Best Family Resorts Part 1
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
These fabulous resorts were chosen for their kid-friendly amenities and the fun-filled time to be had by each member of the family. These resorts are guaranteed to make every family’s vacation worth remembering.
Badian Island Resort and Spa
Badian Island, Cebu
Lying 97.6 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, on an eponymous island fifteen minutes away by boat, is the magical Badian Island Resort and Spa with its auburn shore, staff in colorful uniforms singing their welcome, bars and stores connected by foot bridges and clusters of suites scattered over a lovely eight-hectare landscape. With babysitting services at the guest’s disposal, moms can indulge in health and beauty treatments at the Badian natural Spa while dads can go on diving excursions. The whole family can then gather together for a glass-bottom boat tour, a picnic by the Kawasan Falls and a visit to nearby towns and villages. Cap the whole thing off with a magnificent sunset cruise.
Batanes Resort
Kaychanarianan, Basco, Batanes
Batanes is the perfect vacation place where the whole family can enjoy peace and quiet, panoramic views of the hills and mountains and isolated pristine beaches. Batanes resort is nestled along a hillside is composed of small houses a few meters away from the beach. The resort has a friendly staff and comfortable accommodations. The resort also knows the best island and can arrange guided tours. The tours usually starts at Batan island, exploring the Valugan Rock Bay where the rumblings of the boulders as they are tugged by the waves can be heard. A walk along Ivatan stone houses (made of stones and cogon grass) will take visitors to meet up with old women wearing Vacul which is a headdress made of cogon grass to protect against harsh weather. The so-called Marlboro Country is the next stop which is a picturesque hills and grasslands, Mahato Fishing Village and Patricia Abad’s house-cum-museum. A boat ride will take guests to Sabtang Island where centuries-old houses made of cobblestones still stands where guests can stay overnight. The excursion can be capped off with a picnic at Cavanaran Beach which is a secluded beach that is perfect for picture taking and sun bathing.
Bohol Beach Club
Barrio Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol
Its stretch of 1.4 kilometers of powdery white sand beach is already a sight to see, but beyond the shores where the Bohol Beach Club is located, there is an underwater world waiting to be explored. Aboard the resort’s glass-bottom boat, not very far from the shoreline, guests can see corals and fishes. Needless to say, there’s lots of snorkeling and diving to be had for the more adventurous. Shallow waters front the resort’s different accommodations that range from standard rooms to family suites which are perfect for children just getting their first taste of the beach. There are also numerous pools all over the resort so that each room has easy access to at least one. When guests are already tired of lounging in the sun, they can lie in one of the many hammocks that hang under the coconut trees that line the length of the beach. The resort can also arrange for tours to interesting places of Bohol like old churches, Loboc River, the tarsier sanctuary and the Chocolate Hills.
Boracay Regency Beach Resort
Station 2, Balabag, Boracay, Aklan
The resort is located at Station 2, right in the middle of the action, but guests won’t have to worry about not getting a good night’s rest because the resort offers a lovely cocoon of security and comfort. The resort is the first to receive a triple A rating along the White Beach area. The beach is where the action is and because the property stands right at the beachfront, they will bring guests their margaritas and cocktails while you relax under the shade of the coconut trees or working your tan under the tropical sun. Guests can also enjoy swimming in one of the resort’s two fresh water swimming pools. The food at the resort is always a heaping affair at Cafe Christina or guests can order from room service.
Camp John Hay Manor
Loakan Road, Baguio City
If you want cool and breezy, bundle up the whole family for freezing weather and drive up to Camp John Hay Manor where you can warm your hands in front of a bright, resplendent fire. The road trip will be worth it as visitors can smell the pine trees and strawberries and the fresh mountain air. There are a lot of things to do around the Camp, the most pleasant of which is to just go on a slow hike with the kids for some quality and bonding time. Afterwards, dad can do a few rounds of golf, mom can have a massage while the kids can run around the property chasing butterflies. The food is always delicious with the fruits and vegetables at their freshest. A couple of drinks can be had at the Piano Bar.
Club Manila East
Km 24 Manila East Road, Taytay, Rizal
Club manila East Taytay’s proximity to Metro manila makes it an ideal place to go to when you suddenly feel the need to swim and enjoy the sun. Guests can have a swim at the mega pool which is a 9,100 square meter replica of Laguna de Bay and the kids will enjoy the giant pool slide. Kayaking can also be done in the water activity pool and play golf at the 9-hole putting range. The whole family can enjoy lunch with friends or tackle some reading at one of the resort’s cabanas. Filipino dishes can be enjoyed at the resort’s canteen.
Club Paradise Resort
Dimakya Island, Coron, Northern Palawan
Animals always delight children and there’s no better place in the country to do that than in Club Paradise Resort. The exotic fauna of the ecologically-rich northern part of Palawan is one of the resort’s top draws. Emerald doves or pink-necked green pigeons occasionally dart around the cottages. At night, guests can catch a sight of a pied fantail or an Asian glossy starling from their windows. A trail along the hill that forms the backbone of the island is perfect for a short hike to its highest point that affords a panoramic view of the 19-hectare Dimakya, the sea and the outlying islets.
The resort staff collects the eggs of the rare Hawksbill turtle and guests are welcome to watch hatchling send-offs at sunrise or sunset. When snorkeling around Dimakya, guests can chance upon fully-grown turtles as well as other reef creatures. For more exotic animals, Calauit is just a boat ride away. the resort routinely arranges excursions to the wildlife reserve where guests can see African animals like zebras and giraffes.
At Club Paradise, there ar no televisions to distract. Instead, there are indoor games and a library of books. Occasionally, the resort sets up a big screen on the beach for a makeshift family movie theater amidst the swaying coconuts and the cool sea breeze.
Escondido
Station 1, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Finding a cozy and homey resort like Escondido renews ones hope that there are more things in the island that are yet to be discovered. Tucked away near the Boracay hillside, the resort offers quiet and private surroundings rarely found on beachfront properties. The resort is only a short two minutes walk to the beach, so the whole family can still enjoy the powdery white sand and the crystal clear waters that made the island famous. Enjoy some of the most delicious crab on the island at the resort’s in-house restaurant, the Boracay Crab House. In the afternoon, guests can play games or have a relaxing massage in one of the resort’s three hillside nipa huts.
Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel
Barangay 37, Calayab, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
At the resort hotel, everything is big; the rooms are huge, the meal servings can feed a whole family and the swimming pool is Olympic-sized. The beach sand dunes stretch endlessly and make for the perfect family playground. the only thing small here is their mini zoo, and that still has an extensive bird collection. Fort Ilocandia is the kind of family vacation spot because there is plenty of room for everyone.
Isis Bungalows
Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol
Isis Bubgalows is a blessing to budget-conscious travelers. located in the middle of Alona Beach, it features clean architecture, reasonable rates and spacious rooms.
The resort offers tours for island hopping and sightseeing. The tours includes dolphin watching, visits to the famous Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary and of course, cruising along Loboc River. After all the fun activities, there is nothing better to do than to go back to the clean rooms of Isis.
