Trying to work out where to stay in Puerto Princesa? The good news is that there are some great choices, whether you’re looking for a cheap room for a night or two, a comfortable city hotel or somewhere more resort-like where you can relax by the pool.
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and the main gateway to this beautiful part of the Philippines. Many travelers only spend a short time here on their way to places such as Port Barton or El Nido, but it’s worth staying longer if you have time.
There’s more to see around Puerto Princesa than you may expect, and it’s also the jumping-off point for trips to the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Accommodation is spread around the city and surrounding areas, so the best Puerto Princesa hotel for you depends partly on what you plan to do. Staying around Rizal Avenue is convenient for restaurants, the airport and city attractions, while properties farther from the center can offer more space and a resort atmosphere.
I’ve picked nine of the best hotels in Puerto Princesa below, covering everything from inexpensive rooms to one of the city’s most luxurious resorts.
Best Hotels In Puerto Princesa: My Top Picks
If you don’t have time to read all the hotel reviews, these are my top choices:
- Best Overall: Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel
- Best Luxury Resort: Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa
- Best Boutique Hotel: Canvas Boutique Hotel
- Best Budget Stay: Hostel Privado
- Best For Families: Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa
Best Puerto Princesa Hotels Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison of the Puerto Princesa accommodation in this guide. You’ll find full reviews for each of them below.
Click the hotel name in the table below to open it in Agoda to check the prices for your dates.
| Hotel | Stars | Price | Best For | |
| Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel | ★★★★ | $$$$ | Rizal Avenue | Best overall |
| Sheridan Boutique Hotel | ★★★ | $$ | Bancao-Bancao / near airport | Affordable boutique stay |
| Canvas Boutique Hotel | ★★★ | $$$ | San Miguel / near airport | Stylish airport convenience |
| Hostel Privado | – | $ | City center | Budget travelers |
| Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa | ★★★★ | $$$$$ | Bancao-Bancao | Luxury and resort facilities |
| Go Hotels Puerto Princesa | ★★★ | $ | San Manuel / Robinsons Place | Cheap private rooms |
| The Funny Lion – Puerto Princesa | ★★★★ | $$$$ | San Pedro | Couples and resort-style stay |
| Costa Palawan Resort | ★★★ | $$ | San Pedro | Beachfront atmosphere |
| Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa | ★★★★ | $$$ | San Manuel / near Robinsons Place | Families and modern comfort |
Prices vary enormously depending on your dates, so use these price bands as a comparison between the hotels rather than a fixed indication of what you’ll pay.
Where To Stay In Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is quite spread out, and where you stay can make a difference to your trip. There isn’t one single hotel district that suits everyone, but most of the accommodation in this guide falls into a few useful areas.
Rizal Avenue And The City Center
Rizal Avenue and the surrounding central area are among the most convenient places to stay in Puerto Princesa, particularly if this is your first visit.
You’ll have easy access to restaurants, shops and other city conveniences, and you’re still only a short trip from Puerto Princesa Airport. It’s a particularly good location if you’re spending a couple of nights sightseeing before continuing elsewhere in Palawan.
Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel and Hostel Privado are good choices if being central is your priority.
Bancao-Bancao And Near Puerto Princesa Airport
Bancao-Bancao is south of the main city center and convenient for Puerto Princesa Airport. It’s a good area if you’re arriving late, have an early flight or simply want a short transfer when you land.
There’s quite a range of accommodation here too. Sheridan Boutique Hotel is an affordable choice close to the airport, while Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa gives you a completely different experience with extensive grounds and resort facilities.
This area can also feel quieter and less urban than staying right in the center.
San Pedro
San Pedro is north of the city center and works particularly well if you’d rather have more of a resort atmosphere than be right among the shops and restaurants of central Puerto Princesa.
The Funny Lion is a good upscale choice here or the Costa Palawan Resort.
The trade-off is that you won’t have the same walk-out-the-door convenience as you would around Rizal Avenue.
San Manuel And Robinsons Place
The area around Robinsons Place Palawan in San Manuel is useful if you like having shopping, restaurants and everyday conveniences nearby.
Go Hotels Puerto Princesa is right by Robinsons Place and is one of the cheapest private-hotel options in this guide. Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa gives you a more comfortable, facility-rich alternative in the same general area.
