Coron's HOTTEST Hotel: Paradise Found in the Philippines!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the shimmering, postcard-perfect world of Paradise Found in Coron, Philippines! Forget the airbrushed brochure – I'm gonna give you the real deal, warts and all, because let's be honest, even paradise ain't perfect, and that's kinda the fun of it, right?
SEO & Swooning: Mapping the Coron Dream
First things first, let's get our SEO game on. This review is gonna be drenched in keywords because, let's face it, you're here looking for a hotel. You're searching for "Coron hotels," "best hotels in Coron," "Paradise Found Coron review," "Coron Philippines hotel," "accessible hotels Coron," "luxury hotel Coron," "Coron spa," "Coron pool with a view," "Coron family-friendly hotel," "Coron romantic getaway." Got it? Good. Now let's get messy.
Accessibility (or the Lack of It – My Soapbox Moment)
Okay, okay, I need to preface this with a small GRRRRR. While Paradise Found does a pretty good job overall, accessibility isn't their shining star. They list "Facilities for disabled guests," BUT it's critical to call ahead and clarify. I’m giving it a tentative "maybe" – I didn’t scrutinize every nook and cranny, but I hope in the future, they can improve these details to be more inclusive. The elevator helps, but navigating uneven terrain is a Coron staple, so…pack accordingly. Check-in/out [express], and the doorman are helpful!
The On-Site Feast (and the Food Coma That Follows)
Alright, now for the GOOD stuff. Let’s talk food, because frankly, after all that travel, sightseeing, and sun-soaking, you need fuel. Paradise Found is a foodie haven, I tell ya.
- Restaurants: They got several, okay? Let's start with the A la carte restaurant, for those fancy nights. The Asian cuisine in restaurant is fantastic, I had the best pad thai I may have ever had. The Western cuisine in restaurant is on point when you need something familiar.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] is a MUST, and that Asian breakfast is the bomb! I'm talking fresh mangoes, fluffy rice, things I still dream about. There is also breakfast takeaway service so you can keep the delicious food going.
- Snacks & Drinks: There's a poolside bar, and a snack bar! The coffee/tea in restaurant is always brewing. And the happy hour is serious business. The bottle of water is a nice touch!
Things to Do (and Ways to Completely Zone Out)
This where I'm at peace! Paradise Found understands the art of relaxation. Here is a breakdown:
- Pool with view: (The best of all worlds!)
- Massage: I may, or may not, have gotten a massage every single day. Don’t judge.
- Spa: All these things are also available in the spa!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: (Did I go? Uh… let's just say the focus was more on the "relax" part.)
Cleanliness and Safety (because let's be real) – This is HUGE
Listen, 2024 is still a wild time, okay? So, I was thrilled to see that they took cleanliness super seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- First aid kit: Yep.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely!
The Room: Your Personal Oasis (and My Unexpected Love Affair with the Blackout Curtains)
Okay, this is where things get really good. The rooms are… well, they're practically designed to make you never want to leave.
- Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning (essential!)
- Alarm clock (for those early morning tours, or for sleeping in until noon…)
- Bathrobes (hello, luxury!)
- Bathtub (ooh la la!)
- Blackout curtains: (My personal MVP award goes to the blackout curtains. Seriously, I slept like a baby. Worth the whole trip.)
- Coffee/tea maker: (because #priorities).
- Free bottled water (hydration is key!)
- Hair dryer (thank heavens!)
- In-room safe box (always important)
- Internet access – wireless (free WiFi in all rooms!)
- Mirror (for admiring your tan, naturally).
- Non-smoking (yay!)
- Refrigerator (for keeping those drinks cold)
- Separate shower/bathtub (fancy!).
- Slippers (comfy!)
- Smoke detector (safety first!)
- Sofa (for collapsing on after a long day).
- Telephone.
- Toiletries.
- Towels (duh!)
- Wake-up service.
- Window that opens.
- Additional Room Details:
- Non-smoking rooms.
- Interconnecting room(s) available (great for families!).
- High floor.
- Extra long bed (bliss!)
- Socket near the bed.
- Laptop workspace (if you must work).
- Reading light (perfect for late-night bookworms).
- Internet access – LAN.
- On-demand movies.
- Satellite/cable channels.
Services and Conveniences (Because Life Can Be Easy)
Okay, they have a ton of stuff!
- Air conditioning in public area.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities.
- Cash withdrawal.
- Concierge.
- Contactless check-in/out.
- Convenience store.
- Currency exchange.
- Daily housekeeping.
- Doorman.
- Dry cleaning.
- Elevator.
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery.
- Gift/souvenir shop.
- Indoor venue for special events.
- Ironing service.
- Laundry service.
- Luggage storage.
- Meeting/banquet facilities.
