Malapascua Island
Located on the quiet east end of Bounty Beach, Exotic is a tale of two resorts. The main complex is a self-contained dive resort with some of Malapascua's…
Must-see hotels in Philippines
Batanes
It's basic and rustic (think: hard mattress on the floor and cold-water bucket showers), but when else will you have the chance to stay in a heritage…
Coron Town
This hidden place is like a wealthy uncle's living room converted into a spacious en-suite dorm room. Just seven single beds, each with its own nightstand…
Moalboal
There's a lot to like about Moalboal's most happening hostel, from the soaring airplane-hangar-like dorm rooms (in four- to 12-bed configurations) to the…
Dumaguete
Boasting a colourful palette of bright yellows, flaming oranges and deep greens and small balconies with good views, this eight-storey hotel is a solid…
Coron Town
Set back from the main drag just east of the center, this hostel has an appealing contemporary feel born of brushed concrete, soaring bunk beds with…
Panay
This resort on Inampulugan, a large island 30 minutes off the southeast coast, is a good place to play Robinson Crusoe – in style. The 68 bamboo and nipa…
Bicol
The 'boutique' tag may be stretching things but this central, modern hotel has clean and compact rooms decked out in classic creams and browns, and the…
Boracay
A lively bar (open to 11pm) peddling cheap cocktails and teeming with young backpackers makes long-running Frendz the party people's choice. Dedicated…
North Luzon
The petrol station in the parking lot isn’t exactly in keeping with the ‘Balinese-Moroccan’ theme, but the spacious rooms are decorated in warm ochres and…
Cebu City
Cebu's original hostel has three decent, six-bed, air-con dorms (including a female-only option) and a few tidy en-suite private rooms. Hot showers are…
Puerto Galera
The two eight-bed 'capsule' dorms – one male and one female – are the highlight here. They feature posh, double-wide capsules complete with personal…
Bohol
The only upmarket place in Loboc, this lodge about 1km south of town has a totally sublime riverside setting, good restaurant and a stunning 20m pool by…
Sabang
This contemporary, somewhat generic resort wouldn’t be out of place in Boracay. While it feels a tad orphaned here, we have to admit the 100m (or so) pool…
Cebu City
Previously known as the Cebu Midtown, this rebranded hotel has comfortable, business-standard rooms that are well insulated from the traffic noise on…
Siargao
At this price, it's the vibe not the creature comforts that matters. And Paglaom gets it right. It is laid-back but socially inclined, with an open lounge…
Dumaguete
Especially good for young families, this complex offers playfully decorated rooms and huge apartments in European themes (these can be hard to discern)…
Puerto Princesa
For those seeking a quiet sanctuary, well-managed Hibiscus will do the job. Large orange-toned rooms are in a low-slung building surrounding an attractive…
Tacloban
In the heart of Tacloban's shopping district, this high-rise hotel has more than a touch of boutique about it with its arresting colour schemes and modish…
Port Barton
There are just five rooms here, but they are arguably Port Barton's most attractive – in a perfectly central location, no less. A candlelit dinner here is…
Boracay
The 10 rooms at this German-run kitesurfing centre are well maintained and generously fitted out with handcrafted furniture and locally commissioned art…
Negros
In pleasant leafy surrounds, this 1910 landmark has large, simply furnished rooms and an atmospheric restaurant (meals P100 to P180) with high ceilings…
Bohol
A well-run and maintained beach and PADI-dive resort with large rooms in concrete cottages as well as two 'tree houses' on stilts. It gets extra ticks for…
Cebu City
The Mayflower bills itself as a ‘permaculture’ hotel – don’t laugh, the green credentials are legit. Besides tidy, meticulously painted rooms you get a…
Bicol
Legazpi's smartest central city hotel has 40 spacious rooms with slightly stuffy '70s decor in browns and whites but a high degree of comfort. There's a…
Around Manila
A lovely rustic-style B&B where the eight suites have sublime views of the lake and volcano from private balconies, rooms open up to high ceilings, and…
Cagayan de Oro
There's no more convenient top-end address than this high-rise attached to one of Cagayan's premier malls and above the fray of one of the city's busiest…
Bicol
The lovely garden, green walls, breezy balconies and outdoor sitting areas make this quiet place a good budget choice. Rooms are spacious but in need of a…
Sagada
This sprawling place is friendly, eminently affordable, loaded with character born of its polished pinewood and in a prime spot to catch cooling mountain…
Leyte
This welcoming place has five spacious, spiffy rooms and a great shoreside location on Tangkaan Peninsula, 500m south of Burgos centre. There's good…
Bicol
This local take on a Spanish-style hacienda, hiding in a quiet area south of the town proper, is the most impressive option in Caramoan town, with…
Davao
The pleasant ground-floor coffee shop and in-room massage are bonuses at this small, professionally run downtown place. Some of the cosy – read, small –…
Boracay
This high-rise hostel a block or so from Bulabog Beach is clean and intelligently designed (eg private outlets and pull-out lockers), if slightly…
Leyte
Offering fine value, the clean rooms are all air-conditioned and well maintained, they benefit from comfy beds with deep mattresses and quality bed linen…
Busuanga & the Calamian Islands
Coron's largest and most happening hostel is set on a hill overlooking town, with killer views from its rooftop bar, which hosts big parties on Saturday…
Siquijor
This compact place, popular with European families and backpackers, is set on a gorgeous stretch of sunset-facing beach with rooms abutting a concrete…
Around Manila
OMP is one of Tagaytay's best budget options, hidden down a quiet residential street just off the main ridge road. Rooms and dorms are spotless (most have…
Moalboal
With attractive dive-room packages, the Blue Abyss is ideal for divers on a budget. The accommodation compound is attractive, just back from the shore,…
Around Manila
In central Subic, this slick hotel is one of the better upper-midrange places in town. There's a Mediterranean feel about the terrace pool and cafe, while…
Around Manila
In a town of pricey accommodation, this cosy faux-log lodge is the only true budget choice and it comes as a welcome surprise, tucked away down a quiet…
