Escape to Paradise: Ananyana Beach Resort, Bohol Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Ananyana Beach Resort – Bohol's Secret Slice of Heaven (and Hilarious Imperfections)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on Ananyana Beach Resort in Bohol. Forget the perfectly curated Instagram feeds – this is going to be the real deal, warts and all. I’m talking about a journey through paradise, peppered with the kind of moments that make you laugh, sometimes cry (happy tears, mostly!), and definitely crave another escape. This review isn't just about listing amenities; it's about capturing the feeling of being there.
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First Impressions (and the Joy of Arriving):
Getting there? Honestly, it was a breeze. The airport transfer was smooth as silk – a definite plus after a long flight (and trust me, the Philippines flights can be long). Accessibility? They've put some thought into it. The resort isn't perfect, but I saw elevators and ramps in the right places, which is a huge relief to those of us who cherish our knees (or, you know, have actual mobility needs). The front desk [24-hour] was super welcoming, and the check-in/out [express] option is a godsend; who wants to spend precious vacation time fumbling with paperwork when you could be, you know, sunning yourself?
Speaking of which… walking through the exterior corridor, you get instant views and the anticipation of a great stay.
Rooms With a View (and a Few Quirks):
My room? Amazing. I had an air conditioning unit the size of a small car, which was vital given the Bohol heat. Free Wi-Fi? Check! Hooray for streaming the latest episode of [insert your favorite show here]! The Wi-Fi [free] was actually pretty decent in the room, so bonus points there. There was a desk, which was great for pretending I was going to work, a coffee/tea maker to nurse a caffeine kick, a surprisingly comfy sofa, and a mini bar that was way too tempting. The bathrobes were plush, but the slippers were a bit… well, let's just say my feet are still recovering. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those lazy mornings when you absolutely need to sleep in. Though they weren't perfect--a little bit of light did eventually stream through, but who's complaining? Not me.
The bathroom: clean. The additional toilet was nice and all of the toiletries were lovely, the hair dryer actually worked, and hot water ran immediately.
A Deep Dive Into My Favorite Thing: The Food!
Oh. My. Gosh. The food. Let's just say I went home a few pounds heavier, and it was totally worth it.
Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious spread. Asian breakfast options? Check. Western breakfast favorites? Check. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs cooked to order… I went bonkers for the fresh mangoes. The breakfast takeaway service was perfect for grabbing something on the go. The A la carte in restaurant was a joy.
Dining, drinking, and snacking The restaurants had a beautiful view. The Poolside bar was a must! The snack bar was super handy and the coffee shop was a daily staple. I tried a salad in restaurant, a dessert in restaurant and loved it.
The restaurant [Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant]: The staff were very accommodating. The alternative meal arrangement was perfect for an odd-diet family member.
The vibe: It's relaxed, casual, and utterly delicious. The bar pours a mean cocktail (happy hour? Yes, please!). Having bottle of water on the table was an appreciated touch. The buffet in restaurant was filled with delicious, well-prepared food.
More than just a pretty face: Cleanliness, Safety, and a bit of Romance:
Cleanliness and safety: This is where Ananyana shines. The resort seemed genuinely serious about hygiene. I saw daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol, and hand sanitizer everywhere. The rooms sanitized between stays. There were even individually-wrapped food options and sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I felt incredibly safe, which is priceless. Knowing that the resort had CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, first aid kit and a doctor/nurse on call made me feel very confident.
Romance (or at Least, the Potential for It): This place screams romance. The proposal spot is chef's kiss. I was tempted to propose to myself. The couple's room is a definite must-try!
Hotel Features: There is a shrine. The elevator was very useful. The fire extinguisher made me feel safe. The smoke alarms were a great thing, and even though this is a non-smoking rooms, there is a smoking area.
Things to Do (Besides Eat Everything in Sight):
Ways to relax: The spa/sauna! Oh, the bliss. Massage, body scrub, body wrap… I practically floated out of there. There's also a sauna, a steamroom, and a foot bath.
Swimming Pool: Seriously, the swimming pool is stunning. The pool with view is exactly what you need on a hot day. The swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous.
Other things that are very useful: Business facilities, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman and even a gift/souvenir shop.
