When a tourist city
like Puerto Princesa becomes dotted with resorts and hotels from high-end
properties to mid-range options and a few decent backpacker-friendly stays, you can still draw the short straw and end up in a dingy, below–value-for-money
accommodation.
 |
| The Dome Hotels and Resorts - Puerto Princesa |
If you want to make
the most of every peso you spend during your stay in Puerto Princesa, and just
to be sure, I recommend The Dome Hotel – Puerto Princesa. Located along Hartman
Beach on Wescom Road, a short drive from the city center, the property faces a
fringe of mangroves where birds gather at first light. At sunrise, the sky
opens over the water in golden hues, bringing a reminder that, in Puerto
Princesa, location can be its own form of luxury.
 |
| Camouflaged by the greens |
But with Dome
Hotels and Resorts, location is only the beginning; a strength echoed in its
other thoughtfully placed properties, including those fronting Caylabne Bay in
Cavite, as well as in El Nido and Boracay. Each is situated where scenery and
nature blend seamlessly, making the setting as much a part of the experience as
the stay itself.
 |
| Each Dome may look tiny from the outside but not when you're inside |
Unlike many beach
resorts that encourage you to retreat behind closed doors, the Dome Hotel makes
a convincing case for chilling outdoors. Yes, the property’s 10 dome villas are
cocoon-like and cozy, the kind of spaces that tempt you to stay past checkout time,
but the real “dome” experience happens outside.
 |
| The bathroom is at the back of the bed head board. There's a mini fridge at the side of the bed |
Mornings drift relaxingly
into afternoons if you just chill beside the beachfront pool, where you can
witness daily fisherman activities. At the in-house restaurant the Regada Café +
Beach Bar, having a cup of coffee may stretch into socialization with the other
few guests in the intimacy of a small, design-forward hideaway.
 |
| Good Morning |
Beneath a canopy of
towering coconut trees, with the sea just steps away, the experience feels less
like a hotel stay and more like slipping into the rhythm of Puerto Princesa
itself; relaxed, sun-soaked, and free. It’s the kind of beachfront spot that
invites you to savor every hour of your time on the island.
Design, Privacy,
and the Personal Touch
With only 10 dome
villas arranged across the property, the hotel creates a sense of separation
that feels increasingly rare in popular beach destinations. I was struck by how
wise the domes are spaced apart with each one designed for two guests yet
afforded enough breathing room outside to sit in stillness, meditate at
sunrise, or unroll a yoga mat beneath the palms without feeling observed.
 |
| Ample outdoor space for pool and beach bumming |
The layout allows
for privacy without isolation, a careful balance that suits couples seeking
retreat as much as travelers in need of pause.
 |
| Regada Bar + Cafe |
Architecturally,
each villa nods to the vernacular Bahay Kubo, though here the native
inspiration is rendered in smooth curves and polished finishes. The result is
less imitation but more of sound reinterpretation: local heritage translated
into clean lines, cool interiors and the small luxuries that modern travelers
now expect.
 |
| Photo by Marboy Sayno |
The warmth of the
staff lends the property its most memorable dimension. Tintay, the night desk
manager, greets returning guests with the familiarity of a longtime host, Kharla,
the resort manager, appears motherly to all guests dishing out attentiveness to
each guests’ needs without intrusion.
 |
| Breakfast of champions |
Mornings begin with
a breakfast included in the published room rate. The Filipino silog
plates arrive elevated in generous servings and Instagrammable plating, alongside
American and Western options for those who prefer them. It is the sort of
breakfast that anchors the day, turning what could have been a simple inclusion
into one of the Dome’s special offerings.
 |
| They also serve lunch and dinner |
You might think I was
just lucky during my stay at the Dome, stumbling in on great service by chance.
But I doubt it, having stayed here twice last year, both visits were equally
memorable. One night, a beach party lit up the small outdoor space by the pool,
a reggae Friday if I recall correctly. The venue doubles as a stage for live
music, featuring local talent and even well-known musicians from beyond Puerto
Princesa.
 |
| Can't wait to go back here |
That evening, fire
dancers wove through the small crowd, their flames flickering against the night
sky, completing the entertainment. Marketed as the city’s “first beach club,”
the Dome Hotels - Puerto Princesa doesn’t need a label since like most who had
stayed here before, this property is fast becoming a favorite place to stay in
Puerto Princesa.
