SotoGrande Palawan: The Newest Hotel Resort in Puerto Princesa City
While the world-famous El Nido and Coron offer various island hopping and water-based activities, Puerto Princesa City — the capital of Palawan Province, is known for its more laid-back atmosphere, blending the convenience of staying in the city with easy access to nature attractions such as Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa Underground River.
And this August 2024, the latest addition to Puerto Princesa’s growing hospitality landscape, SotoGrande Palawan has officially opened its doors to tourists — both leisure and business travelers alike.
I was invited as part of the media to the Grand Opening of SotoGrande Palawan, and so I’m here to give you an inside scoop on what you can expect on this 3-star hotel!
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About SotoGrande Palawan
SotoGrande Palawan is nestled within the 33-hectare Catalina Lake Residences, owned by Sta. Lucia Inc. and managed by Enderun Hotels, about 25 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa Airport and in close proximity to Honda Bay, one of the top attractions in Puerto Princesa. This makes it a good option for a quiet staycation, as well as a base for island hopping and city tours.
Moreover, in the near future, hotel guests will also enjoy free access to the property’s amenities, including the 3-hectare man-made lake, the clubhouse, and the lighthouse.
SotoGrande Palawan had its soft opening last November 2023 before its official grand opening this August 31, 2024. It is the sixth branch of SotoGrande condotel chain in the Philippines. There is also a plan to build another hotel in San Vicente, an underrated area known for its long white beach.
Hotel facilities
So what can you expect from SotoGrande Palawan?
SotoGrande Palawan offers 147 well-appointed rooms in a modern neopolitan design. Each room is complete with essential amenities such as airconditioning, flat-screen TV, safety deposit box, mini refrigerator, writing desk and chair, and coffee/tea-making facilities. Bathrooms have hot/cold shower, with upgraded units offering a bath tub as well.
You can choose from Standard Room, Deluxe Room, and One Bedroom Suite. If you are a couple, I suggest upgrading from the Standard to Deluxe Room since it has a nice bath tub to enjoy, while families will appreciate the space and comfort of the suite.
Interestingly, the hotel offers dynamic pricing — this means that you can book discounted rates depending on the hotel’s occupancy.
The hotel also has an in-house restaurant and café that offers local delicacies. As the province is known for its abundance of seafood, some of the bestsellers that you should try are the Stuffed Squid, Sweet and Sour Maya-Maya, and Garlic Shrimp. Various cakes are also available for those with a sweet tooth.
Breakfast is served buffet style and includes Filipino breakfast staples such as scrambled egg, corned beef, sausages, and more. If you’re lucky, you may even sample “lamayo,” which is danggit marinated in a spicy vinegar/garlic mix. Brewed coffee and iced tea is also available.
Other hotel facilities include swimming pools (an adult and a kiddie pool), fitness center, basketball court, and jogging pathway.
One of SotoGrande Palawan’s main selling point is its large function room, which can accommodate up to 350 people, ideal for groups, business conventions, and special celebrations such as weddings.
Island hopping in Honda Bay
As mentioned above, one of the things you can do while staying at SotoGrande Palawan is the Honda Bay island hopping tour. This is a half-day activity that will let you visit at least three islands: Luli Island, Starfish Island, and Cowrie Island.
It is my second time at Honda Bay and I can say that easy transport and tour was a big plus. Even though the weather was gray and rainy, we enjoyed seeing and exploring the islands in Honda Bay.
Other activities you can do include the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour and Puerto Princesa city tour.
Take note that the hotel resort is several minutes away from the city proper, so if you are planning to explore the baywalk and restaurants, the easiest way to do so is chartering the hotel’s van at a reasonable rate.
Book at SotoGrande Palawan
Whether you’re looking for a convenient hotel resort in Puerto Princesa City, explore the nearby islands, or indulge in a comfortable staycation, SotoGrande Palawan offers everything needed for a perfect getaway.
You can book discounted rates to SotoGrande Palawan here. For inquiries, you can also message them via website or Facebook.
Disclaimer: Thank you to SotoGrande Palawan for inviting me for the grand opening! As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).
