Connect with us

Travel

Off the Grid

A short trip to Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Puerto Princesa becomes a lesson in going offline and enjoying the beautiful views of a tropical holiday, without the Instagram filter.

A short trip to Sheridan Beach Resort Spa in Puerto Princesa becomes a lesson in going offline and enjoying the beautiful views of a tropical holiday, without the Instagram filter.

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit– traveling somewhere with barely any internet and no LTW(not even Edge!) access was a little daunting at first. We spent the few minutes after our arrival at Sheridan Beach Resort Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan walking around the property, trying to find the suddenly elusive signal that would bring our Instagram-ready snapshots to our followers back home.

The fact that the resort was extremely picturesque wasn’t helping the social network withdrawal systems either. The resort sits between the beautiful rolling hills that dot the entire island, its gentle slopes that seemed to rise up into the blue sky and the wide expanse of the sandy beach that stretched around the island’s edges. From the crashing waves on one side to the cloud-covered peaks on the other, there were so many photo-worthy vistas that it was almost impossible not to immediately want to share the view with the world. But eventually, we took it as our chance to live in the moment, and as hard as that may initially seem, we were determined to try.

We’d finally given up and put our phones away, enjoying the cold towels and fruit juices that were served as refreshments after the two-hour drive from the airport. The staff was friendly and accomodating, checking us into our rooms in a matter of minutes and arranging our airport transfers for the end of the trip. Afterwards, someone offered to escort us to our rooms.

The walk to the rooms allowed us to admire the resort in its entirety. Large pools take up the center of the property, flowing into each other and flanked by buildings that housed the guest rooms on each side. The structures themselves lent to the tropical vibe, with open hallways and an atrium that was filled with lush greenery. Our rooms were cozy, with soft lighting and wooden accents that keep it homey. The expansive bathroom was also a welcome luxury, with stone walls and floors and a glass-enclosed shower that was perfect for cooling off after a day in the sun.

Speaking of the sun, we decided to take advantage of the remaining hours of the afternoon to lounge by the pool—and maybe in it, with one end dedicated to a row of half-submerged lounge chairs. The beach, too, turned out to be a great place to while away the time, and the water was clear and cool—what you’d expect in an isolated island paradise.

Of course, if you’re the kind of vacationer who enjoys packing your itinerary with activities, you can go on any of the tours that the resort would be happy to assist you in arranging. Sheridan is the only luxury resort in close proximity to the Underground River, a world heritage site that brings visitors on a serene waterway under interesting rock formations. There’s also a jungle trail, a paddleboat tour by the mangroves, and a number of other stunning natural sites. Anyone looking for more of an adrenaline rush can take the ATVs out for a ride around the area.

At the end of the day, the South Sea Restaurant features the finest gourmet cuisine, with a buffet of local and international dishes made from organic ingredients from the resort’s farm. Creating our own personalized bowl at the Mongolian section was one of our favorites, though the offering are kept fresh with different specials for every meal—while we were there, we also tried out the barbecue and pasta specials. Pizzas are also made on site, with a special brick oven to give the dishes a perfect crisp. As the night deepens, the restaurant starts playing more upbeat music, encouraging their guests to enjoy the collection of cocktails and the cool ocean breeze.

On our last night, as we enjoyed our bottles of Corona on the open-air dining area, it became an interesting observation that we were no longer checking our phones mid-conversation. Something in the Palawan air did more than just block our internet connection—it actually managed to block out the desire to be constantly online. Armed with the kind of buzz that only happens when you’re having drinks in close proximity to the ocean, we were doing nothing but living the moment. I know that’s not something you can post online, but it’s definitely something I was surprised to find I was thankful for.

  • by Shari Quimbo
  • photography Dan Douglas Ong
9 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Leisure

Club Serena: A ‘Serene Luxury’ Experience in the Heart of Cebu’s Diving Mecca

photography by GPA Art and Photography

A three-hour drive, or more, depending on traffic, the fishing town of Moalboal in the southwest of Cebu Island is an extremely popular destination for divers and weekenders who love the white sand and pink sunsets. It is also a favorite place to stay for expats looking for a laid-back life of endless coffees or cocktails.