For the Kids: I didn't have kids with me, but I noticed family/child friendly touches and even a Babysitting service! The Kids meal will greatly come in handy.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Honesty Matters):
- The internet access in public areas was a bit spotty at times. I have seen internet [LAN] but didn't use it and the Internet services were available.
- The gym/fitness center was a little small, but perfectly functional. They need a bigger, better one!
Final Verdict (and the Emotional Rollercoaster):
Look, Ananyana Beach Resort isn't flawless. But it's real. It's beautiful. It's relaxing. It's a place where you can truly escape. The staff are genuinely lovely, the food is divine, and the atmosphere is… well, it's pure paradise. I laughed, I ate, I napped, and I came home refreshed and ready to face the world (and, you know, book my return trip).
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Book it. Right now. You deserve it.
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Ananyana Beach Resort: Where Memories are Made (and Calories are Totally Worth It!)
Hartford's Hidden Gem: The Capitol Hotel's Unexpected Luxury
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-manicured brochure itinerary. This is my attempt to survive (and maybe even enjoy) a trip to Ananyana Beach Resort in Bohol, Philippines. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and probably, a sunburn.
Day 1: Arrival & Impulsive Decisions (aka "Lost Luggage and Low Expectations")
Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up in a cold sweat. Did I remember to pack underwear? YES. Crisis averted. (Maybe I should just move to a nude beach someday)
Morning (9:00 AM): Arrive at the airport. Manila chaos levels: 10/10. Survived.
Morning (11:00 AM): Ferry to Bohol. Ocean views are actually stunning. I'm going to be honest, I'm usually a landlocked person, but this is pretty freaking cool. (Except I have a feeling I'm going to get seasick.)
Afternoon (2:00 PM): Arrive at Ananyana. Oh…my…god. This place is…rustic. In a good way? I think? The lobby is open-air, the floors are sand, and the staff is overwhelmingly friendly. I already love them.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): The luggage. Where is the luggage? Oh, it didn't make it on the ferry. Cue internal panic. I am traveling with a single shirt?
Afternoon (3:30 PM): The room. It's… basic. But the view! Sweet lord, the view! I open the doors and I'm right on the beach. I see the ocean, feel the breeze -- and then the reality of this room starts to set in. It's… a little tired. Maybe the toilet isn't the best flushing toilet I have ever met, but hey, who is using good toilets when they're on holiday?
Afternoon (4:00 PM): Impulse decision #1: Order a mango shake. Best. Decision. Ever. It's like sunshine in a glass. My faith in Ananyana is restored.
Afternoon (5:00 PM): Wandering. So much wander. I meet a dog as I walk on the beach. We stare. I love him. He leaves. I weep.
Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at the resort restaurant. Okay, the food is a little… tame. But the sunset is absolutely jaw-dropping. I'm eating grilled fish with a view no amount of money could buy. This is why I travel. This is why I suffer through cancelled flights.
Evening (7:00 PM): Impulse decision #2: Decide to walk along the beach. Under the stars. It's dark. I'm slightly terrified. I see a crab. It's huge. I run back to my room.
Evening (8:00 PM): Face the reality of limited clothes. Borrow a t-shirt from the front desk and try to sleep. Will the luggage ever arrive?
Day 2: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers & the Agony of Tourist Traps
- Morning (6:00 AM): Wake up. Sun is up. So am I, regrettably. Curse my overly active bladder.
- Morning (7:00 AM): Ordered breakfast. And it takes a little longer than expected. I get used to it fast.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Tour time! The driver is… enthusiastic. (Translation: he won't stop talking. And I'm really not a morning person.)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Chocolate Hills. Wow. They're… chocolatey-looking. From a distance – I might add. The pictures don’t do it justice. The sheer scale of these hills… it's mind-boggling. And the sheer number of tourists climbing and jumping up the hill for selfies is… less impressive. Am I jaded? Probably.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Tarsier sanctuary. Oh. My. God. These little creatures! Their giant eyes! Their tiny hands! Cuteness overload! I'm practically cooing at these tiny, furry balls of adorable. I’m also acutely aware of the mass of tourists around me, and wondering if I can sneak one home in my pocket.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Lunch at a riverside restaurant. More like a tourist trap. The food is… edible. The dancing is… forced. I'm pretty sure I saw a child eating a raw mango and I'm deeply jealous.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Loboc Suspension Bridge. It sways! It's rickety! I'm not sure how safe this thing is, but I'm committed. I cross. I live.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Back at Ananyana. Luggage still MIA. Have accepted my fate as the "one outfit" traveler. Am starting to get used to the sand.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Impulse decision #3: Massage on the beach. Best decision ever. (See a pattern here?) Massages on the beach are the solution to everything. The waves crash gently, the sun warms my skin, the masseuse works out all the knots from the long travel. I feel like a new woman! And ready to face the day.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner. Another mango shake and grilled chicken. This time, it's actually pretty good. I'm starting to surrender to the island rhythm.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Stargazing. The sky is unbelievable. I lie on the beach and just… stare up. So many stars. So much peace. Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to relax.
