10. MARIBAGO BLUEWATER BEACH RESORT (Mactan Island, Cebu)

10. MARIBAGO BLUEWATER BEACH RESORT (Mactan Island, Cebu)

The most logical thing to do, of course, is to lie down on  one of them beach-front lounging chairs, get a tan, order some drinks, swim a bit, build a sand castle, read a book, and generally just waste the day away. That’s what beach-bumming families do.  You can do that, of course, but the more go-getter of families need not worry about running out of things to do at Maribago.

Maribago offers all sorts of water contraptions that would get you speeding and skimming over the ocean from waverunners and jetskis to aquabikes and banana boats. If you want to go into the deep, they’ve got snorkeling and diving excursions as well. If you want to be romantic, arrange for a tour of outlying islands and have picnic at an isolated cove. If you’re all stressed out, check in at the Amuma Spa and experience the relaxing and healing powers of massage. Don’t worry as babysitting services are available.

But you won’t be having problems with the kids anyway. Kids love the water and, apart form the beach the resort also has two lagoon-shaped swimming pools  and the Marine Wildlife Lagoon, where they can feed black tip reef sharks at 4 p.m. At night, take the whole family to the Sunset Cove Live Seafood Restaurant, dine on the freshest catch, and reminisce about the day’s many adventures.

More on my next blog....

9. MERGRANDE OCEAN RESORT (Bago Aplaya, Talomo District, Davao)

9. MERGRANDE OCEAN RESORT (Bago Aplaya, Talomo District, Davao)

If you’re looking for a resort that can cater to a lot of summer activities in one place, check out Mergrande Ocean Resort in Davao. Explore the 8.8 hectare beachfront property starting with an early morning swim in the warm ocean waters, or making sand castles with your kids using the fine black volcanic sand on the shore. 

Kids and tweens will surely enjoy the pool with its four big slides, the fairy tale-themed playground, and the basketball and tennis courts. Teens and older kids, meanwhile, can go play billiards and darts. Mom and dad can bond while teeing off at the 18-hole mini-golf course, or go fishing at the “Catch me if you can” fishing village. For lunch, head on to their in-house restaurant by the seaside and enjoy home-cooked Filipino dishes.

8. FORT ILOCANDIA RESORT HOTEL (Barangay 37, Calayab, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte)

8.  FORT ILOCANDIA RESORT HOTEL (Barangay 37, Calayab, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte)

Why does Fort Ilocandia considered as “the” family-friendly vacation spot? It’s simple! There’s plenty of time to spend with the family! Just the whole day’s drive alone provides you with lots of opportunities to give the kids lessons on history, marriage, and family. For a super busy mom, it was the perfect captive audience!

At the hotel, everything is big: the rooms are huge, the meal servings can feed a whole family, and the swimming pool is Olympic-sized. The beach sand dunes stretch endlessly and make for the perfect family playground. The only thing small here is their mini zoo, and that still has an extensive bird collection. For big families, Fort Ilocandia is the best, because there’s plenty of room for everyone.

7. CLUB PARADISE RESORT (Dimakya Island, Coron, Northern Palawan)

7.  CLUB PARADISE RESORT (Dimakya Island, Coron, Northern Palawan)

Animals never fail to delight children, and there’s no better place in the country to do that than in Club Paradise Resort. The exotic fauna of the ecologically-rich northern part of Palawan is one of the resort’s top draws. Emerald doves or pink-necked green pigeons occasionally dart around the cottages. At night, guests can espy a Pied Fantail or an Asian Glossy Starling from their windows. A trail along the hill that forms the backbone of the island, perfect for a short hike to its highest point, affords a panoramic view of the 19-hectare Dimakya, the sea, and the outlying islets.

The resort staff collects the eggs of the rare Hawksbill turtle, and guest families with children are enjoined for hatchling send-offs at sunrise or sunset. When snorkeling around the Dimakya waters, guests can chance upon fully-grown turtles as well as other reef creatures. For more exotic animals, Calauit is just a boat ride away. The resort routinely arranges excursions to the wildlife reserve, where guests can see African animals like zebras and giraffes running through the grassland.

Back in Club Paradiese, there are no TV sets to distract. Instead there are indoor games and a library of books. Occasionally, the resort sets up a big screen on the beach for a makeshift family movie theater amidst swaying coconuts.

6. CLUB MANILA EAST (Km 24 Manila East Road, Taytay Rizal)

6.  CLUB MANILA EAST (Km. 24 Manila East Road, Taytay, Rizal)

Club Manila East Taytay’s proximity to Metro Manila makes it an ideal place to go to when you suddenly feel the need to swim and  enjoy the summer sunshine. Have a swim at the mega pool, a 9,100 sqm replica of Laguna de Bay, while the kids enjoy the giant pool slide. Try kayaking in the water activity pool, or play golf at the 9-hole putting range. 

