Henann Regency Resort & Spa

The Henann Regency Resort & Spa claims to have the largest beachfront on the island, and it certainly does feel like it. Dozens of padded loungers with umbrellas line the exterior of this sprawling resort, and most of the hotel’s six restaurants and bars are located along the beach. The property is divided into three main sections, each with its own pool; the North and Main Wings are closest to the beach and the on-site restaurants and bars, but the East Wing has the newest and quietest rooms. Located adjacent to the East Wing and the Convention Center, the large, airy lobby is busy during the day with guests, staff, and business travelers attending meetings on-site. Traditional Filipino carved wood furniture, rattan lamps, potted palms, and wooden gabled roofs with exposed beams lend the space a strong local feel, and floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of light. Outside, koi ponds and palm trees dot the pleasant grounds, while landscaped grass areas with loungers invite guests to relax.

The hotel has a convenient location right on beautiful White Beach and in the heart of busy Station 2. The area is known for its hopping nightlife and dining scene, and offers easy walking access to D Mall, a popular shopping area a few streets north of the hotel. Guests can walk to Stations 1 and 3, and most major attractions -- such as the Holy Rosary Parish, Willy’s Rock, and Club Paraw -- are a five-minute tricycle taxi ride away. Pretty Diniwid Beach is a 15-minute drive away.

The hotel has 302 rooms, most with pool views and a few overlooking the grounds. Rooms are spacious and clean with good amenities including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, safes, hairdryers, and free bottled water replenished daily -- but Wi-Fi is only free in suites, and connectivity is spotty at best. All but Superior Rooms have furnished balconies, and ground-floor rooms have larger terraces, most with direct access to the pool. Beige tiled floors, dark wood furniture, and cream-colored walls make rooms a little plain, but touches such as wooden shutters, carved wood details, colorful accents in sea-inspired colors, and traditional Filipino elements -- including "pai pais" and wood pieces with shell inlays -- add local charm. 

Spacious bathrooms have marble or granite finishes, as well as either large walk-in showers or glass-enclosed showers and separate tubs. Family Rooms have two bedrooms, and suites offer an array of extra perks, including DVD players, stocked minibars, coffeemakers, and iPod docks. East Wing rooms are the quietest and newest, but are also farthest from the beach and the restaurants. 

The resort has varied dining options, including Chinese, modern Filipino, and seafood and steak restaurants, as well as a number of bars. Wave Lounge is the hotel’s most popular bar, with DJ sessions, a short tapas menu, and dance parties right on the beach. Seabreeze is directly adjacent to Wave and serves an international buffet with Filipino specialties for all three meals. Of the hotel’s three pools, the one in the East Wing section is the largest, with a swim-up bar and a whirlpool. A separate rectangular kids' pool is available right next to it, and the North Wing pool has another area for children complete with a water feature and a slide. Kai Spa offers a long list of body treatments, massages for couples, salon services, and a wellness area with a sauna, steam bath, and whirlpool. The hotel also features a basic gym with cardio and strength-training machines, nine fully equipped meeting rooms, a business center, airport transfer services for a fee, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby and the restaurants. In-room Wi-Fi is available for a daily or weekly fee.