Instead of staying at the same place for our return trip to Bohol, we opted for something else. One of the reasons was that the previous place we wanted recently reopened to quadruple their old prices, making it way out of our budget. This forced us to look for alternatives, leading us to the doorstep of Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort.
Before we go on, I need to set expectations when it comes to this resort. The look and feel in closer to that of a family-run resort than a huge five-star hotel. If you are looking for a hotel with an abundance of glass and stone and basking in luxury, then this is not the place for you. But if you are looking for something simple, with the most important amenities being ticked off, then Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort may be worth a look.
[Just make sure to give it some time as it tends to grow on you.]
Table of Contents
Location
The resort is located in Bohol’s famous island of Panglao. What makes it popular is that the beach can get very shallow during low tide and the sand can be almost as fine as that of Boracay’s in certain areas.
Due to these two things, it is no wonder that Panglao Island has several resorts lining its coastline. And thanks to this diversity, there will be a resort along the coastline to meet most price points of tourists.
The resort is a scant 30 minutes away from the airport. And while that may sound like a short trip, it isn’t. The absence of traffic means that vehicles get to travel further at a higher speed. So in this case, Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort can be considered quite far.
I suggest that you include being picked-up and dropped-off during in your vacation package. For our trip, it was PhP 600 one way, or PhP 1,200 back and forth using a van for my entire family. While that may sound expensive, hiring a taxi or tricycle will end up costing more due to the distance that has to be covered.
Cottages
All of the cottages are on the ground level and form an L-shape on the property. There are five types to cover various group sizes, as well as cater to different budgets. And since rates start at PhP 1,800 and top out at PhP 2,800, the prices are extremely reasonable.
Cottages
[These are practically the cheapest prices I have ever encountered.]
From the outside, the cottages are made up of local wooden materials, but the inside is more of the contemporary type. Surprisingly, the simple wood-colored exterior is not reflected internally. Instead, each room is painted in lively colors.
Each cottage has its own covered terrace in front of the entrance. Also known as a balcony on their website, it includes a small wooden table and a couple of chairs.
Cottages
Now the answer to the first most asked question is yes, each room has an air conditioner. And it’s cold too. Fortunately, the air conditioning units have timers, so they can be set to cut out in the early mornings so guests don’t need to thaw before hitting the beach.
The answer to the second most asked question is yes, it’s got a flat screen television with multiple cable channels to choose from. You can even attach your USB device to watch your own downloaded programs when the strain of too much relaxation gets to you. You may even attach your console games for an afternoon of air conditioned fun.
[But then why the heck would you want to do that when there’s a beautiful beach out there!?!]
Receiving Area
Receiving Area
All the rooms are divided into two areas. The first part takes up about a third of the space and contains a wall-mounted cabinet that is waist-high. The non-family rooms have a mirror that is attached to the wall above this cabinet. The door for the bathroom will also be found in this area, making it an efficient use of space.
The size of this receiving area makes it ideal to store large sets of luggage. In fact, it is large enough to add a table and a few chairs inside. And if you are more than two, extra beds can be added here.
For the family-oriented rooms, the bathroom door will still be located here, but the space also contain additional permanent beds.
Sleeping Area
The main bedroom is separated from the receiving area by a wooden or stone partition. A ceiling-to-floor cabinet is integrated into the partition to so the walls of the sleeping area are flush.
Single Bed Room
The rooms come with a single queen-sized bed or two single ones. Night tables with electrical sockets can be found in between the two single beds. In the rooms with queen-sized beds, the night tables are on each side of the bed.
The flat screen television is mounted on the wall facing the foot of the bed. Underneath this is a long wooden shelf that stretches from end to end. This shelf is an ideal place for any electronic equipment as it’s location makes it a slightly easier to spot before leaving the room.
Double Bed Room
The bathroom towels are just about as colorful as the rooms and form a very nice contrast to the while bed sheets and pillow covers upon one’s arrival. While the cushions are quite comfortable and don’t make that squeaking sound when you move around at night.
