The way a Bohol beach holiday should be

MANILA, Philippines - It is difficult to go on a beach holiday without needing it to be perfect. Going on vacation, after all, is not an easy occurrence. Being able to make it to the beach is easier said than done. So when one does go on holiday — a beach holiday — it must, admittedly, run with military precision, with details all securely covered. That does not mean that the fun should be done away with. When going on a beach holiday, the dedication to detail is a requirement while the enthusiasm for fun is a given. There should be no holding back in what is a seldom-enjoyed treat. So, one has every reason and right to go full on and all out about a beach holiday.

Now, when we say beach holiday here, we are talking about spending it at South Palms Resort Panglao. The resort is a glorious 9.3-hectare paradise within a 45-hectare spread of fantastic beachfront property. By “fantastic,” we mean 700 meters of natural white sand and sapphire blue waters. It is all picture-perfect, only made better when one is actually frolicking there, enjoying the sun instead of admiring it on paper or screen.

“This stretch of sand gives South Palms the distinction of having the longest beach in Panglao,” managing director Hope Marie Uy proudly states. “That amount of space assures guests that they will not find themselves bumping into one another.”

South Palms complements this stunning sand-and-sea scenario with 90 comfortable guestrooms and suites, each of them a few steps away from the beach. These rooms are configured into deluxe garden view, deluxe pool view, deluxe beachfront, premium beachfront, beach villa, family villa, and Panglao villa. Each is equipped with a 32-inch LCD TV, cable TV, free Wi-Fi access, mini bar, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and in-room safe.

Now, one will notice that there are no tall buildings and hotels in the property. Everything has a single floor, an all-villa resort if one wills. “We want South Palms Resort Panglao to be true to its island-living concept,” says Uy. “It is not a forced hotel that sits on a cove. What we have done is to keep the natural surroundings, to make it look more organic than artificial.”

Uy furthers that guests will find it convenient to reach the beach in no time and effort at all. “Guests do not have to pass through the lobby or use an elevator or stairs, dressed down in swimsuits, just to go to the beach. Because the villas are literally by the beach, they can simply go out of their room and walk directly to the beach. It is that easy.”

Indeed how many of us, veteran and newbie beach holiday goers, had to endure sheepish grins and knowing looks from fully clothed guests in resorts, as we made our way to the beachfront?

“To us, that is not an ideal beach holiday. Here we present guests with spaces, enough for them to enjoy their holiday in private,” she remarks.

With that out of the way, enjoying the white sand and blue waters has never been this accessible. But the aquatic adventure does not stop there. South Palms also provides two options for guests that prefer to splash around inside: the East Pool and the Coast Pool. The former is found in the eastside section off the resort while the latter is right in front of the splendid Oceanica Restaurant. Both pools have their own bars, so luxuriating with a sense of the indoors is still a very good idea.

“There is an abundance of trees in the resort, the better for guests to truly feel that they really are away from the hustle and bustle of the city,” she adds. This is also a wise move: when guests emerge from the water, they would normally want shade — and they want it right now. They do not like walking distances just to have a roof. At South Palms, these coconut trees are close to the beach, although the trademark huts by the beach, icons of Panglao tourism, are already standing there, ready to be occupied. Then again, there are guests who simply want a semblance of island life, so why hold back on the palm trees now.

Uy relates that the resort makes available a variety of water activities, including diving, island-hopping, and whale shark and dolphin viewing. We highly recommend trying all these, if only because Bohol is known for its marvelous marine life and exotic islands.

Back on dry land, South Palms offers its main F&B outlet Oceanica Seafood Restaurant. It will soon be known as an important restaurant hereabouts, serving Filipino and international cuisine that successfully balances taste and presentation. Most of the time, one is sacrificed for the other, but at Oceanica, one will know that this balance is possible, and made possible by South Palms F&B operations and R&D manager Lolita Lyn Uy and her team.

There are fish tanks on the ready at Oceanica, perfect for finicky guests who want to dine on only the freshest catch. The good news is, seafood is always fresh at the resort. The Uy family is also in the fresh foods business, so the catch and bounty promises to be of the best quality. There are plans to put up a fish farm within the resort premises, the better to guarantee guests that South Palms’ commitment to quality is never compromised. In addition, guests can sample Bohol’s best culinary dishes with South Palms’ half board meals package. It is a special treat from the resort so guests need not agonize about their next meal.

Relaxation at the resort also comes in the form of Palm The Spa. There is a choice selection of treatments available, from hilot to hot-stone massage. A guest can choose between having the massage in one of the cabanas by the beach or in the comfort of one’s room. Surely, the proposition of being massaged in a cozy cabana with the sound of the waves in the background is too good to pass.

So what else figures in what is arguably the best Bohol beach holiday? Treating its guests like royalty, that’s what. Indeed, South Palms takes one’s holiday seriously, without losing the sense of joy that comes with it. See, even if guests are planning to hold court 26 coconut trees away, the lovely staff will happily bring their meals to their chosen spot. How cool, and memorable, is that?

What we are pleased to report, too, is the staff: an eager, happy, and hospitable batch of professionals committed to bringing out the best Bohol experience for their guests. Nothing could be better than being made to feel at home away from home.

There are more exciting happenings at South Palms: fitness center, tennis court, business center, dive shop, and souvenir shop. Coming here with business in mind? South Palms has banquet and conference facilities for corporate groups. There are the Green Palm function room, which can accommodate up to 300 people theater-style, and the Blue Palm, which can house 80 people. These rooms come with state-of-the-art amenities and equipment.

With the arrival of South Palms Resort Panglao, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Bohol will have something new to boast of. This is a resort that knows exactly how Bohol beach holidays should be enjoyed, and it is only a matter of time before good word comes around.

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South Palms Resort Panglao is located at Barangay Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol. For more information, call +63 38 411-1007, mobile +63 917-716-7609, RSVN at +63 38 411-1008, toll-free at 1-800-1888-7777, or fax at +63 38 502-9106. E-mail at info@southpalmsresort.com. Visit its website at www.southpalmsresort or www.facebook.com/SouthPalmsResortPanglao. Photos by Fernan Nebres