Lifestyle Travel Cover features

Boracay: Asia’s hidden gem

Written by Pai Yao

This article first appeared in the Sep/Oct 2011 issue of World Gaming magazine.

One of Asia’s best travel secrets is that the region’s greatest value beach holiday destinations can be found in the Philippines. With 7,101 islands there is a world of possibilities on offer. Not only is it cheap and very easy to get to, the Filipino people have warm smiles, good English and truly welcome their international visitors.

The best-known beach destination in the Philippines, if not Asia, is the island of Boracay (about a one-hour flight south of Manila). Its famous beach, simply named “White Beach“, always features in lists of “Top Beaches of the World” and it deserves its many accolades. It was recently ranked by Yahoo as the most popular beach in the world and squidoo.com has rated it as the “stand out best beach on the planet”.

World-class resorts, a sensational beach, international dining and a thumping nightlife await you at this island paradise. You can find a remote corner of the island and sun away the days, or for the less shy and retiring types there is plenty to see and do on Boracay.

Beach

Boracay first came to the world’s attention in the 1970s and has been hugely popular ever since. Its famous White Beach is divided into three areas called Station One, Two and Three. Station One is considered the most expensive part of the beach and is said to have the most powdery sand. Station Two is the busiest part of the island and is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, bars and shopping. Station Three boasts some of the island’s most inexpensive accommodation. The water is a little deeper at Station Three so it’s a great place to enjoy water sports.

 

Boracay beach

Boracay beach

The rest of the island also features an array of attractions and accommodation but White Beach (spanning all three stations) is at the heart of the action. The island is pristine and there is no rubbish or cigarette butts in the sand. The local mayor, Mr John Yap, knows he has a gem and he is dedicated to keeping Boracay a paradise, not a tacky unclean tourist pit.

Mayor Yap told us, “Everyone on Boracay is proud of their island. We love what we have and we welcome the world to enjoy it for generations to come. Our job is to make sure that it remains as beautiful and as clean as it is today.”

Parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, water skiing, cliff diving, island cruising, scuba diving, snorkeling and dinner cruising are just a few of the activities to enjoy. Be prepared to bargain for the best price on any of these activities. Your hotel can also be very helpful in arranging activities.

You can also have all your stress rubbed away with a beach massage that will cost you under US$10 an hour or you can go to one of the many world class spas that are also great value. Tirta won the Asia Spa Awards prize in 2010 for the best day spa in Asia. You’ll be in the good books with your wife or girlfriend if you treat her to an afternoon there.

Food

Boracay has a great range of food and it is great value. The beachside shwarmas for around US$1 can be addictive but that is just the start of the range of food experiences available.

The seafood here is simply out of this world and for the best on the island you must visit D’talipapa situated behind Station Two. Simply walk through a couple of back alleys and suddenly you are in an open-air market place full of the freshest seafood you will ever see. You can buy your seafood and vegetables, then take it to one of many eateries nearby that will cook it to your liking. Be prepared to bargain or you will pay over the odds. For a good-sized live lobster you can expect to pay around US$30 a kilo.

Be careful buying seafood on the beach. Most of it is fresh but unless you are an expert you could easily be sold yesterday’s catch. Déjà Vu on Station Two is a lovely little bar and restaurant and one of the owners Dave (a Canadian) serves only the freshest seafood available on the island. He has hand-chosen his chefs and service staff and they are amongst the island’s best.

If you like fresh Japanese check out the sashimi at Sea Gaia on Station One. It’s hard to find, as it is actually located at the back of a dive shop. Don’t let the plastic table and chairs and disinterested staff fool you. The food here is not only cheap but also fresh and tastes incredible.

Valhalla is a great little restaurant located in D’Mall. It is owned by a ‘Norwegian Viking’ named Chris and run by a South African Master Chef named Mike. During the day you can see the two of them battling it out on the golf course, but by night they are cooking up the best à la carte on the island. Ask for Mike personally and he will cook you one of his specials.

On Wednesdays and Sundays from 3pm onwards you can enjoy a BBQ on top of the island at Tanawin Luxury Apartments. This is a fantastic little property that has the best view on the island. Englishman Steve serves a mean steak and cold drinks while you get to take in a panoramic view of every inch of the island.

Other dining highlights include the Shangri-La Hotel, which offers a great buffet, the honey and garlic wings and burgers at Nigi Nigi Beach Bar and Baker Brothers sandwiches and bread are simply awesome. You can find fruit shakes all over the island and it’s easy to polish plenty of these off every day particularly in the hot season.

