Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Palawan: A paradise within a paradise

Of all the dozen destinations that offer an experience of paradise, Palawan truly stands out. That Palawan is paradisiacal is an understatement. Having seen and divulged what I’ve seen in this part of the Philippines is already enjoying a little piece of heaven on earth. For many a tourist who had marveled at the country’s last frontier, a lot of firsts had been experienced in this nirvana of an island.

Welcome to Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

If you are someone who takes delight in the splendor of the sea and the outdoors, you are in for an amazing treat when you find yourself at the Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Sabang, Puerto Princesa City. (Situated a good two hours drive from the Puerto Princesa airport, Sabang is the place to be when one wants to experience nature in all its magnificence. It is the entry point to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a finalist for the “New 7 Wonders of Nature.”) From Sheridan, it takes only a 20-minute boat ride to the reputed longest navigational underground river in the world.

Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa is two hours away from the Puerto Princesa Airport. It is 5 minutes away from the jump off point to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.

Sheridan's signature 340-ft.-long swimming pool.

The view from the balcony of our room.

Nestled in between the lush mountain ranges of Palawan and the sparkling West Philippine Sea, Sheridan boasts of 94 elegant rooms and suites that feature Asian-inspired contemporary interiors with a touch of local culture. The resort’s first-class accommodations spell unparalleled comfort and luxury. Triple-A room amenities include LCD cable TV with built-in DVD player, mini bar, WiFi access, individually-controlled air-conditioning and full bath amenities. The rooms offer a veranda, the views varying from a view of the sea, the surrounding mountains or the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Pathway to the rooms.

Room with a balcony.
Photo courtesy of the resort

Room by the poolside.
Photo courtesy of the resort

The balcony.
Photo courtesy of the resort

Our room during our stay. 

Clean and clear T&B area.

Sheridan also offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience through its several F&B outlets. The stunning view of the inviting waters and sunset over the same horizon complement the gourmet cuisine at the South Sea Restaurant. It serves delicious grills, seafood and other healthy options. Located within the South Sea is the Blue Bar that serves cocktails prepared by the hotel’s dedicated bartenders. When doing some laps or just lounging by the pool area, the sunken bar Sip n’ Dip Poolbar is your perfect option. You can relax by the picturesque Sheridan’s signature 340-ft.-long swimming pool while you enjoy your personalized concoctions.

Blue Bar.

Here's to good times!

Your view while you sip cocktails. 

'Action Station' at the South Sea Restaurant. 

...And the action begins!

Hearty meals at the South Sea Restaurant. 

Sip n' Dip Poolbar, the resort's sunken bar.

Since it is away from the pressures of work and the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, weary travelers should find their way to the Sheridan Nature Spa. The caring hands and intuitive touch of the spa therapists could perform delicate pampering guaranteed to soothe your senses and do wonders for your entire being. Sheridan is also proud of its business and events facilities that are perfect for your banquet needs. Its convention center can seat up to 500 persons and offers state-of-the-art equipment.

The resort offers a view of the mountain...

...and the sea!

Serenity.

Sheridan is undoubtedly a paradise within a paradise that is Palawan. Aside from the Subterranean River, guests at this world-class resort can also enjoy a myriad of activities. One can take on a hiking adventure through the Monkey Trail or hop on a paddleboat to tour the Mangrove Forest (you may opt for an exhilarating ATV ride on the way there). Guests can also visit the tiny virgin islands nearby to snorkel and dive. But you don’t have to go too far as you can bask in the long stretch of fine cream sand and pristine waters at the Sheridan beach while listening to the sound of eternal tranquility.

Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa inspires life filled with comfort and convenience as our facilities and services are expressed through a fine balance between simplicity and luxury,” proudly claims corporate GM Edgardo Tongco.

The lobby.

Gym time. 

Interesting design at the resort's welcome area.

Here at Sheridan, excitement becomes the ultimate experience.

Managing director Jacqueline Tan reveals some future plans for the resort. An organic farm is in the works, as they would like to market Sheridan as a “green” hotel, what with all its conservation and preservation efforts.

Offering so much to do and see, Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa invites everyone to indulge endlessly where nature is at its best and where excitement becomes the ultimate experience.

(For more information, call 376-6968 or 0917-6318937.)

(Published Nov. 1, 2011, The Philippine Star)

Club Noah Isabelle: A first in the last frontier

This article was published on October 13, 2005. Club Noah Isabelle was my very first travel assignment for The Philippine Star. It is located in Taytay in Palawan, the Philippines' last frontier. It was my first time in Palawan and my first time to board a plane in a very long time. This was a truly memorable trip because I was in total awe of the natural beauty of the resort and its surrounding islands. Talk about paradise.

Update: Club Noah Isabelle is now called El Nido Resort Apulit Island.

