Sometimes, I prefer a totally relaxing vacation that equates to being away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete city. I got just that by being invited to stay at one of the best and most beautiful resorts in Panglao Island, Bohol called Amarela Beach Resort. Read more…
A charming haven with only 25 rooms and suites, Amarela Beach Resort is located by Libaong Beach in Panglao Island, Bohol. It is a 30-minute, stress-free drive from Tagbilaran, and thankfully, it provides free shuttle van transfers to and from the city. Further, Amarela is reachable by jeepney or habal-habal (motorcycle), and it has private cars for its guests.
They picked us up at Island City Mall after taking a van from Tubigon Port. Excited we were as we were dropped off at the doors of Amarela; it signaled the start of a luxurious vacation.
Ms. Nadine, their manager, welcomed us with a big smile and true Boholano hospitality. She was orienting us about the resort, but my eyes were wandering and reviewing everything in sight. I loved the place so much that I kept murmuring beautiful the entire time.
The aesthetics of their entire resort was a successful fusion of classic pieces with modern design. I was told that the owners intended it to be a reflection of a timeless casa Boholana, so exquisite paintings from Boholano artists and old pieces were carefully selected. There was actually a strong native aura that was well-contrasted by the Mediterranean colors.
Shortly after they have checked us in, we were escorted to where we stayed at. The room was not typically minimalist, for they had it designed elegantly to include paintings and elegant pieces. Despite all the décor, however, the room still had a contemporary feel.
The double beds were big and very comfortable, and the sheets were clearly of high-quality. They prepared beach towels too, aside from the sets of towels inside the bath.
The bathroom and its amenities definitely were something to write about. It had a small tub, a shower, and more classic décor. Instead of plastic bottles, their shampoo and soap are stored in ceramic bottles. This is one of their many environmental initiatives.
The view from our room was captivating, as it was overlooking the infinity pool, their expansive landscaped garden, and the beach. We also had a nice veranda that was made more attractive by a romantic wooden dining table for two.
On our first night, after having dinner at the nearby Bohol Bee Farm, we had the chance to explore the main building of the resort more. At the second floor, there was a good selection of books, magazines, and board games for the enjoyment of their guests. But what amazed us was their shelves and shelves of DVDs that could be brought back to the guestrooms. We borrowed a number of DVDs and figured that spending a quiet night relaxing in the resort was way better than partying in Alona Beach.
Another very interesting feature of Amarela was the Molave Gallery. The owners of the resort apparently are fine art connoisseurs, hence there were interesting pieces worth seeing.
We had our breakfasts at the resort, and we either had our meal plated or in a quaint but bountiful buffet spread. The cooking was really good, but the tasty highlight was the authentic Boholano tableya (hot chocolate) we were served.
We loved their infinity pool, which was situated right outside our room. It did help that there were only a handful of guests using it at a time, so we enjoyed each time we were there.
The beautiful white sand beach, meanwhile, was as private it could get, thus giving Amarela guests much-desired serenity and exclusivity. I appreciated the privacy and security of the beach so much that I didn’t want to check out the other beaches of Panglao Island.
We spent our first afternoon and our last morning just bumming by the beach, playing with the powdery white sand, feeling the soft breeze, and hearing the waves crashing. We, of course, took occasional dips when we felt like it. By the way, the use of their watersports equipment, like kayaks and snorkels, is free, but we were too lazy to use them.
As I’ve mentioned, Amarela has a lot of sustainable initiatives for the environment, among them the use of solar heaters for their bath and kitchen water and the installation of a Reed Bed system to recycle rainwater and wastewater for their landscapes. A review of their Facebook page also revealed that their staff collectively are involved in beach cleanups.
Honestly, Amarela Beach Resort was one of the most memorable places I have stayed at, and it was the best accommodations I’ve so far experienced in Panglao Island and Bohol. This tranquil hideaway exudes much character that makes it an alluring casa Boholana.