It’s farther from the airport than the Bancao-Bancao properties, but can be a very practical location if you’re staying for more than a quick overnight stop.
San Miguel And The Airport Area
San Miguel is another convenient area for the airport and works particularly well for a short stay at the beginning or end of your Palawan trip.
Canvas Boutique Hotel is my pick here. You get the convenience of staying close to the airport without having to settle for a basic airport hotel.
If you’re only spending one or two nights in Puerto Princesa before heading to Port Barton or El Nido, this is one of the locations I’d consider first.
Best Places To Stay In Puerto Princesa
Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel – Best Hotel In Puerto Princesa Overall
If you want a comfortable, dependable hotel in a convenient city location, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel is my top pick.
It’s on Rizal Avenue Extension in the heart of Puerto Princesa, so it’s particularly convenient if you want easy access to restaurants, the airport and city attractions without staying at a basic transit hotel.
Despite its central location, there’s enough here to make it enjoyable to spend time at the hotel too. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, spa, fitness facilities, restaurant and poolside bar. There’s also free Wi-Fi and parking.
The rooms have a contemporary Filipino style and are more polished than you’ll find at many of Puerto Princesa’s cheaper hotels.
Deluxe Rooms come with either one double bed or two single beds and sleep two people. They’re air-conditioned and have a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, minibar and safe.
Premier Rooms also sleep two and add extras such as a coffee maker, while the suites have a king bed, sofa and refrigerator.
Families are particularly well catered for. The Family Room sleeps up to four people with one queen bed and two single beds, making this one of the easier Puerto Princesa hotels to book if you’re traveling with children and don’t want separate rooms.
This isn’t the most luxurious property in this article, but that’s part of why I like it. You get the facilities of a good four-star hotel without having to pay resort prices.
Pros:
- Excellent central location
- Swimming pool and spa
- Restaurant and bar
- Good range of room configurations
- Family rooms sleeping four
- Close to the airport
Cons:
- More expensive than many central Puerto Princesa hotels
- Doesn’t have the tropical resort setting of some properties farther from the center
Best For: Travelers wanting the best combination of location, comfort and facilities.
Click here for the latest prices.
Sheridan Boutique Hotel – Best Affordable Boutique Hotel
Sheridan Boutique Hotel is a good choice if you want something smaller and more affordable without dropping down to a very basic hotel.
This three-star boutique property is close to Puerto Princesa Airport, which makes it particularly convenient at the beginning or end of a Palawan trip. It’s also a manageable base for exploring the city.
There are only around 30 rooms, giving Sheridan a more intimate feel than the bigger hotels and resorts in this guide.
Room choices include Standard, Superior and Deluxe accommodation. Rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms, and the hotel also offers Wi-Fi.
One of Sheridan’s facilities is Anya Spa, so you can still book a massage and relax without paying for one of Puerto Princesa’s expensive resort hotels.
There’s parking and an airport shuttle can also be arranged, which is useful if you’re arriving with luggage or have an early flight.
Sheridan isn’t somewhere I’d choose if I wanted to spend my vacation lounging around a large swimming pool. Its appeal is really its combination of price, airport convenience and boutique scale.
Pros:
- Close to Puerto Princesa Airport
- Usually much cheaper than the larger four-star hotels
- Small boutique atmosphere
- Spa
- Airport transfers available
Cons:
- Fewer resort facilities
- Better for a city stay than a resort vacation
Best For: Couples and travelers wanting an affordable boutique hotel close to the airport.
Click here for the latest prices.
Canvas Boutique Hotel – Best Boutique Hotel In Puerto Princesa
For something a little more stylish, take a look at Canvas Boutique Hotel.
Canvas is close to Puerto Princesa Airport and is one of my favorite choices if you only have a couple of nights in the city but still want your accommodation to feel special.
The hotel has a colorful contemporary design that immediately sets it apart from Puerto Princesa’s more conventional midrange hotels.
Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with private bathrooms and modern amenities. There are options suitable for couples as well as larger rooms for families and groups.
One of the biggest reasons to stay here is the outdoor swimming pool. It’s great to have somewhere to cool off after sightseeing, particularly if you’ve arrived in Puerto Princesa after a long journey.
