Donatela Resort Review: 12 Exciting Things You Didn’t Know You Can Do in the Resort

Calmness. Peace. Serenity. Tranquility.

If you are longing for this kind of getaway, Donatela Resort & Sanctuary is perfect for you. 

Formerly known as Tarsier Botanika, Donatela is a 7.5 hectare luxury resort nestled in the beautiful island of Panglao, Bohol. It was originally owned by a French and Filipina couple who gave interesting names for different areas in the property. 

Tarsier Botanika for the botanical gardens and villas.
Tarsier Paprika for the cliffside restaurant.
Tarsier Equestria for the horse stable.
Tarsier Exotica for the restaurant near Alona beach with a boutique shop.

Later on, the resort was sold to a conglomerate from Cebu and its name was changed after the new owner’s daughter, Donatela. 

>> (Check also Our TOP 10 Picks for the Best Luxury Resorts in Bohol, Philippines) <<

We had amazing 4 days in this resort so we’re sharing with you 12 exciting things you didn’t know you can do in Donatela Resort & Sanctuary.

Stay in the Pool Villa

Donatela villas are uniquely designed, each with its own garden, balcony and pool that give you utmost privacy. The elegant furnished villas are built with Philippine mahogany, designed with high beamed ceilings inside and complete with luxury amenities. 

They have garden, family, pool and honeymoon villas. Only the honeymoon and pool villas have private pools. See cheaper room rates here.

We spent 4 days in their beautiful pool villa with a canopy roof. Definitely one of its kind not just in Bohol but in the Philippines! It’s hard not to notice how rich the villa is with different cultures from Filipino to Balinese, African and Chinese interior designs. It’s like taking you to places without having to leave. 

Situated in the midst of lush botanical gardens, staying in the villa all day is such a treat. You wake up in the morning listening to nature’s music around you – birds chirping, leaves dancing in the air and pool waters calming your soul. Tranquility at its finest!

Walk Around the Botanical Garden

Plantmoms, plantdads, plantitos and plantitas will love it here!!!! There are plants everywhere! The resort in itself is a large botanical garden growing different kinds of plants for your eyes to feast on. No picking, though. All for your eyes only. 😁 They also grow their own vegetables for the restaurant. From farm to table indeed! 

Never to miss when you stroll around the botanical garden is the reclining buddha, which according to Buddhists is a symbol of encouragement that beings have the potential to be enlightened from whatever it is they are suffering. The Buddha’s serene smile portrays the calmness that this enlightenment brings. 

Hidden in the botanical gardens are the water fountain and blue bridge. Make sure you have a photo of them, too. 👌✨

Have Breakfast with a View in Paprika Restaurant

Speaking of the restaurant, one of the many things that we look forward to everyday is having breakfast at Tarsier Paprika. Three breakfasts at the resort and we were able to try everything that’s on their menu, including their famous croissant and Danish bread which are freshly baked in their oven every morning. 

According to the resort manager, how their croissants are made are with the same quality of those you can find in Paris. Well, we haven’t been to Paris but at Donatela, we had a taste of Paris without even leaving. Amazing! ✨

Did I mention the breakfast view, too? Simply breathtaking! You can even opt to dine inside the air-conditioned sea view rooms or al fresco at the veranda. 

The food and view makes you want to take your time here. 

Explore Their Private Cove

Just below the cliffside restaurant is a path that leads you down to the Corniche Terrace by the water’s edge. It is carved out of the cliff walls perfect for lounging chairs, day beds and outdoor umbrellas. Further down the pathway is a tiny private cove where you can relax, read a good book and soak in the sun.

Try Horseback Riding

How cool is it that they have a stable and round arena for horseback riding inside the resort?  They have horses of different breeds and sizes for riding lessons.

We had our first basic horseback riding lessons in Donatela and to say that it was fun is an understatement. We had zero knowledge but in just an hour, we were able to handle the horses on our own around the arena, then around the resort. 

Horseback riding is also an exciting way to stroll around the resort. You can do it either in the morning or in the afternoon. A prenup shoot with horses in the stable is a great idea, too!

Visit Their Mini- Zoo

If you have kids with you, visiting their mini-zoo is a perfect fun and learning activity. 

Even with just the two of us, we still enjoyed seeing a piece of the wildlife from different species of monkeys to birds to other wild animals.

Lounge in Their Pool 

If you’re staying in a garden villa with no private pool, you don’t have to worry. There’s a big pool with a garden view that you can enjoy as well. It even has an outdoor pool bar where you can have snacks and drinks while lounging under the sun.

Get a Massage in Their Spa Village

That’s right — not just a spa room but a spa village! It’s honestly the first time we saw a resort taking massage into a different level. The entrance to the spa village is already picturesque. It’s actually where we initially planned our wedding ceremony would be. 😊

Upon entering the door, there’s literally a pathway to serenity with a huge tree greeting you and greenery all around. You can choose to do the massage outdoor or in one of the huts for more privacy. Each hut is complete with massage amenities with a comfort room and relaxing garden view.

We chose to do their signature massage which is around 90 minutes. We were served with hot ginger tea right after. 💖

Have a Sunset Romantic Dinner by the Cliff

Sunset and dinner by the cliffside with the one you love. Can it get more romantic than this? 💕

It was a bit cloudy when we got there but the sunset still painted the skies so beautifully. No hype, it was the best romantic dinner that we had! The view, the food, the ambiance and the restaurant all to ourselves. Definitely a date night to remember!

Go for a Morning Run Around the Resort

Running clears your mind and helps relieve stress. Much even more when it’s done with nature’s beauty and fresh air all around. 

We had the privilege to have the resort all to ourselves so going for a sunrise run in one of our mornings was breathtaking – literally and figuratively. 

Squeeze in Yoga or a Quick Gym Workout

One thing that we love about Donatela is that they try to give you not just a vacation to remember but also an appreciation for taking care of yourself to keep you fit. 

If running is not your thing, there’s a gym with a garden view for you. They have a weighing scale in the villa and yoga mats, too, making it easier for you to practice yoga in the comforts of your villa if you want to. After all, nature is best paired with yoga and meditation.

Indulge in International Cuisine

Donatela has always been known for its great food and now, we too, can’t help but rave about their delish menu choices. From their breakfast to lunch and dinner plus snacks and cocktails, their food in itself is already an experience.

You shouldn’t miss Donatela’s Signature Tomahawk Steak. We had it during our romantic dinner and it was amazing! We are such a huge fans of steaks and we were able to finish their large tomahawk steak with just the two of us.

New Normal Protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way we travel but Donatela made sure that they follow the new normal protocols to keep their guests safe. The resort is huge enough and even if they take full capacity, guests wouldn’t encounter others closely.

They have hygienic kits in the villa complete with masks, tissue, alcohol, sanitizer and off lotion for insect bites. The staff are wearing masks and face shields, keeping their safe distance. The restaurant is regularly sanitized, too, and washing area is strategically placed to be more accessible to everyone.

Planning to visit Bohol soon?

Donatela should be in your itinerary whether you stay for a couple of nights, just go for a day use or dine in their restaurant. 

Thank you so much for the hospitability and warm welcome, sir Alan Dimayuga. He’s one of the most accommodating resort managers that we’ve met. Thank you for taking care of us and looking after our needs throughout our stay. We had a great time at Donatela and we’ll be back soon. 😊💖

Watch our Full Vlog here:

>> (Check also Our TOP 10 Picks for the Best Luxury Resorts in Bohol, Philippines) <<

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Psalms 19:1
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