After an epic backpacking journey round Vietnam and The Philippines, the island of Boracay was our remaining vacation spot. Touching down in Kalibo Airport felt bitter candy; bitter as a result of it meant that we might quickly be going again residence to England, and candy as a result of I had a sense we had saved one of the best ‘til final.
Measuring in at simply 10.32 sq. kilometres, Boracay is likely one of the smallest, and well-known islands in The Philippines. The island has been catapulted into the media lately 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 probably the most personal and opulent accommodations in The Philippines, and it was my first expertise of a Shangri-La property. In spite of everything the journey, adrenaline and infinite 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 the explanation why I cherished Shangri La’s Boracay Resort and Spa…
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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 could be a hectic expertise. Company 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 workers welcomed us by way of the doorways and after 5 minutes of sipping on ice-cold water we have been proven the best way to our personal speedboat.
An invigorating 10-minute speedboat trip later and we have 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 have been whisked off to the reception by buggy. The personal velocity boat switch felt very ‘Bond’, and the spectacular arrival marked the beginning of a very luxurious expertise.
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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. Fortuitously, 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 obtainable on the resort. All 4 eating places even have their very own identification and environment in a powerful location, so each meal is totally different from the subsequent (because of the distant location of the resort, friends needs 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 may nonetheless hear the crashing waves round us, which created the right environment for a wonderful eating seafood restaurant.
My favorite eating expertise of the keep was at Rima on our remaining evening. Set excessive within the treetops over wanting the entire resort, it’s positively one probably 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.
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The Immaculate Pool Space
There are two seashores inside the resort, one among which is completely personal (Banyugan Seaside) and the opposite is semi-private (Punta Bunga Seaside). Behind the personal seashore is the resort pool; a powerful 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 cherished the intricate darkish blue tiling, which unfold all through your complete pool complicated.
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It’s Baby and Huge-Child Pleasant
As we have been travelling as a pair and don’t have youngsters, we didn’t make use of the kids’s services. Nevertheless, after seeing them for myself I can picture that they’d be a godsend to folks with younger kids. Tucked away in a refined nook of the resort is a big Youngsters’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 price.
For giant 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 in the event you come alone, the workers are blissful to be your opponent!
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The Spectacular Tree Home Villas
We stayed in a Premiere Sea View room, however I additionally acquired to take a look at all of the totally different villa sorts throughout my keep. The spectacular tree home villas have been by far probably the most spectacular, and appear like one thing from ‘Grand Designs’ (a UK TV programme about progressive property design). Positioned near Rima on the high of the resort’s hillside, the tree home villas positively present one of the best panoramic views of the resort. The expansive duplex villas have a jaw-dropping outside deck with Jacuzzi and the ‘bathtub with a view’ is one other speaking level. Staying in one among these villas can be an exceptional expertise, however not one I’d suggest in the event you’re afraid of heights!
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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 acquired to expertise a Philippine Hilot {couples} therapeutic massage, which used heat coconut oil and banana leaves to detect areas of vitality 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 offers you entry for a full day.
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It’s Eco-Pleasant
It’s extra essential 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 accountability for theirs. A lot in order that they’ve created an Eco-centre inside the resort and a Marine Sanctuary Restoration Venture just some meters into the ocean. Youngsters and adults can go to the centre for academic details about the island’s safety. We popped our heads in as a bunch of kids have been studying a couple of set of synthetic reefs that have 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 little bit world of its personal. While the placement feels prefer it may very well be any tropical paradise location on the earth, there are refined 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. In case you’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 under for a more in-depth 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? In case you’ve loved this publish, please let me know by leaving me a remark within the field under! 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 specialists at Shangri La’s Boracay Resort & Spa