There’s also an on-site restaurant and bar, Wi-Fi and airport transportation, making Canvas an easy place to stay if you don’t want to organize lots of extras yourself.
The location is convenient for the airport and city rather than being a beach or resort setting. For me, that’s actually an advantage if Puerto Princesa is just a quick stop in a larger Palawan trip.
Pros:
- Stylish boutique design
- Very convenient for the airport
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Restaurant and bar
- Good choice for a short Puerto Princesa stay
Cons:
- Costs more than Puerto Princesa’s basic midrange hotels
- Not a beachfront or secluded resort
Best For: Travelers who want a stylish, comfortable hotel close to the airport.
Click here for the latest prices.
Hostel Privado – Best Budget Accommodation In Puerto Princesa
You don’t need to spend much to find somewhere comfortable in Puerto Princesa, and Hostel Privado is one of the better choices for travelers trying to keep costs down.
Despite the name, this isn’t simply a backpacker dormitory. There are private rooms available, which makes it a useful option for couples and other budget travelers who want low prices without necessarily sharing a room with strangers.
The location is another advantage. Hostel Privado is in central Puerto Princesa, putting restaurants and other city conveniences within easy reach.
Rooms are simple but include the basics you need for a short stay. Depending on the room you choose, there are different bed configurations, including accommodation suitable for couples and small groups. Air-conditioning is available, and there are private-bathroom options.
There’s also Wi-Fi, and parking is available.
I particularly like Hostel Privado for travelers who are only using Puerto Princesa as a jumping-off point. If you’re arriving one day and taking a van to Port Barton or El Nido the next, there’s little reason to spend resort prices unless you want to.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to spend several days relaxing at your hotel, I’d spend more for one of the properties with a swimming pool and more facilities.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Central location
- Private-room options
- Good for short stays
- Useful choice for backpackers and independent travelers
Cons:
- Much simpler than the hotels and resorts in this guide
- Limited leisure facilities
Best For: Backpackers and budget travelers who want an inexpensive central base.
Click here for the latest prices.
Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa – Best Luxury Hotel In Puerto Princesa
If your hotel is going to be a major part of your Puerto Princesa experience or you just the absolute best resort in the area, Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa is the one I’d choose.
This is a very different proposition from the city hotels above. It’s a large tropical resort in Bancao-Bancao with extensive grounds, swimming facilities and accommodation ranging from conventional hotel rooms to seriously impressive villas and suites.
Even the entry-level Princesa Classic Rooms are large at around 45–50 square meters. They sleep two adults and up to two children, with either a king or twin beds, a balcony overlooking the pool, private bathroom with rain shower and a large TV.
There are also rooms with direct pool access, which are particularly appealing if you plan to spend plenty of time at the resort.
Families have some fantastic choices. The huge Family Room with Pool Access sleeps up to four adults and two children with a king bed and bunk beds. It has direct pool access, two bathrooms and separate living and dining space.
Then there are the splurge options.
Premier Pool rooms are bungalow-style accommodations with direct pool access, while the Water Villas have king beds, ocean-facing bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling glass and private decks with outdoor bathtubs.
The resort also has three-bedroom suites capable of sleeping larger families and groups.
Facilities extend well beyond the rooms. Stays include access to the resort facilities, sandbar access and limited use of non-motorized water sports such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Bike use is also included subject to availability.
It’s expensive by Puerto Princesa standards, but you are getting far more than simply a room for the night.
I’d especially consider Princesa Garden if you’re finishing a busy Palawan trip and want a couple of days where you don’t need to do very much at all.
Pros:
- Best resort experience in Puerto Princesa
- Huge range of rooms, suites and villas
- Direct-pool-access accommodation
- Excellent family rooms
- Water Villas available
- Water sports and extensive resort facilities
- Great choice for relaxing rather than simply sleeping
Cons:
- One of the more expensive choices
- Less convenient if your priority is walking around central Puerto Princesa
Best For: Families, couples and anyone wanting a proper resort experience.
Click here for the latest prices.
Go Hotels Puerto Princesa – Best Cheap Hotel In Puerto Princesa
If you want a cheap private hotel room rather than hostel accommodation, Go Hotels Puerto Princesa is a very practical option.
