Negros Occidental is one of the five provinces that compose the Western Visayas Region (Region 6). It occupies the northwestern part of the Negros island. The province is the major sugar producer in the Philippines. Hence, the nickname, “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines”.
Negros Occidental is also known for well-preserved churches, ancestral homes, and other infrastructures dating way back from during the Spanish colonization.
Aside from the province’s sugar industry and Spanish-era structures, Negros Occidental is also known for many other things. One of these is the world-famous Masskara Festival of Negros Occidental’s capital, Bacolod City. The Masskara Festival is held every third week of October. This festival is celebrated with a street dance competition of groups wearing colorfully-designed masks carved with huge smiles. Bacolod City is also dubbed as the “City of Smiles”, which is the reason for the huge smiles carved in the masks.
Negros Occidental has also become famous for its food. The Negrense flavors have captured the attention of foodies hailing not only from all over the country but likewise from all the corners of the world. From the savory Bacolod Chicken Inasal, to the oh so sweet Napoleones, one will never run out of sumptuous specialties and delicacies to try.
What are you still waiting for then? Go ahead and explore the wonders and marvels of the province of Negros Occidental.
Want to visit Negros Occidental but don’t know where to stay? Go ahead and check out our list of the top 10 best places to stay when in Negros Occidental.
10 Palmas del Mar
Palmas del Mar is a five-acre resort set facing the Guimaras Strait. With the resort located right beside the sea, guests can bask in the glorious seaside sunset while enjoying the resort’s amenities. The resort boasts of its multiple swimming pools and also offers fun activities such as boating, lawn tennis, basketball, and fishing. The biggest factor for this resort making this list, though, is its accessibility. The resort is very conveniently located at the heart of Bacolod City. So, if you’re looking to spend quality time with your family in Bacolod City, you should try staying at Palmas del Mar.
9 La Vista Highlands Mountain Resort
This is the perfect place if you’re seeking serenity. The La Vista Highlands Mountain Resort is a resort hidden in the mystical mountains of the City of San Carlos. The resort is surrounded by the lush greeneries designed by mother nature herself which makes the place perfect for guests who just want to let go and just “chillax”. What really sets this resort apart from the others, though, is the climate of its location. The resort boasts a noon temperature of not higher than 25o Celsius (77 o Fahrenheit). If you’re looking to escape the intense heat of the sun in this tropical country, go ahead and check out the La Vista Highlands Mountain Resort.
8 Artistic Diving Resort
Founded in 1998, the Artistic Diving Resort is the very first diving resort in Western Visayas. The coastal area portion of the resort is very peaceful. This makes the resort ideal for travelers looking to just slow down, relax, and let the beauty of the sea sink in. What makes this resort unique is its diving operations. The place offers diving packages that can be availed by both licensed and newbie divers. Guests can even take diving courses at the resort itself. With more than 45 diving sites offered, the sky (or in this case, the seabed) is the limit when it comes to the places you can explore. If going on underwater adventures is your thing, Artistic Diving Resort is a place you should definitely visit.
7 Nabulao Bay Beach Resort
At the southern tip of Negros Occidental, a crescent-shaped beach cove can be found on the coastline. At the center of this bay is the Nabulao Bay Beach Resort. The resort boasts of its luxurious ambiance which emanates from its sleek combination of local and Spanish architecture. The resort’s landscape is wonderfully designed with coconut trees, palm, bamboo, orchids, and other native trees giving the resort a very elegant tropical feel. The major factor that this resort became a part of this list is the overall experience. The resort’s combination of luxurious ambiance and tropical atmosphere makes it the perfect place for the barkada weekend getaway. So, if you and your barkada are looking for your next weekend hangout, you should definitely check out the Nabulao Bay Beach Resort.
6 Pata-an Mountain Resort
Located in a somewhat secluded place, the Pata-an Mountain Resort is an affordable travel destination for travelers seeking adventure. Located in Bago City, the resort first started as a simple vacation house and was slowly built into the resort that it is today. The resort’s main attraction is the majestic waterfalls that can be accessed from the resort. The reason for the resort’s inclusion in this list is its affordability. Groups of travelers may be able to enjoy an overnight stay for as low as PhP220 per person. So, if you’re on a budget and dream of an affordable adventure, go ahead and visit Pata-an Mountain Resort.
5 Whispering Palms Island Resort
The Whispering Palms Island Resort is a bungalow resort situated right by the sea. The place is teeming with offshore coral reefs and is nestled in a lush tropical garden of palm trees. The resort was designed with the traditional charm of the Philippines’ local architecture in mind. This creates a very authentic tropical experience that is sure to satiate your beach cravings. Overall, this resort was selected to be a part of this list due to its unique tropical bungalow motif. Observing the beautiful seascape in the vicinity of the resort will surely take your breath away. So, if you’re up for a tropical experience like no other, book your stay in the Whispering Palms Island Resort.
4 The Sugarland Hotel
The Sugarland Hotel is not just your ordinary hotel. It is a modern hacienda experience. The hotel has achieved the perfect balance between nostalgia and contemporary style, capturing its original Southern elegance, luxury, and decadence. The hallways are artistically designed with Machuca tiles while the hardwood floors magnificently contrast the modern furnishings and amenities. This creates a very authentic but comfortable hacienda feel. This flashback to the past that the hotel offers to its guests is what sealed its place in this list. So, if you want to experience the charm and romance of old-world plantation living, the Sugarland Hotel is definitely the place for you.
3 Mambukal Hot Spring Resort
The Mambukal Hot Spring Resort is owned and managed by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. It was established as a town-site for health and recreational purposes by virtue of Republic Act 1964 in July 22, 1957. Since then, the resort has become the go-to destination for both locals and tourists alike. The resort offers a vast array of activities like boating, wall climbing, and ziplining. What got this resort in this list, though, is the resort’s seven (yes, you read that right, seven!) waterfalls and its relaxingly therapeutic sulfur hot springs. The resort is just so jampacked with activities that you won’t be able to figure out which one to do first! So, if you’re looking for an all-in-one place where you can relax, go on an adventure, or just appreciate the scenery, go ahead and visit Mambukal Hot Spring Resort.
2 Punta Bulata Resort & Spa
Dubbed as one of Negros Island’s best-kept secrets, Punta Bulata Resort and Spa is a hidden tropical utopia. The resort’s beach is famous for having one of the finest and whitest sand in Negros Island. Guests may enjoy one whole kilometer of the pristine white sand beach in peace as the whole strip is exclusive for guests only. All in all, this resort made it to the second spot in this list because of its ambiance. The place is just so gorgeous that seeing it for the first time will surely render you speechless. Words cannot begin to describe how gorgeous and tranquil the place is. If you’re planning to visit Negros Occidental, a trip to Punta Bulata Resort & Spa is a must.
1 L’Fisher Hotel
Located along what is dubbed as the Tourism Strip of Bacolod City, L’Fisher Hotel is the most luxurious hotel in Bacolod City. The hotel is designed with a soothing blend of wood and neutral colors which gives the hotel a classy and modern but comfy feel. The hotel is also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that rival those of other first-class hotels all over the world. Aside from the hotel’s grandness, elegance, and luxuriousness, what pushed this hotel to make it to the top spot of this list is its accessibility. The hotel is located right at the heart of Bacolod City. The city’s iconic restaurants, shopping malls, and attractions are all just a few minutes away from the hotel. If you simply want the best accommodation that Bacolod City can offer, you should definitely book your stay at the L’Fisher Hotel.
