The Amanpulo experience starts at their private hangar where the boarding process is painless and utterly shorn of the pressures attendant to catching a flight in the domestic airport. One simply hands over one’s bags to the smiling baggage crew and is whisked off to the lounge to wait for departure while enjoying a refreshing beverage of choice. The aircraft is a 16 seat propeller plane and after a nervous few moments dealing with my fear of small aircrafts, I settle in for the hour-long flight.

Upon landing in Pamalican Island, on which Amanpulo sits, my family of three is driven to a beachfront casita in a private golf cart that will be ours for the duration of our stay. After exploring our commodious accommodations—which include an expansive bedroom with a well-placed sitting area, a bathroom that offers up twin sinks and both indoor and outdoor showers, plus closet space to hold enough clothing for a month’s stay—I venture down the path that leads directly to the beach.

My breath catches as I take in the stunning white sand beach, glowing in front of me. The quality of the sand is delicate and fresh, so fine in texture that one does not feel any heat underfoot as you slowly walk towards the shore. The water is absolutely clear and shimmering in the sun. I am mesmerised by the transparent turquoise sea, peacefully majestic, punctuated in some parts with slashes of sapphire blue. The sky is a boundless ceiling with cotton-like clouds in billowy shapes adding depth and perspective to the vista above. I am alone on the beach, and so it will remain for the next few days, with hardly anyone crossing my vantage point, save for one or two souls who quietly go on their solitary walks.

We spend the days absorbed by the sheer peacefulness Amanpulo offers. It is as if you have walked into, and are now a part of, this moving spectacle of nature. The mood of the day varies as the hours go by and the quiet is broken by the sound of waves lapping at the shore, sometimes with a thud but most times with melodious harmony. On some days, we have pizza lunches at the beach washed down with chilled white wine; on others, we go to the beach club that offers the best paellas and fresh seafood cooked to perfection. One evening, we have a private barbeque right by the beach front of our casita, gorgeously laid out with lanterns, a table with pristine white table linen set with sparkling crystal and cutlery. Executive Chef Erwin Joven, the first Filipino in this capacity at Amanpulo, creatively ensures excellent cuisine is served in all the resort’s food and beverage outlets.

There are tons of aquatic activities to partake in like snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and windsurfing. On land, there are tennis courts for those inclined, bicycles to borrow to explore the island, and nature walks along trails of unspoilt tropical wilderness. The reflexology massages I had at the casita most afternoons were sublime, a most pleasant way to relax as my family dabbled in more energetic pursuits.

The gracious service that one gets at Amanpulo stands out, it is ever so solicitous but never intrusive. The staff instinctively know to how to have you enjoy your privacy and yet at one call, they are there to deliver top-notch care with the attention to detail that cannot be missed.

We learnt that Amanpulo is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Clearly, this property is in a class all by itself. Not only does it provide its guests with the most memorable vacations, but it also gives back to the community. I spoke to some staffers and found out that about 80 per cent of the team at Amanpulo come from the neighbouring island of Manamoc. Some have been with the resort since it opened and now their children are also employed by the organisation, with medical and educational support given to residents of Manamoc island. 

It all comes full circle. In 1993, this private island was transformed into one of the most idyllic retreats in the world. Now, it reaches out to the world by consistently providing an unforgettable experience and shares its bounty with countless others. There really is a returning—in my case, I have already made a booking for the latter part of this year.