A first in the last frontier

Ooops. I'm no Lindsay Lohan who made her confessions on the big screen as the teen drama queen (although I sometimes tend to be). Forgive me for I have sinned (in indulging too much in this leisure). This is my first time in Palawan, the Philippines' "last frontier." My destination: Club Noah Isabelle.

It took us four transfers to get to the island resort — a 90-minute Asian Spirit flight to the Cesar Lim Rodriguez Airport (which is one unique airport where you get a view of the mountains), a short jeepney ride to bring us to the Tamisan River, a jetty ride along the Tamisan River (formerly Rio Verde) and the ferry boat ride (the 45-minute jungle river cruise where we saw virgin mangroves and were amazed with the many islands and pristine beaches along Taytay Bay).

It was almost a four-hour journey getting there. Nevertheless, it was an adventure in itself.

The resort offers many an activity — from snorkeling to diving, from island hopping to cave exploration, from kayaking to pedal boating, from fishing to wind surfing. So, it wouldn't come as a surprise that Club Noah Isabelle has been one of the top picks of couples and families who look for the best place to relax and unwind from stress, get away for a romantic weekend or experience the adventures that they've always dreamed of.

Club Noah Isabelle is a paradise in Palawan.
Photo courtesy of www.skyscrapercity.com

In this paradise, guests get a feel of going back to the essentials, which the fast-paced modern life has left behind — beauty, adventure, sustenance, harmony and romance. Staying at this paradisiacal resort is like enjoying the luxury of leisure while getting close to nature. The resort strictly implements an environment-friendly policy — true to its claim as an eco-tourism spot. The one-mile radius that the resort keeps and safeguards is teeming with dazzling denizens of the deep. We even got to swim with these underwater creatures when we had our water activities.

"We (people) claim we're the smartest, but we don't realize how much we harm nature," said Ito Tuason, the resort's public relations and planning officer.

The accommodation was simply fantabulous. Guests wouldn't miss their homes in the city once they step into one of the 30 cabañas situated over the water and connected to land by a short walkway. The veranda overlooking the Taytay Bay is an additional treat.

Accommodations in Club Noah Isabelle.

Guests who come in large numbers need not worry as family cabañas are also available. These are duplex-style split levels you need for excited children climbing up and down the stairs or for the whole barkada. There is also a stair that leads directly to the sea so you can go snorkeling whenever you feel the desire to.

In Club Noah, you never run out of activities to enjoy and delight yourself with. I tried snorkeling and scuba diving although I must admit I'm not good at these water activities. Still, the 15-ft.-depth thrilled and satisfied a diving neophyte like me. Fishing is also one relaxing activity.

I was also delighted to explore the stories of the caves. Rock formations are everywhere in the St. Joseph's Cave. The best of it is situated in front of the cave — a boulder in the form of a bearded man with a cane, which locals believe as St. Joseph. The Pabellon Cave offers an ice-cold swim in its 20-ft. "indoor pool."

St. Joseph's Cave.

Island hopping is also an option. We visited Isla Blanca (or Isla Walang Tao) and spent the rest of our snorkeling graduation there. The white sand and the clear waters were a picturesque sight to behold.

The fun never stops even when the sun already bids goodbye. To ensure that our stay will be well-remembered, the staff exerted a little more effort to surprise us with candle-lit cocktails at the open-air North Cave. It was truly a romantic experience ("This cave has already witnessed a lot of proposals," said Tuason.) when you look up and see the stars and moon above.

I climbed the 109 steps (or more) to get to the Rock Bar. At the top, you'll get to see the island on a better view and recall constellations as you gaze at the stars.

A delectable feast awaits every guest at the island resort. For shrimp addicts like me, Club Noah Isabelle gave me a delightful treat. I also enjoyed crabs and the appetizing squids. The resort also took advantage of the fresh fruits islands are known for. It took me a trip to Palawan to love the fresh watermelon shake. I must say that sumptuous food were served every meal of the day that I found it hard to decide on which one to try first.

And these food treats can be as exciting as the water activities because they can be served in different spots and many restaurants in the resort — by the beach, at the main dining area or even inside the caves!

It was a unanimous comment from the group that the resort staffers were multi-talented. Their smiles were so welcoming and to some extent contagious. I felt close to the people who were then strangers to me. We were even teary-eyed when they rendered us a song while we boarded the boat which would take us back to the airport.

Guests will surely feel so attached to the warmth and sincerity that is so Palaweño. And one more thing, no tipping policy is implemented at Club Noah Isabelle. Anyway, no need to when you deal with the sincerest people on earth.

I have always been afraid to leave home especially if I am alone. On our way back to the airport, I realized that I actually did not leave home. My stay at Club Noah Isabelle on Apulit Island, Northeastern Palawan was actually like home — the place, the people and the cuisine. Needless to say, I really enjoyed and had so much fun. As the island gradually disappeared from my sight, I felt so thankful to have spent a first in Club Noah Isabelle and hoped to be back there again.