The Philippines has a fair number of luxurious boutique hotels, and one of the best resorts in Bohol must be the Amorita in Panglao. “Amorita” means little darling, and this is a darling of a resort. It is a perfect place for those on honeymoon, seeking romance and a little “alone-time”, or families who want to relax, particularly if you are looking for an excellent kids club. Foodies will appreciate the food choices, and gym and spa lovers will enjoy the excellent facilities. And for those who have come to experience why it is More Fun in the Philippines, you are perfectly placed to enjoy everything Bohol has to offer.
The Amorita is set on a limestone cliff, overlooking the Bohol sea, so we are starting with a perfect view. Can you imagine sunsets and sunrises? The hotel has just over 90 rooms, and with so much space it will never feel crowded, the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Manila or the other big towns and cities of the Philippines.
Accommodation
The rooms and suites are all spacious, with the smallest, the Deluxe, offering 35 sq metres of space and the suites going from 40 to a whopping 80 sq metres. And then of course you have the pool villas, at 120 sq m, a garden, private plunge pool, and an oasis of calm.
You’ve not come for a Holiday in the Philippines to stay in your hotel room, but the hotel has enough facilities to keep you occupied for a good few days while you recover and relax from the journey to get there and before you start to explore the island.
Restaurants
The Saffron restaurant provides the fine dining experience, a re-interpretation of the best of Filipino tradition and international cuisine. The Tapas bar gives a gentle nod back to the Spanish influence on the Philippines, and includes other dishes such as paella and pintxos as well as a good selection of tapas. The Azotea is where you would go for your comfort foods, pizzas and pastas and the like. There are times when you do need a rest from fine food!
Facilities
The facilities are excellent. There is of course a Spa, the Sea Tree Spa, offering a range of treatments. The traditional Hilot massage of the Philippines is highly recommended. Hilot is a deep tissue massage where the therapist (or Manghihilot) will intuitively scan the body with his or her hands to diagnose areas where the body is energetically imbalanced. The Manghihilot will then focus on those areas to heal.
The spa can also provide romantic bathing rituals and beauty treatments. The gym is well appointed with equipment, but you can also take twice weekly yoga sessions, and boxing sessions. Boxing lessons in the country that produced all time great, Manny Pacquiao is a surely a must-do for any fitness fanatic.
The resort provides kayaks, paddle boards and bikes. The rivers and walks in Bohol are pretty spectacular so you really need to be taking these out during your stay at Amorita.
You are of course over looking the Bohol Sea and you will want to experience some of the world’s best diving here. Experienced divers might want to try the Habagat Wreck site, which drops to about 35 metres. Less experienced divers will still find plenty of reef and marine life to interest them at a more manageable 12 metres. Pamalican Island is formed out of coral and fossilised shells, and is an excellent place to see barracudas, manta rays, dolphins and possibly whales.
Badian Island resort, on a small island off Cebu, is one of those places that you want to keep a secret. You will not want to share it with others as it is just too perfect. It is perhaps the perfect place in which to start your married life together on a romantic and memorable honeymoon. The rooms and suites are large, ranging from deluxe suites through to the 42 Thalasso pool villas. Private sun decks and open air bath tubs, glass ceilings and fabulous views overlooking the bay, this is some serious luxury. The resort also offers a ceremonial coconut tree planting service for honeymooners to mark their union in the most natural of ways. Imagine coming back here on a notable anniversary to see your tree!
Spa and Wellness
Badian boasts one of the finest spas in the region, comparable to anything else you will find in the world. Treatments range from the traditional Filipino Hilot massage to Swedish and Thai. Skin can be rejuvenated and relaxed with seaweed gels and wraps, or a coffee scrub. The Cleopatra bath in milk will be a huge draw for those who want softer and shinier skin. With yoga and meditation on the beach, you will return from your break, feeling so good and refreshed. This is not just a holiday, more a complete re-tune and makeover.
