Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa

The Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa is a luxury property right by the coast, with lots of green space and room to spread out. The semi-open lobby makes a lovely first impression, with high wood-planked ceilings featuring an interesting bamboo light structure strong from the rafters, plus a thatched reception desk to alert guests of the tropical flare to come elsewhere in the resort. The grounds themselves are interspersed with fountains, stone pathways, and palm trees. The restaurants are similarly attractive, designed with lots of different types of wood and neutral tones, though the Golden Elephant has bright-pink cushions on the floor for guests to sit. The Rice Restaurant particularly has striking chairs made of bamboo strips cut different lengths. The hotel's overall look is sleek yet inviting. The hotel offers lots for both kids and adults, so it sees about even numbers of families and couples. 

The resort is located right on the coast on Palawan Island, only a seven-minute drive from the Puerto Princesa International Airport, but a good hour from the city of Puerto Princesa proper. The general vicinity has a few residential neighborhoods and a couple of other hotels, but it's primarily a destination resort and, as such, most guests won't find the need to leave the premises to go walking in the general area. 

Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa offers a variety of room types, ranging from entry-level Princesa Classic that start at 35 square meters (115 square feet) up to 173-square-meter (1862-square-foot) Two-Bedroom Luxury Suites. There's not much variation among room types in terms of decor, as all have a handsome design of woodgrain floors, dark wood-and-wicker furniture and headboards, brown curtains, and grayish-teal accent walls and decorative features. Bathrooms all have either eight-inch or 12-inch rainfall showerheads and generally large vanity areas with vessel sinks, plus magnifying mirrors and hairdryers; those in suites add whirlpool tubs. All units have balconies with sunbeds and a host of in-room amenities including minibars, safes, 40- or 46-inch flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and bathrobes. Rooms and suites in the hotel's "Pool Collection" add direct access to the large lagoon pool. Note that due to the hotel's solar heating, hot water in showers is occasionally not available when it's cloudy.

The Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa offers a huge range of facilities for a resort-style stay. The chlorine-free pool is one of the most attractive features, measuring some 1640 square meters (5380 square feet) and crossed by a bridge. It's surrounded by towering palm trees and there are plenty of shaded lounge chairs for sunbathers, along with a kids' pool and a large covered whirlpool. The on-site Hilot Spa is another big draw, with eight treatment rooms (a couple of which have their own hot tubs) and a wide range of beauty and health treatments, from massages to mani/pedis. There's also a fish spa and in-room treatments are available.

Other features include an outdoor game room with a pool table, foosball, and a dart board, plus a gigantic outdoor chess set. There are also a nine-hole mini-golf course, a fitness center, a volleyball court, and non-motorized sports including stand-up paddleboards and kayaking (an hour of free use is included in room rates). Bike rentals are also available for one hour of free use. For families with younger kids, the resort offers the Little Boss Daycare Center (for a fee), a colorful play space with all sorts of toys and games plus a miniature ballroom. 

Free parking, free boat transfers to a nearby sandbar (a five-minute ride away), and free airport transfers are additionally offered. Although it's a far cry from a business hotel, there are a business center, function hall, and ballroom, plus a chapel for weddings. Guests staying in some higher-category units also get access to a 24-hour Club Lounge with snacks and drinks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but it can be spotty. 

The Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa offers three restaurants and two bars. Rice is the hotel's all-day option serving local and international fare plus buffets and cultural shows during periods of high occupancy. Tomato and Basil Cuisina Italiana looks out over the pool and specializes in, unsurprisingly, Italian cuisine such as wood-fired pizza. Golden Elephant Seafood Village focuses on pan-Asian food with lots of seafood on the menu and opens for lunch and dinner. Bar options include Sala Lobby Lounge, which is open all day and sometimes has piano performances. Float, located on the nearby sandbar, serves drinks and light meals such as sandwiches.