It is fair to say that the Philippines hasn’t always been on the radar as a leading luxury destination, but my recent research trip to the country confounded all my expectations. My eyes were opened to what a remarkable place the Philippines is, and how – with careful planning – it can deliver some truly extraordinary experiences. The country’s stunning natural beauty was always there, but these days it is complemented by a small but perfectly formed collection of luxury resorts and private island hideaways. When you pair these with the right kind of transport and the back-up of an expert team on the ground, you have all the ingredients for a luxury vacation that will be quite unlike anything you have ever experienced before.
WHICH ARE THE BEST ISLANDS TO VISIT IN THE PHILIPPINES?
Over 7,600 islands make up the Philippines, so it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. My travels centred around the best places to visit in the Philippines for a luxury holiday, and I was able to narrow down the options to a select number of key islands and regions.
LUZON – Manila, Mount Pinatubo & Inararo Gorge
Many vacations to the Philippines begin on Luzon Island as this is where Manila is located. It is the capital city of the Philippines and the country’s most important transport hub. Some visitors will choose to bypass Manila completely, but – if you do have more time to spare – remaining a little longer on Luzon is well worth the effort. I began with a private guided tour of Manila, which added a lot of depth and context to visiting the Philippines – it was the perfect introduction to the country. Beyond Manila, Luzon is a good base if you’d like to see more of the country as part of a Philippines luxury tour. We can arrange a scenic helicopter flight to the mountains north east of Manila where you can explore landscapes of volcanic peaks, crater lakes, and plunging gorges.
Things to do on Luzon:
- Take a private guided tour of Manila by bamboo bike, exploring narrow streets and the hidden alleyways that are inaccessible by car.
- Peel back layers of Philippine history in Intramuros, Manila’s colonial-era walled city where three centuries of Spanish rule were followed by 50 years of American government and then the heavy impact of the Second World War.
- Take a thrilling helicopter flight north over Mount Pinatubo’s crater lake, landing on the lahar fields and hiking to the rim of the crater.
- Travel by private jeepney to the pristine Inararo Gorge and follow your adventure with a soak in geothermal springs.
- Sample some of the country’s finest Filipino cuisine in Pampanga, the culinary capital of the Philippines.
PALAWAN – gateway to the best private islands in the Philippines
Whether you choose to spend time in Luzon or not, top of the agenda on a vacation to the Philippines is usually finding your perfect beach resort. The first beach destination I visited in the Philippines was Palawan. This long, slender island stretches south-west towards Borneo and is sometimes described as the last frontier of the Philippines. Flying over this dramatic ribbon of jungle, limestone cliffs and translucent lagoons certainly made an impression, but I wasn’t here to linger on the main island. I was tasked with checking out some of the most exclusive luxury resorts in the Philippines, located in the stunning archipelagos surrounding Palawan. It was a journey that was well worth the effort.
Banwa Private Island
The only way I can describe Banwa is utter paradise. It delivers an exclusive private island experience that so many other places in the world are trying to achieve, but usually with some kind of compromise. There are many things I loved about my stay here. Banwa’s six vast and utterly private guest villas speak for themselves, but the resort has also managed to strike that perfect balance between sustainability and pure luxury. The beaches are glorious, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, and there is a complete absence of mosquitoes! If I were to summarise who Banwa Private Island would most appeal to, I’d say it is a place to come and hide away completely, enjoying impeccable levels of service and basking in some of the region’s most magnificent marine life. It also struck me that, as a private buyout with a select group of friends or family, it would be simply magnificent.
Amanpulo
The other private island resort accessible from Palawan that needs to be mentioned is Amanpulo. Set on its own coral island in the Sulu Sea, Amanpulo is very well-established in the Philippines – it first opened its doors in 1993. It looks and feels as fresh as ever though, and it has all the hallmarks you’d expect of a hotel in the Aman group – understated yet uplifting design, an emphasis on peace and privacy, and a world-class wellness offering. In Palawan, it perfectly complements its natural surrounding with private picnics on gleaming white sandbanks, and snorkelling and diving expeditions into turquoise waters that expand as far as the eye can see. The resort’s appeal definitely extends beyond those who simply love the Aman brand. I would say Amanpulo strikes a great balance if you are looking for a private island experience in the Philippines but Banwa is just out of reach.
