Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa

Rooms and decor

Picture a thatched-roof wooden villa hidden among dense green gardens on a hillside, looking down on blue water that stretches to the horizon, with only the sound of waves and rustling leaves for company. That's the first impression Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa gives from the moment you arrive. The resort sits on more than 16 hectares of beachfront land on the quiet east side of Panglao Island, and it's a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. What sets it apart from the usual contemporary resort is a design that deliberately weaves traditional Filipino craftsmanship into modern comfort — thatched roofs, finely carved woodwork, hardwood posts and warm-toned local textiles. Each villa is standalone, scattered across the hillside in the gardens, with a private pool and a quiet veranda that opens onto nothing but trees and sea. Inside, the rooms are warm with wood and natural fabrics, a big soft bed and a sitting corner that invites you to slow down with a book. Anyone who loves a hidden-in-nature feel with plenty of space to themselves should fall for it on the first night.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is the feeling of moving slowly through your own private space. Start the morning with a swim in the pool in front of your villa, then head to the seaside restaurant, which reviews praise for its views and romantic atmosphere — especially candlelit dinners by the beach that suit a couple's special occasion. Another highlight is the Handuraw spa, tucked into a quiet corner of the resort, with relaxing treatments among the sounds of nature. Through the day you can swim at the private beach, paddle a kayak, or sit with a drink and watch the sun move across the sea. And since Bohol is known for its nature, many people use this as a relaxing base and set off on day trips to Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers, or the Loboc River before returning to the quiet privacy of the villa.

Location and getting there

Eskaya sits in the Tawala area on a hillside on Panglao's east side, which is quieter and more natural than the tourist-busy west side. The detail that's hard to find elsewhere is a private beach reserved for hotel guests only — fine white sand, clear water and, crucially, very few people. You can lie in the sun, swim or sit listening to the waves all day without crowding anyone, a world apart from a popular public beach like Alona Beach. Gardens and green forest surround the resort, so it feels like you've slipped into a private corner of the island. Getting out — to the Alona Beach area with its restaurants and dive tours, and to Bohol-Panglao airport — takes about 30 to 45 minutes by car. It suits people who mainly come to soak up the quiet of the resort and head out occasionally, more than those who want to dip in and out of town often.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing to accept is the fairly remote location. Eskaya is on the east side of Panglao, about 30 to 45 minutes by car from the Alona Beach area and the airport, so going out to eat or sightsee means relying on resort transport or a chartered car — not convenient if you want to come and go freely. If the trip is all about easy mobility, this location may not fit. Second, the site is a steep seaside hillside, so getting between the villas, restaurant and beach involves quite a few stairs and slopes. Some reviews say it's tiring and not easy for older travelers or anyone with mobility issues, even with buggies running. If you're traveling with elderly guests, tell the hotel ahead to request a more accessible villa. Last is price and consistency: this is a high-end resort, and recent reviews are mixed, with some flagging upkeep in certain spots and service that isn't the same every time. Read up-to-date reviews before booking, check the villa and service details, and set your expectations around the privacy and atmosphere above all.

Our take

After reading through a lot of real guest reviews, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa is a resort that sells privacy and a hidden-in-nature feel with full conviction — standalone villas with a private pool each, a private beach you barely have to share, and a charming Filipino-flavored design all its own. If the trip in your head is disappearing into a hillside villa above the sea, swimming in your own pool in the morning, walking down to the private beach in the afternoon and closing the day with a seaside dinner beside someone special, this delivers for honeymoons and special-occasion trips. But if you want a location with easy access to town, walkable restaurants and activities, or you're worried about the stairs and slopes of the hillside, this may not be the most comfortable choice. Overall we give it 8.7/10 — best for couples and anyone chasing the highest level of privacy in nature, more than people who prioritize convenient sightseeing.