If you want to find a few more culinary delights on the island just ask some friendly locals and you won’t be disappointed.

Accommodation

Nigi Nigi Nu Noos ‘e’ Nu Nu Noos (usually simply referred to as ‘Nigi Nigi’s’)

Nigi Nigi’s is one of the island’s best value stays and is situated at the heart of the action right at the centre of Station Two at White Beach. The rooms are native style bungalows decked out with cable, air conditioners and all the mod cons you will need for a relaxing vacation. White Beach is literally ten metres from the front door and you can snap up a deckchair and sun the day away.

Its iconic beach bar is one of the island’s premier meeting spots and you can enjoy great music with a rocking happy hour from 5pm to 7pm every day. You can even tune into the cable sports running here. Icy cold San Miguel beers are under US$1 and their mango shakes are amongst Boracay’s best.

Reliable and free wireless internet is available and their food is simple, fresh and very reasonably priced. For reservations and information visit www.niginigi.com but be quick as this place fills up fast especially at peak season and weekends. If you are a keen golfer speak to the friendly staff at the front desk as they can arrange a 50 percent discount at the golf course.

Nigi Nigi’s also has a second resort called Nigi Nigi Too at the quieter end of the beach at Station One.

Red Coconut

Red Coconut is located at Station One. This is resort-style accommodation at an affordable price. White Beach is right on your doorstep but you are only a short stroll to Station Two and the heart of the action. This is the perfect location if you are one of those people that want the best of both worlds.

The rooms are excellent, the staff are wondeful and they have one of the best in-house restaurants on the island. Perfect for a romantic getaway or for a family break, you can choose to lie by the pool all day or float in the ocean – it’s your choice.

Visit www.redcoconut.com.ph for more details.

Ambassador in Paradise

Despite its towering elegant buildings, the upscale Ambassador in Paradise Resort at Station One has a homey feel to it. The rooms feature anahaw ceilings, the interiors are rustic Filipino and the hotel as a whole seems a natural part of the landscape.

Ambassador in Paradise

Ambassador in Paradise

“We try to keep Ambassador as Boracay or as natural as possible,” says resort manager Jose Ramon Cacho, “but we’re also quite well known for and proud of our restaurants.” He went on to say, “We also make our own bread and pasta. Chef Fortune is very experienced and has already made quite a name for himself on Boracay.”

The resort is situated on what’s considered by many to be the best part of the famous White Beach. There has been no expense spared when it comes to design, quality furniture, fixtures and fittings. The Dutch hotelier owner has trained his staff to the very highest European standards which results in top quality service.

Each luxurious apartment has its own balcony and if you’re looking for genuine top class service there’s no more delightful place to sip a cocktail than the well-furnished and appointed poolside restaurant and bar. You can even have your own private butler attend to your every whim.

Visit www.ambassadorinparadise.com for more information.

Lingganay Suites

After spending a few days on magical Boracay it is not uncommon for visitors to come to the realisation they do not want to leave! Many an expat will tell you of how they became enchanted with this place and simply cancelled their return ticket!

Lingganay Suites offers opulence and luxury, starting at incredibly affordable price points. If your idea of a getaway is peace and quiet in a place you can call your second home then this is it. You are only 10 minutes from the action but you are in your own private oasis. These luxury apartments are for sale and astute investors can buy a property here to holiday in, and then rent it out when duty calls.

Pictures or words can’t describe how breathtaking this place is. Sweeping views of the jungle, panoramic ocean vistas, infinity pool, private beach – the list goes on and on and you just have to see it for yourself.

This is one for the savvy investor and with gaming licenses and an international airport in the planning stages you can expect Boracay real estate prices to go through the roof. If you would like to view the property, check out www.lingganay.com.

To arrange a tour of the property or to inquire about renting an apartment for a holiday contact Gregory Wells directly at [email protected].

Golf

Fairways Golf Course situated at Fairways and Bluewater Resort is the only golf course on the island, but why would you need another? This magnificent course features 18 holes designed by Graham Marsh that wind their way around the top end of the island. Tropical golf doesn’t get any better than this with 6,600 challenging championship yards that will test any scratch golfer. Long stretches of lush fairways, plenty of water, deep bunkers and billiard table greens – this place is a must for any golf lover.

