Our New Discovery: Boracay Grand Vista

A visit to the Boracay Grand Vista Hotel is always a sublime experience.
The newest and possibly the most luxurious resort and spa in the island of Boracay, it offers breathtaking vistas of verdant mountains and aquamarine waters, brilliant sunsets and faraways islands, and the never-ending stream of birds flying into the horizon -- all from the privacy of one’s room. From the moment our van entered the hotel grounds, the boys were in a state of awe.
One cannot possibly describe Boracay Grand Vista Hotel without using any superlatives. (I heard lots of "wows" from the boys.) It is a beautiful combination of the best that nature and man have to offer. Located at the upper tip of Hagdan Yapak in Station 1, the hotel is situated away from the din of Boracay’s non-stop parties, offering privacy and a sense of tranquility that no other enclave within the island can. Hidden away from view, guests who walk into its premises are immediately captivated by its impressive Moroccan-inspired architecture and its well-manicured lawn that is also home to the largest pool in the whole of Boracay. The bi-level lawn also boasts of two other pools as well as cabanas where masseuses offer massages to weary souls.

But while the hotel’s surroundings may be impressive, they cannot quite compare to the hotel’s rooms. All 41 suites of the hotel have a private pool, a wide-screen flat TV with cable, a private balcony, NDD/IDD telephone service, a mini-bar, huge bathrooms, and safety deposit vaults. Large picture windows allow guests to witness Boracay’s glorious sunsets and wake up to picturesque ocean views. A hammock by the veranda, a fruit basket, the softest beddings and towels playfully arranged to look like swans bring a touch of warmth.

The hotel has 3 junior suites, 26 honeymoon suites, 4 executive suites, 2 vista suites, 2 grand pool suites, 4 grand view suites and 1 royal suite.

Guests of Boracay Grand Vista are never far from the Boracay’s powdery white sands. A private shuttle takes guests to D’Mall and back every hour, ensuring that guests are not deprived of all that Boracay has to offer. After a day of lazing in the sun and enjoying the beach life, guests can once more trek to their little private sanctuary up the hill.

Guests will also marvel at the hotel staff’s efficient yet unobtrusive service. Hotel staff willingly accommodate guests’ needs, from checking out airline bookings to arranging for a round of golf to planning an island-hopping escapade. A restaurant, housed in a separate building adjacent to the hotel, offers various cuisines. The Blues Blue bar offers a wide array of liquors and spirits. The business center provides businessmen all the conveniences of a private office. Wi-fi and internet connections are available. A gym and spa are currently being constructed.

Although most of Boracay Grand Vista’s guests are foreigners, a package for locals has recently been introduced. Meanwhile, Boracay Grand Vista remains the island’s best-kept secret. //

Great Memories at OneMGM Boracay

(Published in BusinessMirror)

Few Boracay resorts can offer the vibrant island life while at the same time providing a measure of peace and quiet the way OneMGM Hotel does. The boys loved it here!

A sprawling garden resort between boat stations two and three, OneMGM is quicky gaining a name for itself for its good food, friendly service and great entertainment.

Just five minutes away from the beachfront, guests of OneMGM are never far away from Boracay’s famous white sands and turquoise waters, and the leisure activities that have made the island the Philippines’ new vacation capital. Guests can laze around in OneMGM’s rattan beds by the beachfront and enjoy languid summers under the watchful eyes of its staff. Isaac fell asleep on the rattan bed in the veranda, while Jacob was quite comfy in the couch. Parents can relax as their children swim in the pool, secure in the knowledge that the resort’s lifeguards are there to guard the swimmers. It was great having them there -- I didn't have to worry about the boys at all.

Though just a short walk away from the white beach, one is immediately transported to a tropical oasis upon entering OneMGM’s gates. Asian-inspired villas dot the property, a veritable garden with three pools, an open-air restaurant, and giant trampolines surrounded by lush tropical greenery. Friendly hotel attendants roam the premises in their signature yellow shirt and orange pants, flashing the sunniest smiles and offering what is probably the fastest service in the entire island. Every so often, the resort plays host to bands and shows, to the delight of its guests, many of who come from the colder climes of Europe and Asia. Weddings and conferences have been held here, too.

Other than the villas, there are also standard hotel rooms and suites in the sprawling property, where guests can likewise enjoy the niceties of city life – a mini bar, a TV with cable, a private kitchen with plates, utensils and cooking implements, a safe, hot water, and comfortable beddings. The suites, with their plump sofas and individual balconies, are perfect for families and small groups. The famous D’Mall and the wet market are easily accessible through the tricycles that pass the area, as is everything else. The resort also has regular shuttles to and from the jetty port as well as a boat that goes to Caticlan.

The OneMGM Hotel is the first of many developments that will eventually transform Boracay’s station three. Expansion plans are well underway, with the hotel’s proponents recent acquisition of the adjacent three-hectare property. This will give the resort beachfront access and the longest resort frontage in station three and in the island. The site will eventually be home to more resort rooms and villas, as well as a chapel, an aviary, more food outlets and an entertainment center. All these will make the resort a total destination.

For this summer, the resort is offering a special rate to local residents and balikbayans. For P2,499 net per person (minimum of two persons), the third person sharing the room pays just P999 while the fourth person enjoys free accommodation. The group also gets its fourth night at the resort for free. This rate includes overnight deluxe accommodations and free breakfast.

Indeed, a stay at the One MGM Resort makes for many great memories. //