Oceanica Resort Panglao, Bohol

The room was spacious and clean, and opening the door led straight to the beach with many beautiful coconut trees. Refillable water was a nice touch, and the service was excellent with friendly, smiling staff. The SPA was very affordable. Smoking wasn't allowed in the room or right outside it; in fact, the entire hotel is smoke-free, with smoking permitted only in a small designated area.

We booked a beachfront room but were assigned to room 219, right next to the South Palm building. Our friends were in room 318, so it took at least 10 minutes to walk back and forth. I wouldn't mind the room being a bit further if it were just for a walk, but there was a strong musty smell in the room. Even though the hotel is a bit old, is this really the standard for a five-star hotel? And I won't even mention the road leading into the hotel... it's like something out of a slum. I recommend that anyone looking for a nicer stay choose a different hotel. One more thing: for those planning to get a massage there, please be aware. We booked an evening massage through the front desk, specifically requesting four Philippines Traditional massages for 60 minutes. After the massage (which was actually quite good), none of us thought to double-check the massage type – we just signed off without looking (which was our mistake...). On our last day, during checkout, we discovered that the massage had been changed to the more expensive one. It was supposed to be 1388 PHP, but they charged each person 1688 PHP. While it wasn't a huge difference, it definitely soured our trip a bit.

The facilities and services were great, and the room was clean and tidy. The bed was really comfortable! The privacy was also excellent. Overall, a fantastic experience! It's also super close to the beach, and it's a great spot for photos!

This hotel's service is the kind that ruins your day. I was asked for my room number three times. The first two times were fine, and the inquiries were at least polite. But once, when my child was playing in the pool, a male attendant came over and very sternly asked for my room number. His look and expression made me feel like he thought I was some outsider trying to sneak into their pool! It was incredibly offensive! To top it off, our child cut their toe in the pool. When I mentioned it to them that evening, there wasn't even a single 'sorry.' I initially thought about sending an email to complain, but then decided it wasn't worth the hassle. I definitely don't recommend this hotel! The food was also bad; even the butter at breakfast was some unfamiliar local Filipino brand.

The room interiors themselves are quite ordinary, and the facilities are a bit old, but all room types are located directly on the beach. You can open your door and step right onto the beautiful beach, which has plenty of amenities. Sitting in front of the room on the swing at night is perfect for a vacation. Additionally, the hotel's outdoor spa experience is excellent.

This used to be the South Palms Resort. I stay here every time I go to Bohol. You can snorkel right off the hotel's beach, which saves a lot of hassle and travel time. They also have kayaks, canoes, and plenty of other activities.