Bohol Sea Resort

The Bohol Sea Resort is set in beautiful beachfront gardens with glimpses of the sea between palm trees. Orange bungalows and low-rise buildings with green tiled roofs line paths that criss-cross the resort around an octagonal central building and pool. The main building serves as reception, library, and restaurant, with both table and sofa seating, and there's an adjoining rustic bar area. Happy hour every evening attracts guests into the bar area and there's a friendly atmosphere with people chatting easily. There's an on-site dive shop at the resort, and many guests are here to dive -- it's mostly couples, with some families and solo travelers. The owner is German, and the place is popular with visitors from Germany.

The Bohol Sea Resort is located on Danao Beach on Panglao Island. It's a secluded spot, with just a few local shops along the main street. The sea off Danao Beach is largely reef, but the resort has its own dive shop. It's a five-minute drive, or a 20-minute walk, along the coast to Alona Beach, which is a much better swimming beach with the white-sand typical of the Philippines. Alona is the main resort on the island and has plenty of restaurants and bars plus supermarkets and shops. Attractions on the island away from the beach and sea are few, but popular Hinagdanan Cave is a 20-minute drive away and has a beautiful underground lake. Tagbilaran Airport is a 40-minute drive across the road bridge on Bohol Island. 

Rooms at the Bohol Sea Resort vary considerably from the fairly basic Standard Rooms to the cozy Superior Bungalows and Deluxe Apartments. All units include safes, TVs, air-conditioning, fridges, and a terrace or balcony with charming rustic railings and seating. Standard Rooms have a simple finish with rattan furniture and a white tiled floor. Bungalows add decorative touches in their colored comforters, curtains, and lighting -- plus upgrade to minibars, electric kettles, and satellite TVs. Some Deluxe Apartments have sea views and all add separate living areas. The two-bedroom Apartments feature dining tables and kitchenettes with sinks, large fridges, and tableware -- plus additional outdoor dining tables. Bathrooms are nicely done, even in entry-level Standard Rooms. They have a stylish white and gray tile, large shower cubicles, hairdryers, and toiletries. 

The Bohol Sea Resort's features focus mainly on tourists who dive. It has a large outdoor pool and whirlpool, plus a poolside restaurant with table seating. The restaurant serves fresh meals throughout the day and a dinner menu that varies day-to-day. There's a small reading area with sofas and a library of books, and a bar with a pool table and a daily happy hour. There is a dive shop which caters for both beginner and experienced divers, and scooter rental on-site. Massage treatments are available in-room or in the beachfront cabana and there's a small fitness room with cardio and weight machines. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort. There is a nice beachfront area with loungers and a narrow strip of sandy beach, though the water is not really suited to swimming as it's quite shallow and full of coral.