Paradise Found: Your Dream Summer Escape in Palawan's Beach Resort!
Paradise Found: Your Dream Summer Escape in Palawan's Beach Resort!
Paradise Found: My Palawan Paradise (and a few (mostly) forgiven foibles!)
Okay, so the title's a bit cheesy, I know. "Paradise Found." Sounds like a romance novel, not a hotel review, right? But honestly? After a week at Paradise Found: Your Dream Summer Escape in Palawan's Beach Resort, I'm tempted to stick with it. Because, well, damn. It was pretty close.
Let's be honest, planning a trip is chaos. You spend hours sifting through reviews, comparing prices, and praying you don't end up in a cockroach motel. I almost lost my mind searching for a place that ticked all the boxes: gorgeous beach, decent food (because let's be real, bad hotel food = holiday heartbreak), accessibility (crucial, because my Mom uses a wheelchair), and… well, an escape from reality. Paradise Found, surprisingly, delivered on most fronts.
First Impressions (and the Wheelchair Tango):
Accessibility is HUGE for us. My mom always travels with me. The brochure promised a lot. Facilities for disabled guests were listed, and the website said wheelchair-friendly. Okay, deep breath. Getting to Palawan alone is a mission, so you're already invested by the time you arrive.
We arrived, and… insert dramatic pause here. The first impression was… stunning. The view from the lobby? Jaw-dropping. Crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand… Okay, I'm calming down. They've got an elevator, thank god! The staff was genuinely friendly, though the initial ramp situation getting into one of the restaurants was a bit… let's call it challenging. We navigated it, though (thank you, strong-armed bellhop!), but it's something they could definitely improve on. Accessibility overall? Let's say it's a work in progress, slightly better than some, but not perfect. I'd give it a solid B-.
The Room: My Oasis (Mostly):
The room… ah, the room. We went for a non-smoking beachfront suite. Air conditioning blasted (a lifesaver!), and we had air conditioning in public area. The blackout curtains were a godsend for those lazy mornings you actually plan on having (versus the ones when you just wake up late from one of many glasses of wine). Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Score! The speed wasn't warp-speed, but hey, it was enough to upload those obligatory Instagram shots of the view (gotta document that paradise, right?). We had Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, and all kinds of other Internet services, which was great.
The room itself was spacious and clean. The bathroom was well-equipped, right down to the bathrobes and slippers. I loved the bathtub! The complimentary tea and refrigerator were a nice touch. I also truly appreciated our daily housekeeping, which meant we always came back to a refreshed space, even when we left a mess.
Rant Alert: The only real gripe? The “extra long bed” – felt a bit too extra long. I spent the first night feeling like I was sleeping in a canyon. But hey, that’s me.
Dining: Food, Glorious Food (and a few quirky misses):
Okay, let's get down to the important stuff: food. We had no issue with room service, or room service [24-hour]! They had a restaurant and a coffee shop. I was obsessed with the Asian breakfast. The Asian cuisine in the restaurant was delicious. The Western cuisine in the restaurant was decent. The Breakfast [buffet] was decent, and they had a Western breakfast. The menu was available as A la carte in restaurant, and they even offered Alternative meal arrangement!
The Poolside bar was heaven. Sipping cocktails with my toes in the sand… pure bliss. The coffee/tea in restaurant was a must. I was honestly surprised that they even had Soup in restaurant! I had a bit of a moment trying to eat soup in the humidity. I'm telling you, it was so hot I was a mess.
We never made it to the Happy hour, or the Desserts in restaurant!
We did not see a vegetarian restaurant!
Important note: They took cashless payment service, which I appreciated during the pandemic. They also had Daily disinfection in common areas!
Things To Do (or, How I Became a Spa Convert):
Listen, I'm not a "spa person." Me. I'm the "beach bum, beer-in-hand" type. But… the spa at Paradise Found? Changed my mind. Seriously. I succumbed to a Body scrub and Massage. It was blissful. I spent an hour, maybe two, in the Spa, and maybe even the Sauna, and it was pure, unadulterated relaxation. The Pool with view was also stunning.
They had a Fitness center, which I completely ignored, but good for them.
