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Bacau Bay Resort Coron

Kara Santos

Coron, a tropical island in Northern Palawan in the Philippines has been drawing tourists from around the world because of its world-class WWII-era wreck diving, limestone karst landscapes, crystal-clear freshwater lakes, and white sand beaches.

For those looking for an elegant and luxurious place to stay while exploring Northern Palawan’s Coron Island, Bacau Bay Resort offers the newest gateway to nature’s wonders.

Location

Bacau Bay Resort is located in a scenic coastal area next to a mangrove forest just 30 minutes from Busuanga Airport and five minutes from the Coron town proper. The resort offers vacationers a distinct eco-tourism experience all in one property.

Photo courtesy of Bacau Bay Resort

Getting around

Most island-hopping tours involve boat trips from the jetty port in a reclaimed area in the town proper. Since Bacau Bay Resort has its own port, they provide visitors with exclusive access to island-hopping and diving tour activities around Coron.

Daily shuttle services including airport transport services are readily available from the resort. While everything you need can be found within the property, those who want to explore the town proper and the rest of Coron island on their own can ride tricycles to head to town. Several shops along the highway right outside the resort also offer motorbike rentals for those who know how to drive.

Accommodations

Bacau Bay Resort Coron features 64 Deluxe Rooms, 15 Premier Suites, and a Presidential Suite, combining modern luxury with contemporary design. Ranging from 32sqm to 144sqm in size, each room has an added balcony extension where guests can enjoy the beautiful view of Coron’s sunset. We got to see some of the property’s other rooms including the 144-sq m Presidential Suite that comes with 2 bedrooms and a private balcony.

Premier suite. Photo courtesy of Bacau Bay Resort

Our media group was billeted in Deluxe Suites in the East Wing, which provided a lovely view of the garden and mangrove areas from the balcony. Each room had its own LED television set, digital alarm clock with Bluetooth speaker, spacious bathroom with rain shower, complimentary drinking water, espresso machine, safety deposit box, mini bar and balcony.

When I travel on my own, I usually spend most of my time outdoors, but this resort immediately put me in staycation mode. The beds and linens here are so comfortable that I wouldn’t have minded just lounging in the room all day. I appreciated the small touches like welcome treats upon our arrival and dessert treats every night during the turndown service.

I also appreciated some ways the hotel tries to reduce waste and practice sustainable tourism. To minimize the use of single-use toiletries in plastic containers or sachets, shampoo, soap, and body wash in the bathrooms are placed in refillable ceramic containers. Complimentary drinking water in the room was served in pitchers instead of the usual plastic water bottles. They also make use of solar energy to power a few of the lights in the common areas.

Resort Facilities

I like how specific areas like the resort, including the restaurant, spa and jetty port area use distinctly names inspired by Filipino elements like Alon, Sirena and Amihan. Little details and elements capture Filipino hospitality at its best. The signature lemongrass scent used in public areas is very soothing and makes you feel like you’re in a spa all the time.

Aside from the premium rooms and quality service provided by the property, one of the main draws of Bacau Bay Resort is its private pier that provides guests with their own jump on and drop-off point to explore Coron’s natural wonders.

Photo courtesy of Bacau Bay Resort

The long wooden walkway on stilts in the mangrove area offers a picturesque view of Coron harbor set against a backdrop of mountains. Guests can enjoy hanging out at the jetty port’s net hammocks especially at dusk.

The large swimming pool at the center of the resort offers a relaxing place to take a dip. The hotel boasts of numerous lounging areas including hammocks, swing beds and beach chairs set up all around the sprawling gardens.

For those who want to get active, there’s a fitness center and various outdoor activities like kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, frisbee and lawn badminton available for use. The hotel also boasts of its own Dive Shop. For those who prefer to relax indoors, there are several board games and Filipino table games like sungka available.

Bacau Bay Resort also boasts of an in-house spa providing top-notch quality therapeutic services. After a fulfilling day of exploration, guests can relax and get pampered with a massage from Bacau Bay Resort Coron’s Alon Spa, which makes use of organic earth-to-spa elements.

