Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark, Cebu

Renovated in 2015, the JP Park Island Resort & Waterpark (formerly known as the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa) is an upscale, family-focused resort that's particularly popular with Korean tourists. Rooms and suites are spread out across three large white buildings that surround the property's central attraction: A mid-sized water park with numerous pools and a handful of tall waterslides surrounded by landscaped gardens and palm trees. Inside, the lobby is grand, with marble floors and a huge centerpiece chandelier, though low ceilings make the space feel a bit dark and there aren't many places to sit. This hotel is huge and bustling, so couples should probably look elsewhere.

JPark Island Resort is located in Lapu Lapu, on a white-sand beach overlooking the Hilutungan Channel. The area is predominantly occupied by hotels and resorts, though there is a cafe and a Korean restaurant right by the hotel, as well as a supermarket a seven-minute walk away. Getting to the airport takes around 25 minutes by car, while Cebu City is closer to a 50-minute drive away.

Rooms at the JPark Island Resort come in a variety of configurations, starting with 38-square-meter (125-square-foot) Deluxe Rooms and running the gamut clear up to 80- to 97-square-meter (262- to 318-square-foot) stand-alone Villas, each with its own private plunge pool or whirlpool hot tub. Decor varies a bit depending on room type, but most units have patterned carpets and dark furniture with earth-tone upholstery or woodgrain paneling. Villas have dark-wood flooring and brighter decor, with lots of white furniture and peach-colored or grayish-blue walls and accents. The overall look is contemporary and sophisticated across the board, but linens and carpets could use an update. All rooms have balconies or decks, and while some have great pool views, others look out onto surrounding buildings. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs with cable and DVD players, minibars, safes, and kettles, plus some suites add kitchenettes. Bathrooms are sleek, with long black-marble countertops, separate walk-in rainfall showers, and soaking tubs, plus hairdryers and toiletries are provided. 

The JPark's extensive water park is its star attraction and consists of a series of lagoon pools surrounded by palm trees. The water park extends from the hotel to a white-sand beach, complete with shaded lounge chairs and calm waters for swimming (during the dry season). Kids will likely appreciate the park's huge waterslides, which drop off into flat landing areas rather than dumping guests into pools, making them ideal for people who don't know how to swim but still want to experience the slides. There are also numerous swim-up bars for older guests and an adjacent go-kart track for older kids.JPark Island offers tons of dining options, from The Abalone -- a buffet restaurant with four live stations featuring Japanese, Western, and East-Asian food plus desserts -- to the elegant Coral Seaside, which serves Mediterranean cuisine and seafood at dinner either indoors or on a lovely ocean-facing deck. Other options include Maru, focusing on Korean food, Olive, which serves an interesting blend of Filipino classics and Asian-Mediterranean fusion fare, and Ching Hai, which offers Chinese food. There's also a lobby lounge for coffee and pastries. Breakfast is included in room rates and room service is available. A spa offers massages and the gym is decently sized. Business facilities include five indoor event spaces, and many of the outdoor areas can be rented out for events. Weddings can also be arranged on the grounds, out on the boardwalk, or right on the beach. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel (though there have been complaints of slow speeds) and there's plenty of free on-site parking.