Enjoy lunch with your family and friends or tackle your summer reading at one of the resort’s cabanas.  Packed lunch is not allowed in the resort, but you can order Filipino dishes from the resort canteen. The area is pretty huge, so you’re sure to find a spot that your family can claim for the day.

5. CAMP JOHN HAY MANOR (Loakan Road, Baguio City)

5.  CAMP JOHN HAY MANOR (Loakan Road, Baguio City)

Want it cool and breezy? Bundle up for freezing weather and drive up to Camp John Hay Manor to warm your hands in front of a bright, resplendent fire. The road trip will be well worth it as you smell pine trees and strawberries and the fresh mountain air. There are a lot of things to do around the Camp, the most pleasant of which is to just go on a slow hike with the kids while joking, talking, and occasionally stopping for a breath or two. Afterwards, dad can do a few rounds of golf, mom can have a massage, and the kids can run around the property chasing butterflies. Food is always scrumptiously delicious with fruits and veggies gloriously fresh. At night, have a couple of drinks at the Piano Bar. If you’re lucky, you might just end up singing the night away.

4. BORACAY REGENCY BEACH RESORT (Station 2, Balabag, Boracay, Aklan)

4.  BORACAY REGENCY BEACH RESORT (Station 2, Balabag, Boracay, Aklan)

Located at Station 2, right in the middle of the action, but you don’t need to worry about not getting a good night’s sleep as the resort offers a lovely cocoon of security and comfort. The first resort to receive a Triple A rating along White Beach, nothing is too much of a bother for their courteous and always-with-a-smile staff. Need an extra pillow? They’ll bring it up in minutes. Need more seasoning for your room service order? Coming right up!

Of course, the beach is where the action is, and because the property stands right at the beachfront, they’ll bring you your daiquiris and margaritas while you tan in your lounging chair and reach cocktail heaven. If you’ve had enough of the sun and the saltwater, they’ve got two crystal clear swimming pools for more water fun. While you haggle for some pearls, you can leave the kids to have a splashing good time at the pool in the hands of the always-dependable staff. And the food! Breakfast is always a heaping affair at Cafe Christina. And if you must order room service, try their pizzatinis!

3. BOHOL BEACH CLUB (Barrio Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol)

3.  BOHOL BEACH CLUB (Barrio Bolod, Panglao Island, Bohol)

Its stretch of 1.4 kilometers of powdery white sand beach is already a sight to see, but beyond the shores where the Bohol Beach Club is located, there is an underwater world waiting to be explored. Aboard the resort’s glass-bottom boat, not very far from the shoreline, guests can see corals and fishes big and small. Needless to say, there’s lots of snorkeling and diving to be had for the more adventurous.

2. BADIAN ISLAND RESORT AND SPA (Badian Island, Cebu)

2.  BADIAN ISLAND RESORT AND SPA (Badian Island, Cebu)

Lying 97.6 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, on an island 15 minutes away by boat, is the magical Badian Island Resort and Spa with its auburn shore, staff in colorful uniforms singing their welcome, bars and stores connected by foot bridges, and clusters of suites scattered over a lovely eight-hectare landscape. With babysitting services at your disposal, mommy can indulge in health and beauty treatments at the Badian Natural Spa while daddy can go on diving excursions. 

The whole family can then gather together for a glass-bottom boat tour, a picnic by the Kawasan Falls, and a visit to nearby towns and villages. Cap the whole thing off with a magnificent sunset cruise.

1. BATANES RESORT (KAYCHANARIANAN, BASCO, BATANES)

Hi, guys! I'm creating this blog to let you know what's the best family-friendly resort that you're going to visit if you plan to have a fun summer vacation.

Here are some of the best resort here in the Philippines.

1.  BATANES RESORT  (Kaychanarianan, Basco, Batanes)

Batanes is the perfect vacation place where you can enjoy peace and quiet, panoramic views of hills and mountains, and pristinely isolated beaches.

Nestled along a hillside, Batanes Resort is composed of small houses a few meters away from the beach. The resort has a friendly staff and comfortable accommodations. More importantly, they know the best of the islands and can arrange guided 

Start at Batan Island and explore 

Valugan Rock Bay where you’ll hear the rumblings of boulders as they’re tugged by the waves. Walk along Ivatan stone houses (made of stone and cogon grass) and meet up with old women wearing Vacul, a headdress made of cogon grass to protect them against harsh weather. Be sure to drop by the famed Marlboro Country (picturesque hills and grasslands), Mahato Fishing Village, and Pacita          Abad’s house-cum-museum. Go on a rough boat ride to visit Sabtang Island where centuries-old houses made of cobblestones still stand. The good news: you can actually stay in one of these homes for the night. Cap off your excursion with a picnic at Cavanaran Beach, a secluded beach perfect for picture taking, sun bathing, and emoting.