Karla Ramos
Microtel Puerto Princesa Review
There is no doubt that there are plenty of attractions in and around Puerto Princesa. But of course, you’ll also need a good hotel to stay in. You’ll need to recover from trips that will have you walking, trekking, hiking, and swimming to get to Palawan’s beautiful but uncemented eco-tourism spots. Such trips are sure to be exciting but may leave you needing to just wind down after a long day of exploring. My top pick would be Microtel Puerto Princesa (hotel info), and here’s why.
Microtel Puerto Princesa
Lovely Location
This resort tucked away (but still conveniently close) from the bustling city center is a perfect place to relax after an exhausting trip and drift to sleep, with a room view facing the pristine sand and sea of Emerald Beach. It’s also close to the prime attractions of Puerto Princesa, such as Honda Bay and Underground River, meaning you take a shorter trip to get to them. And it’s also around 30 minutes away from the airport.
A problem you might face is the lack of commuting options (tricycles and jeeps). But this can be solved by availing of the hotel’s free shuttle service going to Robinsons Mall. Make sure, however, to reserve a seat one hour in advance.
Appealing Ambience
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The blue motif of the hotel inspires a sense of calm and relaxation from the moment you first see the hotel front. Shades of blue pop out amidst the white background. Their lobby and common area have a Santorini- or Greece-inspired ambiance. I particularly love the sun lounges outside. The shade you from the sun, but they’re a great place to have an unrivaled view of Emerald Beach. It’s very instagrammable, and if you love to take pictures like me, you’ll be able to have a lot of photo ops around the hotel. If you’re an early riser, East-facing rooms will have a picture-perfect view of the sunrise, framed nicely by palm trees and the beachfront. It’s certainly worth waking early for.
At night, you’re treated to a whole new different experience. The beach is spectacular at night. But even the hotel looks refreshingly new, especially under the light of a full moon. It’s great to have a party by the beach with the fire dancers. You can take exotic pictures of the night scene with them.
Flavorful Food
You can have breakfast by the pool and dinner by the sea. They have an in-house restaurant called Senordamla, which is open from 6am to 10pm – perfect for convenient meals if you don’t want to go to the city to eat. The view from the restaurant is fantastic as it overlooks the beach.
Their free buffet breakfast includes Filipino food, soup, salad, bread, dessert, fruits, and our personal favorite – the egg station. There, you can request that eggs be cooked any way you like, from sunny side-ups to richly-flavored omelets. They have a lot of ingredients to choose from to create omelets perfect for you.
Restful Rooms
And of course, their rooms are absolutely wonderful for the price you get them. It’s big, comfy, and you can get a room facing the sea. The best part about the rooms is that their beds are chiropractor-approved. No more back pains and body aches. The beds are just right – not too soft or hard – to make your sleep as healing and comfortable as possible. Rooms also come with a TV and mini fridge.
Amenities
The wifi is very strong in the common areas but weak in the rooms. Mobile data is also weak. So if you’re planning on doing a lot of net surfing, you will likely have to stay in the common area to access the net.
Bathroom amenities are complete, so you won’t have a problem with using their facilities. They have hot and cold showers and a handheld bidet, which will make you feel right at home if you’re used to using a “tabo” (dipper).
Cozy Crowd
This is a very peaceful and quiet resort, so you don’t see many other guests around (except if it’s peak season). There are a lot of foreigners and couples around. It’s understandable since it is a very romantic venue with great views and a serene atmosphere. It’s a place to talk, relax, and enjoy the beachfront.
In conclusion….
We had an awesome stay at Microtel by Wyndham – Puerto Princesa (hotel reviews). We were invited here as part of a collaboration between AirAsia and Puerto Princesa. And honestly? It was so worth it that I would like to go here again when I return to Palawan.
Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa
Book Online via Agoda
Address: Emerald Playa Beach & Nature Park, Puerto Princesa, 5300 Palawan, Philippines
Telephone: +63 48 723 0977
See Also:
- Where to Eat in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
- 5 Things to Do for First Time Puerto Princesa City Visitors
- Top Tips for Planning Your Underground River Tour
- Veranda Restaurant: Puerto Princesa’s Seafood Sensation
