MANILA, Philippines - It is always refreshing to come across a vacation resort that’s more than just a collection of rooms and water sport facilities. The trick is not in making your guests feel at home, it is having them wish it was their home. It took a trip to Panglao for me to finally figure that out because, aside from what Bohol had to offer to tourists, I could not imagine staying on the island if it were not at Amarela.
Sitting on a perfect beachfront property on Panglao Island, Amarela is more than just your typical boutique hotel resort. The lobby reception area resembles a nicely designed summer home. The sun’s rays filter through a sunroof onto a small rock garden. To one side, a flight of stairs leads to the second floor library, where a lounge invites you to sit and leaf through a myriad of coffee table books and magazines. Movie DVDs, a selection of nearly a thousand or more free to rent, occupy a number of shelves. And on every wall, local art, antiques, photographs and paintings. In a way it seems you just walked into someone’s home but, instead of invading his private space, you are welcomed to it.
Downstairs, guests gather at an open air dining area while relaxing on authentic hardwood chairs and tables with a panoramic view of the beach and open sea. You get a glimpse of the culture and architecture of the region with the numerous examples of local wood and materials, sourced from old homes in the area, re-purposed into furniture and decorative highlights throughout the building. A small, curving bridge leads right to the guest rooms.
I highly recommend bringing a camera if you visit Amarela. On practically every corner there is something worth capturing. The grounds are covered in greenery — beautiful orchids and flowers hang down walls. Old wood panels accent and cover many metallic facilities such as pipes and plumbing. Even air-conditioning units are housed in specially made wood frame. On small ledges, woodcarvings and sculptures sit like they have belonged there all the time. An art gallery showcases local works and antiques.
Amarela is proudly owned and operated by homegrown Boholanos, led by lawyer Lucas Nunag, president of Amarela Resort Corp. There is a reason why the resort first earned a Certificate of Excellence from travel review site TripAdvisor.com in 2011; it all goes back to its remarkably professional staff — all of whom are proud locals who show an enthusiasm for their work. Calling itself an “eco-cultural†resort, Amarela also takes pride in its conservation efforts by implementing numerous environment-friendly features.
Apart from re-purposing old wood and furniture, Amarela furthers its green practices by implementing solar heating, recycling, composting, natural ventilation (as seen in its reception and lounge areas), water conservation, and biological waste water treatment. In every bathroom, refillable soap and shampoo bottles take the place of packets to minimize plastic consumption.
Amarela has several room types for singles, couples or groups of people such as families or friends. All air-conditioned rooms feature woven accent pieces made by local weavers, original Filipino art as well as furnishings made by the resort’s in-house carpentry workshop. All the modern conveniences are here, including an all-important feature: free Wi-Fi. Groups and small company gatherings benefit greatly at Amarela, as it provides a number of conference rooms sharing the same natural aesthetic as the rest of the resort. And yes, the beautiful setting lends itself perfectly for dream weddings and celebrations.
Having only one restaurant, the dining options are not as varied. But the menu featuring local and international favorites more than makes up for it. Amarela makes use of its own herb and vegetable garden that produces many of its menu ingredients. Organically grown tomatoes, lettuce, arugula, eggplants and cucumbers as well as parsley, mint, basil, and tarragon are harvested regularly, and vegetarian offers are not uncommon. Dining can be arranged anywhere, such as barbecues at the pavilion or pool area. Weather permitting, dinners by the beach — romantic or otherwise — can also be set up.
Amarela has a fair amount of beach area where guests can snorkel, kayak, pick up a game of volleyball or get a tan. Indoors, board games, table tennis, and darts are supplied. If you want to just completely relax, local masseuses are available to relieve all forms of stress.
Local tours can be arranged with the resort and guests can enjoy everything Bohol has. From the amazing tarsiers — the smallest primates in the world in a protected sanctuary run by volunteers in Canapnapan, Corella — to the surprisingly fun Loboc River tour, it is amazing to see what the island has in store. Near the Loboc River is the Bohol National Museum and farther on, the famous natural wonder that is Chocolate Hills as well as other nature-inspired outdoor activities and attractions.
Considering that the resort is mainly a family-run business, the professionalism displayed by its staff and its remarkable facilities are at par with any well-managed upscale resort hotel. Amarela truly separates itself from the rest by featuring the best of Bohol with the great comforts of home.
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Amarela is located in Barangay Libaong, Panglao Island, Bohol, just 30 minutes from the Tagbilaran Airport. For more information, call (6338) 502-9497 to 99 (Bohol), (632) 911-5203 (Manila), 0906-5884145 or telefax (6338) 502-9499, e-mail at reservations@amarelaresort.com or visit http://www.amarelaresort.com/. Photos by Joven Cagande