Those traveling for business can also avail of the event facilities and venues including the Culion ballroom and Malcapuya meeting rooms. The data signal in this part of Palawan is known for being weak and spotty, but the resort’s strong WiFi kept us all connected the entire time. For families with kids, there’s a colorful “Palaruan” (activity center) where you can leave young kids.

Things to do in Coron

Coron is best known for its natural wonders, which visitors can easily visit during a day of island-hopping.

From Bacau Bay Resort Coron’s jetty port, guests can visit top destinations including the iconic Kayangan Lake, dubbed the ‘cleanest lake in the Philippines’ and Twin Lagoon, one of Coron Island’s must-see destinations.

The lagoon offers two shallow saltwater bays for great swimming. Visitors can snorkel 10-15 feet deep to see the Skeleton Wreck or spend time in the Coral Gardens where they can marvel at some of the most beautiful natural coral reef systems in the world.

One exclusive spot that Bacau Bay Resort resort guests can enjoy is Paca Island. We enjoyed a delicious lunch here and took a siesta in one of the open-air huts with comfy bean bags overlooking the ocean. Those who want to work out a bit can try stand-up paddle boarding or paddle their way to the nearby Coron Youth Club Beach using kayaks.

For first-timers to Coron, hiking up to the view deck of Mt. Tapyas to watch the sunset or soaking in Maquinit Hot Spring at night are the recommended activities on the mainland.

READ MORE: 10 Things to do in Coron, Palawan

For those who have more time to spare, here’s a longer list of some of the attractions you can find around Coron Island.

Dining

Bacau Bay Resort has in-house dining areas that showcase the best of Filipino and international cuisine, which we got to sample during our three-day stay. Amihan Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet and offers a fine dining experience featuring regional dishes highlighting locally-sourced ingredients like cashew, tropical fruits and freshly caught seafood.

Photo courtesy of Bacau Bay Resort

Some of the highlights of our lunch upon arrival were the appetizer of Baked Kibao, Salt and Pepper Crispy Samaral, Sinigang na Bagnet and Grilled Tanigue with Garlic-Calamansi Butter Sauce.

Pugon Café serves classic Italian favorites like pizza and pasta in an al fresco area with a view of the mangroves and the man-made beach. Dinner on our first night was set up at the Sand Box area and consisted of Saucisson, Blonde Pizza, Salmone, Suprema, Pasta Amatriciana, Pasta Aglio Olio con Kibao, Peri-Peri Chicken with White Alabama Sauce, Pork Shish Kebab and Cajun Garlic Shrimp Skewers.

Our lunch stop during island-hopping was at Paca Island, which included Filipino beach favorites like Ensaladang Lato, Ensaladang Talong, Chicken Inasal, Inihaw na Samaral, Grilled Liempo and Pinaputok na Bangus.

One of the best meals we had was the fine dining dinner served in the patio area of at Amihan which consisted of an appetizer of Sisig Cups and Tanigue Ceviche duet, Kibao Clear Soup/Bouillabaisse, an entree of Pinais na tanigue sa malunggay at Gata, Lechong Tiyan ng Baboy sa Kamias at Tanglad and Mango Surprise dessert.

Our last lunch at Amihan Restaurant before our flight was another standout meal, including Grilled Chicken Samosa with Mango Chutney, Parma-Melon, Roasted Herbed-Pepper Chicken with Au jus Reduction, Bacau Bay Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Surahan with Assorted Sauces and Basque Cheesecake.

The resort also has two in-house bars including the Isla Pool Bar and Serena Pier Bar where guests can experience unique concoctions and cocktails with friends at night.

Who should check in?

Bacau Bay Resort offers a luxurious and elegant resort ideal for leisure travelers, balikbayans, international tourists, families, divers, and honeymooners. With the abundance of activities accompanied by warm service, visitors are assured of comfortable and hassle-free travel experience throughout their stay.

For those looking for a secluded, quiet and pleasant place to enjoy nature away from the busy town proper of Coron, this is a great choice.

Address & contact info

Bacau Bay Resort Coron is located along Governor’s Drive, Sitio Jolo, Poblacion 5, Coron, Palawan, 5316, Philippines

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