Western Visayas
Has a handful of cottages set on a secluded cove with its own beach at the far northern end of Tablas. It’s a great place to get away from it all, with a…
Must-see hotels in Philippines
Eastern Visayas
This rambling cliffside resort boasts one of the island's finest plots of real estate on Santiago Bay. Expect lots of Woodcrete and tacky art, but the…
San Juan (La Union)
Cosy, attractive rooms with exposed brickwork, a quiet beach that gets OK surf, and a German owner who makes his own German sausage. The owner has an…
Southeast Luzon
At the northern end of the city, sea-facing Legacy trumps most of Masbate's dreary midrangers with spotless, though slightly fading rooms, friendly staff…
Bacuit Archipelago
Luxurious cottages, including over-water, forest and beachfront varieties, on an exclusive private island in Bacuit Bay. It offers good hiking in the…
Manila
This upscale, Israeli-run hostel sets an urbane tone with a sleek lobby bistro serving hummus and the like, a rooftop bar and walls throughout painted…
Bicol
There's a lot to like about this affordable refurbished business-class hotel. From enormous suites with polished wooden floors down to spacious dorms with…
Leyte
The oldest and prettiest of the dive resorts, the spacious cottages here – bamboo with fans, or comfortable modern air-con – are off the main road and…
Around Manila
Between Clark and Angeles, this high-rise is one of the better-value top-end hotels near the Freeport Zone. The 154 rooms are more functional than…
Bicol
Near the Bikal boat landing about 5km from Caramoan town, this appealing resort has spacious rooms (which can accommodate four people), a swish pool and…
Leyte
In the middle of the city this upmarket, neocolonial hotel is set in palm-studded landscaped gardens with a lovely heat-busting pool. Rooms are spacious…
Boracay
A renovation has Chill Out looking in fine fettle. It's a 'tweener hostel – in between a party hostel and chill-out hostel, and in between White Beach and…
Panglao Island
Smack dab on Danao Beach, rooms at this rambling place are comfortable and well appointed, with huge flat-screens, fine art and roomy bathrooms. There's a…
Tacloban
Built around a rambling 1940s wooden house, this is a well-run and conveniently located little hotel. In the old building are clean basic rooms; the newer…
Western Visayas
Run by a German expat, this truly off-the-beaten path place has two floors that sleep six; one bed is shaped like a boat. Rooms are priced per person. It…
Camiguin
Leave the comfort of your glamorous, air-conditioned safari tent and saunter through a grove of palm trees to the pool bar or beyond to a black-sand beach…
Palawan
A very simple and agreeable German–owned resort on a narrow beach near the airport, about 2km south of San Vicente proper. The six well-appointed rooms…
San Juan (La Union)
This is the swankiest choice in the area. Understated bungalows have slate tile floors, bamboo-and-wood details and cool bathrooms, many with a window…
North Luzon
This three-storey, ever-expanding concrete building by the sea offers bright rooms with modern clean beds, hot water and working internet. There's an on…
Southern Mindanao
This large complex near Maragusan has absolutely stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Cottages vary in size and quality, but all have private…
Sagada
If you don't mind long walks, consider this option in a citrus grove 2km from the town centre. It has a huge, beautiful banquet hall and top-notch doubles…
The Cordillera
The most isolated lodge in Batad is also one of the most beautiful, situated just by Tappia Waterfall. There are two rooms and fantastic views wherever…
Moalboal
A basic, inexpensive hostel with choice of air-con (good move) or fan (hot) dorms and three private rooms – all with shared bathrooms. There's a chill-out…
Bantayan Island
A little south of the pier, this family-owned place makes up for its lack of beachfront with friendly service and rustic, verandah-equipped cottages set…
Samar
A three-storey shore-front hotel with well-kept, spacious rooms and a lush sea-facing garden partly shaded by palms. It's run by helpful folk who offers…
Moalboal
One of Panagsama's original places to stay, with simple, inexpensive bungalows (some with two bedrooms) and rooms dotted around a shady seaside plot. It's…
Bantayan Island
Around 400m inland from the beach, this likeable three-storey hotel has modern, though smallish rooms with good air-con, fresh linen, hot-water showers…
Leyte
On the east coast of idyllic Limasawa Island, this is the perfect place to really get off the grid, write a novel, meditate or spend days snorkelling the…
Banaue
Located 500m up the road from the main town, 7th Heaven's has four rooms that are basic but clean and cheery. Each has its own bathroom outside the rooms,…
Baguio
Easily the best hostel in Baguio, with a creative cafe/common area and friendly, clued-up staff who can arrange tours throughout the Cordillera. Dorm beds…
Southeast Luzon
The seasonal bar-restaurant here is a good spot for Western and Filipino food, beer and the chance to meet fellow surf bums and kitesurfers. The air-con…
Bohol
The highlight here is the fantastic beach and infinity pool; the rooms are well appointed but could use a makeover and they are certainly overpriced…
Pamilacan Island
These simple huts on the beach are run by an enterprising local (Mary) in conjunction with Pamilacan Island Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours. She prepares…
Allan Bognot's Pinatubo Guesthouse
Around Manila
This stylish and homey guesthouse features rooms in the main family house and new chalet-style rooms at the back, all with private bathroom and air-con…
Boracay
A quiet, somewhat aged retreat located just off the beach at the nearly deserted far northern end of White Beach. It has spacious and airy rooms with…
Samar
This surf camp is on the beach in Omawas, a barangay of Maydolong, 17km south of Borongan. It's run by a Californian and his local wife and has clean,…
Bantayan Island
This attractive beach resort fronts a wide stretch of sand and has a wonderfully relaxed island vibe. Rows of thatched-roofed cottages are set amid palm…
Cebu City
The Sugbutel has somewhat stark but very clean and compact rooms, plus three giant air-con dorms (we're talking 75 to 85 beds). Bunks have small security…
Coron Town
This simple, sociable hostel 2km north of town has some of the cheapest dorms on Busuanga, and guests are eligible to take the 'Fat Monkey Tour' of the…
Western Visayas
This family-run dive operation (single boat dive P1600, P450 for equipment) has a few well-appointed nipa huts in a leafy compound on the beach about 7…
