Palm Tree Resort and Restaurant

Palm Tree Resort and Restaurant is a waterfront resort in Barrio Barretto, Olongapo, built for the practical end of a day by the bay: somewhere to eat, cool down, swim and sleep without turning the evening into an expedition. The resort has a restaurant open around the clock, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, free Wi-Fi and parking.

English is spoken by the hotel team, so the useful conversations should not require a game of charades. There is also a bar, a garden and a terrace, giving you several places to sit once the kit bag is put away. It is a straightforward choice for divers who want the essentials close at hand, with enough around the property to keep a non-diving companion occupied.

The resort stands at 116 National Highway, Barrio Barretto, in Olongapo, Philippines, directly on the shore of Subic Bay. The setting is part of the practical appeal: you are by the water rather than tucked away inland, while the surrounding area is described as a centre for leisure, dining and entertainment.

Olongapo city centre is about 1.9 miles away, so the resort is not in the middle of town itself. From Manila, the road approach follows the SCTEX route towards Subic Bay; after the Kalaklan bridge exit, continue along Zambales National Highway and look for the resort on the left.

The room choice is broad, but the useful dividing lines are simple. Solo travellers have a single standard room, couples can choose among double rooms, suites and deluxe suites, and groups have family rooms sleeping up to four people. Several categories face the garden or pool, while others offer a water view, a street view or a balcony. If the view matters more than the label, check that detail carefully when choosing the room.

Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a fridge, television, wardrobe, safe, shower, towels, toiletries and drinking water appear in the better-equipped standard, superior and deluxe categories. The smaller room categories have a shorter equipment list, so the category is worth treating as more than decoration. A fridge is handy for cold water after a hot day; air conditioning is equally welcome when you return warm, salty and ready to stop moving.

The rooms have private bathrooms, with hairdryers and irons available in several of the fuller equipment packages. There are also junior suites, suites and economy suites for travellers who prefer that format. Families should look at the exact room arrangement rather than assume that every family category offers the same facilities.

The in-house restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and stays open 24 hours. The menu covers Filipino, English and international cuisine, so a proper meal is available whether you are hungry at a normal hour or operating on the slightly unreliable timetable created by boats, tides and jet lag.

Breakfast is included in the room rate. There is one named bar: Castaway's Bar, a beach bar on the resort's top level, with views towards the shoreline and sunsets. It is the obvious place for a drink with a bit of sky around it rather than four walls and a television.

Barbecue facilities are also available. The hotel does not allow outside food inside, so meals and snacks need to come through the resort's own arrangements. That is worth knowing before returning with a bag of takeaway food and a perfectly reasonable appetite.

Two pools give you an indoor option as well as an outdoor one, with a separate children's pool for younger guests. Pool and beach towels are available, and the resort also lists beach and water-sports facilities. Jet skiing is one of the activities on offer for a day when floating quietly is not quite enough.

The spa provides a route from active to horizontal, with massages and spa treatments available. Those treatments need arranging before arrival, which is useful to know if the plan is to finish a dive day with something more restorative than a shower and a chair.

A garden, terrace and barbecue area provide simple places to spend time without adding another excursion to the programme. With the pools, spa and waterfront setting on site, a non-diving partner can make a day of it while you are away, then meet you back at the resort rather than waiting for a complicated transfer.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is at 12:00. An airport transfer can be arranged through the resort, either privately or as a shared service depending on the available arrangement. Free parking is available for guests travelling by car, and free Wi-Fi covers the hotel.

The practical services include laundry, dry cleaning, luggage storage, a safe and concierge assistance. The property has accessibility facilities and wheelchair access. There is no lift, so the room location matters if stairs are difficult. Smoking areas are provided, while the accommodation is also listed as non-smoking.

Visa, Mastercard and cash are accepted. A vaccination card is required on arrival. The swimming pools are open from 07:00 to 20:00, and only registered guests may access the rooms. Pets are accepted in selected rooms, which needs arranging with the resort before travel.