El Nido Stay | Tapik Beach Park: Serene Home at East El Nido

Discover East El Nido, the cultural side of this paradise region of Palawan. West El Nido with its dramatic karst islands and stunning beaches in Bacuit Bay may be the main draw for tourist but there’s fulfilment in discovering the quiet side of El Nido East with unspoilt beaches, island and incomparable marine life than the other side. The perfect home base in discovering the wonders of the east is Tapik Beach Park, a rustic, family-run, beachfront lodging in Sibaltan El Nido offering spartan native beach huts accommodation to more sophisticated beach cottages with elaborate designs.

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El Nido Stay | Mahogany Beach Resort: Beachfront Bliss in Corong-corong

Modern tropical-inspired bungalows and villas widely spaced apart for the guest’s utmost privacy. A private beachfront garden with sand and bermuda grass patterns forming natural pathways where people can pleasantly walk barefoot. A small but scenic pool facing the beach where guest can lounge around and watch the changing hues until dusk. For a pace like El Nido town bustling with development, El Nido Mahogany Beach Resort is a breath of fresh air from the often cold and characterless lodgings in El Nido Town.

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Sagada Stay | Kanip-Aw Pines Lodge: In Town with a Quiet Mountain View

When in Sagada, I usually try to stay at lodgings just at the outskirts of town. I stayed several times within town before and while I like the convenience, it can be a little noisy at times. That’s why I enjoy places like Rock Inn or Ybami because of the pleasant natural ambiance and closer to nature environment. My last visit to Sagada though found me staying in town again but I was glad to find Kanip-aw Pines Lodge this time. It’s one of the lodgings that has that secluded feel even just a short walk from the main south road.

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El Nido Stay | Nacpan Calitang Twin Beach Accommodations

Distance won’t stop tourist from visiting these natural gems of the north in El Nido, Palawan. The Nacpan Calitang Twin Beach has grown in popularity that tourist would rent motorbikes, hire tricycles and join van tours just to reach this set of beach 17.5km up north from El Nido town. I can’t blame them, as I have been here several times and the beaches are always mesmerizing to see. Playful waves, soft golden sands, scenic hills and still unspoilt by mass development. Visitors frequent the beach daily, usually as day trips, but staying overnight at these beaches yields a much richer rural experience.

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Palawan Stay | Fersal Hotel Puerto Princesa: Smart and Convenient

The independent city of Puerto Princesa has developed quite well to cater to the booming tourist magnet that is Palawan. After a number of international publications have thrown high praises to the island’s many stunning natural wonders, Palawan has gotten a steady growth of tourist coming in. Major hotels now stand to cater to different segments. And one easy access just coming out of the Puerto Princesa International Airport is Fersal Hotel Puerto Princesa branch. It’s so close I just walked to the exit with my baggage and crossed the street to get there. How convenient.

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Baguio Stay | Heritage Mansion Hotel: Old Charm with Modern Comfort

It was a case of an unfortunate event that led me to stay in this old family mansion now called the Heritage Mansion Hotel in Baguio City. I had a booking in another hotel but they overbooked the rooms so I was moved here without extra cost in my part. A sort of an upgrade since it the rooms there were a lot more expensive than the one I booked and its much closer to the city center which I liked.

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Quirino Stay | Capitol Plaza Hotel and Restaurant in Cabarroguis

Quirino, a land-locked province in Cagayan Valley is partly a mystery to me. I haven’t been in that area so I was excited to join a familiarization tour to “Discover the Undiscovered”. A fitting slogan really as there is little written about this province. Underrated perhaps? A flight to Cauayan, Isabela then a 1.5 hours road-trip took us to Cabarroguis, the capital of Quirino Province. There, the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Restaurant, was our home for three nights.

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