Astoria Palawan

Rooms and decor

Picture a beachfront resort so sprawling it feels like a small water playground — you step out to several pool zones, slides curving every which way, and the sound of kids laughing, with a cool Sulu Sea breeze running through all day. That is the first impression of Astoria Palawan, a beachfront resort on roughly 8 hectares in the San Rafael area north of central Puerto Princesa. What clearly sets it apart from other places in the city is its character — it leans all the way into family fun. The decor keeps to bright, easy tropical-resort tones, and the guest buildings are spread around the pool and water-park zones, with many rooms just a few steps from the water. The rooms are simple and warm, built around the comfort of a family holiday rather than showy luxury. If you would rather wake up to pools, coconut palms, and the sea than a building in town, you will feel relaxed and ready to swim from the moment you arrive.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is the water park, the only one in Puerto Princesa — with several slides to send you slipping down, a wave pool that rolls out waves on a rhythm, and a lazy river where you ride an inner tube around the resort. Plenty of reviews agree that kids can play all day without getting bored, and it is the thing that makes the whole family happiest. Adults and couples after a quieter corner should not miss The Pod, an infinity pool whose edge runs seamlessly into the Sulu Sea view. The standout is the sunken loungers, where you lie half-submerged, sip a cold drink, and take in the sea — an especially pretty, blissful spot to photograph and relax. Beyond it is a private Sulu Sea beach for evening walks, photos, and a sundowner. For food, an in-resort restaurant and bar carry you from breakfast through dinner by the pool, with afternoon drinks too, so you barely need to leave — there is enough to fill a whole day on site. It works well for families who want everyone to have their own space and activity.

Location and getting there

Astoria Palawan sits in the San Rafael area on the Sulu Sea, north of central Puerto Princesa. The strength of this location is its open, private seaside feel, a world away from the packed buildings of the city centre — open your door to pools, the water park, and sand to spend the whole day with. It is a strong fit for a trip built around swimming: hit the water park in the morning, float the lazy river in the afternoon, then stroll the beach at dusk. The trade-off is distance — the resort is a fair way out of town, about a 45 to 60-minute drive to the centre and Puerto Princesa airport. Heading out for food, a market, or city nightlife means a long ride, so plan your trips into town ahead or eat mostly on site. In short, if the goal is to settle in and swim at a seaside resort all day, this location delivers; if you want to walk straight out to food or city sights, factor in the travel.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide — the first thing to weigh is the location. The resort is in San Rafael, north of the city, fairly far from the centre and airport at a 45 to 60-minute drive. Anyone who likes walking out for food, a market, or an evening bar in town may find the constant ride inconvenient; this place suits people who plan to settle in instead. The second is crowds at busy times: because the water park is the main draw, it gets busy and noisy on holidays, weekends, or high season, and some reviews feel upkeep and service speed spread thinner than usual. If you want quiet, avoid the peaks or swim in the early morning or late afternoon when it is calmer. Finally, as a large resort built around family fun rather than polish at every turn, some reviews flag the condition of certain rooms or maintenance details. If you expect full 5-star luxury, manage your expectations and read reviews of the specific room type before you book.

Our take

After reading through plenty of real reviews, Astoria Palawan clearly sells the fun of the city's only water park, The Pod infinity pool with sunken loungers, and a wide-open Sulu Sea beachfront. The point reviews agree on most is the water park — slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river you can ride all day — paired with strong value, which makes it a dream pick for families with kids and groups of friends who love the water. If the trip in your head is waking up to hit the water park with the kids, floating the lazy river in the afternoon, then soaking with a drink on a sunken lounger at The Pod as the sun sets over the Sulu Sea, this is the choice that makes a Palawan trip extra fun — especially for families and couples who want to swim all day. But if the heart of your trip is walking around the city every day or chasing quiet luxury, the out-of-town location and the water-park crowds may not be the best fit. Overall we give it 8.6/10, best for families with kids, couples, and groups of friends who want to settle in and play in the water by the sea rather than focus on the city.