Club Agutaya
Long Beach, Barangay San Isidro, San Vicente, Palawan
Rates start at P7,700/ night (subject to change, best available rate)
At a Glance
Room: Big groups can stay together in their own villa with four rooms perfect for groups of five and up. Guests with disabilities or those who find it difficult to climb stairs should book rooms on the ground floor for accessibility.
Food and drink: The hotel's restaurant, Cafe Lily, serves continental and local food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This makes it perfect for kids and adults alike.
Staff: Excited to welcome you to their part of the island. Helpful and acts fast on your requests.
Why you should stay: This is the resort to be at if you want direct access to San Vicente's famous Long Beach.
(SPOT.ph) You might think you've seen it all in Palawan after visiting El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princessa, but believe us when we tell you that's just scratching the surface. About three hours by land travel away from the provincial capital of Puerto Princessa is the sleepy municipality of San Vicente. Tucked away in the northwestern part of the island, this relatively less touristy town hides many beautiful islands and powdery white-sand beaches—including the country's longest beach strip, Long Beach.
As San Vicente benefits from the growing interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations, we wouldn't be surprised if you have the destination bookmarked. Suppose you're planning a trip to the area and are looking for a place to call your home away from home: check out Club Agutaya. This boutique hotel is located right on San Vicente's most famous beach and is a great resort for rest and relaxation.
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Here's why you should book this San Vicente hotel for your trip:
Club Agutaya is a boutique hotel in Barangay San Isidro, San Vicente. The resort is one of the few establishments with beachfront access to Long Beach. That being said, Club Agutaya is in a relatively remote part of San Vicente and is more apt for travelers looking for a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing vacation.
The 58-room resort has a wide variety of accommodations, including budget-friendly twin rooms for two, queen-bed-clad rooms for couples, and even large luxe villas with ocean views and pool views.
Villas can be rented per room or as an entire space depending on your group's needs and size. There are only four villas with four rooms each in the entire property.
But if you're on a budget, we highly recommend a stay in the property's main building. This area houses the twin, queen, and premiere family rooms. Heads up: there aren't any elevators in this three-story structure. If you have trouble climbing stairs or have special needs, let the reception know upon check-in and request rooms on the ground floor.
The rooms and the resort generally have a very tropical aesthetic. There are lots of plants, trees, and greens all around. Wooden furniture and decor evoke a rustic and homey vibe that is perfect for this setting.
All rooms are air-conditioned and feature a living area with a television and sofas. The private en suite bathroom includes solar-powered heated showers, bathrobes, and toiletries available upon request.
Cell reception can often be sporadic as the resort is in a more remote part of Palawan. But those looking to get some work done or need to stay connected to the internet can rest easy as the property has WiFi available for all rooms.
What to Do
There's no shortage of things to do in San Vicente, and you'll still be busy even if you don't leave Club Agutaya. The resort boasts an in-house spa and massage area, a pool, and poolside bar; and the piece-de-resistance, direct access to Long Beach.
The main draw of staying at Club Agutaya is their unimpeded four-kilometer stretch along Long Beach. This, coupled with the fact that there aren't many people and other resorts in the area, would mean that you might get all 15 kilometers of Long Beach all to yourself.
Club Agutaya has set up some lounge chairs and umbrellas in the area, where you can relax, soak up some rays, and just chill. There are also some tables where you can eat the food and drinks you order from the beach bar.
With such a vast and serene beachfront, guests can most often than not be found in this area of the resort. You can soak and wade in the calm, warm waters, kayak around, or just play in the sand.
There are also packages that are inclusive of dinner under the stars along the shore or even weddings and other big events.
If you aren't a sand fan or have grown tired of the saltwater, you can also soak up some sunshine and chill by the pool. Like the beachfront, there are lounge chairs and a poolside bar for all your relaxation needs.
There are also board games and billiards that can keep you busy if the weather isn't pleasant. Indoor activities such as these and their massage and spa services are also available to entertain guests, whether rain or shine.
Where to Eat
Since Club Agutaya is a little far from other resorts and restaurants on the island, we strongly recommend eating at their hotel restaurant, Café Lily. Choose to dine indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather.
The hotel's dining establishment serves various family-style meals, ranging from island favorites to modern Filipino cuisine and even international eats. The food at Café Lily is really good and comes in filling generous portions. You won't feel bad about having to eat here.
Take advantage of the island life and gorge on the freshest seafood. We strongly recommend ordering whatever the fresh catch of the day is and having that grilled for more island vibes.
Most room packages in Club Agutaya come with free breakfast. Don't miss out on a Palawan favorite, the Lamayo. It's a heavily seasoned and marinated fish dish, often the danggit that pairs well with garlic fried rice, eggs, and coffee for a perfectly energizing morning meal.
Where to Go
Whether you're in the mood for land tours or island hopping, there's no shortage of activities to try in San Vicente. Those looking for crystal clear waters, snorkeling and diving adventures, and close encounters with marine animals can opt for an island hopping excursion. Visit the surrounding islands of Exotic Island, Peña Plata, Palawan Camping, and many more.
Alternatively, you can also arrange in-land tours to various waterfalls and viewpoints on the island. The mountainous terrain allows for lots of areas to sight-see and relish in panoramic views of San Vicente's beaches, countryside, and sunsets. Make sure to visit the San Vicente viewpoint for a great view of Long Beach and Bato ni Ningning for a romantic sunset.
Club Agutaya can arrange these tours for you. Just let the reception or booking agent know of your desired tours.
Once you're done exploring San Vicente, you may also consider going to the neighboring town of Dumaran for a more adventurous trip or to crowd-favorites El Nido and Puerto Princessa. All these destinations are about two to three hours away from San Vicente and Club Agutaya.
Club Agutaya is along Long Beach, Barangay San Isidro, San Vicente, Palawan. Rates start at P7,700/night (subject to change). For more information, visit Club Agutaya's website.
Also read:
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