Palawan Paradise: Uncover the Philippines' Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the (hopefully) shimmering waters of Palawan Paradise! Forget those sterile, corporate hotel reviews. This is REAL life, baby. And let me tell you, after spending a week "uncovering" this "hidden gem," I've got thoughts. Lots of them.
(SEO-Heavy, Because, You Know, Google Needs to Know)
Palawan Paradise: Uncover the Philippines' Hidden Gem! - A Review (with a Side of Sanity)
Accessibility: Getting There & Getting Around (or, My Knees' Revenge)
First things first: Accessibility. Listen, if you're seriously mobility-challenged, Palawan Paradise might be tricky. The website boasts facilities for disabled guests, but I'm talking about the reality. Elevator? Yes. But navigating the resort felt a little like a treasure hunt – some pathways are, shall we say, "rustic." Car park [free of charge] is a godsend, essential if you're renting a car. Airport transfer? Absolutely, and a MUST after a long flight. Thank GOD.
Internet Access (Because, Let's Be Real, We're All Addicted)
Alright, the modern world is connected. Internet. Now let's talk about the elephant in the room: Wi-Fi. The promises of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas were largely true, but with a caveat: it's spotty at times. Forget streaming movies in your room. If you need reliable internet for work, you might be better off with Internet [LAN] in the business center. Still, you gotta appreciate the effort.
Cleanliness and Safety: Is It Germ-Free Paradise?
Okay, here is where things get REALLY interesting in the wake of the pandemic. Palawan Paradise seems to take cleanliness seriously. The staff are all masked and smiling (even though you can't see the smiles all the time!). I saw evidence of Daily disinfection in common areas. They have a whole slew of safety measures listed. Anti-viral cleaning products? Probably. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Rooms sanitized between stays. I even noticed room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice touch. They have Staff trained in safety protocol. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, which you absolutely need. They offer Cashless payment service, which is great. They offer first aid kits, thank god!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Verdict
Food! Oh, the food! This is where Palawan Paradise almost sealed the deal. The restaurants offered Asian cuisine and Western cuisine, among other things.
I tried the Asian breakfast buffet. It was pretty good, a standard selection of local delicacies. I’m a total buffet fiend, so I wasn't too miffed about that option. But, my god, the Buffet in restaurant was great overall. They also offer an A la carte in restaurant, which is nice if you want to avoid the buffet. I was a fan of the Soup in restaurant, and they have Desserts in restaurant too! I tried the Coffee/tea in restaurant almost every time. I also ordered Room service [24-hour] one night at 3 AM, because I could NOT sleep the first night. Poolside bar? Absolutely, and crucial for sipping cocktails while pretending you're a millionaire. And the Snack bar was a lifesaver between meals. Even Vegetarian restaurant available! Fantastic!
Oh, and the Happy hour? Worth the wait.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Or Annoy)
Let's talk about the support system of the place. Daily housekeeping was a godsend! Seeing a clean room every day is great! Got my laundry done, for a price of course, using the Laundry service! I also called Concierge a couple of times to ask for directions. The Convenience store? Useful for grabbing snacks and forgotten essentials. Dry cleaning was done pretty well, too.
For the Kids: Keeping the Little Humans Happy (and Quiet)
I don't have kids but, I saw a lot of families with their children. They have Babysitting service. They are Family/child friendly. They also have Kids facilities. I'm sure your kids would have a great time.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone? (Or, My Inner Couch Potato's Plea)
Alright, THIS is where Palawan Paradise REALLY shines… or at least attempts to. I'm a sucker for a good spa. They have a Spa. A proper, full-on, aromatic, “ooh, la la” spa. I indulged. Heavily. The place is so calming, I almost fell asleep in the lobby. I had a Body scrub. A Body wrap. Massage to die for. I went to the Sauna, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom. They even have a Foot bath.
They also have a Fitness center. I'm not much of a gym rat, but I'm sure it's up to snuff. There's a Swimming pool [outdoor], with a Pool with view! You know what there is? Bicycle parking!
The Rooms: Pretty Good… But Not Perfect
The rooms? They’re nice. Clean. They have air conditioning, thank god! Blackout curtains! They have bedside outlets! I loved having a balcony! I found them cozy. They have ALL the amenities. There is Air conditioning. Alarm clock. Bathrobes. Bathroom phone. Bathtub. Blackout curtains. Carpeting. Closet. Coffee/tea maker. Complimentary tea. Daily housekeeping. Desk. Extra long bed. Free bottled water. Hair dryer. High floor. In-room safe box. Interconnecting room(s) available. Internet access – LAN. Internet access – wireless. Ironing facilities. Laptop workspace. Linens. Mini bar. Mirror. Non-smoking. On-demand movies. Private bathroom. Reading light. Refrigerator. Safety/security feature. Satellite/cable channels. Scale. Seating area. Separate shower/bathtub. Shower. Slippers. Smoke detector. Socket near the bed. Sofa. Soundproofing. Telephone. Toiletries. Towels. Umbrella. Visual alarm. Wake-up service. Wi-Fi [free]. Window that opens.