- Outdoor venue for special events.
- Safety deposit boxes.
- Smoking area.
- Terrace.
- Wi-Fi for special events.
- Xerox/fax in business center.
For the Kids (and Those Who Are Kids at Heart)
- Babysitting service.
- Family/child friendly.
- Kids facilities.
- Kids meal.
The Verdict: Is Paradise Found Really Paradise?
Okay, so here's the messy, honest truth: Paradise Found is fantastic. It's not perfect (no place is!), but it ticks a TON of boxes. The location is amazing – easy access to all the best spots in Coron. The staff is friendly and genuinely helpful. The food is divine. The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. The spa… well, let's just say I’m already planning my return trip.
My Quirky Observation: You know you're in a good hotel when you start thinking about booking your next stay before you've even checked out. And honestly, I was thinking about booking another week while I was still there.
The Imperfection: Minor Quibbles and Honest Gripes
Look, I'm not gonna lie. No place is perfect, and I found some:
- The Internet: It's good, but it ain't fiber optic. Sometimes it chugged a little. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you rely on a super-fast connection.
- The Noise: While the soundproofing is generally great, you might hear some chatter from the hallway or the occasional boat horn in the distance. Nothing crazy though.
My Recommendation: Book It!
Here's the deal: If you're looking for a beautiful, comfortable, well-located hotel in Coron, with amazing food, great service, and a serious focus on relaxation and hygiene, then Paradise Found is an excellent choice. Just double-check about accessibility if that's a major priority for you.
The (Shameless) Offer (Because We Need to Get You to BOOK!)
Exclusive Paradise Found Package for YOU:
- **Book within the
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your glossy, Insta-filtered itinerary. This is real Coron, the way it hits you, warts and all, through the lens of yours truly, staying at the… well, allegedly lovely Coron Visitors Hotel. (Spoiler alert: I'm still not entirely convinced of the "lovely" part.)
Coron Visitors Hotel: A Love-Hate Letter (Part 1 - Pre-Travel Anticipation, AKA: The Panic Begins)
Right, so, Coron. Philippines. Turquoise water. Instagram heaven. My friends have been, and I needed this. Needed escape. Needed to not think about, you know, life. So I booked the Coron Visitors Hotel. Reviews were…mixed. Some gushed, others muttered about thin walls and rogue geckos. I figured, "Hey, I'm adaptable! I'm a traveler!" (Emphasis on the dramatic.)
Packing? Disaster. I’m convinced I packed enough to survive a zombie apocalypse and, oh yeah, a separate bag for just my snorkelling gear. Did I mention I'm a terrible packer?
Day 1: Arrival and the Fine Art of Mild Disappointment (Coron Town)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up in a cold sweat. Did I forget my passport? (Nope. I’m just prone to pre-trip anxiety. Fun!)
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Busuanga Airport (USU). The airport? Tiny! Adorable! Makes me think of a glorified shed, but hey, it’s got character! The transfer to the hotel, in a rickety van, was an adventure in itself. The driver, a sweet, toothless old man, kept yelling, "Welcome to Paradise!" which, at that moment, felt… optimistic.
- 11:00 AM: Checking into Coron Visitors. The lobby? Small. The aircon? Weak. The welcome? "Here's your key." I’m greeted by the sounds of a TV blaring in the distance – the horror! The room, let's say, is compact. And the view? Well, let's just say it's a very up-close view of the building next door. My first thought was, "Did I accidentally book a prison cell?" The second thought, after the geckos started chirping, was, "Well, at least I’m in Coron."
- 12:00 PM: Lunch and Attempted Orientation:
- Lunch at a nearby restaurant, "Sinugba sa Balay." The food was fantastic (grilled tuna), but the sheer number of flies was…well, let's say interactive. Swatting and eating. A dance of survival.
- Walk around Coron Town. It's…rustic. Streets are kinda dusty, the traffic is a chaotic symphony of tricycles and motorbikes, but there's a real energy. Felt kinda overwhelmed but also like I totally belonged.
- 2:00 PM: "Relaxing" on Mt. Tapyas:
- This is the sunset spot. Climb the 700+ steps. It's steep. I'm not fit. I stopped every ten steps and almost regretted my life choices. The view from the top, though? Worth it. The islands, the water, the fiery sunset… pure, unadulterated beauty. A moment where I actually felt my chest expand with a quiet pride, like "I did it, and I even managed to breathe!"
- Note to self: Bring water. Apply proper sunscreen. Maybe bring a defibrillator.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and the Dark Side of Karaoke:
- Dinner at Lolo Nonoy's. Authentic Filipino food! Delicious! But then… the karaoke started. And oh boy, it was a cultural experience. The locals were amazing. Me? Let's just say I stuck to water.
