Spot Stays: Get Both Fun and Quiet Time at This Bohol Beach Resort
BE Grand Bohol
Be Grand Drive, Barangay Danao, Panglao Island, Bohol
Rates start at P6,500 for rooms and P18,000 for villas
At a Glance
Rooms and Villas: 208 guest rooms including suites and 19 villas
Food and Drink: Two restaurants and one Instagrammable rooftop bar
Staff: Be greeted with a smile but be prepared to ask twice for things sometimes
Why you should stay: It’s a secluded beach stay with an inflatable playground and large swimming pools
(SPOT.ph) It’s been a hot December anyway, so why not make the most out of it by jetting off to Bohol? That’s exactly what we did just before the holiday starts getting hectic again. Looking at you, relatives. For the ultimate getaway, check out this secluded beach resort, located some ways away from the main scene—think station zero if this were Boracay—to fully unwind.
Whether you’re arriving through Bohol–Panglao International Airport or, in our case, Tagbilaran Seaport, BE Grand has van transfers available for booking. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a “trike cab” on your own.
The resort is tucked away from the busier parts of the beach. In fact, you’d have to take the free shuttle or get your own trike to get to Alona Beach as it’s a good two to three kilometers away from the lobby. From the lobby to the gate itself is quite a walk—having its own street name should already be a sign—so we don’t really recommend it unless you’re hell bent on hitting a step goal.
BE Grand has 208 rooms (start at P6,500) including suites and 19 villas (start at P18,000). The Dream Villas are perfect for couples and honeymooners, while the Grand Villas are better suited for families or groups of friends. Villa guests also enjoy their own “lagoon pool.” As it was peak season during our stay, most of these were fully occupied, so we found ourselves in a Deluxe Aqua (P7,300), which means we got a view of the pool. This room type has a balcony, a shower as well as a bathtub, day beds, and either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds. (In case you’re wondering, there is a bidet, yes.)
Also read: Spot Stays: Wake Up to a Glorious View of the Beach at This Five-Star Resort in Panglao
Where to eat
Upon arrival, we felt like VIPs as they had prepared a spread of Filipino snacks and sweets and wrote a welcome note in twigs on the bed. The spacious room was already cold and welcoming, and the wooden sliding doors in lieu of curtains are there for that dramatic reveal of the view. After sampling the treats, we were on our way to explore the premises.
The hotel toured us on a golf cart around the property. This showed off the number of conference rooms and function halls they had on site, but we didn’t get to explore them individually. Instead, we headed over to Monkey Bar, which contrary to its name isn’t just a bar, but a restaurant as well. The hotel’s actual bar, which opens at 5 p.m. daily, is called Lune. You get the best sea views as it's a rooftop bar, and if it's already dark out, expect to see the place light up. There’s even a glowing sofa.
Most of the meals, including the breakfast buffet, happens at The Food Hall. The breakfast spread had an ample selection of Filipino and Western dishes as well as East Asian faves, catering to the large chunk of Korean guests they had during our stay.
What to do
Those with small children will be delighted to see the number of interactive options in the kiddie pool. There’s a see-saw, a bucket fountain, and a sprayer arch.
Those who prefer to go natural, or escape the crowd, can head down to the beach. And by that, we mean literally take a few steps down. Unlike Alona Beach where you'll find the shore, the beach at BE Grand can be a bit rocky so as a workaround, they’ve put stairs in place. As if that isn’t enough, you can take a floating walkway all the way to the end where you can find a “beach pool.” It’s always deep enough there even when it’s low tide. Opposite it is a floating playground for kids and kids at heart. Paddle boards and kayaks are also free for check-in guests to use, just let the beach staff know. They’re always there to watch out for your safety.
Those who want to stay dry can just hit up the Game Room instead. (The gym is also there, but hey, we're here to relax) Aside from the usual board games, there you will find billiards tables and table tennis tables. There’s even a Karaoke Room! But you have to come at the right time because it’s first come, first serve and once you’re inside, it’s open time. They don’t ask you to leave unless it’s closing time, of course.
The best part about staying in a resort that’s hidden away from the main scene is the R&R. You can spend an entire weekend here without ever getting bored. BE Grand is the type of place with a whole lot of options; whether it’s just lazing by the pool or doing something more high octane like trying to balance on the giant floaties like an obstacle course, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