Day 3: Diving, Disasters & Delicious Disappointments
- Morning (7:00 AM): Attempt to have breakfast because the sun is up.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Diving day! I signed up for a beginner's dive. I. Am. Terrified. I’m not a fan of putting stuff in my face and going into the deepest blue sea.
- Morning (9:00 AM): At the dive shop. The instructor is reassuringly calm. The gear is… heavy. I feel like a deep-sea scuba penguin.
- Morning (9:30 AM): First dive. OMG. I'm underwater. It's… amazing. The coral! The fish! It’s like living in an aquarium. I am actually doing THIS.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Panic sets in. My regulator decides to misbehave. Can't freaking BREATH. I surface in a total flurry. I'm not ready. We go again.
- Morning (11:00 AM): Second dive. It goes… better. Still terrified, but managing to enjoy the view.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): After the dive. Overcame my fear!! It was one of the most terrifying and exhilarating experiences of my life. Highly recommend for thrillseekers.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Back at the resort, I discover I can barely move. My muscles are screaming.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Lunch. Ordered a salad or something light to combat how sore I am.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): The luggage still hasn't shown up. Starting to feel resentful of the world. And this resort. But more the lack of clothing.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Impulse decision #4: More beach. I try to build a sandcastle. It collapses. Symbolic of my feelings on this trip? Maybe.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner. Another mango juice. The waiter recognizes me at this point. We laugh about my lack of clothing.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Trying to find more things to do. Maybe walk, read, or swim.
- Evening (8:00 PM): In bed. Realize luggage will not arrive. Acceptance. This is my life now.
Day 4: Goodbyes (and a renewed appreciation for having clothes)
- Morning (7:00 AM): The luggage! IT HAS ARRIVED! I could weep. I could dance. I could… do laundry.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Actual, proper, clean clothes. Life is good.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Swim.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Lunch.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Pack up.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Say goodbye to
So, 'Escape to Paradise': Is Ananyana REALLY Paradise? After all, the marketing is… well, marketing.
Alright, let's get one thing straight: I'm a cynical travel blogger. I approach "paradise" with the skepticism of a seasoned mango vendor. Ananyana? Close. Very close. Remember that feeling when you finally get those shoes you've been dreaming of? It's kinda like that, but with more turquoise water.
The beach? Gorgeous. White sand, postcard-perfect. I’m not going to lie, the first time I saw it, I actually *gasped*. I felt like a total cliché. But hey, clichés are sometimes accurate, right? The water's clear, the staff keep it spotless. Paradise-adjacent, for sure. Just… don't expect a private island with a personal dolphin servant. Although, wouldn't that be nice?
Speaking of the beach, is the swimming good? Are there jellyfish? Snorkeling? Spill the hot tea, please!
Oh, the swimming! Yes, it's *excellent*. Gentle waves, generally calm currents. Perfect for a lazy float, which, let's face it, is precisely what I was there for. I'm more of a "sun-lounger-and-book" kind of swimmer.
Jellyfish? Thankfully, no. Or, at least, I didn’t see any. I'm paranoid about those little stingy villains. I asked the staff several times. They assured me they were rare. (They probably tell everyone that. I'd do the same.) Snorkeling? Decent! The reef isn’t the Great Barrier Reef, but it’s colourful, with a good variety of fish. Grab a mask and snorkel from the resort. I saw a clownfish, and nearly had a heart attack, I was so excited! I mean, Nemo! Right there!