The "Meh" Moments (Because Life Isn't All Sunshine and Smoothies)
Okay, let's get real. Palawan Paradise has its… moments. The occasional power outage (bring a flashlight!). The Wi-Fi sometimes decided to take a break. But honestly, these are small annoyances.
The "OMG, I Loved This!" Moments (Because I’m Still Human)
The view from the pool. Sunsets over the ocean. The sheer peace of the spa. And the genuine friendliness of the staff, who always greeted me with a smile, even when I was cranky from lack of sleep.
Palawan Paradise: The Verdict
Would I go back? Absolutely. It's not perfect, but it's a lovely escape. It has some nice amenities. The price is reasonable. The location is stunning. The food is amazing. Yes, definitely go.
My Imperfect, Honest, and Totally Biased Offer (Because That's What You Want, Right?)
STOP SCROLLING AND BOOK YOUR PALAWAN PARADISE ESCAPE RIGHT NOW!
Are you dreaming of turquoise waters, sun-drenched beaches, and a chance to RESET your entire being? (Sound familiar?) Then, I’m here to tell you to stop dreaming and START PACKING!
Palawan Paradise isn't just a hotel; it's an experience.
Here's why you should skip the other resorts and choose us:
- Unforgettable Relaxation: Forget stress. We will wrap you in a bubble of peace. From massages that melt away tension to spa days that leave you feeling reborn, you’ll discover a level of relaxation you didn't know existed.
- Culinary Adventures: Prepare your taste buds! From authentic Asian dishes to international cuisine, your cravings will be satisfied!
- Impeccable Cleanliness: In a world of uncertainty, your safety is our priority. We're meticulous about sanitization, so you can focus on your escape.
- Picture-Perfect Views: Wake up to breathtaking ocean views, take a dip in our stunning infinity pool, and witness sunsets that will take your breath away.
- Unforgettable Memories: Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, your time at Palawan Paradise will be filled with moments you'll treasure forever.
Don’t just dream it, DO IT. BOOK YOUR STAY NOW, you won't regret it.
**(And yes, we have great Wi-Fi (mostly!), and we have all the amenities to make
Unbelievable Hotel Dali Samarkand: Your Samarkand Dream Awaits!
Nice Place, Palawan: My Trip, Probably Not Yours (But Hopefully Entertaining)
Okay, so here's the deal. I'm not exactly a travel guru. More like a "winging-it-and-hoping-for-the-best" kind of gal. And Palawan? Yeah, everyone raves about it. So, naturally, I went. And naturally, things didn't exactly go according to plan. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is less a meticulously crafted itinerary and more a rambling chronicle of my near-death experiences (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration) and questionable decisions in the "Paradise" that is (and sometimes isn't) Nice Place, Palawan.
Day 1: Arrival (and the existential dread of luggage)
- Morning: Landed in Puerto Princesa. The humidity hit me like a wet, warm blanket of pure judgement. Immediately regretted that last slice of pizza before the flight. Found the airport charmingly chaotic. By "charming," I mean "utterly bonkers but in a way that sort of endears you to it."
- Transportation Mishap #1: The airport transfer I booked (of course I booked the cheapest option) was…a rickety van whose driver, bless his heart, seemed to be navigating purely on instinct and a prayer. We got to my chosen hostel, "The Coconut Shack" (because, duh, coconuts!), and the air conditioner would not work. That's a sign to start with.
- The Hostel: A mix of "rustic" and "slightly falling apart." My dorm room? Honestly, I've seen cleaner gas station bathrooms. But the view from the balcony almost made up for the questionable cleanliness. Almost.
- Afternoon: Attempted to explore the town. Got lost within the first five minutes. The smells… the smells! Jasmine, diesel fumes, and the lingering scent of something vaguely fishy. My stomach growled in protest. Eventually found a carinderia (local eatery) and bravely ordered something. It was delicious, but the post-lunch food coma was legendary.
- Evening: Back at the hostel. Sat on the balcony and watched the sunset. It was, no exaggeration, breathtaking. Like, made-me-forget-about-the-dust-mites-on-my-bed breathtaking. Had a gin and tonic (or three) and tried to converse with a couple from Germany. We discussed the meaning of life, the appropriate length of shorts, and the existential dread of washing your own travel clothes. They seemed like they'd been through more of life's experiences than i had, but i had more drinks.
