A small pool to yourself if you rent a villa. Perfect for couples. The villa and pool overlooks the beach which is perfect. The hotel offers most of what you need but if you intend to walk around to see the sights, it is far from town and about 1.5 hours from Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan.
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This place seems to think it is a lot more than it is in reality. The price of a villa with a pool was £147 per night. Yes it includes a very skimpy breakfast. It has got to be the only hotel in the world which offers 2 eggs any style, but dose not know what a poached egg is. The whole place is shabby and run down, the bed is like a slab of concrete. The pool and pool area in the villa is excellent, but this will not justify the lunacy price that they charge. All in all a rundown property at the end (1.5km ) of a dirt track. I would like to say that the staff were very helpful and courteous and a total pleasure. This must be said for all the hotels we have stayed in in the Philippines.
This is a lovely quiet resort on a long stretch of unspoilt beach fringed with palm trees. It has friendly staff, beautiful gardens, comfortable rooms, a good pool, excellent food, a charming spa and limited internet connection to really help you relax. We stayed for 5 nights and wish we could have stayed longer. The day trips to Arena (Turtle) island and Estrella waterfalls were well worth it. On the way to Arena island we saw a whale shark from the boat. While snorkelling at the island we saw a lot of fish, coral, clams and a large turtle.
When we discussed our trip with someone living in Manila and mentioned the Crystal Paradise in Narra- he said it was the most untouristy trip he had ever heard of. Yes the hotel is far from the maddening crowd- about 2 hrs south from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. If you are looking for wild parties, bars, "the strip" this place isnt for you. If you are looking for a way to reconnect with yourself and or loved ones then this might be the place to do it. The hotel is off the road about 10 minutes by tricycle, on the beach. It is spread over a large area including outdoor pool and jacussi, spa. The beach is black sand and goes on and on with coconut palms. We had breakfast (included) and dinner (a la carte) - well worth while. Food was great, the staff helpful. You can take trips into Narra (about 15 by tricycle) and see the real Philipines. Hint if the villas are available, they are worth the extra expense (my wife wanted to wrap one up and take it home).
This is really a place for getaway vacation. Good place to unwind and very relaxing place. You can walk beside the beach every morning and watch the sunrise. Staffs are very accommodating and friendly. Foods are really good and delicious. Don't forget to taste their own wine product since you can't buy it from the market.
Finally getting that needed break from metro stress and all. Staying felt like rekindling that sense of lost bond with nature, hearing that melody of silence played by nature and becoming one with self, rethinking, rearing to be renewed, revitalized, recharged. Thank you Staff for being gracious and very accomodating. We would've stayed a little longer had we had a choice. But we'll be back for sure.