One word of warning, though: watch out for the little sand bugs. They don't bite, but they tickle. AND they're everywhere at dusk!
Let's talk food. Because, you know, food is LIFE. What's the restaurant situation at Ananyana? Any recommendations?
Okay, food. A crucial component of a successful vacation. The restaurant at Ananyana, oh it was good. Not mind-blowing Michelin-star good, but definitely satisfying. The presentation was always spot on. The portions were generous. The ambiance? Well, imagine sitting on a beach with a breeze caressing your face. Now imagine a fantastic smell. That’s half the battle won right there!
The breakfast buffet was probably the highlight. Fresh fruit (mangoes, pineapples… heaven!), eggs cooked to order, a decent selection of pastries. I may have overindulged a few times… Breakfast of champions, am I right? The dinner menu had great Filipino dishes and some international faves. The *adobo* was *killer*! I ate it three times in one week. Don't judge. Just try it. Also, the staff are super sweet. They remembered my coffee order by day three. That’s service, people!
I will say, the vegetarian options were a little limited. (I am not a vegetarian, but I do appreciate a good veggie option.) So, vegetarians, be prepared to maybe ask the staff if they can whip up something special.
The rooms. Are they as dreamy as the pictures? What kind of rooms are there? Any problems?
The rooms? Generally, yes, they're pretty darn dreamy. They all have a sort of laid-back luxury vibe. Think clean lines, natural wood, and lots of light. I loved the little balconies! I spent a lot of time just sitting out there, staring at the ocean, pretending I was a sophisticated person.
They've got various room types - beachfront villas, garden rooms, etc. I booked a beachfront villa, and the view was worth every penny. Waking up to the sound of the waves? Pure magic, I tell you.
Okay, the *one* minor issue. The internet. It’s… patchy. Let’s just say don’t rely on streaming anything. It *did* force me to unplug and enjoy the scenery. Silver linings, eh? And one more thing: a tiny gecko found its way into my room one night. I'm a huge scaredy cat, so I panicked a bit, but the staff came to the rescue with a gentle capture. They are seriously top notch.
Okay, but what about the *real* Bohol experience? Is it easy to get around? Are there tours? Is it all just the resort?
Right, right. Getting outside of the Ananyana bubble is a MUST. It's not a bad idea to just hunker down by the pool all day, but Bohol has SO much to offer. And yes, it's definitely easy to get around.
The resort can arrange tours. You've got the Chocolate Hills (stunning!), the Tarsier Sanctuary (those little primate cuties!), the Loboc River cruise (yummy food and serenades), and diving or snorkeling trips. I did all of them. The Tarsiers are tiny and adorable, but be prepared for crowds. The Chocolate Hills are amazing, but the weather could be erratic and the road to get there is LONG. The Loboc River cruise? I went on a whim. I didn't really know what to expect. It’s a touristy thing, I figured, but it was just… lovely. The scenery was gorgeous, and the food? Simple, but delicious. The entertainment was… well, let's just say the singing wasn't exactly professional quality, but it had charm. And the whole atmosphere was joyful. I’m getting that feeling just thinking about it.
You can also rent a scooter (if you’re brave) and explore on your own. I wasn’t brave.
Anything else I should know? Hidden gems? Annoying things? The raw, unfiltered truth?
Okay, the unfiltered truth:
- Book in Advance especially during peak season. Seriously. My friend, bless her soul, had to stay 2 blocks from the beach, but it was a 2 hour ride to the resort.
- Bugs: Bring bug spray! Mosquitoes can be a nuisance. You’re on a tropical island, deal with it.
- The Staff: Seriously, the staff are AMAZING. They’re friendly, helpful, and genuinely seem to care about your experience. Tip them!
- Embrace the Slow Pace: Things operate at a slower pace in Bohol. Don’t be in a rush. Relax! Grab a book! Drink a cocktail!
- The WiFi: (Did I mention the WiFi?) Be prepared for some downtime from the internet, and you could actually enjoy yourselves.
- The Noise: You'll hear roosters. They're relentless. Embrace it.
Hidden gem? The sunset! Find a good spot on the beach with a cocktail, and just watch it. It’s soul-soothing. Annoying thing? The occasionalWallet Friendly Stay
