AMANPULO

Pamalican Island | PHILIPPINES

NEIGHBORHOOd | private island

hotel features:

LUXWT Prime Review

By Chin Moylad @chinmoylad

Amanpulo is set on a private island in the much feted Palawan district of Philippines. Guests are picked up at Manila Airport via the private twin-propeller plane and whisked away to Pamalican Island, which has its own runway.

The star here is the beach, which circumnavigates the 2km x 500m island. High silica content makes the sand sugar white, and soft as flour. 29 of the resort’s 40 casitas, designed after traditional Filipino houses, are set along the southwest beach offering private beach frontage, while towards the center of the island lie treetop casitas, hillside casitas, deluxe hillside casitas and treetop pool casitas, some of which offer expansive views over the lush vegetation. Along the edges of the island also lie privately owned villas with 1, 2 and 4-bedroom options, all with private pools, also available for larger parties.

Being an island paradise, there are plenty of water-related activities. Non-motorized water-sports such as kayaking and hobie cat are provided complimentary via rentals, but it is highly recommended to try out the snorkeling and diving through Amanpulo’s tours, offering a chance to swim with giant sea turtles, black-tip reef sharks and a smorgasbord of fish.

Common areas also include two clubhouses, each with an expansive lap-pool, a library, a boutique, the spa and gym, as well as a kids’ club, and several dining options. The Beach Club offers light tapas and Mediterranean fare; the Lagoon Club offers Western-grill options; the Restaurant offers Southeast Asian flavors courtesy of Philippines, as well as light Western cuisine.

With attentive, thoughtful service served with a smile, the resort is equally as tempting for romantic getaways, friend and group gatherings, as well as families with children.

About the Hotel

Amanpulo (which means “peaceful island”) is set on a secluded, private island. Pamalican is part of the Quiniluban group, which makes up the northern half of the Cuyo Islands and is one of nearly 1,800 islands in Palawan, the largest province in the Philippines. A low-lying coral island, Pamalican is rimmed by seven square kilometres of pristine reef. 

The resort’s 42 casitas (65-square-metre cottages in hillside and beachfront settings) are modelled after the Philippine bahay kubo (native dwelling). Inside, decorative details pay homage to neighboring islands: pebble-washed walls, coconut-shell tables, rustic Palawan rice and knife baskets, a king-size bed with a rattan headboard and sliding-glass doors that reveal outdoor decks with his-and-her divans. Nearly half the space in a casita is given over to a Cebu-marble bathroom, with twin vanities, separate changing areas, a shower and an elegant bathtub. All rooms have satellite TV and Bowers and Wilkins Airplay speakers, DVDs can be supplied upon request.Aman Villas - For guests in need of something even more exclusive, there are 12 private villas on the island. 

SPA

Amanpulo is a place of peace, where relaxation and wellness go hand in hand. The large spa is set on a hillside above the treetops with far-reaching views to the turquoise waters surrounding Pamalican Island. Designed as a tranquil sanctuary, the connected pavilions are made from native wood with seashell-lined ceilings and are interspersed with outdoor relaxation salas.

BEST OF THE BEST

Simply sublime is the view from Amanpulo, set on a serene private island — in fact, the name Amanpulo means “peaceful island.” Lovebirds flock here for the remote feel and the lavish (yet discreet) service, hallmarks of an outstanding romantic retreat. There are 42 casitas (beach, hillside and treetop), each with a spacious wooden deck with lounge chairs, a raised Cebu marble bathtub and an iPod docking station. For the best views, ask for the deluxe hillside casita in full view of the Sulu Sea. Feeling active? The surrounding seas and fish-filled reef are a snorkeler's and diver's dream.

Guest Rooms & Suites

Location