UPDATE: Happy to say that I’ve now been to El Nido twice and to Shangri-la Boracay once! Dreams to come true!
I miss the beach so much! I swam in a lake once this entire summer, but I haven’t swam in a proper beach in years. Even vacations in Bali were never about getting in the water. Bali beaches were bad luck for me… strong currents, unclean water and wounding my feet after a few steps in the booby-trapped sand. I am exaggerating of course. My Bali vacations were about amazing food and appreciating the culture. So after 4 years in the biggest archipelago in the world and a year in Berlin, I am missing the gorgeous warm beaches of my homecountry. I’ve drooled over friends’ photos of their paradise island getaways on Instagram and Facebook. I vacation vicariously through them. So let me share with you the luxury beach vacations I’m lusting for. Maybe when I am back in the Philippines, and with some deal-finding luck, I will be able to make my dreams come true!
Shangri-la Hotel Boracay
The launch of this beautiful luxury hotel in the world-famous Boracay island came with great fanfare and rumours of a top-secret Brangelina sighting. A friend invited me to a wedding here but unfortunately we couldn’t go. If you want to skip the crazy Boracay parties and just enjoy the beauty of Boracay in the lap of luxury, this is the hotel to go to. Read about a bloggers personal experience vacationing in Shangri-la Boracay here.
Images via Shangri-la Boracay • Stylish Eve
Bellarocca Island Resort & Spa
I first saw photos of this island when my best friend’s husband surprised her with a trip to this Greek inspired island resort. I’ve always dreamed of a Santorini vacation, but now you can get one that looks like it in the island of Marinduque in the Philippines. It looks amazing. I hope that it has been well maintained by the resort! Read about a bloggers 3 day trip to this island resort here.
Images via Be Witch > 3 Days of Fun, Sun and Sand at Bellarocca • Luxury Life Design > Philippines Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa
El Nido Palawan
Palawan is one of the most unspoilt and luxurious tourist destinations in the Philippines. There are many different resort options. Not only is it a great for romantic vacations but it’s also great for adventurers.
Off the coast of El Nido are majestic karst limestone formations, empty lagoons, marble cliffs, prehistoric caves and waterfalls.
What to do: El Nido is a popular base for divers. Surrounding waters contain more than 50 species of coral, and attract whales, whale sharks, sea cows, manta rays, dolphins and endangered turtles.
Did you know that there are still islands in El Nido that are for sale? Now if only I had a few million dollars, I could buy an island in one of those real estate websites that sells them like this one haha. That’s the ultimate dream of this beach lover, to own an island and build my own dream vacation spot! A girl can dream…
Images via © Dexter Baldon > Shimizu Island, El Nido • the island explorer > Miniloc Island Resort • Conde Nast Traveller > A New Private Island in the South China Sea • © toumhi > Secret Lagoon, Palawan
What do you think of these dream luxury beach vacations? Have you ever been to any of them? Any travel tips and recommendations? I would love to hear from you. Drop me a line below, and don’t forget to share your own luxury beach vacations!
All of these places look like heaven…if only I could afford to stay in those hotels! I traveled in the Philippines for two months last year, and it is probably one of my favorite countries on Earth! Boracay and El Nido are two of the most beautiful places I’ve ever laid eyes on. And I would do pretty much anything to be able to stay in those hotels 😉 I’d never heard of Marinduque though…I’m so sad I missed it!
Hi TheTravellush! Honestly I don’t think I would be able to afford them too. Unless I find a super amazing deal in Groupon or something similar haha. I am so happy to hear that you loved visiting our country. I hope you are able to return one day to visit Marinduque and try other things like these. Thanks for dropping me a comment. I’ll be dropping by your site soon! Kisses!
I absolutely love El Nido. It is my favourite island holidays ever! The resort is managed very well & the natural beauty of the place is just amazing. Palawan is just really gorgeous.
Dear Cheryl, I really hope I can visit it when we get back to the Philippines! I am still drooling over all the photos I see of it. Thanks for stopping by my blog Cheryl!