BOHOL | Best Western Plus: The Ivywall Resort Panglao Blog Review
Monday, December 09, 2024
We’ve visited Bohol numerous times before—with different partners, when LP and BG haven’t crossed paths yet; as a couple, when our paths finally did cross; and now as a family, with Kid A in tow. Each visit was definitely different. This time, we both decided to stay at Panglao’s Alona Beach—a first for us both—to see what this so-called Boracay-esque area of the island has to offer.
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| KID A AND BG ENJOYING BEST WESTERN PANGLAO’S POOL |
After spending four days in the sleepy town of Anda, we thought of staying another five days in Bohol before going back home to Manila. Since we’ve previously toured the province’s tourist spots, we thought of doing nothing but frolic on the beach, eat out, and enjoy our hotel. Well, maybe check out the Chocolate Hills and see the tarsiers too, for Kid A’s sake. But what we really wanted was a staycation by the beach. And our staycation place of choice, Panglao’s Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort.
| BEST WESTERN PLUS: THE IVYWALL RESORT PANGLAO TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ WHAT’S INSIDE? |
ARRIVAL
Coming from Anda by ordinary bus, we were dropped at the DAO Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran. From there, we boarded an air-conditioned bus that loops around Panglao Island. Fare was at ₱70.00, and travel time took about an hour. Not bad. And I was actually surprised that there’s now decent and regularly scheduled public transportation that goes around Bohol. Definitely a big improvement over our last visit.
We went down just before the Alona Beach junction, and from there, it was just a couple of minutes’ walk to Best Western Resort Panglao.
Well, it would’ve been an easy two-minute walk if we’re hauling backpacks, but since we have two rolling luggage with us, it took more than a few minutes since the road wasn’t paved. I guess it’s better to call ahead once you’re in the area so the resort staff can help you with your luggage, or you can hail a tricycle to get you through that last 200 meters—just make sure to clarify the fare before boarding as tricycles in Panglao can get expensive.
►MANILA TO BOHOL VIA 2GO TRAVEL
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| WAITING AT THE LOBBY |
Another option is to avail of Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao’s shuttle service (₱900.00 per van, good up to nine persons), which can fetch you directly from the airport, or even Tagbilaran, to the resort’s front door. Note that the airport is only ten minutes away by car from the resort.
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| THE RESORT’S ELEVATOR AREA |
Once the staff saw us coming, they hurriedly took over our bags. One of the things we’ve come to love about the resort is how genuinely kind and helpful their staff is.
Check-in was swift and painless, and we were soon heading to our room.
►CHECK FOR THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO BOHOL
ROOMS
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| LOVING THE ROOM DOOR DETAILS |
Best Western Plus Panglao is a four-star resort that has 80 well-appointed rooms divided into four types—Superior Rooms overlooking the town, Deluxe Rooms with a view of the sea, Premier Rooms, which have balconies with direct access to the swimming pools, and Family Rooms, which can accommodate up to four adults and one child.
►CHECK AGODA DISCOUNTED RATES HERE!
OUR ROOM: SUPERIOR ROOM
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| BEST WESTERN PLUS PANGLAO’S SUPERIOR ROOM WORK DESK, CLOSET, FRIDGE AREA |
We were initially billeted in Ivywall Resort’s Superior Room on the fifth floor. The door opens on a mini foyer, where the mini fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, closet, luggage table, and the entrance to the toilet and bath are located. Inside the closet, we found rubber slippers and and a beach basket which we can use for trips to the beach.
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| TOILET AND BATH |
The toilet and bath are amply spaced and equipped with hot water and modern appurtenances—yes, it also has a bidet. We love how the resort is making an effort to be environment-friendly, not only with their refillable body wash, shampoo, and conditioners, but also with their plastic-free toiletries.
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| PLASTIC-FREE TOILETRIES |
The main room is spacious and warmly decorated with wooden floors, soft lamps, and colorful banig motif above the beds. It has two double beds with a shared bedside table, a workstation, a sitting area, and a 43-inch flatscreen smart TV with cable channels and YouTube.
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| BEST WESTERN PLUS THE IVYWALL PANGLAO’S SUPERIOR ROOM |
It doesn’t have a balcony, but it does have an expansive floor-to-ceiling window that looks out over the town of Panglao.
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| ROOM GREETINGS |
We absolutely love how they made a Maayong Pag-abot greeting on the bed, which means a warm welcome in Boholano, made from coconut leaves—very island vibe, indeed. But what got Kid A’s attention though was the starfish plushie—their mascot, Ivy—a really nice touch for kids staying on the resort.