Activities
This is an Island in the Philippines, so not only is there diving, there is fantastic diving. “Crystal clear” or Crystal blue” are hugely overused terms when it comes to describing these seas, but what other terms can we use? It is almost impossible to describe in words, and pictures and photos rarely do these islands justice. You will just have to come and experience it for yourself. For under the sea, the Badian Dive Centre offers courses for beginners through to experienced divers, and while there may not be any wrecks to explore, the marine life will take your breath away. On the sea, you have boats and catamarans, kayaks and aqua cycles.
Great food, super cocktails, and most of important of all, that fabulous Filipino welcome, this really is a little slice of paradise. But sshhhh! Don’t tell anyone!
Let’s go to Bohol, and when we are there, let’s stay at the Amorita Resort adjacent to Alona Beach on Panglao Island. The report is one of the small, luxury hotels (can we call it a boutique hotel?) managed by the One-of Collection group.
Alona Beach is a favourite beach in Bohol, adjacent to the little gaggle of shops, bars, restaurants that make up Alona. It may be. the centre of the region’s nightlife, but it is hardly crowded.The vibe here is relaxed and laid back. “Crystal Clear” is a much over-used description of the seas around the various islands of the Philippines, but it is difficult to come up with an alternative.
The Amorita is perhaps one of the more relaxed of the Bohol luxury hotels, with a mix of deluxe rooms, deluxe suites, a pool villa and a small suite. The rooms are understated, possibly a little bland, but bland is good if you are there to relax.
The hotel of course boasts a good spa with a variety of Asian treatments. Of course there is diving and snorkelling, but, perhaps fitting for the Philippines, there are also boxing sessions. Guests can hire bicycles to explore the island. And if they want to stay at the hotel, there is a well equipped gym. There are two pools, with stunning views, and of course the sea is a coconut’s throw away.
Go to Bohol, and you will want to go to the Saffron Restaurant. Their website states that they offer a thoughtful reinterpretation of Bohol cuisine, along side more traditional Filipino food and a continental menu. The hotel offers a Tapas bar, perhaps reminiscent of the Spanish heritage in the Philippines.
There is a huge amount to do in Bohol, something for pretty much everyone, from the active to the more relaxed, from families to the more romantically minded, for those who love fine dining and perfect cocktails. The Amorita resort is a perfect hotel for those who look for a smaller and quieter hotel, but with access to everything that Alone has to offer.
One of the advantages of booking your travel with a travel consultant is getting advice on when to book and when to travel. While most families will want to take their main summer holiday during the UK school summer holiday period, late July through to the end of August, this does not always represent the best time to go away to particular destinations, and certainly does not offer value for money. Holiday providers generally hike their prices up substantially during the summer months, so it can make excellent sense to consider taking the main family holiday at Christmas or Easter. It will still be as expensive, but not quite as expensive, and for many destinations, the weather will be better.
A great example of this is the Philippines, whose summer runs from March through to June. Let me illustrate this with a fantastic two week holiday in the Philippines for a family of four over the Easter Holiday, 2019.
Holiday Plans
You will depart from Heathrow (other UK departures are available) on the evening of Saturday 13thApril on a direct flight to Manila, arriving on the following evening. There are of course indirect flights, which will take slightly longer, but will be significantly cheaper.
Manila
You could stay at the Conrad Manila, a Hilton Hotel, which is about 15 minutes from the airport by private transfer. I would recommend organising a transfer from the airport to the hotel in advance for all but the seasoned traveller to the Philippines. You will almost certainly travel by taxi, and the taxis waiting at the airport can be a little unscrupulous with unsuspecting tourists.
Many travellers to the Philippines are tempted to transit straight through Manila and head straight off to some of the best beaches in the world, but I always think that this is a mistake. There is plenty to see and do in Manila, and I like to offer as much variety and interest in my holidays as possible.
The Conrad has fabulous rooms, two very good restaurants and bars. It boasts a great infinity pool, 24 hour fitness suites. And then of course there is the view of the Bay.
Manila has hotels to suit every budget, and I will be featuring some of these in future blog posts.
