Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort-Panglao

Rooms and decor

Picture a resort that gets to call itself the first international hotel chain on the whole island of Bohol, opening right on Alona Beach, Panglao's most famous stretch of sand — that's the first impression of Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort-Panglao, which opened in 2019 and became one of the most-talked-about mid-scale options. What sets it apart from the usual tropical resort is a look that's modern, bright and clean. Walk in and the feeling is open and current: light-toned common areas set against the deep blue of the outdoor pool and shady greenery. All 80 rooms come with a private balcony, many opening onto the pool or a sea view, with bright modern decor that favors cleanliness and comfort over loud luxury — soft beds, fresh-looking bathrooms. The thing reviewers agree on most is the cleanliness and the sharp modern design, plus the jacuzzi by the pool. If you like a beachfront resort that feels bright, good-looking and alive, this one should land from the first step.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is the easy time you spend by the pool and the beach. The resort has an outdoor pool to swim in and lounge beside, plus a jacuzzi to soak away the day, while nearby Alona Beach gives you room to walk, wade and sit with the view. For food there's an on-site restaurant serving Filipino dishes, seafood and international plates, with free breakfast included in the room — plenty of people say it's an easy way to start the day, and if you want a change you can walk straight out to the beachfront spots around Alona. The highlight that sets this place apart is live music on the beach every night, which keeps the evenings lively over a drink and the sea breeze. Want to unwind further? There's an on-site spa with relaxing massage treatments, or a fitness center to work out. For the active set, being close to the tour-boat launch makes it easy to book snorkeling and diving, water activities, and island tours around Bohol.

Location and getting there

The heart of Ivywall's location is sitting right on Alona Beach, in the middle of the liveliest part of Panglao. The upside is you get both the beachfront resort and the convenience of everything being a few steps away — a few minutes out and you're on white sand and Bohol's sea, while the nearby Alona strip is lined with beachfront restaurants, bars, massage shops, convenience stores and souvenir shops. The real charm here is the launch point: Alona has the most tour boats around, so it's an easy walk from the resort to a boat out to dive Balicasag, known for its coral walls, fish schools and sea turtles, or a dolphin-and-nature trip around Pamilacan. Want to see the island itself? Drive out to the oddly shaped Chocolate Hills, cruise the Loboc River, and stop to see the tiny wide-eyed tarsiers the next day. From Bohol-Panglao Airport (TAG) the resort is just about 15-20 minutes by car.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, understand the size: Ivywall is a compact resort of just 80 rooms, so the pool and common areas aren't as large as a 5-star place, and in high season and on holidays the pool and breakfast room get fairly crowded — some reviews say you need to grab a poolside chair early. Second is the atmosphere: it's in the middle of busy Alona, plus live beach music every night, so the mood is more energetic than quiet and private. If you're after a hidden, deeply quiet resort or you're a light sleeper, you may notice some evening noise; a room set further back from the beachfront helps. Last is beach privacy: Alona is a public beach, so at times tourists and vendors pass by — it's not the sprawling private beach of a big resort. Some reviews note service in spots still has room to improve, so pick the room type that fits and check recent reviews before booking.

Our take

After reading through plenty of real reviews, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort-Panglao fully earns its pitch: Bohol's first international hotel chain, a modern, bright, clean design, a beachfront spot on Alona that couples rate 9.1, and solid mid-scale value with breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking all thrown in. If your trip in your head is a modern room with a private balcony onto the pool or sea, days split between the pool and a few steps to Alona Beach, evenings with live beach music and a drink in the sea breeze, then a morning boat out to dive Balicasag — this is a well-rounded, good-value pick, especially for couples and families who want to be on the beach in a lively setting without paying 5-star prices. But if you're after a quiet, private resort cut off from the bustle, with a wide private beach or big-resort grandeur, the compact size and central setting here may not be the best fit. Overall we give it 8.6/10 — best for couples, families and mid-scale travelers who want to be right on Alona Beach in a good-looking, good-value international chain where everything is a few steps away.