Located in beguiling Bohol, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa radiates distinct Filipino touches in a luxe setting Words by Maritess Garcia Reyes | Photography Aldwin Aspillera | Additional words, production, and styling: Mia Borromeo
Named after the only known indigenous tribe of Bohol, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa is a charming all-villa seaside property set on 40 acres in the province’s popular island destination of Panglao. The resort features a diverse topography with lush greenery, a private 600-metre powdery shoreline, and gradually descending cliffs that command a view of the cerulean Bohol Sea.
Eskaya can be accessed by a swift one-hour flight from Manila and an easy 30-minute drive from Tagbilaran airport. The resort’s rustic stone entrance is hard to miss with its massive riprap wall framed by flame trees; a salakot-inspired (native Filipino hat) guard house stands in the middle. Paved pathways lead to 24 thatched villas, comprised of the original 15 (designed by the architectural firm Mañosa & Company) echoing a traditional Filipino vibe and nine new villas with interiors that resonate a fresh, contemporary take on Filipino design by the up and coming interior designer, Jigs Adefuin. Eskaya’s villas are solidly built of stone and combined with the ample use of indigenous materials like bamboo, cogon, and wood.