Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay
Punta Bunga Cove, Barangay Yapak, Malay, Aklan
Rates start at P8,700
At a Glance
Room: Bright and airy
Food and drink: Forget about maintaining that beach bod with their family-sized servings
Staff: Warm and accommodating
Why you should stay: The secluded beachfront makes you feel like you own a slice of heaven.
(SPOT.ph) Boracay is making waves again, with its recent inclusion in Condé Nast Traveler's 2019 Readers' Choice Awards. The island is described as having “gentle coastlines and made-for-Instagram sunsets,” but we all know there’s more to this tropical getaway than that, especially after its six-month rehabilitation in 2018. If you’re planning a trip to the “new” Boracay, then you might as well head over to one of its newest resorts: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay. You’d be in for lavish accommodations situated in a tranquil part of the island, and the unfettered beauty of its powder-fine shoreline more than makes up for the journey.
You would find yourself slipping into your swimsuit, stat, when you see this resort’s pièce de résistance: a sprawling, 3,300-square-meter multi-level swimming pool. Its clear waters gently lap against your skin as you take in the gorgeous vista of the island and unwind to the sound of rustling leaves and gurgling bubble pools.
After a refreshing swim, while away the time on any of the white beach beds or plush rattan loveseats decked with pillows in lively blues and yellows—all conveniently found within the vicinity. Some of these lounge chairs are even partially submerged in the pool, so you can get the best of both worlds.
But if taking a dip in the pool is not your thing, you can always go and explore the long, untouched shoreline. Take Instagram-worthy pictures with the towering coconut tree, situated right in front of the property, or plop down on the eggshell-colored coast and experience the famed white sand yourself before diving into the crystalline turquoise sea.
End the day in a modern, tropical-themed room overlooking lush vegetation or the peaceful coast. You can choose from nine well-appointed spaces to suit your needs, such as classic rooms with vibrant backdrops and private balconies, suites with larger beds and spacious indoor seating, and the 370-square-meter Sol Marina Villa with two elegantly designed bedrooms, a grand receiving area, and its own pool overlooking the pristine beachfront. Every room comes with an LED flat screen TV, air conditioning, a mini bar, and WiFi.
What to Do
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay holds daily outdoor workouts such as Zumba Fitness, Latin Fusion, and Aqua Aerobics (fun ways to mingle with other guests!) as well as trainer-supervised Core Workout and Basic Cardio & Abs classes at the Fitness Center to help you confidently rock that #beachbody. If you’d rather go on a sea-based adventure, you can sign up for a helmet diving or snorkeling session to discover Boracay’s secret underwater wonders. And if you are adventurous enough, you’ll be glad to know that they also offer parasailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and paraw sailing. But if you want to sweat it out without the fuss, go for a run on the beach or play beach Frisbee with friends.
Even kids would have a memorable time at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay. They have amenities such as the playground and Little Birds Club—a place where guests aged two to 12 years old can try their hand at age-appropriate arts and crafts projects. The resort also offers kid-friendly furnishings (such as a baby cot, night light, and bathroom footstool), babysitting services, healthy kiddie menus, as well as fun activities like pizza-making at Brezza.
No two sunsets are alike in Boracay. You could be blessed with an insanely fiery skyline one evening, while the next sundown could show off a cooler palette of purples and pinks. Make the most out of your afternoon experience by enjoying a resort exclusive—a Chocolate Hour feast! From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, The Café offers a free sampling of milk-, dark-, and white-chocolate creations and a luscious chocolate fondue fountain.
Afterwards, you might want to head to the beach and secure an unhampered view of the horizon at the Sol Marina Beach Club. Order a colorful cocktail or a fruit shake, give in to the urge to take photos at golden hour, and witness the stunning sunset unfold as a resident DJ plays hypnotic dance tunes.
If you’re looking to get some me-time, try a massage (Swedish, Shiatsu, and Deep Tissue) or a one-of-a-kind soothing signature treatment inspired by the island’s heritage at Sagay Spa. With the help of tuba tuba leaves, the Hilot Ritual (P3,200) delivers a rejuvenating, 90-minute deep-tissue massage that promises to eliminate knots and aches.
Similar to a hot stone massage, the Sagay Regenerating Ritual (P3,200) makes use of warm, palm-sized sagay (think giant sungka shells) that are repeatedly rubbed all over the body. Over the course of 90 minutes, the shells’ comforting heat and smooth shape helps muscles loosen up and absorb the calcium content of the sagay.
Where to Eat
You don’t need to stray far to get some grub with Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay’s seven in-house choices. Start your day right at The Market. Their all-day restaurant’s extensive breakfast buffet includes golden waffles, crispy bacon strips, steamed sausages, fluffy scrambled eggs, or freshly baked croissants. For lunch or dinner, The Market’s hefty dishes are good for sharing, such as the Fried Spring Rolls (P350), Chicken Satay (P400), Kare Kare (P560), and Chicken Adobo (P560). The thick and juicy Grilled Angus Beef Tenderloin (P1,570) with Anna potatoes and vegetables is an indulgent dish that goes well with a glass of red wine, while the Fluffy Calamansi Baked Cheesecake (P340) balances sweet and tangy flavors.
Promising the best of Asian cuisine, Ssäm goes for authenticity with its fresh sashimi (starts at P400), melt-in-your-mouth Galbi-jjim (P1,120), and perfectly battered Ebi Tempura (P560). Meanwhile, Brezza’s wood-fired Quattro Formaggi pizza (P650) and the Risotto Ai Porcini (P980) will instantly transport you to Italy.
How to Get There
It takes a 45-minute plane ride from Manila to Caticlan, a quick 10-minute car ride and speed boat transfer via Cagban Jetty Port, and a 30-minute drive to get to the resort, located at Punta Bunga Cove.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay is at Punta Bunga Cove, Barangay Yapak, Malay, Aklan. Rates start at P8,700. For more information, visit Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay's website. CCT.168 Travel and Tours Corp. books flights and arranges tours for local and international destinations.
