Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel is a traditional three-and-a-half-pearl property in a tranquil spot on Mactan Island. The 156 rooms are housed in a cluster of cottages and high-rise buildings on a small seafront plot. The sandy beach is a big draw here, although it’s small and enclosed by ugly concrete breakwaters. Facilities include two outdoor pools and three restaurants serving diverse dishes from pan-Asian to tapas. Spacious rooms are attractive, though quality varies between categories. All have TVs and air-conditioning, though these are sometimes noisy window units. For a convenient pre- or post-flight stay, or as a base ahead of island hopping, this is a fine alternative to the large, bland city hotels. Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort is the closest competition, where rooms are more stylish but rates are higher.