Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel

As soon as I received an invite for a weekend getaway at Boracay courtesy of Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, I got immediately excited.  It was a pleasant surprise.  Every bit of a chance for me to go to our so-called Boracay paradise, is something I wouldn’t wanna miss.  I was giddily planning in my mind what I’d do during those 2 days.  However, when the time was near, I became sick 🙁

Since everything had been booked, I decided to go ahead.  I said to myself, my plans may not be followed but at least I’d get my much-needed rest.  Even if I had to skip most of the activities, I’d still get to enjoy the facilities of the hotel.  I was looking forward for a relaxing and restful weekend at the beautiful place called Boracay.

As soon as we touched down at the airport, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel staff were on hand to welcome us with placards and everything!  Despite being under the weather, I immediately felt like a VIP.  We were escorted to the hotel on a boat and, afterwards, on a van.  It was great service and an awesome first impression!

When we arrived at the hotel, I remembered that I used to hang there.  Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel has the best exteriors and tourists always stop at the front to have their pictures taken.  That weekend, their theme was Christmas!  There was a cute snowman greeting guests with a big smile, and there were reindeers running across the roof of the resort.  What an astounding sight!

I always had the impression that all great hotels in Boracay were located in Station 1: clearly, I was wrong.  There’s a gem of a hotel in Station 2 and that is Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel.  Even better, since all the fun happens in Station 2 anyway, everything is uber accessible!

Starting with welcome drinks that greet guests upon their arrival, the pampering goes on and on, giving you a taste of what it feels to be treated like royalty!  Very nice indeed.

The swimming pool in the hotel is oh, so nice too!  I wish I was able to plunge in but since I couldn’t, I made a mental note to remind myself that a dip in the cool blue waters would be an indispensable part of my next visit.

Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel didn’t fail to impress me. They have the best rooms, great vistas, excellent food, and their massage services are top-notch. All of that coupled with friendly and efficient service practically guarantees that all guests will enjoy they’re stay at the hotel.

Rooms

I spent 80% of my time in Boracay in my room.  I had the most relaxing sleep ever.  It didn’t take much time preparing for sleep as the place was so comfortable to stay at.  My room had the nicest view too.

Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel has 49 bedrooms that are inspired by modern comforts.  I appreciate that even inside the bedroom, you can feel that you’re in a beach.  I love the tropical island setting in each of the rooms!  You can choose which type of bedroom to get as each has its own unique features.  Let me show you around 🙂

By the way, guest rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, split air-conditioning system, flat-screen television with cable connections, complimentary internet access, IDD/NDD telephone, complimentary coffee & tea, mini-bar, beauty and bath amenities and a digital in-room safety deposit box.

• Deluxe (Php 8,800)

Deluxe rooms include queen-size and twin-size beds.  Best for group of friends who want to have a nice time together in Boracay.  There are 8 deluxe rooms in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel overall.  Each room is at 25.46 sq. meters.

It was awesome how the room was so artfully decorated – can you imagine sand and shells on the desk? – that it truly made you feel you were still on the beach even while relaxing in air-conditioned comfort.

• Deluxe Family (Php 12,500)

For a much bigger group of unto five people, the Deluxe Family room is a good choice.  It has two queen beds and one twin bed.  Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel has a total of 2 Deluxe Family rooms, each room has an area of 34.3 sq. meters.

Since the room is located on the first floor, it will just take a few steps to go to the swimming pools in the hotel!  For those who love to swim, then this is the room for you and your friends.

• Premiere Sea View (Php 8,900)

I stayed in the Premiere Sea View room.  This was the perfect room for me considering the beautiful view from the balcony.  Also, the size is more than enough for me.  The usual arrangement of a Premiere Sea View room in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel is a queen size-bed and twin-size bed.

However, you can choose to have a king-sized canopy bed instead of the usual queen-size/twin-size bed combination (which my room had).  There are a total of 20 Premiere Sea view rooms in the hotel and each room has an area of 30.45 sq. meters.

• Premiere Deluxe Sea View (Php 10,200)

The room is quite similar to Premiere Sea view room.  The only difference is that there’s a tatami bed.  It can serve as an additional bed or might be a place to have your in-room massage treatments from Mandarin Spa.

The tatami bed is so cute!  I had to take a picture sitting in it when we had our tour.

The balcony is just awesome!  We can have a view of the pool and the beach from the room.  Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel has a total of 6 Premiere Deluxe Sea View.  Each room has an area of 25.46 sq. meters.

• Grand Poolside (Php 12,200)

I was totally astounded when I saw the Grand Poolside room.  It shouted romance!  I can safely say this room is perfect for couples and honey-mooners vacationing in Boracay.

