Bellevue Resort: What makes this five-star spot in breathtaking Bohol a celeb-favorite
Bellevue means “beautiful view” in French. In Washington State, it’s a city. But in Bohol, it’s an exclusive vacation spot nestled in Panglao Island—a five-star resort at that.
The Bellevue Resort has been the home away from home of many stars on vacation in the breathtaking province—from Julia Barretto, Piolo Pascual, and Daniel Matsunaga to celebrity couples like Jak Roberto and Barbie Forteza as well as Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford.
It has also served as a picturesque backdrop for Miss Universe Philippines 2020 queens Rabiya Mateo, Billie Hakenson, and Pauline Amelinckx in their Instagram snaps and official videos for the pageant.
Just within easy driving distance from the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, this stunning paradise established in 2012 is an ASEAN Green Hotel awardee—meaning, “eco-friendly principles and energy conservation measures are in place to ensure sustainable tourism at this hotel.”
For various resorts, that’s already the highlight of the show. In Bellevue, however, it’s quite different. We’re just getting started.
Comfort and privacy
Comfort and privacy are two things that Bellevue puts at the forefront of its guests.
From the private beachfront where all non-motorized activities like kayak, paddle board, and chili boat ride come without a cost, you’d be welcomed to a spacious infinity pool ideal for vacationers of all ages. The pool has three levels: two feet for kids, four feet for teens, and twelve feet for experienced divers.
Take a few steps down and you’d have two different but seemingly complementary structures in your sight. The warm, homey one on the left, which resembles the good ol’ bahay kubo, is for all things leisure and entertainment.
The opening act is Marea Restaurant, where you can delight in good views and food centered on the farm-to-table concept. If you’re looking for something heavy, the must-tries here are the ribeye steak and herb-crusted salmon. Pair your meals with their tropical iced tea that's so good, I ended up ordering it every day throughout my trip. The usual tea base is amped up with hints of mango and orange pulp that make the drink more flavorful and exciting.
For a sweet end to your meal, go for the halo-halo topped with ube ice cream. For a boozy nightcap, you can’t go wrong with a mojito.
The huge “nipa hut” also has a gym, spa, and gaming room that’s perfect for kids and kids at heart.
Turn to your right and that’s where the resort's contemporary and lavish side shines, leading to over 150 rooms. The service is very friendly, with hotel staff greeting you throughout your stay and asking if there’s anything they can help you with.
I stayed at the Bellevue Suite that celebrity guests usually opt for. It has a mini bar, a living room with television, and a working area that easily made me feel at home.
When you open the other door, there’s a cozy bedroom with a pillow menu to choose from. How does that even work? Just pick the pillows according to your liking and the management will have them delivered to your room to ensure a good night’s sleep.
The comfort room is quite spacious, with water lines that take less than 12 seconds to reach your preferred temperature. On top of the shower area separate from the tub, one can find complimentary bath essentials, including shampoo with conditioner, shaving kit, toothbrush kit, and lotion.
At the spacious terrace is an inviting jacuzzi that offers a view of the sky, the waters, and glimpses of the establishment's grounds.
A balance between luxury and approachability
The Bellevue Resort is far from intimidating. While it has a five-star rating, it sits right in the middle of luxury and approachability. Aside from having a wide price range (from P10,000++ to P75,000++ per night), it’s not all glitz and glam in certain aspects. There’s no hair dryer in the bathroom, the bath items aren’t branded, and the cable TVs are just right in size.
There are still a few hitches to untangle, like the taste of some food items and the availability of all its leisure rooms during the day.
But undoubtedly, the Bellevue offers the most relaxing getaway you could imagine. When you’re here, it's tempting to just ditch all your plans to see more of Bohol and just chill at the resort. Bellevue has, after all, a charm that makes it hard for you to leave. Perhaps it’s the exact same thing that marks it as a celebrity favorite—and, overall, the place to be.