Festive Philippines
This budget hotel in Boracay is located in the heart of White Beach Station 1, the tropical island’s most prestigious address. It offers simple accommodation, yummy breakfasts. friendly service, and a spectacular location at bargain-basement prices.
In This Post
Why I’m Here
I was in the Philippines to attend a blogger’s convention, which included a familiarization trip after the formal events had ended.
My final stop was Boracay, where I had arranged five hosted nights at luxurious five-star hotels.
As my stay was drawing to a close, I wasn’t really ready to leave this island paradise. Should I find out how the other half lives? Were there any cheap sleeps nearby?
I had become friendly with the staff at the Discovery Shores, where I had spent my first three nights in Boracay.
When I mentioned that I would like to spend a few more days in Boracay, one of the staff suggested I try the budget hotel next door.
“We often go there on our breaks,” he said.
Mr Holidays Hotel Boracay, as the hotel is known, is a two-star hotel with a five star location. Because of the hotel’s small size, its rooms are actually closer to the beach than the rooms at the more expensive hotels on either side.
My Room
This might have been a budget hotel, but it was service with a smile. After I booked my room, staff arranged for two people to go the posher digs next door and carry my bags to the more modest accommodation that I would be calling home for the next five nights.
The hotel has 15 rooms across four floors. Rooms have cable TV, air-conditioning, small refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
With the exception of family rooms, rooms have private “open plan” bathrooms, which are typical at budget hotels throughout many parts of Asia.
In other words, the toilet, sink, and shower are situated within the same space. If truth be told, the studio flat I rented for four weeks in Stockholm, Sweden, had a similar setup.
I stayed in a standard room, which measured 13 square metres. It had a double bed. It was appropriate for one or two people.
There are two types of superior rooms: 15-square-metre rooms with one double bed and 21-square-metre rooms with two double beds.
Deluxe rooms have private balconies. They also come in two sizes: 18-square metres with one queen size bed and 21-square metres wth two double beds.
Family rooms can accommodate several people. Measuring 43 square metres, they have three double beds. Bathrooms have separate toilets and showers.
The Food
The hotel had a charming little café right on the beach called Blue Waves Beach Bites. Simple breakfasts were complimentary.
There was a choice of entries, which included fruit, eggs, and some kind of meat as well as Nescafe Blend and Brew instant coffee.
There was another beachfront cafe called Beach Bites Pizza – Grill, which had a slightly more extensive menu.
I enjoyed several simple but very tasty dinners at the the Beach Bites cafe in the evening during my five-night stay at the hotel.
The Location
The hotel is located on White Beach Station 1, which is considered Boracay’s most prestigious address.
How to Get There
I flew to from Palawan to Boracay on a nine-seater aircraft.
There are two airports serving Boracay, a domestic airport and an international airport.
The Verdict
It goes without saying that my room at Mr Holidays didn’t hold a candle to the rooms I stayed in at Discovery Shores or The Lind.
Neither did the breakfasts or the other facilities.
But the staff were warm and friendly. I felt right at home. You couldn’t beat the location. And you sure couldn’t beat the price.
My stay at the hotel was entirely self-funded.
Where
Mr Holidays Hotel, Station 1, White Beach, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Province, Philippines.
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