- My Moment of Spa Revelation: I’m not kidding, one afternoon, after too much sun and one too many margaritas, I stumbled into the spa, grumpy and sunburnt. Then, magic. The therapist, a tiny woman with hands of steel, worked wonders, kneading out all the knots and stress. I left feeling like a new person. Don't tell anyone, but I went back the next day. That's the honest-to-god truth of it.
This place is an absolute gem for Body wrap, and the Foot bath was a great idea!
Other Amenities and Services (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Rusty):
They had a concierge, a gift/souvenir shop, and laundry service. There was even a convenience store!
The good: Constant and easy access to Hand sanitizer. I'll give it high marks for that.
The slightly less awesome: The luggage storage was a bit… discombobulated. Finding our bags took a bit longer than it should. But hey, nobody's perfect!
Things that were advertised, but I didn't get to experience: The Babysitting service, and Family/child friendly, and Kids meal.
Things that sounded interesting: The Indoor venue for special events, and the Outdoor venue for special events!
Things that I didn't even know existed! The Car power charging station!
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind in Paradise:
I was genuinely impressed with their commitment to hygiene and safety. They showed great care in giving Hand sanitizer. We saw Staff trained in safety protocol.
The Verdict (and the Big Question):
Would I go back? Absolutely. Despite the few minor hiccups, Paradise Found delivered on the promise of a dream escape. The stunning location, generally friendly staff, and that incredible spa experience (seriously, go!) more than made up for the minor imperfections. It's not perfect, but it's close. And sometimes, near-perfect is just what you need.
Why You Should Book Your Palawan Paradise Now:
Ready to find your own paradise? Book your escape to Paradise Found today! Take advantage of these special offers for a limited time:
- "Early Bird Bliss": Book your stay at least 30 days in advance and receive 20% off your room rate, plus a complimentary spa treatment!
- "Family Fun Package": Traveling with family? Get a discounted rate on connecting rooms and enjoy a free kids' meal per child per day!
- "Romantic Getaway": Celebrate your love with a specially curated package including champagne on arrival, a couples massage, and a private dinner on the beach.
Click here to book your unforgettable summer escape and experience the magic of Paradise Found! Don't miss out – your dream vacation awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Your Luxurious Laguna Waterfront Villa Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is my Summer Homes Beach Resort and Cottages Palawan, Philippines, adventure, raw and unfiltered. Prepare for sand between your toes… and maybe a few tears (happy ones, hopefully!).
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Mess of Settling In (aka, Where Did I Leave My Flip-Flops?)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Great Palawan Pilgrimage Begins… and Ends in a Tiny Plane. The flight from Manila was… eventful. Let's just say I’m pretty sure the turbulence shook my soul loose. Seriously, I swear the woman next to me was praying the entire time (relatable). Finally, we landed in Puerto Princesa! Phew! The tiny airport felt like we'd stepped back in time, but in a charming, "island-time" way. Collected my bags (miracle!), and hailed a tricycle to the resort. The driver, bless his soul, looked like he'd seen things. He expertly navigated the chaotic streets, dodging stray dogs and fearless pedestrians. Anecdote: I almost got a face full of a particularly fragrant durian (yes, I know, controversial fruit!), thankfully, I dodged the bullet, so to speak.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Summer Homes Check-In… and the Quest for the Lost Luggage: Arrived at Summer Homes! It's even prettier in person than the photos. Seriously, turquoise water, powdery sand… Paradise found! Or so I thought. Turns out, my luggage had developed a sudden case of wanderlust and was still somewhere in Manila. Argh! Panic mode activated. Spent a frantic hour trying to explain to the utterly lovely (and remarkably patient) front desk staff that I needed a toothbrush yesterday. Ended up borrowing one, a t-shirt, and a pair of shorts from the kindest of the staff members. Quirky observation: The resort’s dogs are ridiculously cute. They seem to know they're living the high life.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Lunch and the First Dip! (And a Near-Disaster) Finally, something to eat! The restaurant is right on the beach. I ordered the seafood platter and honestly, it was the best food I've ever tasted. I'm pretty sure a tear of pure joy escaped my eye. Then came the dip! The first swim in that crystal-clear water was… divine. Emotional burst: I felt all my stress just melt away! Messy moment: I almost, ALMOST lost my sunglasses in the waves. They were my favorite! Thankfully, wrestled them back from the ocean's clutches.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Beach Bum Supreme and Sunset Siesta: Spent the afternoon sprawled on the beach, reading (well, attempting to read, the view kept distracting me!). The sun started to dip. Rambling thought: The sky gets that incredible orange and pink glow, and the sound of the waves… pure bliss. Ended the day with a sunset siesta. Woke up to the sound of the waves and pure darkness.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Dinner and the Art of Mosquito Dodging: Back to the restaurant! Had some dinner and, for the next thirty minutes, I was locked into an intense mosquito-dodging game. The resort provided mosquito repellent. I sprayed it all over, more as a mental comfort than actual effectiveness.
