Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

"An appropriately tropical vibe fills this 530-room property sprawling across 32 acres of blooms, tropical grass, stone cranes, and deities. Rooms have a casual glamour with Filipino touches of capiz shell, mother of pearl, coral, and sea shells. The best are in the Ocean Wing with dedicated pool (one of two here). An idyllic afternoon is one where you rent a pair of fins and drift with 160 species of aquatic life in the resort's Marine Sanctuary, from the electric-blue-fringed angel fish to the more diminutive wrasser. CHI, a secluded spa, incorporates traditional healing method treatments like a Mactan synergy scrub using sampaguita, the country’s national flower. With seven restaurants serving up Chinese to Italian, and hallmark zesty mangoes around the property, you won’t go hungry."