Fairways & Blue Water Resort golf course[br]Photo: fairwaysandbluewater.blogspot

Fairways & Blue Water Resort golf course[br]Photo: fairwaysandbluewater.blogspot

Grab a buggy and a caddy, as it gets hot out on the course and make sure you take in plenty of liquid. Resident pro Mr Mike Moynihan made a name for himself on the Nike Tour in America. He is passionate about his golf course and takes its improvement and upkeep very seriously. He keeps making this course better and better. Mike is a natural teacher and one of those pros that will actually lower your handicap, so don’t be shy in grabbing a lesson and win some money off your friends when you return from holiday.

You can hire everything you need here but be mindful that you often must book in advance. Visit www.fairwaysandbluewater.com for more details.

Nightlife and bars

Boracay is party central. That is not to say that you can’t get away from partying if that is not your thing, but if you like to have a few drinks there are over a hundred beach bars that offer you cheap drinks, great happy hours and friendly visitors and locals to chat with.

Nigi Nigi Bar

Nigi Nigi Bar

The island has an award winning rock band ‘The Boss’ that has won multiple awards in the Philippines ‘Battle of the Bands’. Filipinos are a musical people and their best musicians must be seen to be believed. They play a mix of rock and blues from the ’70s all the way up to new releases. They have their own specially built cabana on the sand in front of the Regency Hotel on Station Two and play most nights beginning around 9pm. Get in early and grab a seat near the front. Fire dancers fill in the time between sets and a bucket of beers for a couple of hundred peso (US$4) will get your favourite song played.

There are many dance clubs for the young or young at heart to party to all night long. Cocomangas is probably the most famous nightclub and is a short trike ride away from White Beach. Boracay has a bar to cater to almost every musical taste so just walk down the beach at night and stop in for a drink at any bar that takes your fancy.

Gaming

There has been a lot of talk about a casino opening in Boracay. At this stage the people working behind the scenes to make this a reality are very tight-lipped about what they are doing and when they are planning to do it.

The primary hurdle is that an official license has to be granted first, though many ‘in the know’ say this is just a formality. Fairways and Bluewater Resort appear to be the front-runner in the race to get the first license. WGM has also been told by reliable sources that there could be up to three licenses issued on the island over the next few years. Lingganay is a location that also appears to be working towards getting a license.

There is also much talk about the possibility of Boracay opening its first poker room. Poker rooms like the Metro in Manila run without full casino licenses so it may be relatively easy to set up a poker room quickly.

Boracay offers plenty to people who like to gamble so it would be nice to have that option available on the island. It’s interesting times in Boracay and we here at WGM promise to keep you updated.

One of Asia’s best travel secrets is that the region’s greatest value beach holiday destinations can be found in the Philippines. With 7,101 islands there is a world of possibilities on offer. Not only is it cheap and very easy to get to, the Filipino people have warm smiles, good English and truly welcome their international visitors.

The best-known beach destination in the Philippines, if not Asia, is the island of Boracay (about a one-hour flight south of Manila). Its famous beach, simply named ‘White Beach’, always features in lists of ‘Top Beaches of the World’ and it deserves its many accolades. It was recently ranked by Yahoo as the most popular beach in the world and squidoo.com has rated it as the ‘Stand out best beach on the planet’.

World-class resorts, a sensational beach, international dining and a thumping nightlife await you at this island paradise. You can find a remote corner of the island and sun away the days, or for the less shy and retiring types there is plenty to see and do on Boracay.

Beach

Boracay first came to the world’s attention in the 1970s and has been hugely popular ever since. Its famous White Beach is divided into three areas called Station One, Two and Three. Station One is considered the most expensive part of the beach and is said to have the most powdery sand. Station Two is the busiest part of the island and is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, bars and shopping. Station Three boasts some of the island’s most inexpensive accommodation. The water is a little deeper at Station Three so it’s a great place to enjoy water sports.

The rest of the island also features an array of attractions and accommodation but White Beach (spanning all three stations) is at the heart of the action. The island is pristine and there is no rubbish or cigarette butts in the sand. The local mayor, Mr John Yap, knows he has a gem and he is dedicated to keeping Boracay a paradise, not a tacky unclean tourist pit.

Mayor Yap told us, “Everyone on Boracay is proud of their island. We love what we have and we welcome the world to enjoy it for generations to come. Our job is to make sure that it remains as beautiful and as clean as it is today.”

Parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, water skiing, cliff diving, island cruising, scuba diving, snorkeling and dinner cruising are just a few of the activities to enjoy. Be prepared to bargain for the best price on any of these activities. Your hotel can also be very helpful in arranging activities.