Single Bed
Larger people may find that the space between the queen-sized bed and wall to be a bit snug. However, since this are is just used as a path to get in and out of bed, it will only pose a problem if items are stored on the floor beside the bed.
For our trip, my family chose adjoining Standard Room A and B rooms because they had a door between them. This meant that we didn’t have to step outside to exchange items or to communicate. Privacy wasn’t a problem because the door could be locked from both sides.
Bathroom
Each cottage comes with its own bathroom that is just as colorful as the room. The shower area is separated by a shower curtain and there is enough space between the sink and toilet to prevent elbows from getting bruised. Each bathroom is also equipped with a shower heater and the toilets had one of those flexible hoses.
Bathroom
It must be noted that the water used for showers and drinking is shipped in, so there may be times when the tap will run out between deliveries. This lack of water is mostly felt when the resort is fully occupied.
Fortunately, the times between running out and filling up is short, so guests do not have to wait very long. However, for people who need water immediately, a pail and dipper is supplied with each bathroom. I suggest filling it up as soon as you enter the room to avoid any inconvenient timing.
That being said, it would be helpful to make sure that all faucets are shut properly before leaving the bathroom so as not to waste any water.
Food
When it comes to food, this is where it gets interesting because Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort doesn’t have a restaurant like other resorts.
[This was actually a very good thing…]
First off, let’s tackle the free breakfast. Guests need to inform the front desk about the type of Filipino breakfast at least the night before because the food varies from day to day. During our stay, the choices included Hotdog, Tocino, Tapa, Bangus, and Danggit, It came with a fried egg and a cup of hot coffee or chocolate.
I also need to note that since food is bought fresh from the market every day, there is a possibility that one dish may not be available. It would be best if you provide the front desk with an alternative dish, just in case.
When it comes to lunch and dinner, guests have three options. The first is to have food delivered, the second is to buy it from nearby places, and the third is to request the staff to cook for you.
Delivered
Getting food delivered is no problem because the front desk has a ton of fliers to choose from. They also have a landline for local calls so you don’t have to use your mobile phone to place an order.
Pizza Delivery
Now when it comes to ordering out, I would suggest that you get slightly more than what you need. Serving sizes tend to be smaller in the provinces so a pizza that is rated for 4 people may only accommodate 2 extremely hungry city folk.
On the other hand, soft drinks are not a problem because the sizes are pretty standard all over the country. And speaking about soft drinks, Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort sells them at very reasonable prices so you don’t have to worry about being over-charged for that bottle or two. Another good idea for getting it from them is that it will usually be cold when delivered to the dining table.
Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort does not charge any corkage so that means you can have as much food as you like delivered and never have to worry about being charged some additional fee for it.
Bought
The second option is to buy the food from near by places. One area is the barbecue stand that is just a few meters away. If you set foot on the beach after exiting Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort, it will be to your right.
Barbecue Stand
The people cooking are actually caretakers the house behind. They provide a variety of fish and pork dishes. Conveniently, you can order the food ahead of time and pick it up right before lunch or dinner.
Panglao DBR Grill Sign
We tried out most of what they offered and ended up coming back for more of the Longaniza-on-a-stick and Liempo because they were very tasty. They also serve rice by the cup so you don’t have to go looking for it elsewhere.
Panglao DBR Grill
Another option is to walk further down to Panglao DBR Grill. You’ll know you’re in the right place once you see a row of cabañas. While you can rent a cabaña for your meal, you can save money by just eating at their free dining area. The plastic tables and chairs are found underneath several tents and in the open space close to the grilling area.
If you prefer something a bit more formal, there is a structure between Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort and Panglao DBR Grill that serves more expensive dishes. I’m not sure of the name, but you can’t miss it because it looks like a typical restaurant, complete with ceiling fans and waiters.
Cooked
Bangus Breakfast
The third option is to have food cooked by the staff. And while this may sound like a hassle, it actually was the best choice. Not only was the food we had cooked fresh and hot, the price of buying and cooking was extremely reasonable.
