BORACAY REVISITED
Boracay Revisited - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Boracay revisited | |||||
| By: Nella Scott, Issue 48 – spring 2011 | |||||
| Philippines | |||||
| DISCOVERED BY THE WESTERN WORLD AS RECENTLY AS THE 1970S, AND POPULARISED BY BEACH-LOVING BACKPACKERS IN THE 1980S, THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND OF BORACAY HAS EMERGED FROM ITS BOHO BEGINNINGS TO HOST HIGH-END HOLIDAY MAKERS. ENCOURAGED BY AFFORDABLE AIRFARES, NELLA SCOTT DIGS HER TOES IN ON THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH. NOW IS THE TIME TO FLY TO THE PHILIPPINES. The sound of the cool water lapping against the dock is a tease. Sweat is dripping down my back, hair is sticking to my neck and all allusions that my 007-style arrival would be elegant are dashed as I disembark from the speedboat. But who am I to complain? I’m standing on the shore of a tropical island, home to one of the most beautiful beaches (some say THE most beautiful) in the world, and I’m about to check-in for a week of luxury at the deluxe Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa. Poor me. Once a rarely visited island favoured by backpackers, Boracay’s beautiful beaches now attract high flyers and honeymooners from all over the world. And the Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa is one of the newest resorts to grace its famous shores. A man in white, who doesn’t seem to notice the heat, helps me out of the boat and as I make my way toward the waiting golf cart – the resort’s method of transport – I can see private villas peeping from between the trees on the hillside above me, their large glass windows shimmering in the afternoon sun. Twenty minutes of efficient check-in time later, and I am ensconced in my room trying to decide whether I should headto the spa, explore the private beach or sink into the huge gleaming tub in the bathroom. In a moment of indecision, I head out onto my balcony to admire the view. A light breeze brings the scent of the sea, and sun- bleached beaches blend into the clearest water I have ever seen. The spa wins for now, and I flag down one of the resort golf carts to take me there. The sprawling resort is set into a steep hill (hence the need for golf carts), and the CHI spa is an entirely separate group of villas down the far end. As luxurious as you would expect from a five-star resort, the spa spares no detail as I am pampered to within an inch of my life. I leave so relaxed I can barely stand, but manage to get myself down to the private beach where I sink into a lounge chair and sip gratefully on the cocktail that an attentive barman brings to my side. I am in the perfect place to watch the sun set the sky afire with coral light as it sinks toward the horizon. There’s no fly-in, or even drive-in access to Boracay. From Manila, the Philippines bustling capital city, those keen to experience the island’s legendary beaches will need to fly directly to Kalibo International Airport on the island of Panay and then take a one-and-a-half hour shuttle ride to the Caticlan Jetty Port where the Shangri-La’s private boat will take you directly to the resort. Don’t be deterred by the effort it takes to get here though, the Shangri-La Hotels brand has never been more aptly placed, for the island of Boracay is heavenly indeed. Despite its fame, and the recent emergence of many high-end resorts, the island maintains much of its character. Around the cove from the Shangri-La, the famous Long Beach with its infinitely fine sand still has the relaxed bohemian atmosphere that drew so many backpackers to the island’s shore 25 years ago. Lined with bathers and beachfront trinket stalls during the day, the pristine beach is transformed come sundown with bars and clubs opening up right there on the sand. Spoilt for choice, I wander barefoot for a kilometre or so down the strip. The lithe bodies of fire dancers shimmer in the heat as they move to the beat emanating from one of the open-air clubs, while further down the beach, not-so-tuneful tones announce the presence of a Karaoke bar long before I’ve reached it. Personally, I prefer a more laid-back vibe, and I settle on a relaxed bar where a local band is playing some admirably good covers of popular rock songs. Sinking into a deck chair, I dig my feet into the sand and sip my G&T. Like many before me, I have been completely seduced by the pleasures of Boracay. | |||||
| Where to stay | |||||
| Shangri-LA’S Boracay Resort & Spa Rates: from php17,700 (about A$399) per night. Suites start from php28,800 (about A$649) per night, and villas from php33,000 (about A$744) per night. shangri-la.com/boracay | |||||
| Getting there | |||||
| Philippine Airlines fly direct to Manila from Sydney and Melbourne. Return fares start from US$1,491 (about A$1,413). philippineairlines.com.au | |||||
| When to go | |||||
| now – the best time to visit Boracay is october, november and December when the tropical climate is quite cool. Also, with the strength of the Australian dollar, it’s not hard to find cheap flights at the moment and although it’s peak season, the accommodation and dining works out cheaper when converted from philippine pesos. | |||||
| Stopover in Manila | |||||
| In Manila, the Philippines bustling capital, the country’s colourful history makes its presence known. The Philippines has been under occupation by the Spanish, the Japanese and the Americans and the influence of all three cultures can be seen in the architecture, the language and the food. Set right on the waterfront, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila is the perfect place to base yourself to explore Manila. With multiple restaurants, bars and even a nightclub within the hotel complex, there is plenty to do if you want to spend the night in. I was very impressed by the 300-dish buffet, which the General Manager told me, with much pride, is the largest buffet in the world. Rates: from A$215 per night for a Luxury Room to A$407 per night for a Junior Suite. | |||||
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