After an epic backpacking journey round Vietnam and The Philippines, the island of Boracay was our last vacation spot. Touching down in Kalibo Airport felt bitter candy; bitter as a result of it meant that we might quickly be going again house to England, and candy as a result of I had a sense we had saved the most effective ‘til final.
Measuring in at simply 10.32 sq. kilometres, Boracay is among the smallest, and well-known islands in The Philippines. The island has been catapulted into the media not too long ago for its paradise scenes (it’s additionally simply been named #1 Island within the World by US Conde Nast Traveler). Due to all this, I used to be itching to see and expertise it for myself.
We stayed at Shangri La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, as Half 2 of my thrilling collaboration with Kuoni. This resort is regarded by most as essentially the most personal and splendid lodges in The Philippines, and it was my first expertise of a Shangri-La property. In spite of everything the journey, adrenaline and limitless modes of transport we had crammed into the earlier 6 weeks, we couldn’t have chosen a extra idyllic place to unwind earlier than the lengthy journey again to the UK. Listed here are 7 explanation why I beloved Shangri La’s Boracay Resort and Spa…
-
The Grand Arrival
As Boracay doesn’t have an airport, locals and vacationers need to take a ship from Caticlan Port on the neighbouring island of Panay. Usually filled with hoards of party-seeking travellers, catching the general public boat generally is a hectic expertise. Visitors of Shangri-La get to keep away from all of this by travelling by way of the resort’s unique departure lounge and personal jetty. I felt an instantaneous sense of calm as I stepped contained in the lounge. Immaculate employees welcomed us by way of the doorways and after 5 minutes of sipping on ice-cold water we had been proven the best way to our personal speedboat.
An invigorating 10-minute speedboat experience later and we had been slowly chugging as much as the resort’s personal jetty. An ensemble of conventional Filipino musicians performed an upbeat island tune on our arrival and we had been whisked off to the reception by buggy. The personal pace boat switch felt very ‘Bond’, and the spectacular arrival marked the beginning of a very luxurious expertise.
-
The Gourmand Eating Experiences
For me, meals is such an enormous a part of a luxurious journey expertise and disappointing eating places can actually be a deal breaker for me. Thankfully, the meals was a particular spotlight of the keep for us and I used to be blown away by the standard, flavours and variety of delicacies accessible on the resort. All 4 eating places even have their very own id and environment in a formidable location, so each meal is completely different from the subsequent (because of the distant location of the resort, friends ought to be ready to have most night meals within the resort).
We had our first night meal at Sirena, the resort’s signature seafood restaurant perched on a cliff high above the water. I ordered the Sous Vide Norweigen Salmon with asparagus, truffle Mash and Sambal Cream Sauce adopted by a desert of Churros with salted caramel sauce. Indulgent, not too heavy and completely scrumptious! While it was darkish outdoors after we dined, we might nonetheless hear the crashing waves round us, which created the proper environment for a positive eating seafood restaurant.
My favorite eating expertise of the keep was at Rima on our last night time. Set excessive within the treetops over wanting the entire resort, it’s positively one essentially the most distinctive restaurant areas I’ve seen. Rima is the resort’s elegant Mediterranean restaurant and I ordered the signature dish of Selfmade Liquid Parmesan Ravioli with Zucchini and Capsicum Sauce. The colorful dish was a murals and every chunk was bursting with flavour.
-
The Immaculate Pool Space
There are two seashores inside the resort, one in all which is completely personal (Banyugan Seaside) and the opposite is semi-private (Punta Bunga Seaside). Behind the personal seashore is the resort pool; a formidable design of waterways, jetpools, bridges and fountains. A separate, smaller infinity pool stretches proper out over Banyugan Seaside and overlooks the crashing turquoise waves. The water feels immaculately clear and I beloved the intricate darkish blue tiling, which unfold all through your entire pool complicated.
-
It’s Little one and Massive-Child Pleasant
As we had been travelling as a pair and don’t have youngsters, we didn’t make use of the youngsters’s amenities. Nevertheless, after seeing them for myself I can picture that they’d be a godsend to oldsters with younger kids. Tucked away in a delicate nook of the resort is a large Kids’s zone with soft-play space, big slide and plenty extra. Mother and father can drop their kids off to be supervised and entertained all day at no further value.
For large youngsters and adults there’s additionally an expansive leisure zone with bar, pool tables, desk tennis, desk soccer, arcade video games, cinema room and karaoke rooms. Due to a passing storm throughout our keep, we spent numerous time in right here engaged on our cue approach because the rain poured down outdoors. Even should you come alone, the employees are glad to be your opponent!
-
The Spectacular Tree Home Villas
We stayed in a Premiere Sea View room, however I additionally received to take a look at all of the completely different villa sorts throughout my keep. The spectacular tree home villas had been by far essentially the most spectacular, and appear to be one thing from ‘Grand Designs’ (a UK TV programme about modern property design). Positioned near Rima on the high of the resort’s hillside, the tree home villas positively present the most effective panoramic views of the resort. The expansive duplex villas have a jaw-dropping out of doors deck with Jacuzzi and the ‘bathtub with a view’ is one other speaking level. Staying in one in all these villas could be an outstanding expertise, however not one I’d suggest should you’re petrified of heights!
-
The Heavenly Chi-Spa
One other jewel of this resort is Chi-Spa, hidden away in a peaceable nook of the grounds. This tropical vacation spot spa is a village-complex in itself, with central reception constructing, spa pool and separate remedy villas. The air oozes with serenity and also you’re struck by the signature Shangri-La scent as quickly as you stroll by way of the doorways. My boyfriend and I received to expertise a Philippine Hilot {couples} therapeutic massage, which used heat coconut oil and banana leaves to detect areas of power imbalance and blockages. I left feeling calm and energised, with a transparent head. The spa pool is reserved for spa friends solely, however one remedy provides you entry for a full day.
-
It’s Eco-Pleasant
It’s extra vital than ever for giant island resorts to play an element in defending the eco-system, and I really like that Shangri La Boracay takes full duty for theirs. A lot in order that they’ve created an Eco-centre inside the resort and a Marine Sanctuary Restoration Venture only a few meters into the ocean. Kids and adults can go to the centre for instructional details about the island’s safety. We popped our heads in as a bunch of kids had been studying a couple of set of synthetic reefs that had been to going to be lowered into the Marine Sanctuary to spur re-growth of sea life.
The Verdict
Shangri La Borocay Resort and Spa is in a bit of world of its personal. While the situation feels prefer it might be any tropical paradise location on this planet, there are delicate Filipino touches to present you a way of place. For me, the service and attention-to-detail made all of the distinction on this unique hideaway. If you happen to’re in search of a slice of laid-back luxurious in The Philippines (or just a break from the backpacking), it’s time to find this resort for your self.
Need to learn extra? Take a look at my Important Information to The Philippines.
Going to Vietnam? Take a look at my assessment of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Watch the video beneath for a better perception into my Shangri-La expertise
What did you consider my unique Shangri La expertise? Have you ever stayed at a Shangri La property your self or are you pondering of visiting? If you happen to’ve loved this publish, please let me know by leaving me a remark within the field beneath! Jess x
This publish has been sponsored as a part of a content material collaboration with Kuoni. All views are my very own. To expertise Shangri La’s Boracay Resort & Spa for your self, converse to the journey consultants at Shangri La’s Boracay Resort & Spa
