlooking the rice fields.
The terrace is a perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the area and enjoy the sunset while relaxing in its armchairs or on the comfy hanging seat. To the right of the Deluxe Double Room terraces there’s a small garden, owned by the hotel, where they grow much of the vegetables used in their restaurant. Do keep in mind that in this area, being next to a rice field, mosquitoes are much more common. If you’re going to be on the terrace, take precautions. At night, the large mosquito net surrounding the bed will be your best ally. In our case, we spent the whole night with the terrace doors open and, thanks to the net, we enjoyed a cool, bite‑free night, practically sleeping among the rice fields.
On the side opposite the terrace you’ll find the bathroom, undoubtedly another of the most surprising features of the Fox & the Firefly rooms. Not only because of its lovely décor, but because they are open‑air constructions. That’s right: while you’re showering or brushing your teeth, your view will be the treetops of the hotel’s lush garden. It’s spectacular! And the shower—what can we say about the shower? The water comes out really hot and, through a small stone channel, it pours down in a stream and massages you. Truly delightful.
If we had to mention two not‑so‑positive points about these rooms, they’d perhaps be two details that many travelers wouldn’t mind at all, but we want to tell you so you know 100% what these rooms are like:
- Internet: The hotel’s Wi‑Fi doesn’t reach the Deluxe Double Rooms and the View Suites. In addition, the mobile network has very little coverage and it’s quite rare that you can connect. – NOTE FROM TRAVELERS: WE’RE TOLD IT’S NOW SUPER FAST : )
- Air conditioning: None of the rooms at Fox & the Firefly Cottages have air conditioning. All are equipped with powerful fans that help ventilate the room. This area is cooler than the coast and we really don’t think air conditioning is necessary, but if you’re addicted to it, you won’t find it here. It wasn’t an inconvenience for us.
Another notable absence is the lack of a safety box. While it did feel completely safe at all times, we always like having one to store money and documents when we go out to explore the area.
Other rooms at Fox & the Firefly
- Suite Cabin with views: had there been availability, this was the room we were most excited about. They’re located just above the Superior Double Room and, in addition to having a small sofa and a slightly larger terrace, their strong point is the gorgeous views of the rice fields.
- Standard cottage with double bed: Although the name makes it sound bigger, this is a cabin with a smaller space than the rooms above. They’re more economical but still keep that lovely décor that sets Fox & the Firefly apart. These aren’t in front of the rice fields but rather face the accommodation’s central garden. A plus is that some Wi‑Fi and mobile coverage do reach here.
Common area and hotel activities
The different rooms at Fox & the Firefly are connected by a pretty path that runs through the entire garden. There you’ll find a large hall where, in the mornings, you can sign up for the hotel’s yoga classes. You can also sit down to relax at the tables in the main garden area and enjoy the company of Fox, Fables, and Forest, three beautiful dogs who live there and will win you over with their sweetness.
Our favorite place to unwind and watch the hours go by is the pier right on the riverbank. There you can stretch out on their comfy hammocks or even jump into the river from their big Tarzan‑style vine.
The pier is also the place where the different tours organized by the hotel depart from. Stand‑up paddle outings, bike routes, and even the famous firefly‑watching tours on the Loboc River.
We had the pleasure of a long chat with Frederic, the owner (together with his Filipina wife) of the Fox & the Firefly hotel, and he’s a true advocate of responsible tourism. The prices of their tours are a little higher than the rest, but he places a strong emphasis both on respecting the environment and the different local communities in the area, and it seemed to us he has a clear vocation for tourism to support the local economy 100%.
Fox & the Firefly restaurant
Although we love the area where Fox & the Firefly Cottages is located for the idyllic landscape that surrounds it, the truth is we do miss having more nearby options to go and grab a bite. Luckily, the hotel has its own restaurant, Food & Fables, which has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the best restaurants on the island of Bohol.
Its menu has several vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a wide variety of meats. Breakfast isn’t included in the room rate, but it’s highly recommended to try their coffees and delicious smoothie bowls with an interesting mix of fruit and cereals.
Bear in mind, though, that while it’s nothing crazy, prices are a bit higher than what’s usual in the Philippines.
Accommodation video summary
We like to show you the places we recommend as closely as possible. So we’ve prepared this video of the accommodation where you can see its different room types and facilities:
Final opinion about Fox & the Firefly Cottage
We found it to be a highly recommended place to stay in Loboc for a couple of nights while enjoying everything this area offers. Next time, though, we’ll try to book further in advance to get one of the Suite Cabins with views, which we were left wanting to try.
Pros:
- Perfect location by the Loboc River
- Very nice décor in keeping with the area
- Recommended restaurant
- Very friendly staff
- Clean, comfortable, modern rooms
Cons:
- Slightly high prices for motorbike rental and some of their flagship activities
- Restaurants far away
- No safe
Final score: 8/10 Filipino suns.
Check prices and book
Check availability for the Fox & the Firefly Cottages for your travel dates here, or take a look at these other places where to stay in Loboc:
