Spot Stays: This Beachfront Resort Is an Affordable Place to Stay in Panglao

Modala Beach Resort
Tumoy Leisure Village 888 Purok 5, Doljo, Panglao, Bohol
Rates start at P5,999

At a Glance
Rooms: Inviting, comfortable, squeaky clean
Food and drinks: The breakfast buffet at the in-house resto Mangaon Ta is something to look forward to; an extensive menu for à la carte dining, alcoholic beverages, and refreshments
Staff: Warm and helpful
Why you should stay: Stylish beachfront hotel with spacious and über-comfy rooms and a satisfying breakfast buffet.

(SPOT.ph) Bohol is back in the game. Tourists are streaming in again, infusing the island province with much-needed optimism and the locals with much-needed livelihood.

With its wealth of both natural and cultural attractions, Bohol comfortably occupies the upper echelon among Philippine travel destinations. One of its most popular tourist draws is the island of Panglao. It is blessed with some of the province’s most postcard-perfect sights, such as Alona Beach and the smaller islands of Pamilacan and Balicasag, making Panglao an ideal home base. Its proximity to the Bohol-Panglao International Airport is a lovely bonus.

Its increasing popularity among tourists has transformed the once-sleepy town into a burgeoning commercial hub, with restaurants, leisure establishments, and hotels sprouting in every corner. This is good news for you, our dear readers, because it means a wide range of options in food, activities, and accommodations.

Speaking of accommodations, a quick drive around town reveals a spectrum of options from affordable homestays and inns to upscale hotels carrying big-name international brands. With the dizzying number of options, however, comes a bit of a downside—choosing where to stay.

SPOT.ph was in Bohol recently, and we discovered first-hand how Modala Beach Resort is an ideal place to stay during your Bohol getaway. This beachfront hotel is modern yet comfortable, chic yet homey, close to nature yet at the heart of all the action.

What to know about this Panglao resort:

Unlike some of the hotels in the area that boast international brand names, Modala Beach Resort is a family-owned business that aims to provide the locals with a source of livelihood. The resort is also a "green project," with the owners making sure that the property was built without harming the environment.

This Panglao takes pride in its six core values, which guide its operations: empathy, excellence, environmental responsibility, community, and fun. These values are embodied by its gracious staff, world-class rooms and amenities, and sustainable operations.

Modala Beach Resort has 126 “Filipino-themed, island-inspired” rooms with garden or ocean views. The Filipino touch is evident in the room’s furnishings, such as the impressive solihiya cabinet doors and woven laundry baskets made of rattan.

The Tawhay and Lantaw Sunset Rooms are 40-square-meter rooms that accommodate one to two guests. Both room types have a balcony with a garden view and a king- or two queen-sized beds. These rooms are equipped with a 49-inch smart TV, a day bed, a private bathroom, a hot and cold shower, Internet access (wireless and LAN), tea/coffee facilities, and a safety deposit box.

The Hayahay Room is slightly bigger with a more spacious balcony, affording guests a breathtaking ocean view instead of a garden view. These rooms have the same features as the Tawhay and Lantaw Sunset Rooms, except for the addition of a bathtub.

The Lantaw Ocean Room is Modala’s most expensive accommodation type. It has the same dimensions and features as the Hayahay Rooms, but its private balcony has a more sweeping view of the ocean.

What to do at Modala Beach Resort:

Guests will not run out of things to do when booked at Modala Beach Resort. Located right smack in the middle of all the action on the island of Panglao, travelers have world-class destinations right at their fingertips. There’s Alona Beach and its sparkling white sand. Dumalauan Beach, one of Bohol’s cleanest, is also not far away. Located in the nearby municipality of Dauis is the otherworldly Hinagdanan Cave, with its stalactites, stalagmites, and tiny lagoon that beg visitors to take a dip.

Approach the reception desk at Modala Beach Resort, and staff members can help you book a tour of some of Bohol’s most magnificent islands. You may want to swim with the sea turtles in the waters off Pamilacan Island and get to know more about the island community whose way of life is closely intertwined with the sea. The locals were once whale hunters but are now active protectors of the surrounding marine life.

Balicasag Island is another excellent option if you are into water activities. Its famous Pungtud Wall and other vibrant coral formations are home to larger marine species like groupers, barracudas, and reef sharks. Both Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands are also known for dolphin and whale sightings.

If you want to take a break from all the water or island activities, Bohol’s rich history and culture will keep you occupied for days on end. You can go church-hopping (if that’s even a thing!), with the island being home to some of the Philippines’ grandest churches dating from the Spanish colonial period. Must-visit are the imposing Baclayon Church, Dauis Church and its miraculous well, Tagbilaran Cathedral and its stunning ceiling, and historic Loboc Church, gateway to the touristy yet charming Loboc River Cruise.

You need not stray too far away from the hotel because right outside your doorstep is a strip of white-sand beach where you can sunbathe or swim to your heart’s desire and finally get those enviable tan lines. The hotel also has two swimming pools if you don’t want to get sunburnt.

Modala Beach Resort also offers in-house activities. It has jet ski, paddleboard, and snorkeling gear rentals; volleyball and frisbee equipment; and wellness activities such as Zumba, yoga, and water aerobics.

In the mood to shop? Part of the hotel complex is Moadto, a shopping center with over 40 stores that sell local delicacies from lechon to malunggay ice cream, and keepsakes like the usual tarsier merchandise and Bohol souvenir T-shirts. Moadto also houses shops where travelers can rent leisure items such as kayaks, paddleboards, and diving equipment.

Where to eat at this Panglao resort:

The breakfast buffet at Modala Beach Resort’s all-day dining restaurant, Mangaon Ta, is worth looking forward to every day of your stay. Not only because of its extensive options but unlike most hotels, they have a rotation of dishes, meaning some offerings change each day.

There are the brekky staples, of course—crispy bacon, fluffy pancakes, bread, pastries, omelets, and cereals, and local favorites such as danggit and dilis. But most of the mains or ulam are on rotation. On our first morning, for example, we had Filipino dishes such as lumpiang shanghai and chicken adobo, but on our second day, we had pork humba and chopsuey, instead.

Mangaon Ta also has a menu that boasts a wide selection of food and beverages. Its Modala Bam-I (P380), Crispy Pata (P980), Modala Lechon Baka (P850), Lemongrass Seafood (P690), and Ube Tart (P280) are must-orders.

In the mood for drinks by the beach? The restaurant has a decent number of liquors and spirits such as gin, bourbon, whiskey, vodka, tequila, and rum.

Mangaon Ta’s dining hall is sleek, stylish, and has a Mediterranean vibe, making eating inside even more appetizing. We recommend eating al fresco, however, because you get to enjoy your meal with the beauty of the ocean right in front of you.

Modala Beach Resort is in Tumoy Leisure Village 888 Purok 5, Doljo, Panglao, Bohol. Rates start at P5,999. For more information, visit Modala Beach Resort's website.

Also read other places to stay in Bohol:
Enjoy the Quiet Side of Panglao at This Beachfront Resort
Enjoy Farm-to-Table Food, a Beachfront Spa, and more at This Panglao Resort
Wake Up to a Glorious View of the Beach at This Five-Star Resort in Panglao
Get Both Fun and Quiet Time at This Bohol Beach Resort