Everything Random

I recently had the pleasure of staying again at Oceanica Resort Panglao, formerly known as South Palms Resort, and I must say, like the many times I have been here with my family, it was a memorable experience.

I booked a De Luxe Beachfront room, which provided me with an unobstructed view of the stunning horizon. Waking up to that magnificent view each morning was a true delight.

Although I had my heart set on the larger Premium Beachfront room (but it was too hard to book one during this high season), I was still very pleased with my choice. The De Luxe room was nicely appointed, spacious, and comfortable, making it an ideal sanctuary after a day in the sun.

The resort boasts a beautiful white sandy beach that feels like paradise, one of the best in Panglao Island, in Bohol, I must say. The soft sand and gentle waves create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. The sunrise view is just magnificent, but you need to be up at 530 in the morning to catch it.

Despite it being a busy month at the resort, I was impressed by the service crew. They remained calm, attentive, and genuinely warm throughout my stay.

The buffet breakfast was another highlight, offering a variety of delicious options that catered to different tastes. My usual favorites were there – distinctively rich native hot chocolate, local delicacies as suman and moron, the chicken-pork adobo that is just unbeatable, and steamed sweet potato that comes well with local dried danggit. It was the perfect way to start each day.

The same old things are still there. The small infinity pool fronting the bar and the beach (a favorite among day-users), the open-air massage place, the beach beds and hammocks, the gym and basketball court that my son and daughter frequently visits during our stay since we know this place – all create that “nostalgia”.

However, I did notice that the beach water was somewhat muddy during my stay, which was a bit disappointing (The crew said it was habagat season which caused it, but I think there is much more to it and have my hunches but I need evidence for it so I am not writing it here). Maybe my standards for a beach have sky-rocketed when I visited Maldives (I write about the experience here).

Additionally, the influx of day-use beachgoers meant there were many people around (it looks like a marketplace especially in the afternoon), which detracted from the tranquility I was hoping to find. I believe the property could greatly benefit from having an exclusive beach area or sitting area reserved for overnight guests, allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the resort in peace.

Shall I stay again ? Definitely. They have a property nearby called South Farms (where their vegetables served at the restaurant come from) that still need to try. I have tried visiting several times but it was always full and crowded when I came. Maybe next time.