Munting Paraiso means “little paradise” and true to their name; this property is a little piece of heaven in the city of Puerto Princesa. This Filipino-Swiss owned resort maybe small in size but it packs a big heart for the environment. Just 10 to 15 minutes away from the city’s International Airport, Munting Paraiso is centrally located but still has its own lush greenery and a small collection of century old Acacia trees.
There is also a beautiful and pristine beach just a bit of a walk from the property, which gives you a feeling that you are not in the city but in some beautiful and remote island somewhere. Access to a beach is very rare in Puerto Princesa, so although Munting Paraiso is not a beachfront property, the easy access to the beach is a huge bonus.
Munting Paraiso offers 12 bungalows each with its own spacious veranda. This villa-style accommodation is perfect for couples and honeymooners. There is plenty of space where you can enjoy intimate moments and with only 12 independent bungalows, privacy is always guaranteed. Due to the size of this resort, the staff are also able to accommodate each customer’s request on a personal level.
Everywhere you go with Filipino staff, you can always count on excellent service. Munting Paraiso is no exception. The staff is well-trained and very professional. The owners are also hands-on and they mingle with their guests which is what makes the service more personal.
The whole compound is meticulously maintained and the gardens are always manicured. Despite the fact that there are quite a few big Acacia trees with falling leaves everywhere, the grounds are always kept clean and leaf-free. The swimming pool is also cleaned regularly as well as the rooms.
The Bungalows are superbly spacious, clean and sparsely furnished which is good because it gives more of a minimalist vibe and looks very organized. The beds are all King-sized which is a lot bigger and more comfortable if you will compare with other 3 star hotels. There is a huge veranda with hammocks and chairs just for lounging around. The bathrooms are well-equipped and modern.
Munting Paraiso is not directly by the beach, but there is a beautiful beach 5 minutes away. This makes the hotel one of the very in Puerto Princesa with immediate access to a nice beach area. The swimming pool is also very nicely designed, although it's quite small.
Munting Paraiso is within the city but is far enough for guests to enjoy their privacy and natural surroundings. When you stay in Munting Paraiso, you get the opportunity to walk to the nearby beach, enjoy the sun and check out some bars and restaurants.
Munting Paraiso is a little bit more expensive than other 3-star properties. However, given that you are staying in a bungalow by the beach, the value for money is really excellent.
Moreover, the property offers an array of amenities for your comfort and convenience. There is a swimming pool and a Japanese garden perfect for relaxation, a stand-by generator in case of power failure, and a gym and fitness center with sufficient equipment for health buffs. There is also Wi-Fi access in public areas as well as in your rooms. For safety, there are security cameras and a security guard. Additional features include the solar panels, PWD-friendly facilities, rooftop garden and the in-house restaurant which serves superb local and western meals for affordable prices.
Since the resort is only less than 3 years old, online reviews are still few. Nonetheless, Munting Paraiso has one of the highest ratings so far among Puerto Princesa hotels. Reviews are mostly positive and majority of the complaints are minor. TripAdvisor gives it a general rating of 4.5, Agoda rates it 9.1 with 96% of the guests saying they will recommend it to friends. Finally, the average score in Booking.com is 9.2.
Guests love the Acacia trees and the spacious veranda with sala set and hammocks. They love the spacious rooms. The tours organized by the resort were also complimented a few times. The food served by the restaurant is good and very affordable, although breakfast is not complimentary. The free shuttle to and from the airport is also a plus.
Finding negative comments online is difficult for this hotel as most of the reviews are really positive. However, the front desk flexibility can be improved. Reception desk is not available 24 hours and so customers who arrive at a later time will have difficulty dealing with their bookings.
What do guests love about Munting Paraiso?
Some issues you need to consider are:
When all is said and done, Munting Paraiso offers luxury for a very affordable price and that is something you don’t find every day. With excellent service, perfectly well-trained staff and private bungalows, plus a delightful access to the beach, Munting Paraiso is a paradise in itself.
This 30m2 bungalow has a king-sized bed and a spacious veranda with hammocks. It can accommodate 2 persons with a possibility of extra person on a sofa bed.
This is a studio-type bungalow with its own fully-equipped kitchen. There is a spacious veranda with dining set, sala set and hammocks. It can accommodate 2 persons only. The room is 30m2 and comes with a king size bed.
