Amanpulo

A private island, where sea and sky meet as one, where velvet white sand is caressed by the lap of crystal water, where palms bow to vermillion bougainvillea in tropically kissed vegetation, where nature’s hand streaks the sun’s iridescences on its unbridled canvas, where night skies are admired beside the crackle of a ‘tepee’ beach fire, where sleep is submerged in pristine white, where luxury is defined by its earth-given beauty, where peace embraces its island host. This place is Amanpulo, in the Philippines, a realisation of a dream.

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.

boutique
Amanpulo’s boutique specialises in woven rugs, baskets, jewellery, pottery and other crafts from the Palawan region, as well as Asian antiques, furniture and island beach wear.

meeting rooms
Small meetings can be arranged at at the West Villa Clubhouse for small gatherings and audiovisual equipment is available on request.

massage and beauty services
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-airsalasare situated around the pool and feature generously-sized mattresses for all-day lounging.

tennis
Four synthetic grass, floodlit tennis courts are available with rest pavilions for refreshments. Two courts are located adjacent to the Clubhouse and two are located adjacent to the West Villa Clubhouse. Complimentary tennis balls, rackets and playing partners are available.

gym
Located beside the tennis courts and surrounded by a lush tropical forest is the fully equipped Gym. Cardiovascular equipment is available.

stargazing
Stargaze from the Bar’s terrace; the canopy of evening sky is generally clear and awash with stars. Pick out your favourite constellation over dinner or drinks. Study the night-sky and planets through an 1800 x 150mm astronomical refractor telescope. Several times per week, trained members of staff are pleased to guide guests through the galaxy.

internet and wi-fi access
Amanpulo offers complimentary island-wide 2MB Wi-Fi connection and Internet access.
Lying between the latitudes five to twenty-one degrees north, the Philippines archipelago comprises more than 7,000 islands sprinkled across the westernmost rim of the Pacific Ocean. The islands are actually the tips of half-submerged mountain ranges, part of a great cordillera extending from Indonesia to Japan. From north to south, the country stretches for more than 1,800km towards the equator. The islands are defined by the Philippines Sea to the east, Indonesia to the south and the South China Sea to the west. The country’s capital, Manila, is the centre of government, business, education and culture. The sprawling international city offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars and one of Asia’s liveliest nightclub scenes. The Philippines can be divided into four groups: Luzon, Mindanao, Visayas and the province of Palawan. Palawan is made up of 1,768 islands. Pamalican Island, home to Amanpulo, is one of them.

Amanpulo is a private island (known as Pamalican), set among the Quiniluban group of Cuyo Islands, 360km south-west of Manila. Lying along the trading routes from Southern China to Borneo, the Sulu archipelago and the Spice Islands, the Cuyo Islands have been known to sailors and traders since pre-Spanish days. The Cuyo archipelago has been largely forgotten since then. The people of these 40 islands live mostly by fishing and seaweed cultivation. Tourism has scarcely touched the islands. Seven square kilometres of reef surround the island. Beyond are sandbanks and a channel where whales, dolphins and sea cows have been glimpsed. At its widest point, the island is only 500m across.

Amanpulo is accessed by scheduled charter flight from Manila, which has flights to several major international destinations. Guests are met at Manila's international airport and taken by complimentary transfer to the Amanpulo lounge, located at a nearby hangar. Complimentary refreshments are served at the lounge. A selection of books, newspapers, magazines and games, luggage storage and shower facilities are also available. Guests fly directly to Pamalican Island in a 19-seat, twin-engine turboprop, landing at the resort’s private airstrip. Flight time is one hour. The cost of the roundtrip air transfer, Manila-Amanpulo-Manila, is US$400 per adult. Baggage is limited to 20kg per adult, including carry-on luggage.