- Early night. Exhausted. Slightly sunburnt. Already in love with Coron, despite the geckos and the somewhat…basic accommodation.
Day 2: Island Hopping Extravaganza (and My Near-Death Experience with a Jellyfish)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Breakfast at the hotel. The "continental breakfast" was… interesting. Think: hard-boiled eggs and instant coffee. I downed it anyway. Fuel for the day!
- 9:00 AM: Island hopping tour! Booked through a local operator (shady-looking guy, but everyone seems shady here, so…whatever). The boat? Small, but sturdy. The water? CRYSTAL CLEAR. My heart actually skipped a beat.
- 10:00 AM: Kayangan Lake:
- This place. Is. Magical. The hike up is a bit of a climb (are you sensing a theme?), but the lake… the water… the rock formations… it's straight out of a postcard. Took a million photos. Felt like a mermaid, at least in spirit.
- 11:00 AM: Twin Lagoon:
- Swimming between the cold and warm water layers in the lagoon was super cool (or warm, depending on where you were). Crowded, yes, but so unique! Like swimming in a giant, natural jacuzzi.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Beach:
- Lunch at Banul Beach. Had barbecued fish, rice, and some kind of delicious dessert that I couldn't name. Felt like a king!
- 1:30 PM: Coral Garden, Skeleton Wreck: The Jellyfish Terror:
- Snorkelling around the Skeleton Wreck… beautiful. So many fish! The coral was gorgeous! Then… BAM! Jellyfish attack! It got me on the arm. Panicked. Flailing. Screaming internally. Made a hasty retreat back to the boat.
- Emotional Recap: Terrified. In pain. But also, oddly, exhilarated. The adrenaline rush of nearly dying (exaggeration, but still) was, well, something. Felt alive, even if my arm now looked like a roadmap of welts.
- 2:30 PM: The Rest of the Tour:
- Managed to power through the rest of the tour. Did some more incredible snorkelling, with a healthy and respectful distance from the jellyfish zone. The water was just too perfect to miss.
- 7:00 PM: Post-Jellyfish Dinner (and the Fear):
- Dinner at a seafood place. Ate a lot of fish (ironic, right?). Kept checking my arm for signs of further jellyfish vengeance.
Day 3: The Search for Serenity (and a Slightly Better Hotel Experience)
- 9:00 AM: The Great Hotel Room Escape:
- After a fitful night, partly due to the noisy fan, and partly due to lingering jellyfish trauma, I decided: It was time to attempt to switch rooms. Success! A slightly bigger room, with a slightly better view (of a different building).
- 10:00 AM: Maquinit Hot Spring:
- Another highlight. Natural saltwater hot springs. Blissful. Sat there for hours, soaking, relaxing, letting the jellyfish anxiety wash away. Truly, it was the perfect antidote to the previous day's terror. Ahhh, the therapeutic warmth!
- 1:00 PM: Exploring the Area:
- Wandered around. Found a cute little coffee shop, sipped on a iced latte, and watched the world go by.
- 3:00 PM: Souvenir Shopping:
- Bargained for souvenirs at the local market. (Which I totally failed at at first.) Came back with some shell necklaces and dried mangoes.
- 7:00 PM: Farewell Dinner:
- Had my final dinner at a restaurant with fresh seafood, it felt like a perfect end to an unforgettable trip!
Final Thoughts (The Messy Truth)
Coron. It’s…chaotic. It’s beautiful. It’s rough around the edges. The Coron Visitors Hotel? Well, let’s just say it’s an experience. It’s not luxury, that’s for sure. The service is a little hit-or-miss. But who cares? The point is, you're in Coron. You're surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the world. You’re breathing in the salty air, seeing sunrises I could never have written in a journal myself.
My trip wasn’t perfect. I got stung by a jellyfish. My hotel room wasn’t ideal. But I had an incredible time. I learned to go with the flow. I learned to embrace the imperfections. And I’ll tell you what, I will never forget this trip. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I stay at the Coron Visitors Hotel again? Let’s revisit that when I get home. But honestly, I've got a feeling, I'll just say "yes".
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Carolinenhof, Germany Awaits!
Coron's Paradise Found: You Think You're Ready? (Spoiler: Maybe Not)
Okay, so, what *IS* Paradise Found, exactly? Sounds… cheesy.
Alright, look, the name IS a bit… well, *aspirational*. Paradise Found is a boutique hotel in Coron, Palawan. Think less all-inclusive mega-resort, and more… a collection of charming (and sometimes slightly wonky) bungalows nestled into a hillside overlooking the bay. The views? Seriously, the views. They're the thing that'll actually sell you on the "Paradise" part.