Day 2: Honda Bay Hoedown (and Regrets)
- Morning: Honda Bay island-hopping tour. This is where things started to go downhill, or rather, underwater. The boat ride was…fine. Until it wasn't. The engine sputtered and died. The captain, a man who looked perpetually lost in thought, muttered something about "the spirits." I may have quietly panicked. Eventually, we got going again.
- Island 1: Snake Island, a land of questionable promises. The snorkeling was a bust, I think… I panicked, there were so many things to see, and I was scared of the deep water. The sand was lovely though. I saw some starfish.
- Island 2: Starfish Island (the name did not lie). Starfish were everywhere! Gorgeous, vibrant, and definitely not to be touched (which, of course, some idiot tourists were doing). The water, however, was a sea of other things, trash like plastic bottle, a shoe. The beauty was almost too much.
- Island 3: Cowrie Island, a bit sketchy, tbh. Went to go swim but was too timid, and was distracted by the flies and the smell. The food from the tiny restaurant was a mixed bag of greasy deep-fried delicacies and questionable-looking rice. I went back to the first island to just chill on the side on the boat while the others snorkeled.
- Afternoon: More snorkeling. This time, I actually saw some fish! Bright blue ones, striped ones, ones that looked like they were judging my terrible swimming skills. I swallowed a mouthful of seawater (not recommended), briefly considered becoming a mermaid, and then decided I'd rather stay on the boat.
- Evening: Back at the hostel, exhausted and slightly sunburnt. Ate instant noodles in my room (because, budget travel). Contemplated writing a strongly worded review of the Honda Bay tour. Decided against it. The memories were worth it…kinda.
Day 3: Underground River (and the dark embrace of claustrophobia)
- Morning: The Underground River. Supposedly the jewel in Palawan's crown. I was…cautiously optimistic. The journey there was long and hot (the van's AC was on its last legs), but hey, adventure!
- The River Itself: Okay, fine. It was impressive. The sheer scale of the cave, the formations, the fact that I was technically paddling through a UNESCO World Heritage site…all quite remarkable.
- My Reaction: I spent the entire tour in a state of quiet terror. Okay, maybe not entirely terror. But the darkness, the echoes, the low ceiling…I’m not a fan of enclosed spaces. I was the frantic person at the end of the line telling everyone the life guards were not doing their job.
- Post-River Debrief: Had lunch at a restaurant near the entrance. Found it hilariously overpriced. Made a mental note to pack my own snacks for future adventures. The ride back was even longer, the AC even less effective. Started hallucinating air conditioning.
- Evening: Ate dinner at a restaurant that was on the beach. The waves were crashing. The stars were out. Everything seemed…okay. Until I realized I hadn't taken any photos of the Underground River. Facepalm. Major travel fail.
Day 4: Relaxation and Regret (yes, again)
- Morning: Attempted to relax. Failed. I was so stressed, I decided to leave my luggage to the hostel, so i can go around. I almost forgot my passport and wallet at the van, and that made me start to lose it. The beach was nice though. This is the time I realized how messed up I was, and the anxiety was killing me.
- Afternoon: Ate at a place that just opened. It was close to my hostel and the food was okay, except the flies were really annoying. I couldn't enjoy the food.
- Evening: I called my parents. The talk went south. I told them the trip wasn't good, and that I was stressed. Then, I told them that it was my fault for deciding to go on a trip, and how i didn't think it through. I cried myself to sleep, and woke up at 3am thinking about what I was going to do when I get back.
Day 5: Departure (and a reluctant goodbye)
- Morning: Woke up and decided I was going to leave earlier. I made a lot of mistakes, but maybe, there's a lesson in there. I grabbed my things, and went back to the airport.
- Departure: I left Palawan, happy but sad, and now I'm ready to tell the story. I guess this trip was one of the many things that happened in my life. I will never be the same, and that's okay.
Final Thoughts (Because I Need an Ending)
Palawan? Beautiful. Challenging. Humbling. And, let's be honest, a bit overwhelming. I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do. I stumbled. I panicked. I ate questionable food and spent way too much time contemplating the meaning of life in a damp hostel room. But I also saw some incredible things. I met some amazing people. And I learned a valuable lesson: travel isn't always about the perfect Instagram shot. It's about the mess, the mishaps, and the moments where you realize you're completely, utterly, and gloriously lost…and somehow, that's okay.
Would I go back? Maybe. With a much better itinerary, a renewed sense of adventure, and a hefty dose of anti-anxiety medication.
Seoul's BEST Gyeongbokgung Palace Stay: Unbeatable Location!