We had Sinigang na Isda, which is basically fish soup, cooked for one evening and it was perfect for the beach. And though the Bohol version was different from one cooked in Manila, it was great nonetheless.
The serving was quite big because we opted to have the staff buy the ingredients. In fact, so much food was left we had it served the next day.
Facilities
There are three picnic huts with tables and benches for guests to use. They are free of charge for all guests so people don’t have to worry about additional costs.
There are also a few lounge chairs that can be placed on the beach for people who want to sunbathe.
Cabaña
[I preferred to sit in one while under the shade myself.]
For people who want to cook their own food, charcoal grills are available for use. I’m not sure if guests need to pay for charcoal, but if they did, I doubt it would cost much.
Guests that want to belt out their favorite Frank Sinatra song can choose to rent a Karaoke machine. I suggest making advance arrangements as the equipment may come from outside. So if you want to sing at night, I suggest making a reservation in the afternoon, at the very latest.
And since this is the Philippines, a half court is available for basketball at the parking area. Hardcore people may bring their basketball shoes, but most guests don’t seem to want the hassle of carrying something bulky and just play with their slippers on.
Staff
If there is one thing that Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort has going for it, it’s their staff. Every single person we met, including the owner David Dumaluan, IV, was very nice, helpful, and accommodating. Everyone will go out of their way to make the stay of guests a pleasant one.
Front Desk
They do not intrude in their guest’s privacy, nor do they come on strong, like what I have experienced in some hotels abroad. But approach them for something and they will do their best to help out, so long as it is a reasonable request.
And when I say reasonable, that means that people who only want blue M&Ms served in a chilled bowl while riding an equally blue banca that is stranded at low tide in the blue waters of Bohol is not one of them. It means help with fixing up the room, bathroom, television, food, tours, or other hotel-related services.
One of the nice things about the staff was that they took care of booking our city tour before as we made arrangements for our rooms. The driver assigned to us, who went by the name of Michael, was very knowledgeable about the different places he showed us. Apart from that, he was very understanding when it came to our tour. It’s no wonder that he is one of the most requested guides from Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort.
Beach
Panglao Island is well-known for it’s wonderful beach. When I first visited Bohol, I will admit to being surprised at how beautiful it was back then. And now that I’m back, I am happy to see that it still is the same.
Sea Life
When it comes to sand, Boracay still comes out on top. However, Panglao Island comes extremely close. The sand, especially the portion in front of Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort, is almost as fine as Boracay’s.
Crab
Walk a few meters to the left and the sand becomes more coarse because of the limestone rocks found there. And where there are rocks, there will be a lot of interesting life. I saw quite a few crabs, sea slugs, and starfish, in tiny pools of water no deeper than my foot.
[Bring your Macro lens as there are quite a few creatures to take pictures of.]
Sea Slug
And while Boracay is well-known for it’s all-night beach parties, Bohol is better known as its quiet counterpart. Their are no wild parties or noise in the evenings so people can take that romantic walk on the beach or retire early to a quiet night of crickets chirping.
[That is until the Tarsiers get ’em!]
Just make sure to put on that sunblock because the sun can really bare down on your skin. Playing in the water, even with a rash guard, can make people forget that the sun is still out there. Go too long without it and you’ll end up with a sunburn.
Final Thoughts
Dubay Panglao Beachfront Resort may not appeal to everyone because it appears to be rather simple at first glance. But give it some time and the place begins to shine.
Sea Urchin
For me, it’s the little things like the helpful staff, their not over-charging guests, the knowledgeable tour guide, the clean bathrooms, and the cold air conditioner that matters more than appearances. And it was these small things that made our stay a very pleasant one because it felt like home.
Oh, and did I mention the price? Yup, it’s one of the cheapest places that is close to the beach on Panglao Island. Sure, there may be cheaper alternatives, but one may end up sacrificing more for rock-bottom prices.
Must Do’s
- Put on sunscreen regularly.
- Bring a Macro lens if you have one.
- Wake up at dawn to see the sunrise.
- Be careful when walking in the sea grass as there may be sea urchins.
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