More than two years in the pandemic felt like a long time. Sometimes, I found myself staring at the window and praying for the pandemic to end soon. Thankfully, we survived each day with God's love and mercy. Looking back, one of the greatest lessons I learned is to value life and time. In a modern and busy world, these are the things we often take for granted. Time flies and it never stops, but many of us, including myself, wish I could turn back the clock.
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| sunset from Bacau Bay Resort |
The pandemic has put us on hold from our routines at work, school, business, and the things we're passionate about like traveling. Now that we're feeling some kind of "normalcy", I still keep reminding myself of the experiences I had during the height of the pandemic. I learned to appreciate even the small things.
With the opening of the tourism industry and easing of travel restrictions, I hope to visit places I haven't been to and come back to some of my favorite destinations like Palawan. So imagine my excitement when I received an invitation to explore the beauty of
Bacau Bay Resort Coron.
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| Aerial view of Coron, Palawan |
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| safety measures when traveling in a pandemic |
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| Jonel Uy of Let's Go Sago and Marjorie Uy of LivingMarjorney |
I arrived at the airport several hours before the flight. Since I did the web check-in already, I just proceeded with the documents check and printed my luggage tag at the self check-in counter at NAIA terminal 3. Airport is getting busy now, with a huge influx of travelers both local and foreign guests, a good indicator that tourism is booming once again. It's best to come early with your documents ready for inspection including an S-pass and vaccination card to avoid the stress and possible delays.
Travel Requirements to Coron
At the moment, Palawan imposes travel restrictions and even though they don't require an RT-PCR test, local and foreign tourists should accomplish an S-Pass. It's an easy way to facilitate your travels to provinces and cities with travel restrictions such as Coron. Applying for an S-Pass is quick and easy, travelers just need to submit the copy of their vaccination card, round-trip plane ticket, hotel reservation and valid ID. Register for S-Pass here. My flight to Coron was set on a Friday, I applied for an S-Pass on Tuesday evening and received the approval the next morning.
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| hotel transfer arranged by Bacau Bay Resort Coron |
From Francisco B. Reyes (Busuanga) airport, Bacau Bay Resort staff happily waiting and waved to welcome us outside the airport. Immediately, they offered us bottled water and cold face towels to freshen up.
Bacau Bay Resort, Our Home in Coron
One of the key highlights of my Coron trip is our accommodation - Bacau Bay Resort Coron. It was primarily upon their invitation that is why I am here. The resort was named after 'Bakawan' which means mangroves surrounding the resort. Located at Sitio Jolo, Poblacion 5, Bacau Bay Resort Coron is about 30-45 minutes by land away from the Busuanga airport.
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| Marjorie and Jonel Uy at Bacau Bay Resort Coron |
First Look
The facade of the resort already commanded a grandiose presence with a country-side feel. Upon entry to the lobby, you are immediately welcomed to the front reception with a cozy lounge featuring beautiful, local furniture. On one side is the main restaurant, Amihan (which means cool northeast wind). Walk further and you'll see the expansive property featuring their cashew-shaped swimming pool at the center, well-manicured plants and tall trees, and the Isla bar.
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| Cashew-shaped swimming pool |
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Cashew-shaped couch at the reception area
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| beautiful pieces and modern furniture |
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| Amihan Restaurant |
The resort has a total of 80 rooms, with a maximum of 3-4 capacity per room. The doors are equipped with electronic access points. Corridors leading to hotel rooms are well-lit and clean. There's WiFi in almost all areas of the resort. My husband, Jonel of Let's Go Sago and I stayed in an air conditioned room located on the third floor of the east wing. It's a de luxe room with two queen beds and just everything I need for a relaxing getaway. I guess, our hotel room is too big for the two of us. A glass sliding door leads to the balcony where you can breathe fresh air, overseeing a landscape of various plants and tall trees.
Our room has cable TV, a table to catch up some work in between but we did not work and just enjoy the vacation; a mini refrigerator, hair blower and a safety deposit box. There's soft bathrobes and rubber slippers as well. I love the handmade bedside lampshade as well as soap dish made from seashell. The room smells great including the towels and beddings. But more importantly, I was smitten when I saw my own espresso machine complete with coffee pods, tea, cream and sugar.
The bathroom was neat and clean. I appreciate the toiletries in eco-friendly ceramic dispensers, eliminating the use of plastic containers. The bathroom features a glass shower enclosure with a raindrop shower head.
