Why Boracay’s La Carmela feels like second home
We’ve been planning to do a live episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda at La Carmela de Boracay Hotel and Convention Center but knowing how tough it is to make a schedule that is favorable to both production staff and guest artists, I could not tell when it is exactly going to happen.
However, I had the chance to visit La Carmela de Boracay, owned by my dear friend Boy So, last Yuletide season. And every time I come to the resort hotel, there’s always something to feast my eyes on aside, of course, from the island paradise that is Boracay known for its powdery white sand, crystal azure waters, and diverse marine life.
Located at Station 2 near the Tourist Center, La Carmela de Boracay is one of the best resort hotels in the island offering beachfront convenience that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
La Carmela’s Premier West Wing is truly a sight to behold. The hotel lobby wows guests with its classy interiors designed by Filipino artists. Boy patronizes Philippinemade products – from furniture pieces to lighting fixtures and accessories. The colorful chairs and tables, uniquely-designed mirrors and massive lights were the results of the creative mind of Jude Tiotuico of Industria.
Eye-catching large-sized mirrors are hanging on the lobby walls as if they are telling every guest to take a glance on them. The rustic brown round-shaped mirror is called Iguazo while the black rectangular-shaped mirror is known as the Nuvo
Twig.
It’s hard to resist not to take out a camera and strike a pose beside the red oversized cocoon that has an inviting warm light at the center. Equally hard to ignore near the front desk counter is the abstract work of Philipp Badon whose love for intense colors perfectly complements the vibe of the resort hotel.
Boy delights in the fact that local and foreign tourists continue to flock to La Carmela de Boracay for that “home away from home” feel. It provides visitors with the comforts of home and excellent service and amenities. In fact, La Carmela received the 2023 Gold Circle Award from Agoda in recognition for delivering the best hotel experience to clients.
“We did fairly well in 2022 and 2023, although we had that so-called off-peak season but still, we’re fine. I hope 2024 will be a good one, too,” said Boy who constantly aims to provide excellent service at affordable rates. No wonder, La Carmela receives consistently good reviews on social media and hotel booking websites.
“Our Premier Wing swimming pool is under renovation with a target date of completion in the last week of February so we can fully cater our guests by mid-March. At present, we are also renovating our rooms,” he furthered.
Guests are mostly from South Korea and European countries as well as our kababayan – OFWs and balikbayans – who fly to Boracay for some rest and relaxation.
La Carmela hotel manager Mary Love Apelado said they also came up with the idea of putting up a Nightly Barbecue Grill and Kansihan for those looking for a budget-friendly night out with family and friends.
Boy revealed her daughter Carmela was the brains behind the newly-constructed So Beachy Convenience Store that is open 24 hours to provide people – whether they are hotel guests or not – the essentials they need.
Boy and I first met while La Carmela was still in the construction stage in the early 2000. It initially opened with only 20 rooms. “I added 20 rooms again when La Carmela started picking up. That’s my style, I usually start small. By 2005, we already had 60 rooms,” shared Boy.
The expansion continues with rooms now counting to 540. “We have guests all-year round not just the locals but also from different countries. That’s why, we have a mixed market and it’s also nice seeing our kababayan or a lot of local tourists staying here with their families or friends because aside from our hotel amenities, we also offer a relaxing place that we call So Beachy Al Fresco where they can enjoy the nightly barbeque grill and dine under the stars,” Mary Love said.
Mary Love knows why La Carmela de Boracay is far different from its competition. It’s because, according to her, “We treat our guests as family.”