Amanpulo is situated in one of the world’s most idyllic island locations on the staggeringly beautiful Pamalican Island in the Philippines. It is a private island, gifted with nature’s paradisiacal treats: powder white beaches, clear turquoise-azure-indigo seas, cirrus-streaked cerulean skies, and a polychromatic coral reef only 300m from the shore.Amanpulo is an escape from the markings of mankind and is a dive into island life where nature has been unashamedly boastful. The island is secluded, being private, and offers a variety of sea, sand and tropical island-retreat–pleasures, in exclusive comfort and in traditionally styled accommodation. Amanpulo or, ‘peaceful island’, honours its island host, respecting the natural elements with a profoundly ‘South Seas’ interpretation. The 40 Beach, Hillside and Treetop Casitas are modelled on authentic bahay kubo dwellings, each with its own golf cart for island exploration. This romantically remote island caters for those who wish to ‘hammock’ and beach comb their days in paradise, and for those who seek an active agenda, involving a myriad of maritime adventures as well as tennis, a high-tec air-conditioned gym, and taking languid lengths in the resort’s 30m serene pool. The open-air Garden and Beach Salas are discreetly secluded for pleasurable holistic body treatments.
CUISINE
The Restaurant is located at the Clubhouse with views to Manamoc Island across the channel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here. The menu features International and Filipino cuisine. Amanpulo’s marble-top Bar occupies a cosy corner of the Clubhouse framed by a window to the sea. The outdoor terrace is set with piedra China (China stone) from Manila Bay. Chinese ships once used the stones as ballast, as did Spanish galleons sailing to the Philippines in the 1600s. Wood is the finish of choice in the light-filled clubhouse. Its rafters and columns are done in lawan wood from the Philippines, the floors laid in warm Brazilian narra wood. Inlaid coconut shell tables and Cebu rattan chairs furnish both the wood-lined Bar and the foyer lounge. Complimentary native merienda (afternoon snacks) are served daily at the Lobby Terrace.
BEACH CLUB
A garden walkway leads down from the pool to the white-sand beach and Amanpulo’s Beach Club. The open air pavilion is a tranquil setting. Mattresses and pillows are spread out on the deck, facing the sea. Shade umbrellas and reclining lounge chairs line the beach. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and refreshments are also offered at the Beach Club. Fresh seafood and Spanish cuisine are specialties.
LAGOON CLUB
Located on the east side of the island and functions as an alternate beach club with similar features and amenities. Dinner is served and Vietnamese cuisine is a specialty. pizza @ the windsurf hut Enjoy a large variety of pizzas cooked in a home-built wood-fire oven. Guests can relax in this tranquil environment with their feet in the sand. The Windsurf Hut opens for lunch. sea sports hut Adjacent to the Beach Club, the Seasports Hut offers a variety of water sports equipment as well as information on boat charters, water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving sites and sea conditions.
LIBRARY
The Library offers novels in several languages, travel guides, newspapers, magazines and coffee-table books on Philippine art, design and culture. DVDs and CDs are available. Internet and Wi-Fi are available.
Massages and beauty treatments can be can be taken in two air-conditioned Spa Casitas, the open-air Garden Sala or in the privacy of your own casita. Manicures, pedicures, facials and body treatments are also available. swimming pool Amanpulo’s 30m Swimming Pool is bordered by two high bougainvillea trellises. The pool’s aqua tiles mirror the Sulu Sea. Three spacious open-air salasare situated around the pool and feature generously-sized mattresses for all-day lounging.
Amanpulo’s native style of dwellings enhances its exclusive island stronghold. There are 40 casitas fashioned after a Philippine bahay kubo: a centuries old South-east Asian rural archetype where family life was played out beneath steep pitched roofs on timber frames. The five Hillside Casitas offer magical sea views, the four Treetop Casitas embrace the trees while the 29 Beach Casitas have private overgrown paths that lead down to the soft white beach. All are nestled discreetly among the sand-floored tropical foliage and enjoy their own buggy for unlimited enjoyment of island exploration. Subtle interiors, warm and sun-dappled, are smoothed out in shades of caramel and bamboo with pristine king-size beds. The bathrooms are spacious and appealing with raised Cebu marble bathtubs and twin vanities. A soft honey brown wooden floor is laid throughout with island appropriate comforts from daybeds to rattan furniture and attractive regional artwork. Each casita enjoys a sprawling wooden sun deck with inviting loungers and dappled shade from vibrant bougainvillea and two deluxe Hillside Casitas have an unrivalled sweeping vista of the Sulu Sea and neighbouring islands. All casitas come with a flat-screen satellite television, DVD/CD player and iPod dock, all connected to a surround-sound system, a coffeemaker with complimentary coffee and tea, as well as a safe. Hats, slippers and beach bags are available in the casitas for guests’ use on the island and as souvenirs when they go home. The 21st century has been skillfully tucked beneath its alluring island exterior so that one’s perceptions of an enchanting remote archipelagic island can be effortlessly played out in uncompromising style.
BEACH CASITAS
Amanpulo’s 29 Beach Casitas each have private paths that lead through a tangle of bush directly onto the white-sand beach. The beach is an uninterrupted wide stretch of fine sand with views over the neighbouring islands.
HILLSIDE AND DELUXE HILLSIDE CASITAS
The five Hillside Casitas have unimpeded sea views and the resort’s two Deluxe Hillside Casitas feature spectacular prospects of the Sulu Sea and neighbouring islands with both sunrise and sunset views.
VILLAS
Private holiday villas located just a few metres from the sea are available for rent at Amanpulo. There are eight 4-bedroom Villas, two 2-bedroom Villas and one 1-bedroom Villa. Each features a private swimming pool, separate bedrooms, living and dining pavilions, outdoor lounge and a kitchen. All villas include a private chef, butler, and a buggy for each bedroom. Villa guests enjoy full use of all Amanpulo facilities and services.
A PADI Dive Centre offers courses from introductory to Divemaster levels. All equipment is provided at Amanpulo’s Dive Shop. Underwater lights, underwater digital cameras and diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) are also available. Divers must be at least 8 years of age. For novice divers, Amanpulo is a welcoming retreat, with glassy seas in front of the Beach Club and a gentle drop-off to deeper waters. For certified divers, there are a number of fine sites on both sides of Pamalican, all within easy reach by dive boat. (Certified divers should bring their certification cards or dive log book with them).
Amanpulo features a choice of five-night dive experiences that include boat fees, dive equipment, daily breakfast and a gourmet picnic lunch.
Amanpulo has mirror-smooth seas in front of the Beach Club for novices and fabulous deep coral reef sites with sharks and rays to interest the more experienced diver.
There are twice-daily scheduled snorkelling trips via the pontoon boat. Snorkelers can also take a Malibu ocean kayak, tie up at one of several buoys and take to the water from there. The reef facing the Beach Club is a popular stop. Hawksbill and green sea turtles, parrot fish, rays and a wide array of coral fish live in these waters. Snorkelling can also be enjoyed from the beach.
FACES OF THE SEA SCUBA HOLIDAYS 