Where to Stay: Beach Resorts and Hotels in the Philippines

The Philippines is a country that attracts more and more travelers each year. As a result, accommodation possibilities are growing, along with the rest of the tourist infrastructures. For this reason, you will find places to spend the night suitable for any traveler’s preferences and adapted to any pocket, including luxury houses and resorts, bungalows, hotels, hostels, and private apartments, among many others.

In addition to planning, we recommend leaving some room for improvisation during your visit to the Philippines. It is also a good idea to consult travel forums and blogs, where you can get ideas and opinions that will help you decide where to stay in the Philippines. 

To help give you an idea for your accommodation during your travel to the Philippines, in this post, we leave you a selection of hotels and resorts in the different destinations in the country, including 4 and 5-star hotels that we can recommend.

In the Philippines, there are beach resorts, where you can stay for one or more days if you want at varying prices.

Logically, it depends on the areas you visit, as they can be much more expensive depending on the location. These resorts are everywhere in the Philippines, where you can enjoy swimming pools and even a barbecue area. In some of them, you even have the possibility of having a room rental service. On some occasions, you would have the option of being able to enjoy a restaurant in the same resort or very close to the resort.

In the same way, in the country, there is a great diversity of accommodation from very cheap to very luxurious hotels. Just like anywhere in the world, it will be more difficult to find accommodation in high season and areas with high tourist influx.

There are several platforms to search for hotels and resorts in the Philippines. The most used or known is Booking, where you can also get good deals. Another platform used is Agoda, a platform that’s a little easier to handle. 

There are countless very good accommodations, it is a matter of researching through different search engines and specialized websites. If you do not go in high season, we recommend you rent places as you go. You can check the accommodation on site (walk-in) and ask for prices, in many cases you’ll find that it will be considerably cheaper. 

A little travel advice, leave room for spontaneity. You will always find an offer in accommodation and perhaps some other surprise and adventure. Sometimes too much advance planning limits you if you want to change the itinerary at any given time or if you change your mind and find a better place.

Manila's capital alone has hundreds of hotels on offer ranging from the most ostentatious, through classic-style accommodations, to the cheapest, with or without breakfast included, so that you are spoilt for choice. Here everything varies according to the demands and budgets of the vacationer.

The Bayleaf Intramuros

The Bayleaf Intramuros is located in the middle of the old town of Manila and has a great restaurant with breathtaking views of the city. It is one of the most popular hotels with our guests and from here you can also start your sightseeing tours in Manila.

Exclusive Hotels

Among the more exclusive hotels in Manila are also "The Manila Hotel", "The Peninsula Manila" and the "Makati Diamond Residences”. The Makati Diamond Residences are located directly in the Greenbelt Makati, where there are not only excellent shopping facilities but also the very worth seeing Ayala Museum. For sporty holidaymakers, there is also a 25m indoor pool which invites you to an extensive swimming session.

List of luxury hotels for a true luxury traveler (4 and 5-star hotels): 

• Discovery Primea in Downtown Makati
• Marco Polo Ortigas in Downtown Manila
• Fairmont Makati, located in the prestigious financial center of Makati where you can also find The Peninsula Manila
• Citadines Bay City Manila
• Seda Residences Makati
• The Alpha Suites luxury serviced apartments located in Makati City
• Raffles Makati
  
  

Within the range of inexpensive hotels, but with breakfast included, for those who want to save while enjoying comfortable accommodation in Manila, the following are worth mentioning:

• Soleste Suites in Quezon City
• Gran Prix Econotel in Pasay
• The Windy Ridge Hotel Manila
• Red Planet Binondo.
• The Luneta Hotel
• V Hotel
• Tropicana Suites
• Hotel Kimberly Manila.

One of the top destinations for tourists in the country, Cebu is dubbed as the Queen City of the South - you will most likely pass through here to go to another destination. Cebu offers a wide array of sights and attractions, as well as activities for travelers. Don’t worry there are tons of accommodations for all types of budgets here.

• Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
• Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan (5-star resort with beach)
• Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel
• Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
• Montebello Villa Hotel Cebu, the only garden hotel within Cebu City
• Goldberry Suites and Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City
• Radisson Blu (5-star hotel in the heart of Cebu, few steps from SM City Cebu)
• Quest Hotel and Conference Center
• Bayfront Hotel Cebu 
• Maayo Hotel in Mandaue City
• bai Hotel Cebu in Mandaue City
• Toyoko Inn Cebu
• Cebu Hilltop Hotel (budget-friendly)
• Diamond Suites and Residences (affordable hotel in the city center of Cebu, across Ayala Mall)

Bohol is a classic on any travel itinerary to the Philippines. The diving in Balicasag, the famous Chocolate Hills, the adorable tarsiers, waterfalls, and rice fields.

