Thinking of a getaway? Here are resorts on 5 islands offering unique packages

We’ve been enjoying cool weather for months, and now the temperature’s rising, marking the start of summer and travel season—our first in the new reality of living with a pandemic.

A new normal we’re getting used to is having a COVID test before we can travel. It can be a hassle having to book an appointment and making sure it’s within the 72-hour window (48 hours for some LGUs) that’s required before travel—and one hotel on this list is including PCR tests for two in its package. Other resorts are offering chartered flights—travel bubbles that mean you fly, stay on an island resort, and tour with only one group of people.

We’ve handpicked resorts in Boracay, Cebu, El Nido, Coron and Bohol that are offering unique perks and packages that range from good steals to discounted super luxe. You can even rent an island with only your family and friends as guests.

Boracay: Hue Boracay

Hue Boracay makes it easy and inexpensive for guests to fulfill their requirements before flying.

Its “We Got Hue” package includes pre-departure RT-PCR tests for two at the resort’s accredited clinics located in Makati and Pasay City, with accommodation for three days and two nights in a Deluxe Room and set breakfast during their stay. Guests who avail of this package will also get discounts at the resort’s LA-UD Restaurant (15%), and other food and beverage outlets Nonie’s (10%) and Prisma (10%) located within the resort’s Station X property. 

Its overall design allows resort living to blend seamlessly with well-curated dining and entertainment options within its very own Station-X. While maintaining a good distance from the noise of crowded parties, Hue is situated within a few minutes from Boracay’s beautiful White Beach—a short and enjoyable walk for its guests.

The package is priced at P10,600 nett and runs until June 30. Rate is inclusive of service charge and applicable government taxes, and unlimited rebooking is allowed until at least seven days prior to arrival. 

“Hue Boracay is back and ready to make you fall in love with Boracay all over again. Our brief separation has only made us eager to welcome you back and reignite our passion for Boracay,” says newly-appointed Hue Hotels and Resorts’ group general manager Chris Guballa.

For inquiries and reservations, call +6328896-9999, +63917632-7457, +63947428-9027; email [email protected]; visit boracay.thehuehotel.com. 

Bohol: Amorita Resort

Amorita Resort’s “Escape to Tranquility” offers up to 45% discount on rooms, inclusive of daily breakfast and roundtrip airport/seaport transfers. Guests can indulge in a secluded island escape in luxurious rooms and villas with views of Panglao. Valid until Dec. 20.

Amorita Resort is also featuring the flavors of multi-awarded Filipino chef and restaurateur chef Florabel Co-Yatco’s kitchen through “BEATS (Best Eats)” on March 20. Chef Florabel is the woman behind restaurants such as Crisostomo, Elias, Corazon, and the eponymous Florabel. Those who wish to experience this culinary event can avail of a package for tour dates March 19-21 starting at P12,000++ for 3 days/2 nights with breakfast, transfers, and BEATS dinner on March 20.

For inquiries and reservations, call +63253183388; email [email protected]; visit www.amoritaresort.com. 

Cebu: Be Resort Mactan

A pet peeve of travelers is that you can’t check in early or check out late if your flight arrives in the morning and leaves in the evening.

Be Resort Mactan makes it more convenient for early arrivals with its “BE Early, BE Late” promo for P3,980 per night. Until March 31, guests can check in as early as 10 a.m. and hit the beach right away and check out as late as 4 p.m. the next day to enjoy the beach longer—or just lounge around in the resort.

The 163-room contemporary resort is set on a 5,000-sqm. beachfront property in Punta Engaño, Mactan. It was renovated in 2011 with architect Luijo Nakpil as principal designer.

“Our mantra at BE Hotels and Resorts is service beyond the expected. We make sure our guests arrive happy and leave happier,” Grand Benedicto, president of Enrison Land, the company that owns BE Hotels and Resorts, tells PhilSTAR L!fe.  

For inquiries and reservations, call +639562711000; visit http://beresorts.com.

Coron: Club Paradise

Always dreamt of working in paradise? Club Paradise’s “Stay Longer in Paradise for Work and Play” makes this dream setup possible with packages for 7 to 20 nights, and 21 nights and above. You wake up to the sound of the ocean, go for a swim and start your workday—and in between sunbathe!

Another promo, “Exclusively Yours,” turns your fantasy of having an entire island to yourself into reality. You can book the entire island for a minimum of 30 rooms and two nights for special events like weddings or reunions.

For “Stay Longer in Paradise” rates for 7 to 20 nights are P10,800 a night for Oceanview Suite and P13,000 for Sunset Deluxe Villa. Exclusive benefits include roundtrip land and boat transfers from and to Busuanga Airport, daily breakfast, personalized service from CP’s chief joy officers, complimentary cocktails per person during Happy Hour (once per stay) and barbecue dinner or picnic lunch for two (once per stay), 20% discount on select tours, 15% discount on food and beverage, Additionally, guided snorkeling at Club Paradise’s house reef, guided hiking tour to Eagle’s Pointm complimentary use of Paradise Relay and scheduled resort activities.

For bookings 21 nights and above, the rate per night is P11,000 for Oceanview Suite and P13,2000 for Sunset Deluxe Villa. Apart from benefits mentioned above are complimentary moonlit dinner for two (once per stay) and half-day Diatoy Tour for two (once per stay).

For inquiries and reservations, call +639175684862, +6327719 69712; email res[email protected]; visit https://www.clubparadisepalawan.com

El Nido: Pangulasian, Miniloc, and Lagen travel bubble

If you want to feel really safe and not have to mingle with other groups, go on a travel bubble. El Nido Resorts’ luxe island resorts Pangulasian, Miniloc and Lagen are offering scheduled trips.

This means that one group of people—negative PCR test required 48 hours before the flight—goes on a scheduled chartered flight, stay in the same resort, do the tours and island hopping together, and fly back to Manila. They (and the cabin crew) will not be mingling with other people from other resorts and there is no overlapping of flights (only one chartered flight is scheduled per day).

Discounted bubble packages include flights for two, three nights/four days’ stay, all island tours and meals (full board). Miniloc’s packages are priced at P86,000. Lagen’s are from P85,000 to P93,000. Pangulasian’s packages are priced at P140,000.

All available travel dates are from May to June.

Miniloc Island has already had 22 travel bubbles to date, while the eco-luxury property Pangulasian Island has had 18. The last to reopen was Lagen Island, which has had 11 travel bubbles to date. The travel bubble adheres to El Nido’s enhanced care program called “Be G.R.E.E.N, Be Clean Commitment.”

For inquiries, call +639175841576; email [email protected]; visit www.elnidoresorts.com