How Bluewater Panglao is reinventing as a family gateway to Bohol
For many first-time visitors to Bohol, the journey begins with antic-ipation: the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, heritage churches, waterfalls and white-sand beaches.
But increasingly, families are discovering that where they stay shapes how they experience the island — and Bluewater Panglao is positioning itself as both a welcoming home base and a destina-tion in its own right.
Set on a 5.2-hectare property just minutes from Bohol Panglao In-ternational Airport, the resort has quietly undergone a transfor-mation in recent years — modernizing its facilities, expanding its offerings and recalibrating its strategy to attract more international travelers while remaining deeply rooted in Filipino hospitality.
We witnessed these innovations ourselves when this writer – whose parents are from Bohol and who grew up there himself — brought his wife and two grown children to Bluewater last Decem-ber before Christmas.
The yearend traditionally marks the transition to peak tourist sea-son for Bohol and lasts until May, so it was best to see at that time how the resort would handle such an influx.
Built for first-time family travelers
One of Bluewater Panglao’s strongest selling points is accessibil-ity — a critical factor for families traveling with children or elderly relatives. This was validated when we saw groups of Korean, Chi-nese, and European families at the resort during our stay.
The resort sits only five to 10 minutes from the airport, allowing guests to avoid long land transfers and begin their vacation almost immediately after arrival.
General Manager Rowena “Weng” Jose — who has been with the Bluewater group for more than a decade and has led the Panglao property since 2017 — said the resort has steadily evolved with families in mind.
Among its most distinctive accommodations are two-story family lofts designed for larger groups, a feature unique within the Blue-water chain.
“They’re built for bigger families,” Jose said in an exclusive inter-view with Manila Standard.
She noted that many Filipino and foreign travelers now seek shared spaces that allow multigenerational bonding while main-taining comfort and privacy.
Beyond room design, the resort has improved infrastructure to enhance guest experience. Walkways once covered in gravel were cemented for safety and ease, particularly for young children and senior guests.
Children’s pools have been renovated and enhanced with better lighting and safety features, while new menu offerings incorporate local ingredients — including Bohol’s well-known “ube” (purple yam) — to introduce visitors to regional flavors.
These changes reflect a broader philosophy that emphasizes “amuma,” a Cebuano term that describes caring, nurturing hospi-tality, Jose said.
For families traveling to Bohol for the first time, the approach translates into attentive service, thoughtful amenities and a re-laxed, home-like environment that encourages repeat visits.
Renovations driven by a changing tourism market
Much of the resort’s physical transformation began after the pan-demic, when management initiated a phased renovation program without shutting down operations. Starting in March 2023, Blue-water Panglao refurbished its original premier deluxe rooms and upgraded key facilities while continuing to welcome guests.
Upcoming projects signal a more ambitious future. Plans include a larger, modernized kitchen – close to GM Weng’s heart, having entered Bluewater Panglao as its F&B manager — to support in-creased guest volume, additional rooms in a new wing, and new recreational facilities.
The resort is also exploring a spa, gym, expanded children’s play-ground and additional bars — all designed to elevate the guest experience to international standards.
Longer-term aspirations include a new convention hall that could seat up to 350 people, allowing the resort to tap into the growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market.
But infrastructure upgrades are only part of the strategy, Jose said. Management is also investing in internal systems and work-force development, including upgraded point-of-sale and property management platforms, new employee facilities, and training pro-grams for younger staff members.
“The facilities matter, but the people matter just as much,” the GM said, emphasizing the importance of cultivating the next genera-tion of hospitality leaders within the company.
Positioning for foreign markets while serving domestic fami-lies
Bluewater Panglao’s transformation comes amid shifting tourism trends. A decline in Chinese arrivals — once a major segment for Philippine tourism — has forced resorts across the country to di-versify their markets.
The property has responded by strengthening ties with domestic travelers and targeting tourists from North Asia, Europe and the United States. Its Manila-based sales and marketing team actively partners with tour operators and participates in international travel promotions to sustain inbound traffic.
While arrivals dipped significantly around September, occupancy improved toward the end of the year, reaching around 70 percent during peak periods, Jose said.
The resort’s leadership remains optimistic about long-term growth, citing ongoing development at Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which is expected to accommodate larger aircraft and expand di-rect international flights.
As more foreign travelers arrive, the resort has been refining its branding and guest experience to align with global expectations while preserving its Filipino identity.
Menu updates, facility upgrades and enhanced guest services are all part of a broader repositioning effort aimed at making Blue-water Panglao competitive in an increasingly international market.
A strategic base for exploring Bohol
For families exploring Bohol for the first time, the resort’s location also serves as a practical springboard.
The island’s attractions — from waterfalls and beaches to centu-ries-old churches — are easily accessible via well-maintained roads. The property’s proximity to major transport hubs simplifies day trips and tours, allowing guests to maximize their time without exhausting travel schedules.
Management believes this combination of convenience and com-fort is key to attracting first-time visitors who want a seamless in-troduction to the province.
“Bohol has so much to offer beyond the usual attractions,” the GM said, noting that the island’s accessibility and diversity of experi-ences continue to draw both local and international tourists.
Balancing growth with Filipino hospitality
Despite ongoing modernization, Bluewater Panglao continues to anchor its identity in the concept of communal care — the hall-mark of Filipino service culture. Management credits repeat busi-ness and referrals to the emotional connections formed between staff and guests.
“It’s not just about welcoming people into a resort,” the GM said. “It’s about making them feel like they’re in a Filipino home.”
As renovations continue and international outreach expands, Bluewater Panglao is positioning itself as more than just a place to stay.
For families visiting Bohol for the first time, the resort aims to be both an introduction to the island’s natural beauty and a gateway to the warmth of Filipino hospitality — a balance of modernization and tradition designed to keep guests coming back, long after their first trip ends.
