As a frequent guest of Azalea’s Baguio property, I already had an inkling of what to expect at their Boracay location. Still, upon our arrival, I was taken aback by the niceties of the layout that blended perfectly with the vibe of the island. The wide entrance highlighted by the globe fountain and centerpiece quickly arrested my attention. The available space created an additional charm befitting the post-modern architecture of the five-story establishment bursting with appealing lines and patterns.
Where to Stay in Boracay: Azalea Hotels and Residences | Aklan
While the first impression was a hit—thanks to the smooth check-in procedure and the smiling faces of the friendly staff—I inched slowly towards the elevator with my eyes gazing around for more aesthetics to capture. I found them aplenty, right up until I opened the door to my room.
Living up to the Azalea branding, my room had everything one would need. It had an Airbnb feel to it—like a real residence as opposed to a traditional hotel room where you would just relax, sleep, and repeat. The presence of a small kitchen space, something that set Azalea apart from most hospitality brands, dished out a homey ambiance that gave you an additional activity when you retired back to your quarters: cooking your own food.
I understood the question, “Why cook your own food when traveling?” I guessed being on the road exposed one to a myriad of cuisines, and sometimes you wanted to try preparing it yourself as soon as possible. What better way to recreate some of Boracay’s best dishes than right in your own hotel room? We did exactly that when our friends from Azalea organized a cook-off among our party of travel writers.
MasterChef Azalea
After our friends from Azalea toured us around the property, they divided us into two groups and handed us a set of ingredients to come up with an appetizing dish worthy of being served in one of Boracay's many restaurants. It was, indeed, a true MasterChef-style challenge.
After a few minutes of discussing what we wanted to cook, we came up with what we called "Chicken ala Jonah's with Pineapple and Coconut Cream"—a direct homage to one of Boracay's iconic drink stands, Jonah's Fruit Shake. The other team countered with a classic fried chicken dish beautifully garnished with a smooth purée and a rich, creamy sauce on the side.
It was, above all, a friendly competition, so the judges gracefully awarded both teams as the winners. After the challenge, I deeply appreciated this added residential feature of Azalea’s rooms. It would be incredibly exciting to replicate some of Boracay’s popular dishes in your own space after a morning visit to the local market or after chancing upon fishermen selling their fresh early catch down by the shore.
Boracay, after all, wasn't only a place to enjoy water sports like windsurfing and scuba diving or to socialize; it was also an ideal destination to kick-start your culinary journey by training yourself to create a signature island dish.
The Restful Vibe of Azalea Boracay
Thanks to a very relaxed three-day itinerary, I found plenty of time to explore the rest of Azalea Boracay. I discovered a quiet spot on the rooftop near the swimming pool on our first afternoon just as the sun was setting (we witnessed the next day’s sunset on board a traditional Paraw boat). Despite my deep fondness for their Baguio property—having stayed there several times already—I must say I preferred the Boracay location.
I was billeted inside a Deluxe Room, which boasted a generous space of thirty square meters and featured two plush beds comfortably accommodating two adults and one child. My room also included a small sofa bed, a dedicated work desk, a side table, a full refrigerator, a microwave, an electric kettle, and a smooth induction stove. Cookware and complete dining utensils were neatly stored within the cabinetry.
Azalea Boracay also offered larger family options ranging from one- to three-bedroom multi-suite styles. Capping off the gastronomic side of the brand experience was the excellent Filipino comfort food fare served down at their partner in-house restaurant, Kuya J.
Although Azalea Boracay was not situated directly on the immediate sandy shoreline fronting Boracay’s crystal-clear waters, it sat an easy, comfortable walk just a couple of hundred meters away from the heart of Station 2.
Azalea, It's Okay Yeah
From the visually pleasing selections of interior color tones to the bright ambiance of the surroundings—lush with greens and a clean white palette—Azalea easily evoked a refreshing island feel that made every guest feel instantly at home. I've stayed at several properties across the island before, and I certainly wouldn't mind booking Azalea again on my next return to these shores.
Hotel Fact Box
Apartment & Suite Categories
Deluxe Room with Kitchen Thirty square meters | Maximum three adults, or two adults and two children. Generously proportioned baseline layout decorated in vibrant tropical hues. Furnished with two double beds, one comfortable sofa bed, an LCD TV with a DVD player, a dedicated dining area, and a fully functional kitchenette.One-Bedroom Suite Apartment Forty to forty-five square meters | Maximum four adults. Combines premium residential hosting functionality with complete separate space configurations. Incorporates an independent master bedroom with a plush king-size bed, a separate living room layout with a convertible sofa bed, a central dining counter, and a complete ready-to-use kitchen setup.
Two-Bedroom Suite Apartment Fifty-seven to sixty square meters | Maximum six to seven adults. Perfectly engineered for larger families and friend circles traveling together. Offers two separate full bedrooms outfitted with premium king beds and attached open-air balconies ideal for drying beach clothing, alongside an expansive shared living room salon with a sofa bed, a multi-person dining room suite, and a comprehensive kitchen array.
Three-Bedroom Suite Apartment Seventy-five square meters | Maximum six to eight adults. The property's largest signature residential configuration. Features three independent private bedrooms (configured with one king bed and four double beds), a massive shared living room zone with a convertible sofa bed, an open-plan family dining suite, a large fully-equipped kitchen, and two separate full bathrooms.
In-Suite Kitchen Pack Details
Fully Equipped Kitchenettes (Standard Across All Rooms) Every unit comes fully optimized for independent food preparation, hosting a heavy-duty electric induction cooktop, microwave oven, full-sized family refrigerator, automatic rice cooker, electric heating kettle, along with a complete setup of premium cookware, dishes, pots, pans, glass crockery, and dining utensils neatly organized within custom cabinetry.Dining Restaurants & Bars
Kuya J Restaurant (In-House Outlet) The resort's central daytime hub, serving as the official partner venue hosting the property's daily morning buffet breakfast selections. Specializes in celebrated local Filipino comfort food classics, Ã la carte lunches, and festive group dinners.Rooftop Pool Bar A relaxed, open-air sun deck oasis perfectly positioned for catching daily golden hour sunset displays over artisanal tropical cocktails, refreshing drinks, and light bar bites.
Facilities, Amenities & Shared Services
Nomadic Experiences Take