There are a total of 10 Grand Poolside rooms in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel and each room has a size of 26.28 sq. meters.

• Grand Deluxe Poolside (Php 14,000)

Remember the tatami bed I mentioned earlier?  That’s pretty much the additional item in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel’s Grand Deluxe Poolside rooms.  It has the same awesome bathroom and has the same king canopy bed inside.

The pool is also just a few steps away as all Poolside rooms are located at the first floor.  There are a total of 3 Grand Deluxe poolside rooms in Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel and each room has an area of 35.7 sq. meters.

Suites

And of course, if luxury is your thing – and why not? – then the three suites of the Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel are for you.  On our last day, we were taken on a tour of the luxury suites and I must say, it exceed even my expectations.  Although a stay at these suites will definitely not be for the budget traveler like me, the simple privilege of viewing them did make me feel  more posh than usual.

With a flat-screen LCD satellite cable television, a DVD/CD player and iPod dock, and a surround-sound system, the suites were clearly designed for the vacationer who understands and appreciates the finest things in life.  It even has an outdoor lounging area for those times when you just might want to sit around and revel in the fact that you’re in an island paradise, in the lap of luxury. Nothing says “I’ve arrived” quite as much as a stay at a Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel Suite.  Unless of course it’s a stay at the Penthouse Suite.

• Penthouse Suite (Php 17,000)

Located on the top floor of the hotel.  Suite area is at 67.33 sq. meters.

One of the things that really caught my attention in all the rooms at the Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel was that they featured towels folded to look like two kissing doves.  I admit, it was an effort to undo that little bit of art to use the towels, but in end, wrapped in the soft pillowy whiteness of the towels, I thought “this must be what it feels like to be caught in the wings of doves.”

Needless to say, the cute little notes the attentive staff leave to remind me of breakfast and any other activities lined up for the day, were greatly appreciated.

• Ambassador Suite (Php 23,000)

The Ambassador Suite was my favorite of all the luxury rooms of the Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel.  A two-room suite with a spacious 89.78 sq. meters, it features an indoor pool where you can luxuriate in complete privacy.  It’s like having your own secluded island, as perfect for the discerning diplomat as it is for people who simply must get away from the maddening crowds.

• Mandarin Grand Suite (Php 25,000)

2-rooms, balcony, private pool, spacious lounging area are things you can expect in the largest suite of Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel.  It has an area of 127.87 sq. meters.

The Mandarin Grand Suite is best for people who are celebrating special occasions.  You can even hold your own party in the suite!

Mandarin Spa

I shared my experience with you regarding the facial spa I took in Mandarin Spa.  I highly recommend you try their hilot or hot stone massages.  I saw my travel companions’ blog entries about it and I’m so envious!  Try it out when you visit Mandarin Spa.  All spa therapists in Mandarin Spa are fully trained and their aura is so nice!  Service is definitely superb!

Don Vito Ristorante Italiano

You all know that I’m a foodie by heart.  Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel’s dining services went way above my expectations.  Their in-house restaurant, Don Vito Ristorante Italiano, serves the yummiest food in Boracay.  A must-visit for all Boracay travelers, really.  I know I’ll be back there surely.

Events

Boracay is a place that everyone loves to go to.  Whether we want to relax, unwind or party, Boracay always comes to mind.  Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel knows that, that’s why they offer the facilities and services we’ll need.  We can expect a smooth and easy planning process with their help 🙂

• Weddings

I once dreamed to have a beach wedding.  However, since I’m still single, I don’t have that in mind anymore, haha!  Anyhow, I know tons of couples would love to have their big day in Boracay.  You can let Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel help plan for you.  Intimate weddings are always the best especially if you’re overlooking the beautiful white sand beaches of Boracay.  Oh, how heavenly!

• Corporate

Offsite Teambuilding is a pretty popular activity among companies.  In my case, we do it annually and we usually hold it at a popular beach resort.  I remember 2 years ago, we had our team building at Boracay.  I hope we discovered Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel then because the hotel has great amenities.  Their function rooms are great for work meetings too!

I know people might say why do we need excellent amenities in a hotel when we spend most of the time on the beach?  If we can have the best of both worlds, why not, right?  We get to enjoy the beautiful beach of Boracay and the activities available, as well as, get the same satisfaction when we go back to our hotel room and hotel restaurant.  Then, we can say that our vacation is more than perfect.

Funny, as it seems, I was completely sick during my short trip in Boracay.  The plane tickets has been bought and hotel reservations had been made so I decided to push through.  It might not have been the trip that I was imagining but I surely had enough rest as I was staying in one of the most beautiful hotel in Boracay.  Thanks Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel!

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Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel
Beach Front Station 2, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines
63 (36) 288-3444
http://www.boracaymandarin.com