This private paradise in one of our country’s most beautiful provinces would not have been founded if one world traveler hadn’t decided to settle down and make it his home.
With his son and daughter-in-law, they built and curated a small luxury hotel filled with historical memorabilia, perched on a quiet hilltop overlooking pristine seas. This labor of love, with its East-meets-West charm, continues to capture the hearts of travelers worldwide.
Nestled peacefully among Bohol’s busier tourist destinations, The Peacock Garden is just a short drive away from Tagbilaran Airport, Baclayon Church, and the stunning shores of Panglao. The hotel is a gateway to stories of the Philippines that have come from different parts of the globe.
On display at the lobby is the living room furniture on which Dr. Jose Rizal sat. During his time studying ophthalmology at the university town of Heidelberg in 1886, Rizal boarded with Karl Hack-Ullmer and his family, whose third generation then bequeathed the furniture set to the hotel’s founder for his contributions to preserving Rizal’s legacy.
Adorning its walls is a private collection of picture postcards from the early 1900s, providing a visual memory of the archipelago at the turn of the century.
At the restaurant, guests use antique chairs from the late 1800s, collected from castles and mansions around Europe, while enjoying a mix of Continental and Filipino fare. Signature beverages complement each meal: sangria made with Philippine coconut wine, gumamela (local hibiscus) iced tea, and third-wave espresso made with local organic coffee beans.
Each of its 33 guest rooms has furniture custom crafted in Cebu and inspired by tropical elements, like coconut palms and sea shells. There is also a luxurious spa that combines local hilot and Swedish massage techniques, a private music and dance club, and an infinity pool with a gorgeous view of Bohol Sea.
The Peacock Garden has received the Travellers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor for six straight years since 2013—a prestigious accolade given only to less than 1 percent of all accommodations listed on the world’s largest travel site. This year, the family-owned hotel ranks second among all the hotels in the Philippines, fifth for Best Service, and tenth for Romance.
“We’ve always believed in delivering an intimate, world-class experience of Bohol and we’ve worked hard to show our guests the best qualities of Filipino hospitality. This recognition is an honor for us and we hope it helps encourage more travelers to see the beauty of the island,” says managing director Frederick Christian Schoof.
In celebration of its 2018 Travellers’ Choice Award, the Peacock Garden is offering the Blissful Bohol Package, a selection of well-loved experiences inspired by the things their TripAdvisor guests remember most.
The package includes deluxe accommodation for two, daily breakfast, a three-course dinner at Laya Restaurant, and a tasting platter of their signature homemade ice cream. Guests also enjoy an exclusive 60-minute head, shoulder, and back massage at Fontana Spa, the only Filipino establishment in the 2012 list of Condé Nast Johansens Recommended Luxury Spas. Also included are a round of signature cocktails best enjoyed with the sunset view, roundtrip airport/seaport transfers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
At P18,800 for a three-day, two-night stay, The Blissful Bohol Package is available for booking via 0917-7298888 or relax@thepeacockgarden.com until December 20, 2018.