It’s beside Robinsons Place Palawan, which is a major advantage. You have shops and places to eat close by, while Puerto Princesa Airport is around a 15–20 minute drive away.
The hotel has more than 100 rooms, divided primarily between Queen and Twin configurations.
Queen Rooms have one queen bed and sleep up to two people, while Twin Rooms have two beds and also sleep two.
The rooms are compact at around 16–22 square meters, but they’re well equipped for the price. You get individually controlled air-conditioning, a private bathroom with hot and cold shower, free Wi-Fi, an in-room safe, telephone and 32-inch cable TV.
The hotel also provides basic toiletries, and hairdryers and irons can be requested.
There’s an on-site restaurant, parking and a 24-hour front desk. Airport transfers can also be arranged for an additional charge.
This isn’t the place to book for a romantic resort stay. But if your priorities are a proper private room, air-conditioning, a private bathroom and a convenient location at a low price, it does the job very well.
Pros:
- Excellent value
- Beside Robinsons Place Palawan
- Private bathrooms
- Air-conditioning and Wi-Fi
- Queen and twin rooms
- Restaurant and parking
Cons:
- Rooms are fairly compact
- Limited leisure facilities
- Around 15–20 minutes from the airport rather than right beside it
Best For: Budget travelers who prefer a conventional hotel to a hostel.
Click here for the latest prices.
The Funny Lion – Best Upscale Boutique Resort
The Funny Lion is another excellent option if you’re happy to spend more for somewhere with personality and good facilities.
It’s in Barangay San Pedro, away from the busiest part of central Puerto Princesa, and has more of a boutique-resort feel than a city business hotel.
The rooms are particularly straightforward to understand.
Cub Rooms are around 30 square meters and have two double beds, while King Rooms are the same size with one king bed. Both are designed for two adults and can also accommodate one young child.
Whichever category you choose, rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, Wi-Fi, a mini-refrigerator, tea and coffee-making facilities and a safe. Bathrooms have hot and cold showers, toiletries and hairdryers.
The property also has the facilities you’d hope for at this price level, including a swimming pool, restaurant and spa.
I’d choose The Funny Lion over one of the central hotels if I wanted somewhere attractive to come back to each afternoon rather than simply a convenient place to sleep.
It’s particularly appealing for couples who want something more memorable than a chain hotel but don’t necessarily need the huge scale or price tag of Princesa Garden Island Resort.
Pros:
- Attractive boutique-resort atmosphere
- Spacious 30-square-meter rooms
- King and double-bed configurations
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant and spa
- Good in-room facilities
Cons:
- More expensive than most Puerto Princesa city hotels
- Location isn’t as central as Rizal Avenue
Best For: Couples and travelers wanting an upscale boutique-resort experience.
Click here for the latest prices.
Costa Palawan Resort
Costa Palawan Resort is worth considering if you’d rather have a waterside resort setting than stay in the middle of Puerto Princesa.
The resort is in San Pedro and has a waterfront setting and private beach area, but don’t picture the white-sand swimming beaches Palawan is famous for. The appeal here is more about the water views, pools and relaxed resort atmosphere.
There are two swimming pools, as well as a spa, fitness center, restaurant, gardens and water-sports facilities. That makes it a good option if you want some resort facilities without jumping all the way to the price of Princesa Garden Island Resort.
The rooms are also impressively spacious.
Classic Rooms are around 31 square meters and come in queen and twin configurations. They have private bathrooms, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a TV, desk, safe and private veranda.
The Classic Twin is particularly useful if you’re traveling with someone you don’t want to share a bed with, while families can look at the larger room and suite configurations.
If you want more space, Deluxe Rooms are around 55 square meters with a king bed, private balcony and separate lounge area.
The Premiere accommodation goes up to around 75 square meters and adds features such as a king bed, walk-in closet, private balcony and couple’s spa Jacuzzi.
Costa Palawan isn’t the best choice if your main priority is walking straight out of your hotel into Puerto Princesa’s restaurant and shopping areas. But that’s not really what it’s trying to be.
Choose it if you’d rather have pools, sea views and space to relax.
