Heavenly places to stay at to have that complete experience of Boracay
[Do also visit my post on omy.sg’s Boracay Island Escapade and also my set of posts at that same site. Do also cast a vote for me and stand a chance to win a trip 5D4N trip for 2 to Boracay at Boracay Island Escapade on omy.sg (you may cast one vote a day and voting ends at 12 pm on 2 September 2013).]
Boracay has probably got everything for an island holiday. While its immense natural beauty alone will no doubt cast a spell on anyone who visits it, the island does boast of some truly wonderful places to stay at to provide a complete island holiday experience one from magical resorts which will take one’s breath away (such as the Shangri-La Boracay Spa and Resort which I last posted on) to places ideal for that beachfront party getaway.
Boracay has some accommodation which would make one want to run back from the beach to.
Together with nine other bloggers on Tigerair Philippines inaugural flight from Singapore to Kalibo Airport in July, through the Philippine Department of Tourism, I got to have a look at some of them – all of which deserve consideration when planning a trip to the island paradise which was named as Travel + Leisure Magazine’s World’s Best Island in 2012. The ones I did get the opportunity to look at or have an experience of are:
- Shangri-La Boracay Spa and Resort (on a previous post)
- Fairways and Bluewater Resort
- 7Stones Boracay Suites
- Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa
- Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel
- Discovery Shores Boracay
Boracay’s Puka Beach – the island was named by Travel + Leisure Magazine as the World’s Best Island in 2012.
Fairways and Bluewater Resort
A magical view at Fairways and Bluewater.
One property that does also offer some magnificent and equally magical views is the Fairways and Bluewater Resort, where one of my favourite scenic spots on the island is. Located on the island’s northeast, it is spread over a 150 hectare site and deserves mention for its three very exclusive coves and its golf course – an 18-hole course which is the island’s only one (it is also where guests at Shangri-La head to for a game of golf).
Fairways and Bluewater features an 18-hole golf course.
We experienced great hospitality at the resort – with yam ice cream served after coming down the zipline.
Finding out why Paradise Cove in Fairways and Bluewater is indeed paradise.
Paradise Cove.
Beyond golf and the pretty views, there is lots more on offer at the resort, including accommodation and a wide range of activities for the entire family. The activities range from ones in and on the azure waters fronting the resort’s white sandy beaches, to kid friendly ones, as well as activities that would appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure. These include All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rides, zipping high above the treeline on a zipline (the resort does have the longest and fastest zipline on the island) and ones that are less vigourous ones such as horse and segway rides on the beach. Water activities range from getting high or up to speed with jet-skis, speed boats, jet boats, banana boats and parasails as well as popular must-do activities such as island hopping, helmet diving, fly fishing and scuba diving.
There’s a range of sea sports which will have a huge appeal to guests with a sense of adventure.
Bloggers who did have a very different sense of adventure (not available of course to guests) on a tour of the resort’s facilities.
Christina with a new found friend.
Atsuko horsing around.
Valyn all geared up for the segway.
William on a horse.
Lots also to do on and above the water.
The Maris Spa at Fairways and Bluewater.
A look inside one of the spa’s treatment rooms.
A reflection of the beach on the windows of the spa’s rooms.
The resort’s accommodation ranges from comfortable family rooms to luxurious suites and villas – a total of 300 rooms are available. More information can be found at the resort’s website.
A bedroom in one of the resort’s suites.
Out on the terrace.
Dining area inside a suite.
The Villa Catalina.
Another bedroom inside a villa.
A lounge area inside the villa.
7Stones Boracay Suites
7Stones Suites at Bulabog Beach.
I have mentioned the 7Stones Boracay Suites previously as a choice of where I would stay on the island. While it does not come with the stand-out magical views of the Shangri-La and Fairways and Bluewater, its draw to me is its very convenient location. Located on a 4000 square metre plot at Bulabog Beach on the island’s east, the luxury boutique beachfront hotel, is sufficiently far enough from the hustle and bustle of White Beach where most of the action takes place, and yet close enough to it to quite easily get to its powdery white sands and the excitement it offers – being just a short tricycle taxi ride away. I also like the more personal feel it has on offer with only 28 rooms and suites, and its restaurant.
Bulabog Beach near 7Stones Boracay Suites.
It was at the hotel’s restaurant, the 7th Note Café, where we did have lunch at on the second full day. The cut of premium Australian steak which was served with a huge prawn from the grill that we had was to me the stand-out culinary experience I had on the island! 7th Note Café is definitely a must eat at place if you do ever find yourself on Bulabog Beach.
Lunch at 7th Note Café.
Tropical fruit shake.
Ice cream!
Someone was naughty – fortunately Christina had already had lunch!
