Rediscovering Boracay at Discovery Shores

A lot has been said about Boracay. With the so many tourists, foreign and local alike, that are coming and going to the island, each has his own story to share about the so called "Boracay experience". For some, the experience is just ordinary and somewhat forgettable. But for the others, they get to feel the ultimate experience that is forever etched in their memory... and that's just exactly what happened to me in my last vacation trip to this paradise island of Boracay.

My 3-day vacation at Boracay with my wife and friends last Aug 16-18 was probably the best vacation experience that I had on this island. It was not because a momentous event was being celebrated that time or some luck happened to me while relaxing on the beach. It's far more than that. I got to experience the best hotel service never did I feel in my 10 years of travelling around the Philippines and in some parts of the world. It was luxury at its best... and Discovery Shores was behind that service.

Checking in at Discovery Shores is truly a one amazing experience of a lifetime. From the moment I set my foot on their hotel ground until I left the island, I felt like I was a royalty that was being pampered with regal treatment. Upon arrival at the hotel room, we were immediately treated with a foot bath to refreshen our tired feet from the 1-hour air travel and 15-minute boat ride. Fruits, pandan & bottled water, sweets and cookies were already served at our room's coffee table waiting to be consumed and which were to be continuously refilled throughout our stay in the hotel. Later I found out that those fruits, cookies and juice of different flavour also abound at the lobby, the restaurant and at the beach front which guests can freely partake anytime.

The hotel itself boasts of architectural design by Budji Layug and Royal Pineda who are known for their distinctive design of modern asian style which are very conducive for relaxation. The appliances, gadgets and other modern conveniences that were used inside the room were likewise very impressive and were all state-of-the-art. They have 32" LCD TV, DVD player, I-Pod dock, Radio/CD Player, refrigerated private bar, coffee maker, fax/computer port, wifi, ceiling mounted overhead shower and door alarms. The bed was also so comfortable that you would really want to sleep all day and all night, not to mention that they use down feather pillows and bed sheet/pillow case with 800 counts which we got to know through the general manager.

When bathing at the pool or relaxing at the beach front to watch Boracay sunset, the friendly hotel staff will give you royal treatment that is only fit for a king. They will give you towel immediately upon sitting on the beach chairs and will fix your slippers and fold your clothes once you dip in the pool or at the sea. They will guard your belongings against any intruder and will serve you juice or even ice cream even if you're not asking for it. They will offer to take pictures if they see you need a group photo souvenir. The very accommodating hotel staff will really do everything to make you feel that you are a very special guest of the hotel.

Another wonderful service that I truly enjoyed in Discovery Shores is their shuttle service that can bring you or pick you up to any destination of your choice within the island, be it at D' Mall or at D' Talipapa. They have also special shuttle and ferry service from the Caticlan airport to the hotel and back where you will be treated so well as if you're on a plane with a stewardess ready to serve you. It's just unfortunate that we did not experience their aircon ferry service which at that time was undergoing service maintenance, but still the boat ride was excellent.

The breakfast at the Sands Restaurant of Discover Shores which was part of our hotel package was also fantastic. They serve all sorts of food from Filipino to American breakfast. They have danggit, sausage, longanisa, bacon, tapa, bread, rice, omelette, cereals, fruits, yogurt, cold cuts, freshly squeezed fruit juice, etc. The breakfast was so good and bountiful that we always had very late lunch on our 3 days of stay in the hotel.

The Discovery Shores offers other amenities that will complete your vacation even without going out of the hotel. They have entertainment and game room where you can play poker, mah-jong or x-box and where you can sing your favourite song on their magic sing karaoke. They have also a branch of the famous Mandala Spa right inside the hotel but we did not try any of their spa service. Instead, we just got the service of one of the local masahista and had our massage at the comfort of our room. Other amenities in the hotel include library, children's room, sunken pool bar, jacuzzi and others.

All these comfort and luxury have, of course, an equivalent price to pay. But with the royal treatment that we received from the hotel's very courteous and cheerful personnel coupled with all the special hotel services & amenities, definitely it's worth the price that we have paid for our 3-day stay at Discovery Shores... a discovery of true luxury and lavishness.