Going on a beach getaway in the Philippines really isn't too hard. Given that we're in an archipelago, there's a beach strip in almost every direction, a beach resort for every budget, and even varied colors of sand (yes, pink included). The hard part is in choosing where to go just because of the number of choices.
If you're looking to spend the weekend at an affordable beach resort where you have lots of things to do and farm-to-table food that's worth the praise, South Palms Resort Panglao in Bohol may just have to be one of your top options.
Everything You Need to Know About South Palms Resort Panglao
South Palms Resort Panglao has up to 90 rooms and villas, each designed with tropical sensibilities to complement your weekend escape. Their Deluxe Garden View has 30 square meters of space and sits right in front of a garden where you can be as zen as possible. Other affordable rooms include the Deluxe Pool View, Deluxe Beach Front, and Premium Beach Front. If you have some extra cash to spare, they have the elegant Beach Villa (P21,000) which is recommended for couples on their honeymoon; and the spacious Panglao Villa (P41,000) which has two bedrooms and can fit up to four adults.
What to Do
South Palms Resort is known for its one-kilometer white sand beach, the longest on Panglao Island. The best thing about it is that the beachfront isn't crowded with villas and other structures, but lined with towering palm trees. This gives guests plenty of space to walk barefoot on the beach and just take in the sea breeze.
Take a few more steps towards the ocean and you get to a new dive spot: Sirena, which is part of South Palms' efforts to provide a unique diving experience to its guests as well as a new home to marine species in the area. An old plane was sunk under the sea, which is now teeming with colorful corals, different species of fish, and sea turtles.
Once you're tired out from your beach experience, you can get a massage in one of the beachfront cabanas of Zenses, the Spa. There's no need for a spa playlist here as guests can just listen to the all-natural gentle crashing of the waves. The walkway that leads to and from the spa also makes for great photos, so don't miss it.
Where to Eat
Good food is hard to come by at most beach resorts, but not for South Palms—and that's probably because they have their own organic farm, where they grow the food served at the resort. South Farms is the resort's main source of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other agricultural items served at the restaurants—either at South Farm's Uma Cafe or South Palms' Oceanica. Expect to see prawns as big as your hand and suckling pigs on the menu.
Built during the pandemic, South Farms was the resort's solution to what would otherwise be a retrenchment. The staff, from the maintenance to the front-of-house, were transferred temporarily to tend to the nine-hectare land property that was cultivated to become a nature-based family-oriented tourism attraction. It has petting zoos for rabbits, man-made ponds where guests can try fishing, and sheds where visitors can pick up herbs and spices. Tourists can also sign up for workshops on pottery, weaving, and even making essential oil from coconut. If you're checked in at South Palms, the entrance is free at South Farms, which is just a few minutes away via the hotel shuttle.
If you want to know more about this Panglao resort, check out this Studio Spot video:
South Palms Resort Panglao is in Barangay Bolod, Panglao, Bohol. Rates start at P7,888. For more information, visit South Palms Resort Panglao's website.
This story originally appeared on Spot.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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