8:00 PM - Bedtime: Stargazing and the Hope My Luggage Shows Up Tomorrow: Lay on the beach and stared at the stars. The Milky Way was so clear. It's magical. Now, to bed. I will pray to the travel gods for my luggage to come back.
Day 2: Island Hopping & Underground River… and Epic Food Comas
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast is Served (and So is the Anxiety About Luggage): Breakfast at the resort. (Still no luggage. The drama never stops.) Trying to stay positive. Lots of coffee required.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Island Hopping Delights and Seasickness (Maybe): Island hopping! Took a boat to a few nearby islands. The snorkeling was incredible. Opinionated moment: The vibrant coral reefs were amazing. The entire scene was stunning. Emotional reaction: Saw so many colorful fish, I felt like I was in an aquarium!. *Messy moment: The boat ride was a little rough. I might have felt a *touch* seasick. Let's just say I spent a fair amount of time staring at the horizon.*
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch on a Paradise Island: Barbecue lunch on a deserted island! Grilled seafood, delicious! (And yes, I ate it all despite the very real possibility of seasickness returning.) The sand was so white, I could barely open my eyes. Anecdote: I watched a crab scuttling sideways. It was the most entertaining thing I'd seen for hours.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Underground River Adventure (Prepare to be Amazed!) The Underground River! This was on my must-do-list. It was as spectacular as everyone says. Doubling down on the experience: The light, the formations, the sheer scale of it all… it was breathtaking! I felt so small and insignificant in the best possible way. The boat ride through the caves was eerie and beautiful. Stronger emotional reactions: I could feel the history of the place and the way the guide's voice echoed. It was a truly life-affirming experience.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner and Exhaustion (in the best possible way): Back at the resort. Dinner at the restaurant, then the sweetest thing I had on the trip: sleep.
7:00 PM - Bedtime: Sweet Dreams of Islands and Prayers for Reliable Luggage: Sleep.
Day 3: Relaxation, Departure, and the Promise to Return!
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast and Reflection: Breakfast! And deep reflection. Reflecting on how I almost didn't make it to Palawan at all.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Beach Bliss and Souvenir Shopping: Spent the morning lounging on the beach, swimming, and just soaking up the atmosphere. Quirky observation: The sand is so white; it's like stepping on powdered sugar. Visited the local shops searching for souvenirs. Opinionated language: Found a necklace I loved!
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Last Meal at the Resort: Enjoyed the last meal.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Farewell to Paradise (and Maybe a Few Tears): Checked out of the resort. Said goodbye to the staff. Emotional reaction: I wanted to stay!
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Journey to the airport The tricycle ride back to the airport felt surreal. I was already missing the place.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Departure The plane took off. I took one last look at the island.
6:00 PM - Whenever: Homeward Bound (and Plotting My Return): Palawan, you've stolen my heart! I will be back. And next time, my luggage will be there with me!
This, my friends, is the messy, honest, beautiful truth of my Summer Homes Palawan adventure. It was awesome. Go. Now. And don't forget your sunscreen!
Hotel Sogo Macapagal: Manila's BEST Kept Secret? (You NEED to See This!)
So, what *exactly* is this whole thing about? Like, what ARE we talking about?
Why are you asking all these questions? Are you just… confused?
Are these *actually* frequently asked questions?
What if… I don’t *like* any of this? Can I leave?
Okay, fine, I'm still here. But… what are you *really* trying to accomplish? Is there a *point*?
What's your biggest pet peeve?
What makes you happy? What *doesn't*?
What's a time you completely messed up? Like, a colossal, face-palm-worthy disaster?
Honeymoon Havenst
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