Thankfully, the big chain resorts haven’t discovered it and places to stay are mostly small family-run resorts. But if pampering is what you are looking for, there is only one hotel to book in Moalboal. Club Serena Resort is a 1.7-hectare beachfront property perched above coral rocks, presenting a unique union of luxurious accommodations and a host of activities to be enjoyed. This hidden gem is reached through a dirt road away from the main highway. Fronting a wide swath of white sand beach, it is an easy walk past several smaller resorts to reach the main town.

Recently renovated by noted architect James Jao, the new Club Serena has 17 rooms, three swimming pools, a restaurant, and a beachfront event space, all designed with modern Filipino aesthetic. On the drawing board are more rooms to be added, an expansion of their modern dive shop, and their popular Kids’ Club program. Their food outlet, Mira, offers all-day dining, favorite among visitors and locals, as well as the growing expat community that has settled in Moalboal. 

Club Serena offers diving courses for adults and kids by their resident operator, Seven Seas Aquanauts Phil. Corp, a PADI 5 accredited diving facility operating since 1988. For a complete list of the courses and their rates, please call (+63) 917.872.6367 or (+63) 905.459.5307.

The resort encourages above-water activities as well, and they have several paddle boards and kayaks available for guests to use.

For rates and more information, visit www.clubserenaresort.com or email sayhello@clubserenaresort.com or (+63) 917.872.6367 or (+63) 905.459.5307. You can also visit their Facebook page for updates.

Continue Reading

Travel

This is How the M.I.C.E. Alliance Initiative will Lift Boracay to New Heights

Leveling up Boracay in more ways than one

by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo

Saying the name “Boracay” instantly casts a spell, taking the listener to a daydream of immaculate, pale beaches, swaying palm trees, the music of breaking waves, and the vacation of a lifetime. The tropical island Eden is storied and renowned – a difficult enchantment to lift from any wayward tourist’s mind. But what if we were to tell you that Boracay is so much more? Can you build upon perfection? Yes, and this, ladies and gentlemen, is how. 

One is never too far away from the beach! BNCC is only a stone’s throw away from the Boracay Newcoast Beach front.

Boracay Newcoast Convention Center (BNCC), located at the heart of Boracay Newcoast will soon host the biggest conventions, exhibitions and other large-scale events in the island starting second quarter of 2022.

After the difficulties of the past few years, the stage is finally set for a massive Boracay reboot. The creative gears turn once more, and this time they will catapult our favorite beach capital to new heights. The cornerstone of this renaissance is the M.I.C.E. Alliance initiative, short for meetings, incentives, conferences and conventions, and events and exhibitions. The establishment of the Boracay M.I.C.E. Alliance will allow focused efforts in creating sustainable and eco-sensitive tourism development projects while synergizing with stakeholders to create long-term solutions and opportunities for all partners. The alliance is set to drive awareness, readiness, and expansion of product offerings that will be crucial in making the island competitive with other M.I.C.E. destinations. Working closely with the Department of Tourism Region VI and the Tourism Promotions Board, the alliance is primed to provide support to the areas that are involved in this major undertaking.

Cleofe Albiso, Boracay M.I.C.E Alliance Chairperson

BNCC enjoys state-of-the-art facilities and can accommodate about a thousand guests depending on set-up and conduct multiple events at a time.

No one is more emphatic than M.I.C.E. Alliance chairperson Cleofe Albiso in describing how the different sectors of Boracay are pivoting from tourism to tourism plus. In brief, Boracay is challenging its own boundaries to become not just the pre-eminent tourist destination but also a corporate and business mecca. Turns out, if a venue is grand enough to host a wedding, wouldn’t it be just as grand to host a white-collar conference? Sky’s the limit for possibilities like this. At this moment, the island is abuzz with networking and making connections, training and empowering the hospitality services, polishing the infrastructure, revving up the transportation facilities, and all-around gearing up to go toe-to-toe with other M.I.C.E. hubs and be worthy of the tagline, “the best place for M.I.C.E. in a tropical paradise.” All hands are on deck and – after the extended global hiatus thanks to the pandemic – everyone is ready, nay, eager to meet and greet the guests. And, of course, we would be remiss not to point out that Boracay is more than halfway through completing such a tall order. The island is as well-oiled a machine as it could be, boasting 294 DOT-accredited hotels and resort, a staggering 4,500 seating capacity for meetings and conventions, and 12,400 room keys available in the island. Talk about volume! Plus, Boracay is already postcard-perfect, the very stuff that vacation dreams are made of. Why not turn the dial up to eleven and let it become a compass point for more than a summer getaway? This is the logical next step in realizing its vision of being not just a place to be, but the place to be.