You can also have all your stress rubbed away with a beach massage that will cost you under US$10 an hour or you can go to one of the many world class spas that are also great value. Tirta won the Asia Spa Awards prize in 2010 for the best day spa in Asia. You’ll be in the good books with your wife or girlfriend if you treat her to an afternoon there.

Food

Boracay has a great range of food and it is great value. The beachside shwarmas for around US$1 can be addictive but that is just the start of the range of food experiences available.

The seafood here is simply out of this world and for the best on the island you must visit D’talipapa situated behind Station Two. Simply walk through a couple of back alleys and suddenly you are in an open-air market place full of the freshest seafood you will ever see. You can buy your seafood and vegetables, then take it to one of many eateries nearby that will cook it to your liking. Be prepared to bargain or you will pay over the odds. For a good-sized live lobster you can expect to pay around US$30 a kilo.

Be careful buying seafood on the beach. Most of it is fresh but unless you are an expert you could easily be sold yesterday’s catch. Déjà Vu on Station Two is a lovely little bar and restaurant and one of the owners Dave (a Canadian) serves only the freshest seafood available on the island. He has hand-chosen his chefs and service staff and they are amongst the island’s best.

If you like fresh Japanese check out the sashimi at Sea Gaia on Station One. It’s hard to find, as it is actually located at the back of a dive shop. Don’t let the plastic table and chairs and disinterested staff fool you. The food here is not only cheap but also fresh and tastes incredible.

Valhalla is a great little restaurant located in D’Mall. It is owned by a ‘Norwegian Viking’ named Chris and run by a South African Master Chef named Mike. During the day you can see the two of them battling it out on the golf course, but by night they are cooking up the best à la carte on the island. Ask for Mike personally and he will cook you one of his specials.

On Wednesdays and Sundays from 3pm onwards you can enjoy a BBQ on top of the island at Tanawin Luxury Apartments. This is a fantastic little property that has the best view on the island. Englishman Steve serves a mean steak and cold drinks while you get to take in a panoramic view of every inch of the island.

Other dining highlights include the Shangri-La Hotel, which offers a great buffet, the honey and garlic wings and burgers at Nigi Nigi Beach Bar and Baker Brothers sandwiches and bread are simply awesome. You can find fruit shakes all over the island and it’s easy to polish plenty of these off every day particularly in the hot season.

If you want to find a few more culinary delights on the island just ask some friendly locals and you won’t be disappointed.

Accommodation

Nigi Nigi Nu Noos ‘e’ Nu Nu Noos (usually simply referred to as ‘Nigi Nigi’s’)

Nigi Nigi’s is one of the island’s best value stays and is situated at the heart of the action right at the centre of Station Two at White Beach. The rooms are native style bungalows decked out with cable, air conditioners and all the mod cons you will need for a relaxing vacation. White Beach is literally ten metres from the front door and you can snap up a deckchair and sun the day away.

Ambassador in Paradise

Its iconic beach bar is one of the island’s premier meeting spots and you can enjoy great music with a rocking happy hour from 5pm to 7pm every day. You can even tune into the cable sports running here. Icy cold San Miguel beers are under US$1 and their mango shakes are amongst Boracay’s best.

Reliable and free wireless internet is available and their food is simple, fresh and very reasonably priced. For reservations and information visit www.niginigi.com but be quick as this place fills up fast especially at peak season and weekends. If you are a keen golfer speak to the friendly staff at the front desk as they can arrange a 50 percent discount at the golf course.

Nigi Nigi’s also has a second resort called Nigi Nigi Too at the quieter end of the beach at Station One.

Red Coconut

Red Coconut is located at Station One. This is resort-style accommodation at an affordable price. White Beach is right on your doorstep but you are only a short stroll to Station Two and the heart of the action. This is the perfect location if you are one of those people that want the best of both worlds.

The rooms are excellent, the staff are wondeful and they have one of the best in-house restaurants on the island. Perfect for a romantic getaway or for a family break, you can choose to lie by the pool all day or float in the ocean – it’s your choice.

Visit www.redcoconut.com.ph for more details.

Ambassador in Paradise

Despite its towering elegant buildings, the upscale Ambassador in Paradise Resort at Station One has a homey feel to it. The rooms feature anahaw ceilings, the interiors are rustic Filipino and the hotel as a whole seems a natural part of the landscape.

“We try to keep Ambassador as Boracay or as natural as possible,” says resort manager Jose Ramon Cacho, “but we’re also quite well known for and proud of our restaurants.” He went on to say, “We also make our own bread and pasta. Chef Fortune is very experienced and has already made quite a name for himself on Boracay.”

