JUST LIKE HEAVEN
At Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa, you have plenty of reasons to enjoy a dreamy holiday
I've been to Boracay countless times over the years, and I am absolutely delighted to discover something new on every trip. While Boracay is most popular for its gorgeous white beach, there are other destinations in and around the island worth spending your holidays in. Take Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa, for example.
At the invitation of Sony Philippines, I found myself on a plane to Caticlan with Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa as my final destination. The Shangri-La experience begins at the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, where you are whisked away to an air-conditioned shuttle bus and dropped off at a private lounge area by the pier. No waiting around for a ferry to fill up as the Shangri-La has its own fleet of speedboats to take you to paradise.
One of the things that I like about the Shangri-La is that its architectural philosophy takes full advantage of its gorgeous environment. Suites and villas are scattered all around with the main building filled with lots of open spaces. The lobby itself features shallow pools of water emphasizing the resort's decidedly island feel.
About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to get a tour of Shangri-La's villas, and they certainly looked lovely and luxurious. I particularly liked the way they executed the landscaping of the garden areas. It was like wandering into some forgotten forest with all the exotic-looking trees and ferns all around. As for the private pools, they looked absolutely enticing. There were none of those generic-looking swimming pools. Each pool had character; some ensconced by trees, others adorned with fountains.
While I was not fortunate enough to stay in a villa, I did get to sleep in one of their deluxe rooms with its own private balcony. The tub was amazing; the bed more so—and there's nothing like waking up in the morning with the clear blue waters of the ocean to greet you a great morning!
Of course, you are not going to be sleeping all day in paradise. No way!
At the Shangri-La, I indulged in the two holiday activities that I love doing the most: enjoying the beach and getting a massage.
There are two beaches in Shangri-La: Banyugan and Punta Bunga. Banyugan is nearer the pool area, which has this Lost Horizon vibe going on. Punta Bunga is nearer the boat jetty. Both feature umbrellas and lounging chairs with beach towels at the ready; both blessed with clear and pristine waters. If you're not the beach bum type, Shangri-La offers all sorts of water activities from diving and Hobie Cat sailing to paddling your way on a kayak or practicing your swing with ecogolf balls on the beach.
And of course, a visit to Shangri-La will not be complete without spending a few hours at CHI, The Spa. I've tried their services in Mactan, Makati, and EDSA, and CHI never disappoints. This one in Shangri-La is spread over a 5,714-sq m area with villas built around the spa pool and relaxation pavilion. Take full advantage of the CHI experience by allotting some time to enjoy the pool and other facilities before your appointment.