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OUR ROOM: DELUXE ROOM
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| BEST WESTERN PLUS THE IVYWALL RESORT PANGLAO’S DELUXE ROOM |
We transferred to a Deluxe Room the next day. It’s almost exactly like our previous room, with the exception of having a balcony overlooking the sea. It was fantastic.
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| DAY TIME VIEW FROM THE BALCONY |
The balcony was our go-to place for early morning coffee, afternoon snack (and coffee, again), and late-night beers. Plus, it’s a great place to dry our sea-drenched clothes, lol.
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| NIGHT TIME VIEW FROM THE BALCONY |
FOOD EXPERIENCE
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| TERAZA VIEW DECK BAR AND LOUNGE |
Best Western Panglao has two bars and one in-house restaurant—Teraza View Deck Bar and Lounge, Agos Pool Bar, and Alon Restaurant.
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| ALON SECOND FLOOR LOUNGE RESTAURANT |
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| AGOS POOL BAR |
We can usually be found at Alon Restaurant during the early mornings, partaking in their complimentary breakfast buffet. I love how vibrant the resto’s decors are, but we almost always choose to sit outside—there’s nothing like a hearty Filipino breakfast by the beach.
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| ALON FIRST FLOOR DINING HALL |
I love their selection of Filipino, Asian, and Western fares. A few of the notable dishes we tried were their Korean fried chicken, soy braised beef, chicken tocino, and pork sausage stew, among others.
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| BREAKFAST BUFFET EGG STATION |
Their beef giniling picadillo, by the way, really goes well with a sunny side up egg on a pandesal. Perfect to pair with brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I usually gravitate to their hot choco, which has a really rich flavor that’s almost similar to Baguio’s Choco-Late de Batirol.
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| KID A ENJOYING HIS BREAKFAST |
Kid A, on the other hand, feasted on eggs, fruits, and waffles. Yes, he gets to pick his breakfast during buffets.
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| A HEARTY BREAKFAST BY THE BEACH |
Alon’s breakfast regulars, like their eggs Benedict, crisply fried bacons, danggit, and dilis, were also really good. We’re also a fan of their dim sums—can you imagine feasting on siomais, braised pork, pinsec frito, crispy wantons, sushi rolls, and chicken feet early in the morning? Lol.
►BOOK BOHOL COUNTRYSIDE TOUR HERE!
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HOTEL FACILITIES
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| KID A AT THE GAME ROOM |
Best Western Plus Panglao has a spa, gym, game room for kids, and an outdoor swimming pool. They also have a business center, ballrooms, and meeting rooms for events.
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| BEST WESTERN’S GYM ROOM |
What we really enjoyed at Best Western Plus Panglao, well, besides the food and our room, was their pool. After our daily morning swim at the beach, we’ll usually finish it with a dip at the kiddie pool. Yes, the kiddie pool.
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| SWIMMING AT THE INFINITY POOL |
While Ivywall’s pool is divided into an adult and kiddie pool, we usually stay at the latter since we need to accompany Kid A, and well, it’s just more fun with its variety of showers, water cannons, and water buckets, lol.
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| ENJOYING THE IVYWALL PANGLAO’S SWIMMING POOL |
I also love how Best Western was able to solve the sun problem by installing a movable sun shade that can be adjusted depending on the time of the day.
►BOOK PANGLAO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
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PREMIER LOCATION
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| AFTERNOONS AT ALONA BEACH |
But what really makes a good resort great is its location. And Best Western Panglao indeed does not disappoint on that aspect. It sits right in front of Alona Beach, with restaurants and bars spread along either side.
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| ALONA BEACH JOLLIBEE |
The main road is within walking distance, where you can find more places to eat—from roadside hawkers and cheap eateries to posh cafes and expensive restaurants; heck, there’s even a Jollibee and a McDonald’s right next to each other. The area is so busy you can even find 7-Elevens and full groceries to shop on.
►BOOK PANGLAO CITY TOUR HERE!
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FINAL THOUGHTS
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| RELAXING STAY AT THE BEST WESTERN PLUS PANGLAO |
To say that we enjoyed our stay at Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao would be an understatement—we enjoyed our stay so much that we forewent the Bohol Countryside Tour, lol. What we had was five days of nothing but comfort and relaxation. We love it!
~ BIG THANKS TO BEST WESTERN PLUS FOR HOSTING OUR STAY. VIEWS & OPINIONS ALL MINE
Best Western Plus - The Ivywall Wall Resort Panglao ►ROOM RATES
Address: Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol
Contact Number: +63 (917) 832-2248
E-mail: resa@bwplusivywall-panglao.com
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