On Wednesday 19thApril, we will take a private transfer to the airport to fly to the Island of Bohol. We will stay 4 nights at the Henan Alona Resort. This is the biggest beach resort in Panglao Island and is right on Alona Beach. This will be about getting some tranquillity after the hustle and bustle of Manila. One of the many things that I love about the Philippines and especially their beaches is that they rarely seem busy. Quite why there are not more people about on such incredible beaches is a mystery, but a mystery that I am perfectly prepared to remain unsolved!
The children will of course enjoy the 120 metre beach front and the 3 swimming pools. There are the usual array of activities from diving to paddle boarding to cycling, and the main part of town is only a short walk away.
Now we get to a really exciting part of the holiday. On the 21stApril we are picked up from the hotel and taken to the terminal where we take the Ocean Jet to Dumaguete, and the Atmosphere Hotel and Resort. I have chosen this hotel because it is one of the best places in which the children can learn not just to dive, but also, thanks to the lessons in Marine Biology, what it is that they will be seeing when they are diving. The PADI dive center also offers classes in photography and marine life presentations, and caters for pretty much every level of diving, from beginner to snorkeler, to diving from the beach to off a boat and from day time to night time.
The hotel offers so much more in terms of activities, spas and wellness treatments, great food and drink, and there is a wealth of opportunities to discover outside the hotel.
Sadly, the 26thApril has come round so quickly and it is now time to head back to Manila where we will have one evening, again at the Conrad before returning to the UK on the 27thApril.
The budget for this family of four over the Easter holidays would be in the region of £10,000, excluding the cost of any activities undertaken. For adults, it would cost £2,700 each. The cost could be significantly reduced by taking a non direct flight or staying in less expensive and well known hotels. Most visitors to the Philippines cannot help but be struck by the warm and welcoming nature of Filipinos, and will be more than comfortable in much more basic hotels, freeing up the budget to spend less on fancy soaps and more on unforgettable memories.
Why would you want to? Manila is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with some 46,000 people packed into an average square mile. The economy of the Philippines is soaring, so as more and more luxury accommodation goes up, so too do dismal shanty towns, shacks of corrugated steel and washing hanging on wire, susceptible to floods and disease. In addition to all of the people, Manila can also boast some of the worst traffic in the world, compounded with a virtually non existent public transit system. So why would you want to go to Manila, other than purely in transit to any one of thousands of incredible beaches, and some of the best diving in the world?
If you are going to holiday in the Philippines, I would always advise you to spend a few days in Manila. It may be busy and bustling, hot an uncomfortable, but it is also incredibly vibrant, with a lot to do, if you know where to look.
My top tips for places (in no particular order) to go and things to see are :
Manila Ocean Park. Whatever your views on zoos and other places where animal life is held captive, there can be no denying their attraction to younger members of the family. And they are usually a good place to ignite an interest in the natural world. Its list of encounters and attractions include sharks and rays, jelly fish, sea lions, and a trip to the Antarctic. Particularly impressive is the underwater walk, where even non swimmers can put on a special diving helmet with air pumped in to help you interact with the marine life you will find waiting for you. In addition, there are birds of prey, jungle birds and creepy crawlies to keep you occupied for a full day.
Art in Island. Another place to take the kids, and also a camera. The attraction includes 3d pictures and representations in which you can pose.
Intramuros : the old city of Manila, heavily influenced by the Spanish. It has been heavily damaged in the past, particularly during the Second World War, but is being carefully restored.
Manila Bay: The sunsets over the bay are usually pretty spectacular. Enjoy a walk along the promenade after a good dinner.
The Corregidor : Again for history buffs: This is small island in the bay of Manila, fortified by the Spanish and vigorously defended by the Americans in WW2. It can be reached by ferry taking just over an hour. Sights include gun placements dating back to 1904, the remains of the barracks, the Pacific War Memorial complex, the lighthouse, which was first lit in 1853, the Malinta Tunnel. The main tunnel is now used for a light and sound show commemorating events in WW2. Most guided tours are fairly lengthy, at about 9 hours, but this does include the ferry crossings and lunch.
Binondo : The oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594 by the Spanish, near their settlement at Intramuros.
