In recent years, the Philippines has rapidly become a premier honeymoon destination. In April 2009, the Philippines was awarded the “Most Popular Destination in Asia” award by professional jurors at the 2009 World Travel Fair in Shanghai, China. Foreigners booking their marriage ceremonies and honeymoons in the Philippines have been at record growth rates the past several years.

What are the Most Romantic Places to Visit?

Insiders, people who live in the Philippines, or those Expats who travel to the Philippines frequently have found many special romantic “getaways” to bask in equal doses of passion, solitude and creature comforts. Frankly, there are so many beautiful and romantic locations in the Philippines, it is extremely difficult to identify the Top 5, Top 10 or even the Top 20. Certain places are more romantic to some than others for very personal reasons.

Nevertheless, based on my over 20 years of travelling to and living in the Philippines with my Filipina spouse, I have come up with a comprehensive list of locations which I continuously find other Expats confirming with me as also being their favorite romantic getaway locations.

The Luxury Locations

1. Amanpulo on Pamalican Island: Rated – 5 Star

This has to be at the top of the list, with rooms starting at $550 per night. This place is the Ultimate beach resort in the Philippines and the Ultimate Getaway for those with the funds to afford it. If you choose to visit Amanpulo, you will be hobnobbing with the rich and famous of the world – jetsetters and celebrities from around the world. This is one of the best known secret locations in the Philippines.

2. Manila Makati Peninsula Hotel: Rated – 5 Star

This is the perfect getaway for those looking for a romantic upscale, city location, with city light views and culture similar to New York City. There are numerous room choices, from superior rooms ranging from $200 to $300 per night, up to suites ranging from $400 to $500 per night. The views in the lobby of the hotel are absolutely stunning, and the room is perfectly decorated.

3. Shangri La Mactan Island Resort (Cebu): Rated 5 Star

This luxurious resort is nestled on 14 hectares of beautifully landscaped coastal land. All the rooms open to excellent view of the ocean. Being on the coast, the resort offers all the normal water sports. You get a lot of space when you stay here. It has been named as one of the “Top Ten Best Resorts in the Asia-Pacific” by Business Traveler Magazine

4. Badian Island Resort and Spa (Cebu): Rated 5 Star

This resort is on the top of the list of Top 10 Island Spas, as featured in a recent issue of Asia Spa magazine. It is situated just off the coast on the far Southwest end of Cebu island, away from the cities and the noise, in a perfectly beautiful romantic destination spot. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from the Cebu airport, but you can request for a helicopter to whisk you to the resort in 30 minutes.

5. Shangri La Boracay Island: Rated: 5 Star

Another plush property from the Shangri-La’s group, this resort is located in a northern part of Boracay island. It is in a location secluded from all the hustle and bustle congestion of Boracay, and has its own secluded 350 meters of unspoiled beach and well-preserved nature. This luxury resort features 219 rooms and villas decked out in ethnic Filipino décor, each room connecting to a balcony where you can relax and revel in panoramic views of the beach.

Now, how about the rest of us, we who wish to not so freely roll out the night rates of the above luxury resorts, but wish to find that unique romantic getaway. Well, this list is even harder to select, as there are so many beautiful and romantic locations at the more affordable rates of $100 to $250 per night.

The Budget Minded Locations

1. Boracay’s elite row of resorts – Boracay is the best-known tourist spot in the Philippines. Because the northern end of Boracay’s main beach is relatively isolated, the more high-end resorts are located there, two of which I recommend as romantic getaways:

Waling-Waling Beach Hotel: Rated: 3 Star

This resort has only 29 rooms, so it is quite private, and guests are treated like family. What gives this resort its unique character is that outdoors is a line of native cabanas filled with over-sized pillows decorated with shells and hanging lamps where you can dine, read, drink, take a nap or simply watch the sea and people walk by.

Friday’s Resort: Rated: 4 Star

Friday’s, like Waling, is located on beautiful White Beach, but what makes it differ so much from Waling is its somewhat isolated location, which gives it more privacy. It was the first luxury resort built in Boracay

Nami Private Villas Hotel: Rated: 4 Star

Nestled in the hills with a magnificent view of the ocean, the resort features 12 private and spacious villas, each with its own Jacuzzi. The resort is only a 10 minute drive from the main area of White Beach. There is a service center that can arrange activities for guests, such as horseback riding, aqua sports, and golf. The resort is an ideal destination for those seeking a romantic getaway with privacy and seclusion, while still being nearby Boracay’s commercial area.

2. El Nido Resorts in Palawan: Rated – 4 Star

El Nido is home to enchanting vistas of white sand beaches, huge limestone cliffs, tranquil lagoons, and reefs teaming with life. The scenery is simply stunning, the water some of the clearest I have ever witnessed, and they are really secluded – on the north end of Palawan. There are two major resorts making up the El Nido Resorts – Lagen Island Resort and Minoloc Island Resort.

3. Pearl Farm Beach Resort: Rated – 5 Star

Located in the southern part of the Philippines is the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, tranquil and exotic island with a coastline adorned with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape elements of coconut palms, flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with various natural attractions and flourishing flora and fauna.

4. Pansukian Resort: Rated 5 Star

This is a beautiful, uncrowded (only 8 Villas) resort in Siargao, an unspoiled island in the southern Philippines, also known as a surfer’s heaven. There is a world famous surf break known as Cloud 9 north of General Luna, the main city on the island. The Siargao Cup surfing competition is held in late September or early October each year. Siargao is east of Cebu and northeast of Butuan City in Mindanao.

5. Surf Camp – Calicoan Island, Samar: Rated: 4 Star

The Surf Camp is an idyllic tropical getaway situated in ‘abcd’ beach, Calicoan Island’s prime surfing area. The eight luxuriously appointed cottages are inspired by Thai, Balinese, Indonesian and Filipino architecture. All are equipped with air conditioning, hot water, satellite tv, minibar, safety deposit box and intercom. The resort features an infinity pool with an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean.

6. Sonya’s Garden – Tagaytay: Bed and Breakfast

You can’t believe that tucked in a small road outside Tagaytay City is this delightful place filled with rare flowers, and where you can have lunch or dinner and stay for the night in it cottages lovingly built and uniquely furnished by its owner, Sonya Garcia. It is the closest that you can get to an English “bed and breakfast” in the Philippines, but with a bit more style and personal service.

7. Bohol Beach Resort at Panglao – Bohol Island: Rated: 3 Star

Panglao is a small island virtually attached to the main island of Bohol, connected by two bridges of just 50 meters in length. All major beach resorts are located on Panglao with its pristine white beaches and clean seawater. Panglao is also the destination of choice for many divers. Alona Beach is where all the big hype is about Bohol (and the higher priced resorts – one great one which is Alona Palm Beach Resort).

8. The Manor at Camp John Hay – Baguio

What makes staying here so special is that it is located in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. Baguio, located at 5,000 foot elevation, was originally constructed as a mountain retreat by US military forces in the early 1900’s. Now, its cool temperatures (average of 19 degrees Celsius year round) draw Manila visitors in large numbers when the lowlands are sweltering. The city’s character is shaped by the throngs of young college students. It is the most accessible and preserved pine forest area in the Philippines.