Panglao Chocolate Hills Resort

We weren't sure about this place at first, but by our second day we'd decided to extend our stay. It's a group of pretty little apartments around a huge pool, and the hospitality was better than anywhere we've experienced. The Chef made meals better than ones I've had in Italy. Beautiful beaches are close by, or you can take a tuktuk to Alona for almost nothing.

We brought our children and found it ideally placed for beach trips, shopping, and the usual sightseeing around Bohol. The rooms were very clean, the staff couldn't have been more cooperative, and the food was good with very reasonable prices. It's a great choice for a stay of several days. Highly recommended.

The place itself is beautiful, and the staff couldn't have done more for us. But the old Italian owner was one of the rudest men I've met. After his staff seated my partner and me and handed us menus, we sat down to eat and he told us, “This isn't just a restaurant for you whenever you want. We Italians eat at proper times. You must leave.” We were starving after a full day of activities, and the place is quite remote, so I was really offended. There was also a large cage of cats kept in cramped conditions right next to the kitchen. We both found that very strange.

After about 9:30, there's nothing open or lit: no bar, no restaurant, no lights, nothing. The property is gated, so you have to ring the bell when you arrive and wait a couple of minutes. It's definitely not suited to young people looking to party.