Savoy Hotel Boracay like Belmont Hotel, and the soon to open Chancellor Hotel is also walking distance away from BNCC making it an ideal spot for both business and leisure trips.

So, yes, by all means think of the idyllic strolls on the beach, the luxurious caress of the ocean as you free-dive, the sheer delight of sand and surf while island-hopping, the adrenaline rush of aquasports, parasailing, cycling, or driving an ATV up Boracay’s foothills, the psychedelic glow of fire-dancing and party lights at night, the breathtaking sunsets, the larger-than-life adventures, or the hundred other ways it can lavish or reinvigorate your soul. Think of all of that, and then some. Because Boracay has its eyes on something greater: it is poised to become the premier starting point and last stop for tourism, entertainment, corporate gatherings, exhibits, and any other event the imagination can dream of. 

Paradise Garden’s Mabuhay Convention Center can fit 850 guests at a time.

For corporate set-ups, a 60 person function room is also available at the Isla Function Room of Paradise Garden.

Think of your company meeting. Now, think of your company meeting and the fun that’ll ensue right after. Picture that in the most scenic of vacation spots. Tempted already? Who wouldn’t be? You’re already in paradise. With business here and leisure literally just a stone’s throw away – heaven on earth, wouldn’t you say? 

Continue Reading

Travel

For Our Next Travel Destination, We Dream About Koh Samui in Thailand

Impressive views of the Gulf of Thailand welcome you at the Arrival Sala

Silent Sanctuaries

Mayenne Carmona discovers the Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui is a quiet oasis to recharge and rejuvenate…

What does one expect from a Four Seasons Resort? Everything! Firstly, it will definitely be ranked no less than a five-star hotel or resort. Most importantly, it would not fall short of all your expectations: excellent cuisine, topnotch comfort at your fingertips in a well-appointed villa, courteous staff who offer impeccable service, and every other detail you could possibly need—down to the last cotton bud. After all, a Four Seasons Resort is always designed by a top-rated architectural team and interior designers.

The moment I stepped into the Four Seasons Resort at Koh Samui, I felt all my cares washed away by the soft waves of the bluest sea. The fresh air cleared my sinuses in no time, and the gentle breeze was a much needed caress to a tired mind and body. It was truly paradise regained for me and my friends. We were a motley group of career-oriented people who needed a much-awaited break from work, and this was the perfect choice for us.

Each Villa has a butler to cater to the guests’ every whim. The afternoon we arrived, we requested a sunset dinner by the beach, and much like a genie, our butler whipped up a romantically set candlelit dinner for six. A five-course delicious Thai dinner was prepared by their well-trained chef.

Our days were spent languishing by the beach, having daily massages, attending yoga classes, doing water sports and enjoying every bite of Thai cuisine. Golf carts transported us wherever we wanted to go within the resort. This vacation brought all my senses to another realm, and restored a weary soul to perfection. 

Four Seasons Koh Samui, I look forward to seeing you again!

Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand in the scenic Gulf of Siam. It is a 45 minute flight from Bangkok. Sandy beaches, coral reefs, coconut trees and abundant tourist resources make it a popular holiday destination.

For more information on Four Seasons Resort, visit their website at https://www.fourseasons.com/kohsamui/

(This article has already been published in Zee Lifestyle’s March 2016 Travel Issue, “Silent Sanctuaries” written by our columnist Mayenne Carmona for La Vie En Rose on pages 32-33.)

Continue Reading

Trending