I’m sure you have read many “Where to Stay” listicle articles where the author just picked up random accommodation properties and presented them without experiencing what it was like staying there. I know, I had done such things writing for other websites. However, in this article, I will highlight actual properties where I spent at least a few days. I had been to Boracay only four times in the past, with that year’s trip being the longest at almost two weeks. But in those journeys to Boracay, I hopped from one place to another ranging from budget options to medium-range and luxury. However, I had yet to reach Shangri-La levels.
Where to Stay in Boracay Based from Personal Stays
Here, I listed down the various beach resorts, hotels, and hostels I stayed at in Boracay, hoping it would help readers plot a visit to the island.
Belmont Hotel
During my twelve-day trip to Boracay, I stayed in six different places. The first one was at Belmont Boracay, courtesy of my friend Jem who let me couchsurf in the spacious room she booked.
Belmont was located in the Newcoast township being developed by Megaworld. Far from the crowds of Station One and Station Two, it definitely had its charms and an isolated vibe that was advantageous to introverted people like me. A hundred meters from Belmont, one could enjoy utmost tranquility just sitting by one of the beach benches fronting a long shoreline edged by azure-colored waters.
The property was also surrounded by a scenic biking and jogging path that led to the famed Boracay Keyhole—where every Friday to Sunday morning, a pop-up café was set up for early morning bikers to enjoy a fresh brew.
For those missing the party atmosphere of Station One, you could always take their free shuttle van service that dropped guests near D-Mall numerous times every day.
Movenpick
What I loved about that place was the wide beachfront located along the powdery shoreline of Station Zero. There, guests only had to share the beach with a few people. The sands were similar to Station One; blinding white and pure, but free from seasonal algae blooms.
The swimming pool was large enough to enjoy isolated spots even during peak swimming hours. I also loved the breakfast buffet selections. My friend Jem spent four hours enjoying every bit and bite of it, while I hurried to the beach, eager to start the morning with a refreshing dip.
I told her, “This is the closest I had gotten to swimming in the waters of Shangri-La Boracay,” since the luxurious resort was located only a kilometer away in the same Station Zero area.
Henann Crystal Sands
My fourth home in Boracay during my last visit there was another mana from heaven. After my friend Jem left the island, I was supposed to transfer to a hostel, but while on my way, an Facebook friend who owned a travel company messaged me.
"Marky, I booked an excess room. Do you want to stay at Henann Crystal Sands? I can change the name to yours." Of course, I said yes.
Since I had already stayed at Henann Lagoon when I went to Boracay for the first time in two thousand sixteen, I was already familiar with the Henann brand of hospitality and its property’s theme. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to see some unique features of Crystal Sands, such as the sky pool—which was distinct from the long swimming pool found on the ground floor leading to the restaurant and beachfront.
I spent a couple of nights here and thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast and coffee by the beach.
Henann Lagoon Resort
This was where I first stayed in Boracay during my first trip there in two thousand sixteen. I joined my friend Mia for a few days before she left early for Manila. At that time, I thought this was the only Henann property until I saw the others while we were walking along Station Two to Station Three.
It featured well-designed rooms, and ours came with a balcony overlooking the huge, maze-like swimming pool below. The breakfast buffet came with more selections than normal, and guests got to sit and enjoy it by the pool. I did not remember much about my brief stay there as we were always out getting drunk, but our new friend Linda was able to experience the swimming pool when she dropped by. She loved it.
Azalea Hotels & Residence Boracay
I experienced staying at Azalea Hotels and Residences during my third visit to Boracay, just a few weeks before the pandemic. I loved its wide space leading to its reception and a small courtyard leading to the elevators and its in-house Kuya J Restaurant.
Their rooms were post-modern eye candies furnished with all the essentials of comfortable accommodation, plus a kitchen space where guests could prepare their own food.
The location was a few strides away from Station Two. While it was not a beachfront property, Azalea made up for it with its homey environment and visually appealing, spacious rooms. The rooftop swimming pool was a pleasant find while I was strolling around one afternoon.
Hotel Soffia
Still included in my hotel-hopping experience during my subsequent Boracay trip, this underrated hilltop named Hotel Soffia dished a Tagaytay vibe on the island.
I liked its influence of Mediterranean architecture, made more pleasing visually by the oil-painted artworks and popping colors displayed in the lobby and inside its rooms. The lounge chairs by the pool screamed a Zen vibe and relaxation, where one just took everything in while feeling the cool winds and marveling at the lush scenery around.
Ferra Hotel
Ferra was a little bit of a walk from Station Two, but that did not diminish the coziness of its property. Featuring loft rooms designed with contemporary aesthetics, it also featured a rooftop bar famous for its selection of cocktail drinks and other delectable grub.
During my stay there, I was gifted with some complimentary servings of all fourteen different kinds of cocktail drinks, such as a Mojito, Tequila Sunrise, Cherry Martini, White Russian, and more.
Fortunately, a friend whom I met there, Linda from Germany, helped me finish all the drinks.
Shore Time Dormitel
I stayed there for a night during my subsequent trip to Boracay since it was near the port. For two hundred pesos a bed in a dorm room, there was little else to ask for. They operated a small café on the second floor and al fresco dining downstairs where every night they set up pop-up barbecue and beer stations for socials.
When I was there, I met a few people staying for a month as they took advantage of their company’s remote work privileges given to them during the pandemic. They maintained a promo of two thousand five hundred pesos for month-long guests occupying one bed in a dormitory room.
Fat Jimmy’s
Fat Jimmy's was an unassuming property a few hops from D-Mall. As one of the oldest resorts on the island, it was low-key accommodation furnished with wooden and bamboo furnishings. The small property also featured a garden and a rooftop lounge.
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