Turtle Bay, Port Barton, Philippines | (937) 315-4602
Quiet, secluded setting amidst an enormous turtle sanctuary
Four private beaches lined by loungers and hammocks
Intimate atmosphere, with only 11 rooms and cottages
Eco-chic beachfront cottages with dark-wood fittings and balconies
All rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning
Massages and herbal sauna available on-site
Restaurant and bar with Filipino or American breakfast included
Free use of kayak and snorkel gear
Free Wi-Fi in rooms and common areas
Isolated location with nothing within walking distance (pro for some)
Electricity turned off for a few hours every morning
No gym
The eco-friendly Secret Paradise Resort & Turtle Sanctuary has 11 rooms in a remote location on Turtle Bay. It takes an hour by boat to get here from the mainland, so once you are here, you're here, making it less than ideal for those in search of action. It's a romantic choice for couples, thanks to four private beaches and the fact that most rooms are beachfront cabins with lots of dark-wood interior features. On-site amenities include a free breakfast at the restaurant, billiards, and volleyball, and the resort has kayaks and snorkeling gear that guests can borrow free of charge. There's no real alternative in the area and travelers looking for something livelier are better off staying somewhere more urban, such as at the mid-range Corto del Mar Hotel, a short walk from Coron Town.
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Scene
Romantic, secluded resort on an expansive turtle sanctuary
Secret Paradise Resort & Turtle Sanctuary is a gorgeous property surrounded by jungles and white-sand beaches flanked by turquoise sea. The grounds are filled with grassy lawns and palm trees and the place generally feels secluded given that it stretches out over 70 hectares (172 acres) of protected turtle sanctuary and only has 11 rooms and cottages. While it's a decent choice for families, the peaceful vibe makes it best suited to couples. Note that the resort runs on its own generator, and while hot water for the showers is powered by gas and thus available 24 hours, the resort turns off the generator for a few hours every morning.
Location
On a remote turtle sanctuary, an hour by boat from the mainland
The resort occupies a 70-hectare (172-acre) turtle sanctuary located an hour away by boat from the mainland. The entire area is surrounded by lush forest and there are four private beaches on the property, but no restaurants or shops within walking distance. There are free daily transfers from Port Barton to Secret Paradise and back every day, but they need to be booked ahead of time.
Rooms
Rustic cottages with air-conditioning and lots of dark wood
Secret Paradise offers 11 pleasant, simply decorated rooms: Two Deluxe Cottages right on Turtle Beach, four Superior Cottages, and three Premier Cottages, plus one Junior Suite and one Superior Room. The design doesn't change much from room to room -- guests can expect dark-wood floors, woven-straw or white walls with dark-wood trim, wooden beds with flouncy mosquito nets, and neutral-hued tile-and-stone bathrooms with wet-room-style showers separated by shower curtains. Cottages all open out onto the beach. All rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs, safes, and balconies with hammocks and lounge chairs.
Features
Lots of beachfront and plenty of organized activities, plus free breakfast, kayaking, and snorkel gear
The biggest draw of Secret Paradise is that it's located on a turtle sanctuary, and depending on the season, guests can watch turtles lay eggs or witness hatching. There are four private white-sand beaches with plenty of room to lounge out on hammocks or palapa-shaded lounge chairs, plus lots of swimming opportunities out in Turtle Bay. There's a restaurant/bar on-site that's open early in the morning until well in the evening and an American or Filipino breakfast is included in room rates.
The resort also offers plenty of activities, including island-hopping tours, hiking excursions, speed-boat trips, fishing, diving, and day trips to Port Barton, Sabang, and the St Paul Underground River. A variety of massage treatments are also available and there's a herbal sauna that makes use of herbs grown on the property. The hotel lacks a gym, but there are a volleyball net on the beach and a billiards table in the restaurant. Kayaks and snorkeling gear are free to borrow. Wi-Fi is free in common areas and rooms.