SIARGAO – Nay Palad Hideaway
My final stop on this visit to the Philippines was Siargao island. Located in the southeast of the Philippines, Siargao is one of the country’s better-known islands when it comes to tourism – in part due to its fame in the surf community. Thankfully development here has been carefully managed though, and there is far more to Siargao than just surf. It was here that I discovered one of my new favourite places in the world – Nay Palad Hideaway. Despite many years of inspecting some of the world’s finest beach resorts, I never expected this delightful little outpost in the Philippines to capture my heart quite as much as it did! It just does everything right, and the warm and caring staff instantly make you feel like part of the family.
My favourite things about Nay Palad Hideaway
- You get a real sense of place here – a feel that you are actually staying in the Philippines. The community of Malinao is right on the doorstep and you can borrow a bike to explore, or one of the lovely resort staff will happily drive you in to spend an evening sampling the local bars. You can also discover Siargao’s natural beauty, kayaking through ancient mangrove forests, or taking a jeepney tour to places like the Magpupungko Rock Pools.
- All-inclusive means just that. At Nay Palad Hideaway you can forget about your wallet (and your shoes) from almost the moment you arrive!
- The food is outstanding. Chef Thorsten’s creations have already earned Nay Palad Hideaway a mention in the Michelin guide, but I also loved the complete flexibility at the resort. With no set menus, Thorsten’s team will simply prepare whatever you feel like eating that day, and you select the venue of your choosing. This could be on the beach, in the privacy of your villa, or up in the treehouse taking in the glorious views.
When it comes to things to do during a stay at Nay Palad Hideaway, again you set the pace. Beautifully calm waters lap the resort’s main beach, ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and you can also go kayaking, paddle boarding, island hopping and fishing. To sample Siargao’s legendary surfing, the resort can arrange lessons for you and visits to the famous barrels of Cloud 9. Back on dry land, the resort offers tennis and padel courts, beach volleyball, bicycles, cookery classes and movie nights under the stars. You can even take advantage of a complimentary daily massage in the spa. I really cannot recommend it highly enough!
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES FOR A LUXURY HOLIDAY?
Overall, the best time to go to the Philippines is between November and May. There are some variations – drier months within the rainy season, for example, and a microclimate that can bless Banwa Private Island with plenty of dry weather when the rest of the Palawan is wet. But in general, if you have no travel restrictions, then the best time to visit the Philippines is between November and May.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL AROUND THE PHILIPPINES IN COMFORT?
Though the key islands of the Philippines are linked by a network of scheduled flights, if your budget can stretch to private charter it is well worth the investment. Some luxury beach resorts in the Philippines offer a charter flight as one of their transfer options. This may be from Manila, or from one of the other regional airports in the Philippines. Whichever destinations you are visiting, we will work with our local team to ensure that all of your transport is arranged in the most efficient, comfortable, and reliable way. Trusting your arrangements to a reputable operator like Red Savannah really pays dividends in the Philippines, where logistics are not always straightforward. Those booking independently can quickly find their plans unravel with just one scheduled flight cancellation. On our luxury vacations to the Philippines you have 24/7 back-up, booking you the best possible transport in the first place but also ensuring any disruption caused by unforeseen events is kept to an absolute minimum. This will leave you free to relax completely and focus on enjoying the wonders of the Philippines!
Considering a luxury holiday to the Philippines?
I would be delighted to share my first-hand recommendations and design you a journey that reflects exactly how you like to travel. Contact me today on +44 (0)1242 787800, or toll free from the US on +1 855 468 5555.