The hotel itself? It’s got character. And by character, I mean it's… *rustic*. I mean, the lobby is open air (which is great unless it’s raining sideways, which, trust me… it does). And the "yoga deck" is basically a wooden platform with arguably the best sunset view of my entire, messy life. So, yes, cheesy in a way. But unexpectedly charming. Like, 'wow, I can't believe I'm getting eaten alive by mosquitos but I'm also kinda loving this' charming.
How do I *get* to Paradise Found? (And is it actually difficult?)
First, you gotta get to Coron. Which means flying into Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USUALLY). From there, it's a short (but exhilarating, if you like zooming around in a tricycle) ride to the hotel. I honestly remember it more for the smell of diesel and the sheer terror of the driver navigating the narrow streets. It was an experience!
Getting there is easy-peasy. The *getting around* Coron part? That's where it gets interesting. Scooters are king, and the roads… well, let’s just say I saw a lot of people hugging ditches. I opted for the tricycle route. Less control over your destiny, sure, but considerably less bruised and battered. Thank god, that was my only one scooter trip that I'd ever done, I almost got crashed!
The Rooms. What are they *really* like? Because the pictures…
Oh, the pictures. They're… *optimistic*. The rooms are simple. Think, well, a bed, a mosquito net that *mostly* works (seriously, bring bug spray), a bathroom, and hopefully air conditioning that works (or at least pretends to). I stayed in a bungalow that, let’s just say, had seen better days. The floorboards creaked like a banshee was tap-dancing, the fan sounded like a dying whale, and the shower? Well, the water pressure was about as forceful as a gentle breeze. But the view from my little balcony? Unbelievable. Seriously, I’d put up with a herd of elephants stomping through my room for that view.
Here's the thing: you're not coming here to spend all day in your room. You're coming for the snorkeling, the diving, the island hopping. The rooms are a place to crash, and a place to admire the glorious view that will likely take your breath away.
What's the FOOD situation? I need deliciousness. (And a LOT of it.)
Okay, so the on-site restaurant at Paradise Found is… fine. It's not Michelin-star worthy, but it's perfectly acceptable after a day of swimming with turtles. They serve up your standard Filipino fare – rice, maybe some grilled fish, some… well, you get the idea. Breakfast is included, usually some eggs, some toast, and maybe a piece of sad-looking fruit. But hey, the coffee is decent, and you're looking at that incredible view!
Honestly, the food in Coron outside the hotel is where it's at. Hit up the local eateries. Eat everything. Try the *kinilaw* (fish ceviche). Be adventurous! Just don’t expect gourmet, high-end dining at Paradise Found. This is a place where you'll find yourself craving the taste of a freshly caught seafood, and that's what paradise is all about!
Is Paradise Found good for… *romance*?
Look, if you're looking for a super-luxurious, candle-lit-dinner-every-night kind of romance, maybe not. However, if you’re into a more rugged, 'adventure with a view' kind of romance, then absolutely. Imagine: sunset cocktails on the yoga deck. Snorkeling in turquoise waters. Candle lit dinner on the beach.
I went with my wife, and let me tell you, there were issues. We had an awful fight at the beginning (the shower incident, combined with the dead-whale-fan incident, was a tipping point). But then we went island hopping, swam with manta rays, and watched the sun set over the Bacuit Bay. And by the end of the trip, after realizing the shared beauty of the moment, It's one of the best trip we've ever had together. So, yeah, it can be romantic. It just might require some compromise (and a lot of bug spray). Don't expect perfection. Expect something real, something messy, and something unforgettable.
The Staff: Are they helpful? Do they speak English? Can they even handle a whiny guest?!
The staff? AMAZING. Seriously. They’re the absolute best. They are incredibly helpful, friendly, and will go out of their way to assist you. English is widely spoken, so you shouldn’t have any problems with communication. And yes, they can handle a whiny guest. Probably because they’re used to us tourists.
I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 3 AM one night, while half-awake. The staff didn't seem to bat an eye and helped me out with a smile and a laugh. That’s the kind of service you can expect. They're the heart and soul of the place. Just remember to tip them. They deserve it.
Is it *really* worth it? The hype seems… intense.
Okay, here's the truth: Paradise Found isn't perfect. It has its quirks. It has its imperfections. You might get bit by a mosquito, or have to deal with the aforementioned shower situation. But YES, it is absolutely, unequivocally worth it.
The views. The staff. The access to the most incredible diving and island hopping you’ll ever experience. It’s that feeling of being utterly disconnected from the world, of waking up to the sound of birds and the lapping of waves, of watching the sunset explode across the sky. It’s the feeling of being truly, deeply, relaxed. And in today's world, isn’t that what paradise is truly all about? Yes, the hype is intense. But in this case, justifiably so. Just, you know, manage your expectations a little. Pack a fan, I'm not kidding. And enjoy every singleHotel Hop Now