4 to 5 Star Hotels and Resorts

• South Palms Resort Panglao
• Amorita Resort
• Henann Resort Alona Beach
• Donatela Resort and Sanctuary
• BE Grand Star Hotels
• The Bellevue Resort in Panglao
• Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort

Inexpensive and Great Accommodations with breakfast included: 

• Loboc River Resort
• Linaw Beach Resort
• J & R Residence
• Ocean Suites Bohol Boutique Hotel
• Arabelle Suites
• Metro Centre Hotel
• Sweet Home Boutique Hotel, located in the city of Tagbilaran
• Kew Hotel
• Belian Hotel
• Harmony Hotel

Economical options

• GV Hotel Tagbilaran
• Acacia Sunset Village Inn
• Coco Grove Tourist Inn
• Cherry’s @Home Too Inland Resort
• Royal Coast Tourist Inn and Restaurant
• Vest Grand Suites
• Bohol La Roca Hotel
• Constrell Pension House

This tiny island in Cebu offers a unique environment, great diving sites, and is famous for thresher sharks. Here Kalanggaman Island is also just within reach.

• Ocean Vida
• Evolution Beach and Dive Resort
• Thresher Cove Resort (budget-friendly)
• Malapascua Budget Inn (NEW backpacking hostel)

Boracay, less than an hour’s flight away from Manila, is a world-renowned beach destination, endowed with a long stretch of powdery white sand, crystal clear, and azure waters. Here you can enjoy tons of water sports and activities, watch sunsets in stunning colors, and experience vibrant nightlife like no other.

• Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel (5-star hotel)
• Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa (5-Star hotel, perfect for a honeymoon getaway)
• The Lind Boracay in White Beach (5-star luxury resort)
• Discovery Shores Boracay (5-star resort)
• 357 Boracay Resort
• Blue Marina Boracay
• Jony's Beach Resort 
• Villa Caemilla Beach Boutique Hotel
• Hey Jude South Beach Boracay (Inexpensive option in Boracay)
• La Carmela de Boracay (budget-friendly)

The largest province in the country by land area, Palawan has managed to be a constant feature as one of the top lists of the best islands in the world.

El Nido Resorts

Perhaps one of the most beautiful hotels in the Philippines, El Nido Resorts is a group of ultra upscale sustainable island resorts in the Bacuit archipelago, which include El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island Resort, Apulit, Miniloc, and Lagen Island.

Other premier accommodations include:

• Mansión Buenavista (El Nido)
• Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort 
• Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa 
• Sunset Colors (San Vicente, Port Barton)

If your destination is Puerto Princesa, the following alternative options are highlighted below:

• Atremaru Jungle Retreat
• Hue Hotels and Resort 
• Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel
• Deep Forest Garden Inn
• Royale Parc Hotel
• ZEN Rooms Sunlight Palawan
• Fersal Hotel
• Acacia Tree Garden Hotel
• Grande Vista Hotel

The country’s surfing capital, Siargao boasts towering waves, as well as stunning and isolated beaches. It also charms with its lush mangroves, abundant coconut groves, astonishing rock formations, and exploring Sugba Lagoon is a must when you are on the island.

• Siargao Inn Beach Resort
• Bayud Boutique Resort
• Sandy Feet Siargao
• Surfing Carabao Beach Houses
• Nay Palad Hideaway (5-Star hotel)
• Greenhouse Siargao (Eco-friendly resort)
• Kalipay Resort Siargao
• Kawili Resort (economical choice)
• Villa Pagoda Resort
• Balay Hayahay (budget-friendly)
• Soeliana Resort (budget-friendly)

The volcanic island of Camiguin offers a myriad of accommodations to suit every traveler’s tastes. 

• Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin
• Bintana sa Paraiso
• KURMA Eco Beach Lodge
• Paras Beach Resort
• Medano Island Resort (budget-friendly)

Generally and especially during the high season it is often a hassle in a lot of places in the Philippines (for example in El Nido or on Bohol), moreover some places in the Philippines are not practical at all to find a hotel at random since Manila and Cebu are big cities and you don't want to take 4 different taxis to find the guesthouse that ultimately won't suit (also works with 20kms beaches).

However, keep in mind that in some places like Batad in the rice fields it is almost impossible to book in advance and there are more accommodations than travelers. 

Where to Stay in the Philippines: AIRBNB

Apart from the places we recommend you to stay, you can also get an apartment for affordable prices through Airbnb.

Why Airbnb?

• If you like to stay in cool places at a great price.
• It is a closer and more personal way to stay because you can talk to their owners and follow their advice.
• There is nobody better than a local person to advise you where to eat, what to visit and what to do during your stay.
•  Here you can do the shopping and cook, in this way you can save on breakfasts and dinners.
•  If you want more independence and freedom.