| In recent years, the Philippines has rapidly become | | | | outdoors is a line of native cabanas filled with |
| a premier honeymoon destination. In April 2009, | | | | over-sized pillows decorated with shells and |
| the Philippines was awarded the "Most Popular | | | | hanging lamps where you can dine, read, drink, |
| Destination in Asia" award by professional jurors | | | | take a nap or simply watch the sea and people |
| at the 2009 World Travel Fair in Shanghai, China. | | | | walk by. |
| Foreigners booking their marriage ceremonies and | | | | Friday's Resort: Rated: 4 Star |
| honeymoons in the Philippines have been at record | | | | Friday's, like Waling, is located on beautiful White |
| growth rates the past several years. | | | | Beach, but what makes it differ so much from |
| What are the Most Romantic Places to Visit? | | | | Waling is its somewhat isolated location, which |
| Insiders, people who live in the Philippines, or those | | | | gives it more privacy. It was the first luxury |
| Expats who travel to the Philippines frequently | | | | resort built in Boracay |
| have found many special romantic "getaways" to | | | | Nami Private Villas Hotel: Rated: 4 Star |
| bask in equal doses of passion, solitude and | | | | Nestled in the hills with a magnificent view of the |
| creature comforts. Frankly, there are so many | | | | ocean, the resort features 12 private and |
| beautiful and romantic locations in the Philippines, it | | | | spacious villas, each with its own Jacuzzi. The |
| is extremely difficult to identify the Top 5, Top 10 | | | | resort is only a 10 minute drive from the main |
| or even the Top 20. Certain places are more | | | | area of White Beach. There is a service center |
| romantic to some than others for very personal | | | | that can arrange activities for guests, such as |
| reasons. | | | | horseback riding, aqua sports, and golf. The resort |
| Nevertheless, based on my over 20 years of | | | | is an ideal destination for those seeking a romantic |
| travelling to and living in the Philippines with my | | | | getaway with privacy and seclusion, while still |
| Filipina spouse, I have come up with a | | | | being nearby Boracay's commercial area. |
| comprehensive list of locations which I | | | | 2. El Nido Resorts in Palawan: Rated - 4 Star |
| continuously find other Expats confirming with me | | | | El Nido is home to enchanting vistas of white sand |
| as also being their favorite romantic getaway | | | | beaches, huge limestone cliffs, tranquil lagoons, |
| locations. | | | | and reefs teaming with life. The scenery is simply |
| The Luxury Locations | | | | stunning, the water some of the clearest I have |
| 1. Amanpulo on Pamalican Island: Rated - 5 Star | | | | ever witnessed, and they are really secluded - on |
| This has to be at the top of the list, with rooms | | | | the north end of Palawan. There are two major |
| starting at $550 per night. This place is the | | | | resorts making up the El Nido Resorts - Lagen |
| Ultimate beach resort in the Philippines and the | | | | Island Resort and Minoloc Island Resort. |
| Ultimate Getaway for those with the funds to | | | | 3. Pearl Farm Beach Resort: Rated - 5 Star |
| afford it. If you choose to visit Amanpulo, you will | | | | Located in the southern part of the Philippines is |
| be hobnobbing with the rich and famous of the | | | | the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago |
| world - jetsetters and celebrities from around the | | | | consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a |
| world. This is one of the best known secret | | | | land area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, |
| locations in the Philippines. | | | | tranquil and exotic island with a coastline adorned |
| 2. Manila Makati Peninsula Hotel: Rated - 5 Star | | | | with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, |
| This is the perfect getaway for those looking for | | | | rock formations, mangroves, and landscape |
| a romantic upscale, city location, with city light | | | | elements of coconut palms, flowering plants and |
| views and culture similar to New York City. There | | | | fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with |
| are numerous room choices, from superior rooms | | | | various natural attractions and flourishing flora and |
| ranging from $200 to $300 per night, up to suites | | | | fauna. |
| ranging from $400 to $500 per night. The views | | | | 4. Pansukian Resort: Rated 5 Star |
| in the lobby of the hotel are absolutely stunning, | | | | This is a beautiful, uncrowded (only 8 Villas) resort |
| and the room is perfectly decorated. | | | | in Siargao, an unspoiled island in the southern |
| 3. Shangri La Mactan Island Resort (Cebu): Rated | | | | Philippines, also known as a surfer's heaven. There |
