Puerto Princesa 1: La Charica Inn & Suites

It's funny that you should find my last entry to be my 2013 New Year's Resolutions, which, as you can see, were never followed to the dot. I did with the salad, the half rice and exercise, but they weren't regular. As for blogging everyday.... oh well, I'm trying.

I think, therefore, that this is the perfect first blog post of the year. Since it's about a place that has always inspired me, may it inspire me to keep on writing here daily.

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Palawan is my favorite tourist destination in the Philippines. I've visited the province a few times before, as a tourism reporter for a newspaper and as a PR account supervisor for the Malampaya natural gas project, and my amazement at the place has never ceased. This year, to celebrate my son's graduation from high school, I decided to bring my family to the spot that has etched a permanent mark in my heart.

There are many parts of Palawan worth visiting, but we decided to start with Puerto Princesa because of the St. Paul Subterranean River, which is now one of the seven new wonders of the world. We arrived in Puerto Princesa on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. The hotel's pickup van arrived almost on the dot—which increased the hotel's points in my book—and we officially began our first day in the city.

We checked in at La Charica Inn and Suites, a boutique hotel in Abad Santos St., just parallel to the Rizal national road. Since some parts of the hotel are under renovation, the facade wasn't that attractive and the view deck wasn't open. The interior of the lobby, however, is adorned with artistic wood furnishings—oddly shaped benches, masks, wall art—that contribute to the homey ambiance of the hotel.

My husband Mel in the entrance, surrounded by wooden artworks

Daughters Fides and Marthe sitting in front of a shell-adorned table

Manager Jam was very accommodating, from the very first e-mail we've exchanged. She arranged for us to get the hotel's promo rate and we chose the dormitory room for 7 for only P3,200/night. That translates to P400/person/night. I had initially booked a Family Room for that price, for six people. But my mom wanted to join and I requested Jam to squeeze in an extra person and to find a room for us seven that would not exceed my budget. She told me she won't be charging the extra person but will be moving us to a Dormitory Room so we can fit comfortably and still have enough space for our things. What's more, for that rate, daily breakfast is included. Great bargain!

Unlike the other hotels I tried to contact (such as One Rover's Place, which replied to my FB message more than a month after), La Charica gave me prompt replies to my e-mail and was willing to do the extra mile for a potential guest. Jam waived the 50% down payment and requested only for a portion of the accommodation and the cost of the Underground River tour so they can book the tour well in advance. They also agreed to help me look for a welcome grad gift that they can present to Jules when we arrive. She chose a black Palawan shirt.

Just arrived

The Dormitory Room was large enough for our group, with individual beds (not double decks) and pull-out beds for larger groups, a cable TV (with all my favorite channels except for Bio and TLC), a small fridge and a dressing table. The beds were comfortable; it was easy to be tempted to stay indoors, if not for the lure of the Underground River and Honda Bay. The aircon was cool enough (in fact, colder at times, we had to adjust the temp).

The toilet and shower looked a bit worn, and the shelf in the lavatory area was of old wood, but the toilet flushes, the bidet squirts water strongly you can use it for massage, and the shower temperature is adjustable. Shampoo and soap are provided. I wouldn't say that this is the downside of the room, as it had all the essential stuff a bathroom and toilet can offer. For P400/night, I have no complaints.

After unpacking, we toured the inn a bit—lots of renovation going on so we couldn't visit the 3rd floor balcony and spa—and then went off on a tricycle to the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk. 

Before we left, Franny of the front desk reminded us that only blue and white tricycles are allowed to transport passengers within Puerto Princesa city. Day fare is P8/person and night rate is P10/person for a given distance. Tricycles may charge higher for longer distances.

(For reservations, you may contact La Charica Inn & Suites through tel (048) 4342088, mobile 0917-8592088 or email reservation@lacharica.com.)