Sleeping on powdery, white sand, watching schools of fish swimming in clear blue waters, or just lounging around in beach front villas are options offered at the newly opened Hennan Resort Alona.

A short plane ride to Tagbilaran followed by a picturesque 30-minute road trip leads to Panglao Island in Bohol. Just a few years back, the 80.5 square kilometer island was a secret paradise for a select few who wanted a quiet place to escape. The lush terrains are both plains and mountainous. Among the sites not to be missed are the churches, the Chocolate Hills and the adorable tarsiers. It is the diving sites, especially nearby Balicasag that brings divers to this small island. Dive masters from all over the world travel all the way to Panglao to explore its deep seas.

Similarly, the immaculate white shores of Alona Beach (all 1.5 kilometers of it) beckons travellers who seek a unique tropical experience. While it has always been considered the most touristic area on the island, Alona, unlike most beach destinations in the country, has a laidback, Bohemian vibe. Though lined with quaint restaurants and resorts, the strip offers travellers endless hours under the sun uninterrupted by noisy tourists, persistent vendors and loud music from bars. So tranquil are its shores that one can literally fall into a deep slumber while getting a tan.

Finding a Second Home

No two trips are quite the same in this small island. Depending on where “home” will be for the next few days, a trip to Panglao can go from peaceful one day and activity-filled the next. Hennan Resort Alona Beach hosted a group of sun worshippers for a weekend of fun and adventure. The biggest resort to be built on the island, Hennan is a 6.5-hectare property with beachfront villas, a hotel and a 2160-square meter convention center.

The airy and spacious lobby lounge looks out to a view of the poolside. The enticement to take a dip competes with staying in bed till past 10AM, ordering room service at any given time, and lazing throughout the afternoons.

On the first level of the hotel are Hennan’s premier suites that accesses the resort’s pools. “It is a Hennan trademark,” says Karl Chuseuy, Vice President for Marketing of Hennan Group of Resorts. From the terrace, guests can take a dip without having to go through common areas of the hotel. Many guests who are checked in at the premier suites spend a substantial amount of time in their private terraces looking out to the pool, relaxing and enjoying the leisuredly pace of a holiday.
On the upper floors are deluxe rooms, done in coastal-inspired interiors. Cool hues of aqua, yellow, beige and brown give a local yet modern feel to the space. A sitting area, study and private terrace give the feel of home on the island. These are spacious and conducive for lingering in the mornings or at midday to take a break from the scorching heat, or after a full day of touring nearby islands and countrysides.

The villas from the property’s original structure had been refurbished to fit into the overall aesthetic of Hennan Resort Alona Beach. Fronting the beach, these accommodations come with private dipping pools, which are enclosed for full privacy. Interiors boast sleek silhouettes that seamlessly integrate tropical elements—shell patterns on the walls and hand woven details—on furniture.

Take the Plunge 

Throughout the resort, numerous pools appear to be the centerpiece of the resort. Found on three levels of the property leading to the beachfront, each poolside features a sunken bar which serves snacks and beverages throughout the day. During a dinner with Dr. Henry Chusuey, Chairman of the Hennan Group of Resorts, he shared, “We build our resorts with our clients first in our minds. We make it worth their stay whether they are with us for short or long-term.”

The beachfront access is another feature of Hennan Resort. Only a few steps down from the hotel, the area on the strip is central to a point where even tourists billeted in other resorts prefer to lounge by the area. Modern lounge chairs in cool hues of aqua with cream umbrellas provide the spot to unwind and enjoy the sea breeze all day long. Panglao’s clear blue waters are literally a stone’s thrown away. While traipsing in the waters, schools of fish are seen swimming at the bottom. Powdery white sands are like soft beds of clouds to lay on to get a golden tan while taking long afternoon naps.