Busuanga Bay Lodge

Busuanga Bay Lodge is a a resort-style boutique property located on a forested slope overlooking picturesque Pearl Bay. Guests register in a bright lobby area with dark wicker chairs and sofas before heading out to the open, sloping grounds characterized by stone and cement pathways flanked by trees and shrubbery. The beach and rooms are a bit underwhelming, but it's the widespread views of the sea and rolling hills -- from the infinity pool, restaurants, and rooms -- that take center stage here. The vibe is generally peaceful and elegant, equally attracting vacationing couples and families. 

Busuanga Bay Lodge is located on the southern part of Busuanga/Coron Island, in the western part of The Philippines, a 15-minute speed boat ride from South Cay Island. It's around 90 minutes by car or shuttle van to the Francisco B Reyes Airport, which receives regular flights from Manila as well as charters from Boracay and Puerto Princesa. Alternatively, travelers can take a ferry to Coron (an hour away by car) from Manila and El Nido. 

The Busuanga features 41 rooms across six categories, all with contemporary, if a bit underwhelming, decor. The streamlined design includes off-white tile floors, dark-wood cabinets, desks, and beds, and neutrally hued linens offset by red-and-gold patterned throw cushions. Some add colorful artwork and decorative sculptures. Bathrooms have glassed-in walk-in rainfall showers, beige tiling, and long countertops with vessel sinks, and some have separate soaking tubs. All rooms come with minibars, individually controlled air-conditioning, iPod Docks, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs.

The smallest rooms at Busuanga Bay Lodge are the 32-square-meter (105-square-foot) Clubhouse Superior units, which have balconies and views of the bay or garden. At 35 square meters (115 square feet), the standalone Bayview Bungalows are only slightly larger and have balconies with views of the ocean. Other options include 47-square-meter (154-square-foot) Hilltop Suites with great views and double showers in the bathrooms, Waterfront King and Twin rooms with ocean views, and Clubhouse Suites with separate living areas. 

The hotel also offers three large Two-Bedroom Villas (with one king bed or two queens in the rooms). Each of these 187-square-meter (614-square-foot) rooms has its own ocean-facing balcony with lounge chairs, a patio table with chairs, and a private infinity plunge pool. 

The Busuanga Bay Lodge offers a wide selection of amenities for a smaller hotel. The calm beach is tiny and has just a handful of loungers, but there's a sleek infinity pool on a gorgeous bay-facing deck with lots of sunbeds and incredible views. There are also a couple of spas offering massage services, and a tiny gym with free weights and a couple machines. The resort also offers a water-sports center, a marina for boats and seaplanes, mountain bikes for guest use, a small conference room, and a boutique stocking toiletries and souvenirs. On-site parking and hotel-wide Wi-Fi are free. 

Dining options include Pavilion, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (but closes for a few hours between meals), South Cay Beach Club, which serves cocktails and buffet-style meals throughout the day, and Seahorse Bar & Grill, which offers drinks and food in the evenings. There's also a manager's happy hour here on Tuesdays and Fridays with free hors d'oeuvres. Room service is available from early morning until evening.