The Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Only a few minutes from the airport and city centre, this is the ideal place to relax while still being close to the local tourist attractions. Since it’s near Honda Bay, you can easily island hop and snorkel, or head to the underground river for a spectacular tour. Back at the hotel, there’s a chlorine-free pool, to which some villas have easy access.

Fall in love with nature at Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort – all thoughts of the city will have faded during the 90-minute journey it takes you to get here. It’s an eco-friendly resort, with energy-efficient air conditioning, solar and heat tech, and a commitment to lowering its carbon footprint. And you can take socially responsible tours of the surrounding natural wonders with community-based companies. Even better, the beach here is a nesting area for olive ridley sea turtles; the eggs hatch from January to April.

Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa has an enviable location near Puerto Princesa landmarks such as the Kaluyo Falls and the Subterranean River National Park. Cutting through the centre of the resort is a pool, perfect if you’re travelling with kids, while more adult fun is to be found perching on the edge of the swim-up bar. Enjoy dining on the beach, with a menu created from ingredients grown at the hotel’s organic farm.

The dramatic facade, with a glass-bottomed pool dangling over the roof, is your first hint that this is a hotel that aims to wow. That same taste for the spectacular continues inside, with a contemporary restaurant featuring dangling bare bulbs and the only Mexican–Filipino menu in Palawan. The rooms are more homely, but they are enlivened with patterned wallpaper and come with biodegradable Mooi & Co toiletries.

Dos Palmas sits on the private Arrecife Island, which means you’ll need to take nearly an hour-long ride on the resort’s private outrigger from Honda Bay to get here. But the effort – if you can call it that – is worth it. White-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral reefs make for a holiday that feels like paradise. Spend your days kayaking and snorkelling, or chilling with traditional Filipino treatments at the on-site spa.

For a Palawan party, head to the Aziza Paradise Hotel. Here you’ll find the BeOne Bar, where local DJs and artists play to a crowd of beer-pongers and billiards players. Rooms are comfortable, dressed in a tropical theme, and there’s a palm-lined swimming pool. The in-house restaurant serves international and local dishes.

Looking to crank up the family-holiday fun? Astoria Palawan has the only water park in Puerto Princesa. Kids will love the slides, wave pool and tumbling water buckets – while you can chill in the lazy river. More active fun can be found around the resort, with off-road biking, kayaking and beach volleyball all available. For a more relaxed afternoon head to the Pod, an outdoor infinity pool with sunken loungers gazing over the Sulu Sea.

Close to Puerto Princesa International Airport and just a 10-minute walk from Pristine Beach, Flora Villarosa is a small, homely spot where you can chill out between day trips – the Unesco-listed subterranean river is an hour’s drive away. The rooms overlook a lush garden and pool, lit by candles at night. Seafood fan? Don’t miss the chance to dine among mangroves at nearby Badjao Seafront Restaurant – the sizzling squid and seafood kare-kare are divine.