Pros:
- Beachfront setting
- Two swimming pools
- Spa and fitness center
- Spacious rooms
- Private balconies/verandas
- Restaurant and water sports
- Good alternative to a more expensive luxury resort
Cons:
- Less convenient for central Puerto Princesa
- Beachfront here isn’t the same tropical-island beach experience you’ll find elsewhere in Palawan
Best For: Travelers wanting a relaxed beachfront resort without paying top-end prices.
Click here for the latest prices.
Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa – Best Modern Hotel For Families
Hue Hotels & Resorts is a strong final choice if you want a modern four-star hotel with plenty of facilities but don’t need a full-scale tropical resort.
It’s particularly useful for families and travelers who appreciate having shops and conveniences nearby.
The hotel has contemporary rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and Wi-Fi, with configurations suitable for couples as well as families.
The rooftop swimming pool is one of its biggest attractions and gives you somewhere pleasant to relax after a day exploring Puerto Princesa.
There’s also a restaurant, fitness facilities and spa services, so this is another property where you don’t have to leave the hotel every time you want to eat or unwind.
I think Hue sits in a useful middle ground in this list.
It’s considerably more polished and facility-rich than the budget and basic midrange options, but you don’t have to commit to the cost or more isolated setting of a luxury resort.
For families, that combination can work particularly well. You have the comforts of a four-star hotel while remaining within easy reach of the practical side of Puerto Princesa.
Pros:
- Modern four-star hotel
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Good choice for families
- Restaurant
- Fitness and spa facilities
- Convenient city location
Cons:
- More expensive than Puerto Princesa’s many good midrange hotels
- Doesn’t have a beachfront or secluded resort setting
Best For: Families and travelers wanting modern facilities in a convenient location.
Click here for the latest prices.
Best Cheap Hotels In Puerto Princesa
If keeping costs down is your main priority, you have plenty of options.
Of the hotels in this guide, Hostel Privado is my first choice for backpackers and travelers who want to spend as little as possible.
If you’d rather stay in a conventional hotel, Go Hotels Puerto Princesa is a great alternative. Its rooms are simple but have the important things I want in a budget stay: air-conditioning, a private bathroom, Wi-Fi and a comfortable bed.
Sheridan Boutique Hotel is worth the extra money if you’d prefer somewhere with a little more character while still keeping the price reasonable.
Best Luxury Hotels In Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa doesn’t have a huge number of true luxury hotels, and I wouldn’t describe every four-star property as luxury simply because it has a swimming pool.
If you’re looking for a genuine resort experience, Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa is the standout.
The huge rooms, pool-access options, family suites and water villas put it in a different category from the city’s regular hotels.
For something upscale but more understated, The Funny Lion is a great alternative.
Best Western Plus The Ivywall is my choice if you’re more interested in four-star comfort and an excellent central location than a resort atmosphere.
Best Hotels Near Puerto Princesa Airport
One advantage of staying in Puerto Princesa is that the airport is remarkably close to the city, so you don’t necessarily need to sacrifice a good location just to be near your flight.
Canvas Boutique Hotel is one of my favorite choices if airport convenience is important. It gives you a much nicer experience than a basic airport hotel while keeping you close to the terminal.
Sheridan Boutique Hotel is another good option, particularly if you want to spend less.
Best Western Plus The Ivywall also works well if you want to combine airport convenience with a central location and more facilities.
Final Words
There are plenty of good places to stay in Puerto Princesa, and you don’t need a huge budget to find somewhere comfortable.
For most travelers, my pick is Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel. Its central location, swimming pool, restaurant and comfortable rooms make it an easy all-round choice.
If you’re watching your budget, choose Hostel Privado or Go Hotels Puerto Princesa.
For something more stylish, I like Canvas Boutique Hotel, while The Funny Lion is a great choice if you want more of a boutique-resort experience.
And if you want to finish your Palawan trip with a splurge, book Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa and give yourself enough time to actually enjoy the facilities.
Whichever you choose, I recommend spending at least a little time exploring Puerto Princesa rather than treating it purely as somewhere to fly in and out of. There’s plenty to do in and around the city, and it’s a great introduction to Palawan.
Read our Puerto Princesa itinerary guide for what you can do while you are here. You can also find our guide to how to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton here or to El Nido here. Find all our guides to Palawan here.
