Introduction Let’s hope that the future of this property is brighter than it’s been since it opened the first time. In November, 2019, the Best Western Plus Ivywall Resort opened on the beachfront of Alona Beach, the main tourist area on the island of Bohol. Bohol is a very popular tourist destination and is a mecca for scuba and freedivers. Only a couple months later, of course, travel worldwide was stopped by the pandemic, and the staff was all sent home as the hotel was shuttered. Nearly two years later, they reopened at the beginning of December, 2021. But fate was not ready to let them. On the 16th of December, Super Typhoon Odette hit this part of the country bringing torrential rains, flooding, and winds in excess of 160 mph (260 kph). The hotel was damaged, and again tourist traffic was halted until general repairs to the area and the hotel in particular could be effected. Finally in February, 2022, the one and only international chain hotel on Bohol re-reopened. I arrived in late April, 2022, for a freediving training trip and chose the Ivywall Resort for its proximity to the dive school and its central location near the nightlife and restaurants of Alona Beach. The fact that I have BW Diamond status helped, too. I took a hire-car from the still new Panglao Tagbilaran airport (TAG). It was only about a 10 minute ride for 400 PHP, though I’m sure I could have gotten it cheaper. After arriving, I noticed that the hotel has a courtesy van which I could have booked in advance. Sadly, the first thing you notice about this property is the horror of the road leading to it. To call it a road is overstating it, even given the state of Philippine roads in general, and roads here after the typhoon in particular. The only road into the property front entrance is a one-lane, flooded out, rock strewn alley that’s over 1,000 feet long. The thought of having to use it to get back up to the main road every day made me cringe. But there’s a solution, which is unfortunately not obvious nor explained by anyone during check-in. To be honest, the road is the worst part of the property, and it’s not even theirs to maintain, so it’s a bit unfair to judge them on the approach. Once you get to the entryway and the pleasant open-air lobby, everything from that point is quite fine. The staff was very welcoming, as is normal throughout the Philippines, and informed me that as a Diamond member breakfast is free along with an afternoon “snack” in the lobby bar lounge (more on that later.) They had upgraded me to a pool-access room, but I requested something higher up with a beach view instead. The room was small by US standards, but quite adequate for my needs and had a balcony with a nice view of the ocean. There was also a little drying rack on the balcony for wet clothes. There was no tub for those that care, only an open-sided shower. The breakfast buffet was small but decent with a mix of hot Western, Asian, and local dishes changing up each day. There’s a noodle bar and egg station, too. You can sit inside or take your food out onto the sand area fronting the beach to eat with a view of the sea! The afternoon “snack” is included in some room rates or is complimentary for BW program members. Times and offerings alternate between days, starting at either 3:30 or 4 pm, and serving either hot chocolate with local sweets and chocolate sauce, or wine with savory finger food. The lobby bar where it’s held is bright and pleasant with plenty of seating for small groups or standing cafe tables. The fitness room is very small with only two treadmills, one bike, one strength machine, and some yoga mats. There’s also a tiny business center, though I couldn’t get either computer or the printer to work. Honestly, very few people ever use these facilities at a property like this, though they should at least work. The pool is the central gem of the hotel, and there are a few rooms with direct access. Note that a couple of those don’t have interior access to the rest of the hotel, so in a downpour you will get wet coming or going from those two rooms. The pool also has a large section for kids, but the swim-up pool bar is currently closed. It’s not an infinity pool, but hanging on the edge closest to the sea is still a nice view down to the beach. As I mentioned, there’s a sand area separate from but fronting the public beach inside the property with tables and chairs. It’s a great place for coffee after breakfast or dinner from the hotel restaurant and is where the live music happens in the evenings. There’s a guard at the beach-side gate who is always mindful to ask for your room number, and unlike many property guards, I got the impression these guys took their job seriously and could handle themselves well. There’s also an outdoor shower for rinsing the sand off, and a barrel of umbrellas for those who get caught out. And this is where you find out how to get in and out of the hotel without crossing the horrid road. The beach has a “road” along which all the hotels open and which has many restaurants, bars, and several dive shops. Tourists, locals, and hawkers walk back-and-forth along this path, and it’s only about a 1-minute walk to a paved stretch where you can catch a motorbike or trike taxi. No one mentioned it at check in, even after I commented at the condition of the road access. It wasn’t until I saw the foot traffic from my balcony that I realized the beach road existed. Had I gotten a room without a beach view, I might not have figured it out until breakfast. One other minor nit: there’s only two elevators, one of which has been broken since they re-reopened. With low occupancy and only 6 floors, it’s not a huge deal, but you also can’t opt to take the stairs instead as they are all alarmed. Theyve been waiting for both the parts and for the certified technician to arrive - from Japan. Given the state of travel restrictions in Japan, it might still be a while yet before the second elevator is fixed. I stayed for a week, and on the whole I was satisfied. The staff was very friendly and helpful, it’s the only international chain property on the island, and it’s located right on the beach and in the heart of the tourist area. If I ever come back to Bohol, it’s where I would stay again.