Shopping : I am not a great fan of shopping and shopping malls, but Manila does have its fair share of Malls. Experienced shoppers tell me that Malls in Manila are not as impressive as in Bangkok, but certainly SM in the Pasay district seems to have everything you could possibly want and more.
Hotels
Manila has a huge variety of hotels to suit every budget.
Low : Red Planet and Hop are both budget brands, featuring simple but clean rooms. You can expect a TV, possibly a kettle, and an ensuite shower room, but not much else. In particular, there is no restaurant, but they are situated in popular areas, so it should not be too difficult to find somewhere to eat.
Medium Priced : You can find western brands of hotels such as Best Western, or you could try something like the Heritage Hotel. I like the Heritage because it is relatively close to the Airport and has a small swimming outdoor pool. It is close to SM Mall.
Luxury hotels: There is of course no shortage of very nice hotels, from Sofitel to the Peninsula. The Diamond hotel has a good reputation, if you have a view of the bay, less so if you are facing the other way! Its gym and spa facilities are described as “great”.
Transport
Transport in Manila is not great. I would usually get around by taxi. I have hired a car in Makati and driven out, but if I am driving out of Manila, I prefer to take a taxi to the airport and then hire a car from there, assuming I am driving south. Driving in Manila (or indeed in the Philippines in general) is not for the fainthearted. You will need to know your way around Manila if you want to take a jeepney, but these are certainly an interesting experience and one that you should enjoy while in the Philippines.
So those are some of the reasons I would want to go to Manila.
Most people will probably associate spas, massage and wellness with Thailand out of the countries in South East Asia, but the Philippines has some of the best spas in the world. Spas are not often child friendly, perhaps for obvious reasons, but The Atmosphere resort in Negros Oriental is an exception providing not only fantastic child facilities and activities, but even child spa facilities! Is this the best Spa in the Philippines?
The Atmosphere Spa and Resort
Turning first to the Spa facilities for adults, The Sanctuary Spa provides various treatments including local Filipino treatments, the Hilot Massage and a Lava Shell Massage. Or you could try a Watsu, a water based Shiatsu treatment, combining massage, shiatsu, muscle stretching and dance. They have the usual wraps, scrubs, massages and yogas, but it is all wrapped up in a calming environment with waterfalls, plants and four treatment pavilions.
Accommodation is luxurious, with deluxe rooms up to penthouse suites.
If you think that this deluxe room is spacious, you should see the family suites: they are huge!
Dining is varied, from fine dining to beach barbecues, Italian and Western through to Asian. And it is a Spa, do there are plenty of healthy options. There are plenty of child options, but most importantly, crayons and drawing things: far more important than food!
But what you will not want to spend your entire holiday in the spa, so what else is there to do? Their website gives details of local tours, island hopping, sandbar and dolphin watching, adventure and fitness. It also provides swimming with whale sharks at nearby Oslob. However, regular readers of this site will know that we discourage this activity at Oslob. The Whale Sharks are encouraged to remain in the locality year round through pretty much hand feeding. This persuades the Whale Sharks not to migrate to their normal breeding grounds. A better and more ethical tour to swim with Whale Sharks is in their natural environment near Donsol. You may have less chance of seeing them but it will be in a more natural state and therefore, ultimately more rewarding.
And for Kids…..
The resort offers babysitting, and also the Kids Cove, a place full of activities. Arts and crafts, movies, sports pit, playground and…. Marine Biology! How about special PADI courses for children of 8 upwards? How cool is that? Your children will love you forever.
Children’s Spa Facilities
When is it too early to start learning about yourself? The Children’s Spa offers yoga, fruity facials, scrummy scrubs for children between 8 and 15.
Although you are but a bath bomb’s throw from the sea, the resort boasts several pools, shallow ones, infinity pools, where the family can enjoy some quality time together.
If you would like to visit this amazing resort, you can book direct via the Hotel’s website
The children will of course enjoy the 120 metre beach front and the 3 swimming pools. There are the usual array of activities from diving to paddle boarding to cycling, and the main part of town is only a short walk away.
