Paradise within a paradise

MANILA, Philippines - Never settle for anything less — even inside a paradise.

Staying on a world-famous island that is Boracay means experiencing a lifestyle of luxury when spent in an equally world-class resort like Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa.

The sun had already set when we arrived at the jetty port but we felt the pleasant warmth as the friendly and smiling resort staff welcomed us. The check-in process at the resort was smooth and fast that after a soothing welcome drink, we already felt a bit de-stressed and ready to savor both a relaxing and frenetic island life.

Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa is the first on the island to receive a Triple A rating, the highest for the resort category in the Philippines. It is situated in the middle of a long stretch of white sand beach, with a beachfront spanning 125 meters, the longest on the island. A boat ride from either tip of the island lets you see that the resort’s beachfront is the most noticeable from afar.

From a humble boutique resort with only 48 rooms, the property has grown into 285 fully air-conditioned state-of-the-art rooms and suites with lanais overlooking the beach, garden or swimming pool. The lavish Presidential, Royal and Honeymoon Suites are nestled right across the beach.

We were lucky to have deluxe Premier Rooms with access to swimming pools, where we could take a morning plunge or an evening poolside party. Boracay Regency has three crystalline pools, with a jacuzzi at the North Wing, and a jacuzzi and sunken pool bar at the East Wing.

On the other hand, the 1,200-square-meter swimming pool is the main attraction of Regency Lagoon, a sister company of Boracay Regency under Hennan Resorts. It is situated just a stone’s throw away from the latter and the beachfront. Imagine yourself enjoying a refreshing drink while lying down a chic sun bed submerged in a long and winding lagoon-shaped pool — right outside the comfort of your room. With the largest swimming pool on the island and 120 luxuriously-appointed rooms, the Lagoon is a perfect place for those looking for a quiet and serene getaway amongst the sands of Boracay.

Both resorts boast of world-class amenities and spacious rooms with modern Asian theme. In fact, Henry Chusuey, the visionary owner of the resorts, personally takes part in the design. Who else would have placed a practically perfect lazy boy chair in an executive suite?

Besides maintaining a budget-friendly accommodation (the cheapest room rate is around P6,000 per night), one of the key strategies of the resort group is keeping the brand-new feel and look of the properties. A colleague with scoliosis is very specific with mattresses and after our first night at the Regency, she was so impressed with the back-friendly bed. The three-storey resort (an ordinance in Boracay approves only up to three floors for a beachfront property) also saw the need for a venue that can accommodate a large number of people during trainings and the like. So, Boracay Regency built the first ever convention center on the island. Initially inspired by pharmaceutical companies that would hold kick-off parties for a minimum of 200 people, the convention center now has over 1,000 seats and six meeting rooms for intimate functions, equipped with the latest sound-proof audio-visual facilities.

Asked why Regency Lagoon was built near Boracay Regency, Dindo Salazar, the affable resort manager who speaks sweet Ilonggo, explained that it was due to the surging market. A lot of guests have been staying at Boracay Regency ever since the four to six chartered flights from Korea grew into 14! Apparently, most of the resorts’ guests are Koreans, followed by Chinese, Russians, Australians and Filipino balikbayans. Koreans fill up the slowest months since the period from June to August is their honeymoon season. The peak seasons, on the other hand, are the Holy Week, Christmas and Chinese New Year.     

(To be continued.)

(For more information about Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa and Regency Lagoon, call 036-288-6111 to 17). Air Asia flies twice daily to Kalibo from Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark. For booking and inquiries, please call 02-588-9999.)