The resort is situated on what’s considered by many to be the best part of the famous White Beach. There has been no expense spared when it comes to design, quality furniture, fixtures and fittings. The Dutch hotelier owner has trained his staff to the very highest European standards which results in top quality service.

Each luxurious apartment has its own balcony and if you’re looking for genuine top class service there’s no more delightful place to sip a cocktail than the well-furnished and appointed poolside restaurant and bar. You can even have your own private butler attend to your every whim.

Visit www.ambassadorinparadise.com for more information.

Lingganay Suites

After spending a few days on magical Boracay it is not uncommon for visitors to come to the realisation they do not want to leave! Many an expat will tell you of how they became enchanted with this place and simply cancelled their return ticket!

Lingganay Suites offers opulence and luxury, starting at incredibly affordable price points. If your idea of a getaway is peace and quiet in a place you can call your second home then this is it. You are only 10 minutes from the action but you are in your own private oasis. These luxury apartments are for sale and astute investors can buy a property here to holiday in, and then rent it out when duty calls.

Pictures or words can’t describe how breathtaking this place is. Sweeping views of the jungle, panoramic ocean vistas, infinity pool, private beach – the list goes on and on and you just have to see it for yourself.

This is one for the savvy investor and with gaming licenses and an international airport in the planning stages you can expect Boracay real estate prices to go through the roof. If you would like to view the property, check out www.lingganay.com.

To arrange a tour of the property or to inquire about renting an apartment for a holiday contact Gregory Wells directly at [email protected].

Golf

Fairways Golf Course situated at Fairways and Bluewater Resort is the only golf course on the island, but why would you need another? This magnificent course features 18 holes designed by Graham Marsh that wind their way around the top end of the island. Tropical golf doesn’t get any better than this with 6,600 challenging championship yards that will test any scratch golfer. Long stretches of lush fairways, plenty of water, deep bunkers and billiard table greens – this place is a must for any golf lover.

Fairways & Blue Water Resort golf course

Photo credit: fairwaysandbluewater.blogspot

Grab a buggy and a caddy, as it gets hot out on the course and make sure you take in plenty of liquid. Resident pro Mr Mike Moynihan made a name for himself on the Nike Tour in America. He is passionate about his golf course and takes its improvement and upkeep very seriously. He keeps making this course better and better. Mike is a natural teacher and one of those pros that will actually lower your handicap, so don’t be shy in grabbing a lesson and win some money off your friends when you return from holiday.

You can hire everything you need here but be mindful that you often must book in advance. Visit www.fairwaysandbluewater.com for more details.

Nightlife and bars

Boracay is party central. That is not to say that you can’t get away from partying if that is not your thing, but if you like to have a few drinks there are over a hundred beach bars that offer you cheap drinks, great happy hours and friendly visitors and locals to chat with.

Nigi Nigi Bar

The island has an award winning rock band ‘The Boss’ that has won multiple awards in the Philippines ‘Battle of the Bands’. Filipinos are a musical people and their best musicians must be seen to be believed. They play a mix of rock and blues from the ’70s all the way up to new releases. They have their own specially built cabana on the sand in front of the Regency Hotel on Station Two and play most nights beginning around 9pm. Get in early and grab a seat near the front. Fire dancers fill in the time between sets and a bucket of beers for a couple of hundred peso (US$4) will get your favourite song played.

There are many dance clubs for the young or young at heart to party to all night long. Cocomangas is probably the most famous nightclub and is a short trike ride away from White Beach. Boracay has a bar to cater to almost every musical taste so just walk down the beach at night and stop in for a drink at any bar that takes your fancy.

Gaming

There has been a lot of talk about a casino opening in Boracay. At this stage the people working behind the scenes to make this a reality are very tight-lipped about what they are doing and when they are planning to do it.

The primary hurdle is that an official license has to be granted first, though many ‘in the know’ say this is just a formality. Fairways and Bluewater Resort appear to be the front-runner in the race to get the first license. WGM has also been told by reliable sources that there could be up to three licenses issued on the island over the next few years. Lingganay is a location that also appears to be working towards getting a license.

There is also much talk about the possibility of Boracay opening its first poker room. Poker rooms like the Metro in Manila run without full casino licenses so it may be relatively easy to set up a poker room quickly.

Boracay offers plenty to people who like to gamble so it would be nice to have that option available on the island. It’s interesting times in Boracay and we here at WGM promise to keep you updated.