| 5 Star | | | | is a world famous surf break known as Cloud 9 |
| This luxurious resort is nestled on 14 hectares of | | | | north of General Luna, the main city on the island. |
| beautifully landscaped coastal land. All the rooms | | | | The Siargao Cup surfing competition is held in late |
| open to excellent view of the ocean. Being on the | | | | September or early October each year. Siargao is |
| coast, the resort offers all the normal water | | | | east of Cebu and northeast of Butuan City in |
| sports. You get a lot of space when you stay | | | | Mindanao. |
| here. It has been named as one of the "Top Ten | | | | 5. Surf Camp - Calicoan Island, Samar: Rated: 4 |
| Best Resorts in the Asia-Pacific" by Business | | | | Star |
| Traveler Magazine | | | | The Surf Camp is an idyllic tropical getaway |
| 4. Badian Island Resort and Spa (Cebu): Rated 5 | | | | situated in 'abcd' beach, Calicoan Island's prime |
| Star | | | | surfing area. The eight luxuriously appointed |
| This resort is on the top of the list of Top 10 | | | | cottages are inspired by Thai, Balinese, Indonesian |
| Island Spas, as featured in a recent issue of Asia | | | | and Filipino architecture. All are equipped with air |
| Spa magazine. It is situated just off the coast on | | | | conditioning, hot water, satellite tv, minibar, safety |
| the far Southwest end of Cebu island, away from | | | | deposit box and intercom. The resort features an |
| the cities and the noise, in a perfectly beautiful | | | | infinity pool with an unparalleled view of the Pacific |
| romantic destination spot. It is about a 2.5 hour | | | | Ocean. |
| drive from the Cebu airport, but you can request | | | | 6. Sonya's Garden - Tagaytay: Bed and Breakfast |
| for a helicopter to whisk you to the resort in 30 | | | | You can't believe that tucked in a small road |
| minutes. | | | | outside Tagaytay City is this delightful place filled |
| 5. Shangri La Boracay Island: Rated: 5 Star | | | | with rare flowers, and where you can have lunch |
| Another plush property from the Shangri-La's | | | | or dinner and stay for the night in it cottages |
| group, this resort is located in a northern part of | | | | lovingly built and uniquely furnished by its owner, |
| Boracay island. It is in a location secluded from all | | | | Sonya Garcia. It is the closest that you can get to |
| the hustle and bustle congestion of Boracay, and | | | | an English "bed and breakfast" in the Philippines, |
| has its own secluded 350 meters of unspoiled | | | | but with a bit more style and personal service. |
| beach and well-preserved nature. This luxury | | | | 7. Bohol Beach Resort at Panglao - Bohol Island: |
| resort features 219 rooms and villas decked out | | | | Rated: 3 Star |
| in ethnic Filipino décor, each room | | | | Panglao is a small island virtually attached to the |
| connecting to a balcony where you can relax and | | | | main island of Bohol, connected by two bridges of |
| revel in panoramic views of the beach. | | | | just 50 meters in length. All major beach resorts |
| Now, how about the rest of us, we who wish to | | | | are located on Panglao with its pristine white |
| not so freely roll out the night rates of the above | | | | beaches and clean seawater. Panglao is also the |
| luxury resorts, but wish to find that unique | | | | destination of choice for many divers. Alona |
| romantic getaway. Well, this list is even harder to | | | | Beach is where all the big hype is about Bohol |
| select, as there are so many beautiful and | | | | (and the higher priced resorts - one great one |
| romantic locations at the more affordable rates | | | | which is Alona Palm Beach Resort). |
| of $100 to $250 per night. | | | | 8. The Manor at Camp John Hay - Baguio |
| The Budget Minded Locations | | | | What makes staying here so special is that it is |
| 1. Boracay's elite row of resorts - Boracay is the | | | | located in Baguio, the summer capital of the |
| best-known tourist spot in the Philippines. Because | | | | Philippines. Baguio, located at 5,000 foot elevation, |
| the northern end of Boracay's main beach is | | | | was originally constructed as a mountain retreat |
| relatively isolated, the more high-end resorts are | | | | by US military forces in the early 1900's. Now, its |
| located there, two of which I recommend as | | | | cool temperatures (average of 19 degrees Celsius |
| romantic getaways: | | | | year round) draw Manila visitors in large numbers |
| Waling-Waling Beach Hotel: Rated: 3 Star | | | | when the lowlands are sweltering. The city's |
| This resort has only 29 rooms, so it is quite | | | | character is shaped by the throngs of young |
| private, and guests are treated like family. What | | | | college students. It is the most accessible and |
| gives this resort its unique character is that | | | | preserved pine forest area in the Philippines. |