Alona Beach is the kind of place that stays in your heart for years. Some visitors come for its beautiful white-sand beaches, while others come for the world-class diving around Balicasag Island. Some come to explore the Chocolate Hills, meet Bohol’s adorable little tarsiers, discover mysterious caves and hidden lagoons, or experience the island’s beautiful mangrove forests.

Then there is the life surrounding the beach itself: an outstanding variety of restaurants, vibrant nightlife, great bars and, above all, the Filipino people—some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. Whatever brings you here, Alona Beach and the island of Bohol offer the ingredients for a truly unforgettable vacation.

With so many places to stay, choosing the right one can be difficult. We have carefully selected five of our favorite resorts, each offering something distinctly different. Whether your priority is affordability, family-friendly comfort, beachfront access, peace and quiet, or refined luxury, one of these five should fit both your budget and the kind of Bohol vacation you want to remember.

The quick list

The best five resorts

1
Nora’s Place Boutique ResortBest overall value—especially for families and groups
2
Henann Resort Alona BeachBest for a large-scale, full-service luxury experience
3
Panglao Birdwatchers Beachfront HotelBest for beachfront fun, live music and an international atmosphere
4
Cliffside ResortBest for breathtaking ocean views and peaceful surroundings
5
Amorita ResortBest for romantic escapes and high-end boutique luxury

2

Best for a large-scale, full-service luxury experience

Henann Resort Alona Beach

Tawala, Panglao · beachfront

Henann is one of Alona Beach’s largest and most recognizable luxury resorts. Its highlights include a prime beachfront location, three swimming pools, numerous restaurants and bars, a fitness center and spa. With approximately 400 rooms, it offers the facilities and polished operation expected from a major international-style resort.

All of that comes at a substantial price. Depending on the season and room category, a stay—particularly in a suite, pool-access room or villa—can cost several times more than some of the smaller resorts on our list. Henann is best suited to high-end travelers who want extensive facilities and expect to spend considerable time enjoying the resort itself. Those planning to spend most days touring Bohol may find themselves paying heavily for amenities they rarely use.

Best forHigh-end travelers who want extensive beachfront facilities

Check availability

3

Best for beachfront fun, live music and an international atmosphere

Panglao Birdwatchers Beachfront Hotel

Alona Beach · directly on the sand

Panglao Birdwatchers is not simply a hotel with a bar—it is equal parts beachfront resort and Alona Beach entertainment institution. The property sits directly on the sand, placing guests in the middle of the beach’s swimming, dining and nightlife. It also offers comfortable, spacious rooms, a restaurant and a courtyard swimming pool when guests want a break from the activity outside.

The large beachfront bar is the heart of Birdwatchers. Every evening, Frankie—something of a legend on Alona Beach—leads the band through a lively selection of quality rock music and international favorites. The crowd frequently joins in, turning an ordinary night at the bar into a friendly sing-along involving visitors from all over the world. Few properties capture Alona’s international, anything-can-happen atmosphere quite as well.

That excitement comes with an important tradeoff: Birdwatchers is not a quiet beachfront hideaway. Live music generally continues until around 11 p.m., and guests staying closest to the bar should expect to hear it. Travelers who retire early or require complete silence may be happier elsewhere. Families are welcome, but parents should understand that the nightlife and music are part of the property’s identity—not an occasional special event.

For guests who enjoy good music, cold drinks, meeting new people and having the beach directly outside their door, the energy is precisely what makes Birdwatchers such an enjoyable place to stay. You are not merely booking a room near Alona’s nightlife—you are staying right in the middle of it.

Best forSociable travelers who enjoy live music and want the beach at their door

Check availability

4

Best for breathtaking ocean views and peaceful surroundings

Cliffside Resort

Tawala, Panglao · south coast

Cliffside occupies one of Panglao’s most dramatic settings. Perched above the coast, the property offers sweeping ocean views—nearly 270 degrees in some areas—from the swimming pool, restaurant and many of its comfortable rooms.

The restaurant is a particular highlight. Guests can enjoy good food while taking in the peaceful, expansive seascape, making it an ideal choice for travelers who value atmosphere and relaxation more than being in the center of Panglao’s activity.

The main drawback is the location. Cliffside is not on Alona Beach. Reaching Alona requires traveling several kilometers by road, so guests should plan to arrange transportation. The resort is also somewhat removed from other popular areas of Panglao, which may make spontaneous sightseeing less convenient.

For many visitors, however, that distance is part of the appeal. Cliffside feels pleasantly removed from the busier resort areas while still providing comfortable rooms, a beautiful pool and unforgettable views. Julie, the German owner, adds to the experience with exceptionally warm and attentive hospitality, helping guests feel genuinely welcomed and cared for.

If you are happy to stay away from the main beaches and do not mind organizing transportation, Cliffside is an excellent choice. Its dramatic scenery, peaceful setting, good food and personal service make it one of the most memorable places to stay in Panglao.

Best forTravelers who value scenery, quiet and personal hospitality

Check availability

5

Best for romantic escapes and high-end boutique luxury

Amorita Resort

Tawala, Panglao · above Alona Beach

Perched above Alona Beach on a limestone cliff, Amorita offers a quieter and more intimate style of luxury. Beautifully designed suites, private-pool villas, landscaped grounds, infinity pools, spa services and refined dining make it especially attractive for honeymoons, anniversaries and special occasions.

Amorita is unquestionably a quality property, but it is also one of the most expensive choices in the area. Depending on the dates and accommodation selected, rates—especially for its private villas—can reach four or five times the cost of more affordable resorts nearby. Travelers willing to pay substantially more for privacy, sophisticated surroundings and premium service may consider it worthwhile. For visitors primarily concerned with value, however, there are far less expensive ways to enjoy Panglao.

Best forHigh-end travelers, honeymoons and special occasions

Check availability

Until next time

We hope to see you in Alona Beach.

So there you have it—our picks for the 5 best resorts in and around Alona Beach, based on the qualities we believe matter most to travelers. Each offers something different, from excellent value and lively beachfront energy to peaceful ocean views and high-end luxury.

Wherever you decide to stay, we hope this guide helps you find the right fit—and we hope to see you soon in our favorite corner of the Philippines: Alona Beach, Panglao.

Hope to see you soon,Elena & Rafael Villanueva