Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa
Km. 3 Puerto Princesa North Road, San Manuel, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Rates start at P3,500
At a Glance
Rooms: Bright and colorful, great for the 'gram
Food and drink: A mix of Filipino comfort food and Asian dishes with a twist
Staff: More than accommodating
Why you should stay: It's close enough to tourist spots, but far enough from the busy downtown area.
(SPOT.ph) A city hotel's location along the main road can be either the boon or bane of its existence. It's not like a beachfront resort where you're instantly whisked away to a tropical paradise. It's not like a high-rise hotel on the outskirts of a city where you have a great view of towns nearby. But, sometimes, its convenient location makes it close enough to the many hotspots in a tourist destination. Such is the case for Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, which is found along the Puerto Princesa North Road in Barangay San Manuel in Palawan. It's right beside Robinsons Place Palawan and, interestingly, a few empty lots with trees and patches of green.
"We would like to think of this hotel as a perfect destination if you want to go to Puerto Princesa. It's right smack in the middle of the city. We have perfect amenities here. We have a pool bar, we have a really nice restaurant. For leisure travelers, you can go to Honda Bay very easily. Most of the hotels [here] are in downtown, then you have to traverse the traffic. Medyo busy do'n, madaming tao. Here, it's very quiet. In the morning, you can still hear a lot of birds. You're in the city, but if you look at [one] side, there's the majestic acacia tree," explained Christian Guballa, General Manager of Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, in a roundtable media interview joined by SPOT.ph.
If you're looking for a place to stay in Palawan, here's what you need to know about this Puerto Princesa hotel:
Hue Hotels and Resorts Princesa, owned by Luana Lifestyle & Leisure Hotel, Inc. and managed by Hospitality Innovators, Inc., opened in 2017. You may be familiar with its sister property in the Visayas, Hue Boracay.
The Palawan outpost takes pride in its "glocal" design concept, which—as explained by Guballa—means that its motif is local materials and inspirations that cater to the global market. The lobby, for example, features wood carvings of the endemic balinsasayaw, mangrove-inspired floors, and vibrant colors that take after locally woven banig.
Guests have three accommodation options to choose from: the Deluxe Room (P3,500), Family Room (P7,000), and Suite Room (P5,500). All 122 rooms are decorated with Machuca tiles, whether on the floors or the walls; woven mats that pop with bright colors; and upholstery that complements the hip ambiance of the hotel. Refillable soap dispensers and reusable glass bottles are also found in each room, part of the hotel's efforts for sustainable tourism.
What to Do at Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa
While city hotels are commonly seen only as jumpoff points for packed itineraries, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa also has in-house facilities for when you're all for staying in. You can hang out at the rooftop pool, which is inspired by colorful banderitas; or order a drink (or two) from the pool bar. Right beside it is a small but fully equipped fitness center; and the Aminah Spa, where rates for a body massage start at P500.
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa also partnered with accredited tour agencies, such as CML Travel and Tours, to offer you a whole Puerto Princesa experience. Aside from the usual spots like the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Honda Bay, they also recommend off-the-beaten-path pitstops like the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm and Palawan Brewery.
Also read: 10 Essential Restaurants in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Where to Eat
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa's in-house restaurant, LA-UD, primarily serves Filipino dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. You can't go wrong with Filipino comfort food, such as the Chicken Binakol, which is served in a coconut shell to make the most out of the sweetness of the coconut broth and meat; Adobo Hot Chilli Pork Ribs, which is a fiery twist to your usual local fanfare; and, of course, the good 'ol Crispy Pata.
But if you wish to go out for dinner and try the local food haunts, there's the Badjao Seafront Restaurant, which is nestled in a mangrove forest. To match its location by the bay, the restaurant has a menu with a varied mix of familiar seafood dishes. Another option is Kinabuch Grill and Bar, a go-to place for late-night drinking and dining.
Where to Shop
As part of its advocacy to put Puerto Princesa's hidden gems under the spotlight, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa has a dedicated space for the products of Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation in the lobby. The Foundation not only sells handwoven products but also creates a livelihood for women in the province's rural areas. Guests can check out purses, bags, and clothing in the hotel lobby; or head to the Rurungan Compound in Barangay San Pedro.
How to Get There
AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines have daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa.
Check out our TikTok video of this Puerto Princesa hotel:
@spot.ph A great location, lots of amenities, and a bright and colorful design mades this hotel one for the 'gram. #SpotPH #SpotStays #HueHotelPalawan #PuertoPrincesa ♬ Chill Vibes - Tollan Kim
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa is at Km. 3 Puerto Princesa North Road, San Manuel, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Rates start at P3,500. For more information, visit Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa's website.