History lives on in the municipality of Palo in Leyte, with a larger-than-life bronze shrine commemorating the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines during the Japanese occupation.
The iconic landmark MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park remains a popular tourist spot to both Filipinos and Americans alike. And standing adjacent to it is The Oriental Leyte, formerly the MacArthur Park Beach Resort, which has its own interesting tales to tell since opening in 2012.
A few months after it opened its doors, the hotel was damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013, and was then reopened in 2016.
It’s a favorite accommodation in the Eastern Visayas region with its 129 rooms and eight stately ocean view suites, manicured greens, Asian-themed interiors, and delectable Oriental and Filipino cuisine.
Other facilities include 13 function rooms, five videoke rooms, a business center, a fitness gym, three swimming pools, and a spa.
The luxe resort hotel offers the Sentimental Journey which takes guests to World War II sites, customized tours for special guests, and butler service on demand. It is also the home of diplomats, veterans, and VIPs taking part in the annual Leyte Gulf Landing rites.
But beyond the hallowed grounds, The Oriental also takes guests to the top spots in the region, such as Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge in Basey, Langun-Gobingob Caves and Lulugayan Falls in Calbiga, Ulot River Torpedo Boat Ride in Paranas, Kalanggaman Sandbar in Palompon, Higatangan and Sambawan Islands in Biliran, and the San Juanico Strait Cruise.
But aside from stories to tell and memories it holds, the hotel also boasts premium service and facilities as it has recently received a 4-star rating from the Department of Tourism, the first star-rating in the Eastern Visayas Region.
The rating was based on the assessment conducted by the third-party auditor and accreditation officers of DoT’s Central Office and Region 8 Office.
With an accumulated 716 points, the star rating system indicated that the property has met the mandatory requirements of the Tourism department’s standards for premium accreditation.
