This slow-paced Palawan escape at Four Points Puerto Princesa has completely ruined family travel for us — in the best possible way.
Key Points:
• We thought we were simply taking a break with the kids — just another typical hotel resort staycation. But we had no idea it would completely transform our idea of what a “real” family vacation could be.
• From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with the unforgettable experience of a baby turtle release.
• We lingered over unhurried breakfasts, lounged the day away at the resort, and shared meaningful adventures exploring the Palawan Underground River and the Sheridan Organic Farm — all together as a family.
MNL ✈️ PPS
Our Cebu Pacific flight 5J 635 from Manila to Puerto Princesa departed on time at 7:05 AM and landed comfortably around 8:35 AM.
It’s always best to take the first flight out in the early morning.
It was our first time flying together as a family (post pandemic) — something Yugi had always dreamed of doing with his brothers.
Our estimated arrival at Four Points by Sheraton was 10:00 AM—yes, it takes another hour and a half to reach the beautiful Sabang Beach enclave. Big thanks to Salton Travel for getting us there safely!
TURTLE WELCOME
It was surreal. Just as we arrived, baby turtles that had hatched a few days earlier were being released into the sea. At 11:00 AM, everyone had gathered on the beach to witness the magical moment.
Timing a trip to coincide with a turtle release is rare — we had only witnessed it once before in San Vicente, Palawan. For turtles to return and nest on a beach, the environment must be ecologically clean and safe, a place they instinctively trust to lay their eggs.
FOUR POINTS
Four Points by Sheraton is Marriott’s midscale, four-star “select-service” brand designed for uncomplicated comfort for both business and leisure travelers who want reliability—clean rooms, fast Wi-Fi, gym/pool access—without unnecessary extras.
Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa
📍Sabang, Brgy. Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
FB: Four Points by Sheraton Palawan, Puerto Princesa
IG: @fourpointspuertoprincesa
🌐 https://fourpointspalawan.com
The majority of guests are foreign travelers on vacation, spending their days lounging and soaking in the beauty of this tropical paradise. It’s also a favorite among Filipino families who appreciate the balance of a comfortable hotel stay while exploring the Palawan Underground River together.
(Note: I remember staying here back when it was still the 3-star Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, which closed in March 2021 and taken over by Mariott International Inc. Now, the hotel feels subtly luxurious—with all the bad juju from the old establishment finally gone.)
We stayed in a suite with a king-sized bed, a balcony overlooking the pool, and a Bldg B location right next to the beach. This is where we spent most of our time—hanging out and watching movies together. Yugi still loves his bathtub time and really enjoyed having his own mini pool.
The teenagers stayed in a Deluxe room with two beds, a balcony, and a pool view. They preferred having their own space and enjoyed the independence to do their own secret stuff.
SABANG MOMENTS
The waves were quite strong, which the kids loved, and the beach has a gentle slope with no sudden drops. It was fun playing with the waves since the bottom is all soft sand.
And just like that… we played our first game of beach volleyball together as a family. It was a lot of fun, though pretty tiring—running on the sand and chasing after the ball when it went out.
One of our favorite moments was playing pool basketball with the kiddos!
Sunday Mass is just a five-minute walk along Sabang Beach to the Santuario de San Jose Marello Parish.
UNHURRIED BREAKFASTS
Breakfast is energizing with a view of the hammocks, coconut trees, and the beach.
Enjoy a vibrant buffet breakfast with a live kitchen featuring a bakery, noodle bar, and egg station in a curated Western-style buffet. It’s best to go around 8:30 AM and enjoy a little bit of everything—sausage, bacon, nuts, eggs, bread, and yogurt with jam.
My personal favorites are the healthy shooters, homemade peanut butter, cashew-butternut spread, and the variety of jams: mango, strawberry, and pineapple. I especially love the unhurried mornings, sharing breakfast with the kids.
UNDERGROUND RIVER
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of Palawan, is a protected area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012.
I was excited to take the kids to this famed Philippine natural wonder – it was magnificent. I appreciate how tourism is managed by limiting daily visitors and providing a multilingual audio tour with personal earphone. In the past, boatmen loudly pointed out formations; now, they quietly illuminate them, creating a more peaceful museum-like experience.
(Read more: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Family Experience)
SHERIDAN FARM
This is the newest farm attraction in Sabang, created by the owners of Four Points. The Sheridan Organic Farm supplies organic rice and other produce to Four Points. It’s a working farm where the kids enjoyed seeing the animals, exploring vegetable plots, trying outdoor archery, and ending with a surprise family boodle fight.
(Read more: Sheridan Organic Farm Experience)
EVOLUTION
Evolution is the resort’s only restaurant—a modern, stylish beachfront spot offering a fresh, locally inspired menu that blends simplicity with sophistication.
My favorite is the INIHAW buffet served in the evening, showcasing freshly charcoal-grilled meats and seafood such as tuna, mussels, and squid. It’s a wholesome indulgence, best enjoyed with a glass of wine or their signature craft beer.
We love the Filipino dishes—shrimp sinigang, kilawin, grilled lapu-lapu, and roasted chicken—served family-style, making it perfect for a celebratory gathering in this family-friendly destination.
Quattro Formagi Neapolitan Pizza paired with Pineapple by the Sea craft beer is my favorite!
On our final night, we enjoyed a memorable private beachside dinner—barefoot dining, family-style sharing, and a romantic ambiance that perfectly capped off our unforgettable family escape in Palawan.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Our slow-paced family escape to Four Points by Sheraton Puerto Princesa completely redefined what a meaningful vacation could be. From the unforgettable welcome of a baby turtle release to unhurried breakfasts and shared adventures exploring the Underground River and Sheridan Organic Farm, every moment brought us closer together. Flying as a family for the first time post-pandemic, we embraced beachside living in Sabang—from waves and volleyball to pool basketball and cozy movie nights. The resort’s understated luxury, family-friendly vibe, and locally inspired dining made it all the more memorable, capped off by a private beachfront dinner that felt like the perfect ending to a perfect family getaway in Palawan.
We recommend a 4-day, 3-night stay. Schedule your Palawan Underground River tour in advance, ideally for the morning of your second day. Dedicate the third day to simply unwinding at the resort. Since the first and fourth days are primarily for travel between the airport and Sabang, be sure to allow at least half a day for the journey each way. Don’t forget to pick up pasalubong (souvenirs) from town—just make sure to allot enough time before heading to the airport.
Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa
📍Sabang, Brgy. Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
FB: Four Points by Sheraton Palawan, Puerto Princesa
IG: @fourpointspuertoprincesa
🌐 https://fourpointspalawan.com
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by 100% human, with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Thank you to Four Points by Sheraton Puerto Princesa for the awesome experience!
P.S. Walk into town and pick up some chicha and drinks from the sari-sari store for movie night.
