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MANILA, Philippines — Coron in Palawan has been repeatedly named as the home to the world's best beaches.
In reality, Coron — the island and municipality share a name — is part of the Calamian Islands along with Busuanga, Culion and several other smaller islands where these beaches can be found.
The municipality of Coron itself is a growing destination where tourists, both local and international, may opt to stay on a resort in the nearby islands to be much closer to the water and the beauties beneath it.
But what could be better than a resort on an island? If the entire island itself is the resort.
Welcome to SETIR
Naglayan Island off the northeast part of Culion Island is home to Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort, SETIR for short, a short boat ride away from Coron town, where each lodging feels like the tourist haven of Maldives was plucked and dropped in the Palawan waters.
Four beaches can be found on the island. The two main beaches are on opposite sides of an infinity pool, the sunrise side a quieter option that allows dining set-ups on the sand or small wharfs as well as water activities like snorkeling and kayaking.
A third is right beside a kids' area with plans for a nursery beside this beach catering to children, while a fourth beach is reserved for employees.
Narra trees are being replanted around the island, especially the area where solar panels were placed though the trees cut there were used for the furniture found all over the resort.
The island resort is able to save eight hours of energy because of the shared power from these solar panels and working generators.
The entirety of the island is accessible by electric buggies, though guests can explore the resort on their own with bicycles free for public use.
Maldives-like villas
Seven villa types are divided into the parts of the island, one facing the sunset and the other the sunrise, each 108 villas (and 160 rooms) offering beautiful views of the surrounding sea.
Primary among these are the 30 Salepan Villas located on the sunset side — the two-floor bungalow's name is the local term for "sunset" — each with jacuzzis with 90% salt water that is replaced daily.
Another popular selection is the Sirakan Villas on the sunrise side, again the local term for the rising sun, which have bungalows named after tourist destinations like Bali, Tuscany, Florence and Santorini, which are ideal for couples to use.
While both these villa types have glass-bottom floors for direct looks at sea life, only the Salepan Villas have direct ocean access, a roof deck perfect for sunbathing, and a butler service.
Other villas around SETIR cater to different numbers: the Two-Bedroom can host six people, the Duplex can have four or have in neighboring rooms connected by a balcony, and the One-Bedroom, Studio, and Cluster Villas all offer varied levels of privacy.
Amenities
SETIR prides itself in being peaceful tourist destination with efforts focused on the guests.
Some fun features include a wellness section in partnership with a yoga establishment from Coron, an ice bath, a gym overlooking the water ala Bali, and morning fun runs around the island with plans to make an actual run club.
One side of the island is a dedicated events place ideal for weddings, retreats, team buildings, business meetings, and all sorts of functions, to be assisted by an in-house events team.
Speaking of parties, what would a Filipino gathering be without karaoke? SETIR has the Ocean Wave KTV, which has four colored rooms with songlists updated with the latest tracks.
Related: Palawan's El Nido named among BBC’s top beach escapes
The villas are mainly just for sleeping because there is so much to do on the island, from a stroll in a butterfly garden to an array of water activities.
The latter includes volleyball or badminton on the beach, snorkeling or scuba diving in key dive sites, speed boat or yacht cruise rentals, and island hopping around the Calamian Islands.
Water sports are also divided into motorized (jet ski, hydrobob, aquajet, banana boat or flying disc) and non-motorized (kayaks or paddle boards off the beach)
Also in the works are a church, basketball court, tennis courts, helipad, firing range, and the relocation of the spa. No fishing is allowed on the island, and boats entering or exiting the island must stay clear of surrounding pearl farms marked by black buoys.
Gastronomy
Matching the number of villa types are the gastronomic options on the island, which currently stand at nine, each with various offerings:
- Mangrove (buffet breakfast area in the morning, Filipino at night)
- Island Garden (international)
- Hikari (Japanese)
- Xiang Hotpot and KBBQ (Chinese, Korean)
- Poolside Patio (comfort food)
- Ric's Place (whiskey and cigar bar)
- Café Adlaw (afternoon tea)
- The Cellar (wines)
- Luna (bar)
Luna Bar and Café Adlaw are open when SETIR is at 50% occupancy (the island can have up to 400 people), with the latter ideal for sunset views.
There is also the BarraBrew brewery, which sources fresh beer (calamansi ale, lager, India Pale Ale or IPA) for some of the island's restaurants.
The resort has a goal to invite Michelin-starred chefs to make dishes for guests later this year, as well as invite local from Coron to display delicacies and items in a sort of weekend martket.
There are also plans to have an Italian cuisine restaurant, expanding further the food options for guests.
Editor's note: The trip to SETIR was hosted by Sunlight Hotels & Resorts. At no stage does the host organization has a say on the stories generated from the coverage, interviews conducted, publication date, and story treatment. Content is produced solely by Philstar.com following editorial guidelines.
