BOHOL | Best Western Plus: The Ivywall Resort Panglao Blog Review

ARRIVAL

Coming from Anda by ordinary bus, we were dropped at the DAO Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran. From there, we boarded an air-conditioned bus that loops around Panglao Island. Fare was at ₱70.00, and travel time took about an hour. Not bad! And I was actually surprised that there’s now decent and regularly scheduled public transportation that goes around Bohol. Definitely a big improvement over our last visit.

We went down just before the Alona Beach junction, and from there, it was just a couple of minutes’ walk to Best Western Resort Panglao.

Well, it would’ve been an easy two-minute walk if we’re hauling backpacks, but since we have two rolling luggage with us, it took more than a few minutes since the road wasn’t paved. I guess it’s better to call ahead once you’re in the area so the resort staff can help you with your luggage, or you can hail a tricycle to get you through that last 200 meters—just make sure to clarify the fare before boarding as tricycles in Panglao can get quite expensive.

►MANILA TO BOHOL VIA 2GO TRAVEL

WAITING AT THE LOBBY

Another option is to avail of Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao’s shuttle service (₱900.00 per van, good up to nine persons), which can fetch you directly from the airport, or even Tagbilaran, to the resort’s front door. Note that the airport is only ten minutes away by car from the resort.

THE RESORT’S ELEVATOR AREA

Once the staff saw us coming, they hurriedly took over our bags. One of the things we’ve come to love about the resort is how genuinely kind and helpful their staff is.

Check-in was swift and painless, and we were soon heading to our room.

►CHECK FOR THE CHEAPEST FLIGHT TO BOHOL

ROOMS

LOVING THE ROOM DOOR DETAILS

Best Western Plus Panglao is a four-star resort that has 80 well-appointed rooms divided into four types—Superior Rooms overlooking the town, Deluxe Rooms with a view of the sea, Premier Rooms, which have balconies with direct access to the swimming pools, and Family Rooms, which can accommodate up to four adults and one child.

►CHECK DISCOUNTED RATES HERE!

OUR ROOM: SUPERIOR ROOM

BEST WESTERN PLUS PANGLAO’S SUPERIOR ROOM WORK DESK, CLOSET, FRIDGE AREA

We were initially billeted in Ivywall Resort’s Superior Room on the fifth floor. The door opens on a mini foyer, where the mini fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, closet, luggage table, and the entrance to the toilet and bath are located.

TOILET AND BATH

The toilet and bath are amply spaced and equipped with hot water and modern appurtenances—yes, it also has a bidet. We love how the resort is making an effort to be environment-friendly, not only with their refillable body wash, shampoo, and conditioners, but also with their plastic-free toiletries.

PLASTIC-FREE TOILETRIES

The main room is spacious and warmly decorated with wooden floors, soft lamps, and colorful banig motif above the beds. It has two double beds with a shared bedside table, a workstation, a sitting area, and a 43-inch flatscreen smart TV with cable channels and YouTube.

BEST WESTERN PLUS THE IVYWALL PANGLAO’S SUPERIOR ROOM

It doesn’t have a balcony, but it does have an expansive floor-to-ceiling window that looks out over the town of Panglao.

ROOM GREETINGS

We absolutely love how they made a Maayong Pag-abot greeting on the bed, which means a warm welcome in Boholano, made from coconut leaves—very island vibe, indeed. But what got Kid A’s attention though was the starfish plushie. A really nice touch for kids staying on the resort.

OUR ROOM: DELUXE ROOM

BEST WESTERN PLUS THE IVYWALL RESORT PANGLAO’S DELUXE ROOM

We transferred to a Deluxe Room the next day. It’s almost exactly like our previous room, with the exception of having a balcony overlooking the sea. It was fantastic.

DAY TIME VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

The balcony was our go-to place for early morning coffee, afternoon snack (and coffee, again), and late-night beers. Plus, it’s a great place to dry our sea-drenched clothes, lol.

NIGHT TIME VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

FOOD EXPERIENCE

TERAZA VIEW DECK BAR AND LOUNGE

Best Western Panglao has two bars and one in-house restaurant—Teraza View Deck Bar and Lounge, Agos Pool Bar, and Alon Restaurant.

ALON SECOND FLOOR LOUNGE RESTAURANT

AGOS POOL BAR

We can usually be found at Alon Restaurant during the early mornings, partaking in their complimentary breakfast buffet. I love how vibrant the resto’s decors are, but we almost always choose to sit outside—there’s nothing like a hearty Filipino breakfast by the beach.

ALON FIRST FLOOR DINING HALL

I love their selection of Filipino, Asian, and Western fares. A few of the notable dishes we tried were their Korean fried chicken, soy braised beef, chicken tocino, and pork sausage stew, among others.

BREAKFAST BUFFET EGG STATION

Their beef giniling picadillo, by the way, really goes well with a sunny side up egg on a pandesal. Perfect to pair with brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I usually gravitate to their hot choco, which has a really rich flavor that’s almost similar to Baguio’s Café Batirol.

KID A ENJOYING HIS BREAKFAST

Kid A, on the other hand, feasted on eggs, fruits, and waffles. Yes, he gets to pick his breakfast during buffets.

A HEARTY BREAKFAST BY THE BEACH

Alon’s breakfast regulars, like their eggs Benedict, crisply fried bacons, danggit, and dilis, were also really good. We’re also a fan of their dim sums—can you imagine feasting on siomais, braised pork, pinsec frito, crispy wantons, sushi rolls, and chicken feet early in the morning? Lol.

HOTEL FACILITIES

KID A AT THE GAME ROOM

Best Western Plus Panglao has a spa, gym, game room for kids, and an outdoor swimming pool. They also have a business center, ballrooms, and meeting rooms for events.

BEST WESTERN’S GYM ROOM

What we really enjoyed at Best Western Plus Panglao, well, besides the food and our room, was their pool. After our daily morning swim at the beach, we’ll usually finish it with a dip at the kiddie pool. Yes, the kiddie pool.

SWIMMING AT THE INFINITY POOL

While Ivywall’s pool is divided into an adult and kiddie pool, we usually stay at the latter since we need to accompany Kid A, and well, it’s just more fun with its variety of showers, water cannons, and water buckets, lol.

ENJOYING THE IVYWALL PANGLAO’S SWIMMING POOL

I also love how Best Western was able to solve the sun problem by installing a movable sun shade that can be adjusted depending on the time of the day.

PREMIER LOCATION

But what really makes a good resort great is its location. And Best Western Panglao indeed does not disappoint on that aspect. It sits right in front of Alona Beach, with restaurants and bars spread along either side.

AFTERNOONS AT ALONA BEACH

The main road is within walking distance, where you can find more places to eat—from roadside hawkers and cheap eateries to posh cafes and expensive restaurants; heck, there’s even a Jollibee and a McDonald’s right next to each other. The area is so busy you can even find 7-Elevens and full groceries to shop on.

FINAL THOUGHTS

RELAXING STAY AT THE BEST WESTERN PLUS PANGLAO

To say that we enjoyed our stay at Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort Panglao would be an understatement—we enjoyed our stay so much that we forewent the Bohol Countryside Tour, lol. It was five days of nothing but comfort and relaxation.

~ BIG THANKS TO BEST WESTERN PLUS FOR HOSTING OUR STAY. VIEWS & OPINIONS ALL MINE

Best Western Plus – The Ivywall Wall Resort Panglao ►ROOM RATES
Address: Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol
Contact Number: +63 (38) 412-1128 | +63 (917) 832-2248
E-mail: resa@bwplusivywall-panglao.com
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