Accommodation at 7Stones ranges from Superior Rooms to large suites with up to three bedrooms to accommodate a family of six. More information can be found at 7Stones’ website.
The children’s swimming pool.
A suite at 7Stones.
Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa
The resort we did put up at was the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa, a beachfront property at White Beach’s Boat Station 2. It is perfectly placed, along with the next resort I will introduce, the Mandarin Boracay, to be close to where the bulk of the action in Boracay is as well as having the powdery white sands White Beach has a reputation for, right at its doorstep.
White Beach Boracay in front of the Boracay Regency.
The Boracay Regency is also one which is very well equipped, offering guests of its 285 rooms a range of facilities which include three very nice swimming pools – all conveniently located to serve each of its three wings. It does offer some wonderful places to dine at including a café right on the beach – the Seabreeze Café which by night transforms itself into a spectacle with its live band and dancing cooks. Another place to have a meal at which has a very pleasant setting is Christina’s which offers a mix of Filipino and Italian cuisine – it was where we did enjoy our breakfasts at.
The Boracay Regency.
The stairway to heaven – from the beachside Boracay Regency to the beach at Boat Station 2.
Christina’s.
Breakfast at Christina’s.
Accommodation at the Regency ranges from twin bedded Superior Rooms to larger suites and once again, more information can be obtained at the resort’s website.
The three bedded Deluxe Room at the Boracay Regency.
Inside the Deluxe Room.
The balcony of the Deluxe Room.
The Boracay Regency.
One of the three swimming pools.
Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel
The Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel is another one which is very conveniently located at White Beach’s Boat Station 2, being just a stone’s throw from the Regency. Besides being close to the action, it is very close to D’Mall which is probably the best place to do a bit of shopping in Boracay. Being smaller than the Regency with 52 rooms, it does offer a more personal setting. There’s also a great place to dine at in Don Vito, the hotel’s highly rated Italian restaurant with its offerings of a fresh catch from the sea and the opportunity to also dine on the beach in the evenings.
The Boracay Mandarin’s Swimming Pool.
The Boracay Mandarin.
Accommodation ranges from Deluxe Rooms with beds for three to larger rooms and suites. We got to have a look at one of its very nice suites – the Penthouse Suite, perfect for a romantic getaway.
The suites are perfect for a romantic getaway.
A King-sized canopy bed.
Inside the suite.
The separate bath area.
More information can also be found on the hotel’s website.
The entrance to Don Vito.
Discovery Shores Boracay
Discovery Shores.
The last property we did visit, Discovery Shores Boracay Island, is also one which did leave a sizable impression on me. Our introduction to the resort, which is highly regarded being in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s list of World’s Best Hotels, was through dinner on our last evening. Also on the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Collection, its location is without a doubt one of the resort’s key selling points being on the beach right at the top end of White Beach’s Boat Station 1, where the beach is at its widest.
The Indigo at Discovery Shores.
The swimming pool at Discovery Shores.
The resort’s 88 rooms (all suites) are all ones to drool over and range from 40 to 45 square metre Junior Suites to Premier One and Two Bedroom Loft Suites of up to 120 square metres in area – some equipped with a Jacuzzi on the balcony. The balconies are ones which do offer wonderful views of the sea – even in the dark of night when we did get to see it. More information can be found on the resort’s website.
The nighttime view from Discovery Shores.
Through the window of one of the suites.
Inside the suite.
A bedroom inside a suite.
Inside a suite.
A bedroom in a suite.
Inside one of the loft suites.
Another view inside a loft suite.
A view from the loft.
Another view from the loft.
The balcony of one of the loft suites.
The trip to Boracay was made possible by Tigerair Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism. Tigerair now flies direct to Kalibo Airport – for more information on flights to Kalibo, do visit http://www.Tigerair.com/ph/en/.
Getting there:
Location information:
- Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa
- Philippine Department of Tourism
- Information, Guides and Maps online (My Boracay Guide)
- Beaches (My previous post on what to get beach-y about)
- In and on water activities (My previous post on how best to get wet)
- Staying high and (mostly dry) (My previous post on how best to get not so wet)
- Finding that slice of heaven in heaven (Shangri-La Boracay) (My previous post on Shangri-La Boracay)
Accommodation mentioned in this post:
- Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa
- Fairways and Bluewater Resort
- 7Stones Boracay Suites
- Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa
- Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel
- Discovery Shores Boracay Island
This is a repost of my post on Boracay Island Escapade. Do cast a vote for me and stand a chance to win a trip 5D4N trip for 2 to Boracay at Boracay Island Escapade on omy.sg (you may cast one vote a day and voting ends at 12 pm on 2 September 2013).
The Long and Winding Road 