Club Paradise

Safe In Paradise

In the far reaches of northern Palawan, on an island hugged by emerald waters, Club Paradise offers the beauty of nature unspoiled and service from the heart.

The first day when I caught sight of and set foot on Club Paradise Palawan, I was immediately enthralled. There was an apparent air of exclusivity to the place as the resort had all to itself an entire island that is blessed with 700-meters of white-sand beach and enchanting viridian waters.

From either the airport or the town center of Coron, it is a 15- to 25-minute ride by private van through the northern territories of the Busuanga mainland, passing along some rough roads through rustic sceneries of limestone hills and sprawling farmlands. Then, one arrives at a secluded jetty for a forty-five minute boat ride to Dimakya Island where Club Paradise Palawan is nestled.

Club Paradise is a veritable utopian hideaway—evident in its handsome accommodation, its breathtaking natural surroundings, and the rich marine life that thrive in its underwater habitats.

Exclusive, Idyllic Enchantment

Club Paradise was set up by the late German, Jørgen Varnke in 1989 when the only access to Coron was through chartered flights. In 2013, The Discovery World Corporation acquired the resort and re-conceptualized its branding to further develop the place to what it is now. The exclusive 19-hectare island resort dotted in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a Global Winner of the 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards as a Luxury Family Beach Resort.

“A lot of people think that the resort is only for the European market and only for divers,” Joegil Magtanggol Escobar, or simply Joeg, Club Paradise Palawan’s Hotel Manager, explained in recounting the origin story of the resort. “But when we took over, we branded it to cater to different types of markets … to families, to friends, to those people who are seeking time alone for themselves, beachfront weddings and even for corporations who would like to do some rest-and-recreation and team-building,” he added.

There is an air of quietness and simplicity in the countrified design of the facilities which exuded a very laidback and homey ambience. Comprising more than 50 guest rooms and cottages with scenic views of nature, the accommodation are divided into four types (the Sunset Villa, the Sunrise Villa, Garden Suites, and the newly opened Oceanview Suites). The swimming pool, the Glow Spa, the Firefish Restaurant, the Clubhouse, and two cocktail bars/lounges, all amidst a lush tropical island landscape make Club Paradise Palawan truly a sumptuously idyllic indulgence.

For guests seeking some more active forms of leisure during their stay at the resort, there are several options for exploring the nature within, around, and beyond Dimakya Island. With Coron being a well-known diving destination, the waters all around Club Paradise nurtures no less than spectacular dive sites brimming with lush coral habitats.

Right off the beach is the resort’s house reef where dugongs and sea turtles like to graze, while half an hour boat ride away is the Kyokuzan Maru, one of 12 dive-able wrecks from World War II. For non-divers, the resort also offers hiking to Dimakya’s highest point “Eagle’s Point” as well as several island hopping tours. (*The Coron tours have been temporarily suspended as off this writing for the safety of the resort’s guests. Instead, they may opt to take a tour to the resort-owned private Diatoy and Malpagalen islands.)

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Conserving Paradise

“We stand by our resort’s name as ‘paradise’. We want to keep the vibe of the island being pristine. Seldom do you find places like this,” Joeg asserted, making me realize that anything worth keeping takes effort. It takes devotion and commitment to preserve something so special such as this place.

Aside from putting much diligence into addressing the operational challenges of running a remote island resort, Club Paradise Palawan likewise conscientiously endeavors to uphold environmentally and socially responsible corporate practices in operating the resort.

With the involvement of its staff, the resort implements its EcoConserve program, which includes land- and marine-based eco-conservation activities such as tree planting, waste management, and coral reef rehabilitation. It likewise seeks collaborative efforts with the local government of Coron to protect Dimakya Island by pushing for the declaration of the island waters as a marine protected area.

And even in the food that it serves to its guests, Club Paradise Palawan emphasizes that all the fish and seafood it procures are line-caught or gathered only from sources that practice sustainable fishing methods.

“We love the environment. This is our reason for being. If we do not take care of it, we will lose business. The environment is the heart of our business,” Joeg declared. “It’s striking a balance between keeping the nature as pristine as possible, but at the same time, giving the guests the best experience they will ever have in an island resort like this.”

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Rising Through Adversity

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the resort took advantage of the industry downturn in order to reassess and refine its business operations. According to Joeg, Club Paradise Palawan’s brand of “Service That’s All Heart” remains. With the enhanced sanitation protocols strictly imposed by the Resort, guests can be assured they will have a pleasurable and safe island experience in the resort.

“It’s not enough that guests are pampered, we ensure their safety at all times during their stay. Even when this crisis is over, or at least have been controlled, sanitation protocols should constantly evolve. The culture of care must transcend to providing a safe environment for both the guests and the staff,” Joeg stated with an air of self-assurance.

Where The Heart Is

Complementing the resort’s patent air of exclusivity and its surroundings of scintillatingly sultry land and seascapes, Club Paradise Palawan’s resort staff is perhaps the primary element that breathes into the place its soul and character. Throughout my stay at the resort, I was regularly greeted and ushered by staff members with their distinctive salutation: their right palm pressed lightly above their left breast, followed by a curt bow and a warm smile. It was an enchanting gesture, a perpetual welcome that made me feel at home and cared for.