The “Amorita Resort”:https://www.amoritaresort.com/ is located on the small Philippine island of Panglao, which is linked by bridge to its larger neighbour, Bohol island. We spent 4 nights there to visit Bohol’s main attractions and celebrate my partner’s birthday.
This is a large hotel with extensive grounds and our room (117) was in a two-storied block on the ground floor. There was no view at the front as we looked onto bushes, and although there was a drying rack on the terrace, there was only one chair and we missed having somewhere for both of us to sit out.
The bedroom was large, modern and well equipped with comfortable bed, bedside tables and lamps, TV, safe, towelling robes designed for slim Filipinos, hairdryer and plug point near a mirror, fridge with complimentary drinks (water, sprite and home-made soft drinks), desk, comfortable chair and tea/ coffee making facilities. There were also four chocolates in the fridge and a jar of delicious home-made cookies which I hoped would be replenished, but sadly they weren’t. There was also a nightly turndown service.
There was no bathroom as such: the open plan design had a long unit with basin, perfect for our toiletries, and then separate, enclosed shower and loo. Complimentary toiletries were available in refillable earthenware jars, and towels were only replaced when left on the floor (we always hang as directed only to find they’re still changed). Perversely, they advised us to keep one key card in the power switch and the lights in unoccupied rooms nearby appeared to be left on all night.
The public beach is accessed by a flight of 15 steps down, where the hotel has six sun beds. Although the sea was warm, it was stony underfoot and the roped off bathing area, was disappointingly very shallow. Together with a warning of sea urchins, we played it safe and stuck by one of the two infinity pools, where we were constantly supplied with chilled water, mango ice lollies in the morning and fruit kebabs in the afternoon.
Happy hour, 2 for 1, at the outdoor bar was from 5pm to 7pm and we enjoyed nightly sundowners. The restaurant was open at the front and had a casual feel to it with simple, marble-topped tables and excellent service. On our first night, a Saturday, there was a special grill buffet 965 Peso/£16, although we stuck to the a la carte and enjoyed Thai beef salad and tuna steak. The live music was too loud for us and was then followed by the usual banal, easy listening songs.
We also ate in the air-conditioned Tomar Tapas x Bar and Restaurant where after complimentary pan y tomate and a welcome drink of Cerveza Negra San Miguel, we plumped for tried and tested favourites: patatas bravas, chorizo in red wine, croquettas and pork skewers – all were excellent, and we returned.
Breakfast buffets were a splendid affair with juices, fruits, cereals, the usual hot Western and Filipino breakfast dishes and slightly more unconventional things, like quiche and salad.
The hotel and facilities have a heavy reliance on good weather, the main restaurant is open to the elements, as is the bar: thankfully we had a sunny stay.
Roy’s birthday was celebrated with the delivery of a small chocolate cake before dinner. On return, we found ‘Happy Birthday Sir’ written on the bed in petals. Bearing in mind we’d had strict instructions not to stain the sheets with temporary henna tattoos (as if), we removed the petals very carefully.