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| native lampshade and tissue holder |
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| De luxe room can fit up to 4pax |
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| enjoy your own espresso machine |
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| glass shower enclosure with raindrop shower head |
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| Toilet and bathroom amenities |
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| bathrobe, hotel slippers, hair blower and safety deposit box |
Bacau Bay Resort Amenities:
Bacau Bay Resort is positioning itself not just an ordinary resort but also a wellness destination in Coron. The landscape was designed to protect and preserve old trees like acacia tree right beside the Isla bar. If you really want to be alone, there are hammocks where you can just hang out while reading a book and path walks for leisure walks or jogging. There are garden chairs where you can just relax anytime of the day. I even saw a goose on my way to Serena Pier.
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| massage cabana |
Aside from swimming, there are other activities you can do like playing lawn badminton, table tennis, board games, our childhood game sungka, and of course, kayaking. I wasn't able to use the gym but spent most of the time in the pool. We also tried their in-house spa after a whole day of island tour. Alon Spa offers Swedish, Thai massages as well as their signature head and foot massages.
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| breakfast buffet at Amihan Restaurant |
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| Isla Bar |
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| beautiful garden and huge open space where kids can play |
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| gym and wellness center |
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| the Dive shop |
For group and company events, you may check out their function room and recreational information center.
At the center of the resort is one huge, cashew-shaped swimming pool divided into three - 7-feet, 4-feet and the kid's pool. With several day beds where you can sleep and relax.
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| lounging by the pool |
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what's not to love at Bacau Bay Resort
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| night swimming with Lou, Jacq, and Irene |
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| Bacau Bay at night |
Palawan seafood and more
We dined at Amihan restaurant during our staycation. A good breakfast buffet with fruits, cereals and oats, eggs, champorado or congee. The menu changes everyday. Our first meal at Bacau Bay consisted of brick oven pizzas from Cafe Pugon, Bolognese and aglio olio pastas, crunchy spring rolls, chicken wings, fries and fresh fruit shake. You may opt to dine inside the air conditioned restaurant or outdoor with the view of the swimming pool.
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| tasty Aglio Olio |
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| four-cheese pizza from Pugon Cafe |
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| refreshing Banana Peanut Butter and Green smoothies |
We had a full itinerary starting with a
Luau dinner party at Isla Bar. Guests came in their Hawaiian-inspired costumes. I wore a yellow romper and abaca sleepers from Kultura Filipino. Mr. Gilbert Uy, resort's general manager shared more about the resort and the activities you can do outside the hotel. We were all enjoying the night, singing karaoke. The Isla Bar is definitely a great venue for outdoor parties and events.
You've never been to Palawan if you haven't got a taste of their fresh seafood such as lobster, crab and prawns. On our second night at Bacau Bay, after a whole day of island hopping, we enjoyed a four-course meal consisting of potato soup, mix green salad, surf and turf lobster thermidor, filet mignon with red wine sauce and mashed potato, and a lovely dessert.
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| Dessert trio at Amihan restaurant - lava cake, cheesecake and churros |
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| Lobster Thermidor and Filet Mignon with red wine sauce and mashed potato |
Activities Outside the Resort
Coron is known for island hopping, crystal-clear water and underwater rock formation. Must-see when in Coron are Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Banol Beach, Malcapuya island and Mt. Tapyas among others. Our island hopping started at Bacau Bay's exclusive port called Serena Pier. More about the activities outside the resort in the next post.
Bacau Bay Amenities:
Swimming pool, Recreation Information Center, Dive shop, Alon Spa, Culion Ballroom, Malcapuya Meeting Room, Fitness Center, Kiddie Activity Center and Pavilion
Restaurant and Bars:
Amihan, Cafe Pugon, Isla and Serena Pier Bars
sunset at Bacau Bay Resort Coron with @JonelUy
Bacau Bay Resort Coron
Governor’s Drive,
Sitio Jolo, Poblacion 5
Coron, Palawan, Philippines 5316
Email: info@bacaubaycoron.com
Follow them on IG/FB @BacauBayResortCoron
Our first day at Bacau Bay Resort Coron was already remarkable. We spent the evening at Serena Pier watching the beautiful Bacau Bay sunset. I woke up the next day rushing to the balcony to catch the morning glory of a sunrise. The sound of nature like birds chirping and swaying trees in the wind, are pleasant to ears. Thanks to Bacau Bay Resort Coron for this wonderful experience.
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