Oceanica Resort Panglao, Bohol

Stunningly beautiful location with sprawling facilities all on the beachside.

Table service can be famously slow

Très bel hôtel

The hotel is an oasis of comfort, grounds immaculately groomed, with the activities of Panglao (snorkeling Napaling reef, swimming in a cave, and off-shore islands) minutes away and Bohol (Chocolate Hills, tarsier monkey sanctuary, flying sugar gliders) accessible on a 6-8 hour tour, we chose a private driver for $80 all day. The town of Alona offers an interesting experience of cheap (and awesome) massages, local food, & shopping. And you get to ride in a tuk-tuk each way for $3-4 USD (did I mention affordable?). I think I slept in the largest bed ever. I joked to my wife that I would text her good night. They cleaned our room at least 2 times a day. The restaurant is comfortably cool with an ocean breeze, delicious view, and even better food. The breakfast isn't great but diverse where you can try many local dishes (or eat custom-made omelets), with good coffee and excellent juices. We ate at the restaurant for all our lunches and two dinners b/c it was so much better than the restaurants in the surrounding area. The staff's attitude is hit and miss but overall they were lovely and always looked to please and make the experience sensational. The Filipino people are simply wonderful, at the hotel and throughout the island.

The hotel utilizes the beauty of a huge, gorgeous, white sand beach. However it's somewhere between swimming and snorkeling and disappointing for both ... though good to enjoy with a cocktail. The pools are also average so swimming isn't optimal. Beautiful people abound (both Filipinos and tourists); my wife joked that we were at White Lotus. The rooms aren't memorable (minus the huge beds). And as I said it's an oasis, when you leave the property you see the poverty with many children begging around the Alona area. Again, service at the hotel is a bit inconsistent. The beach massages are relaxing but the good massages are in town (and way cheaper). So there are negatives but don't get me wrong ... I have been to 52 countries, lived in Bali and Thailand for five years each, and for the price I would come back to Panglao again and stay in the exact same place. You can find my YT vids at The Altarless Traveler. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKdSVMjLdx_mIhl7ILo2P_w

Location is remarkably excellent! Beautiful paradise tho a bit pricey

The settings, the music in afternoon serenades us whilst dining

The room was spacious and bed was comfortable. The bathroom was a little cramped and we were near the smoking area at the clinic. The breakfast was probably the most expansive breakfast buffet I have ever seen; the juices were top notice (Green juice from the farm was unbelievable) and the food choice catered to every nationality. The beach was fantasic, best in Panglao!

Like it all.

Limited food in the breakfast buffet

The facility and location.

Beach Servers were slow. Really upset with beach security (Gonzi). I was asked 4 times for my room number. No good morning no good afternoon just what's mu room number. I argued with him on why he's not asking the white guest but only Filipinos. The usual racial profiling. Im met Australian and British people from other Resorts next door and not questioned. This is very lacking on how to approach quest and equally approaching all . I understand your policy but implemented poorly.