Last December, Two Seasons Hotel and Resorts opened its second property in Coron town in Palawan, the 48-room Coron bayside hotel. This is the third Two Seasons property since it opened the popular Two Seasons Boracay back in 2006.
The Coron bayside hotel isn’t a beach resort. But even if it is located along the National Road, one immediately gets an eyeful of Coron Bay and the cliffs of Coron Island upon entering the lobby.
The hotel’s interiors follow an underwater theme in keeping to Coron’s reputation as a top scuba diving destination. An old anchor serves as a sculptural art at the center of the lobby, while antique dive helmets are also prominently displayed. Artificial corals with special blue lighting that simulate an underwater scene serve as a soothing backdrop at the front desk.
Strategic location, great investment
“The location of the property is strategic because you can see the main (nautical) highway of Coron Bay,” said Rain Chinchilla Dela Rea, the hotel’s manager. He then pointed out ships that depart Coron Port for El Nido, Palawan, and Mindoro.
The property initially served as a staging station for guests going to Two Coron Island Island Resort and Spa. “But the owners saw an opportunity for another property and to also cater to a high-end market that would like to stay in Coron town,” he explained.
Two Seasons Hotel and Resorts founder and owner John Peñaloza elaborated in a statement: “I later realized the rarity of that type of property and decided to maximize its potential by building the only boutique hotel in town with rooms offering an unobstructed view of Coron Bay.
“It turned out to be a great investment. Coron is fast becoming a new travel destination for weddings and corporate events. Our high-end Two Seasons Island Resort can only be afforded by a few big budgeted companies and with the opening of the Bayside Hotel, we can now offer both properties depending on their budgets,” he added.
Dela Rea also pointed out that the two properties address different guest needs, noting that there are those who prefer to stay in town, where they can go to restaurants and bars, after spending the day island-hopping, which is one of the main activities for visitors here.
“But if you really want to detach yourself from technology, then stay at the Coron island resort,” he advised.
But this doesn’t mean Two Seasons Coron Bayside is wanting in luxurious features. Accommodations, which range from standard rooms with street views to the Panorama Suites with full view of Coron Bay, are spacious and well-appointed with flat-screen cable TVs, a DVD player and iPod docking stations.
The Baya restaurant features a large LED television set and special chandeliers that look like jellyfish that changes color.
From the restaurant, one sees the infinity pool, which overlooks the bay, perfect for watching the Palawan sunsets.
The gym, located at the top-most floor, similarly has views Coron Bay and the hotel also has two function rooms—which can be combined—for those on working vacations.
Stand out, and shine
But perhaps the most striking aspect of the Coron Bayside Hotel experience is the warm ambiance set of its team. Smiles, warm as the tropical sun, are a natural occurrence, with handheld upon the heart, at every turn.
The service team also has an uncanny knack of being one step ahead of one’s needs, with the ability to anticipate requests, even.
“Guest experience is a key point of our hotel’s reputation,” acknowledged Dela Rea. “We believe that our employees are the greatest asset of our brand. A mark that makes Two Seasons standout and shine.”
