The Shangri-la Boracay: A Serene Retreat on a Bustling Island

When we first considered staying at the Shangri-la in Boracay, we were hesitant about its secluded location in the north of the island. After all, the island is famous for its four-kilometre stretch of white sand beach in the middle of town, so wasn’t that the area we should be staying?

The quick answer is no, it was not. That ginormous stretch of beach was somehow entirely filled with people, at all hours of the day. It was not only tourists out enjoying the surroundings, but many other people approaching those tourists to sell excursions or massages. 

How do we know all of this? Because as it turned out, the Shangri-la offered a shuttle service back and forth from the hotel to the centre of town all day(although certainly less frequently than we would have liked). This meant we got to enjoy the best of both worlds: Strolling around the main strip all day sipping on smoothies from Jonah’s Fruit Shakes (a MUST visit!), and blissfully returning to the peaceful surroundings of the Shangri-la in the evening.

Nestled on the shores of Boracay, the Shangri-La property is a sprawling tropical paradise that seamlessly integrates with its surroundings. Surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle lapping of the ocean waves, the resort offers a sense of seclusion while being conveniently accessible.

The Shangri-la has two beaches, a private and a public one, and we found only the public side to have the same soft white sand as the beach in town. That being said, although public in name, the beach felt completely private to us. We were able to float in the water for hours without worrying a person or boat would run into us. In addition, the resort boasts an enormous pool, games room, and an impressive fitness facility.

The hallmark of Shangri-La is its commitment to providing sumptuous accommodations, and Shangri-La Boracay is no exception. Rooms and suites are meticulously designed, featuring elegant wooden interiors designed in a beautiful Southeast Asian style, with modern amenities including a Dyson hair dryer. We were upgraded to one of their suites, and our massive room came complete with a bathtub big enough for two overlooking the beach on the outdoor patio. The sound of the ocean waves and the spread of local fruits and nuts created a serene atmosphere within the living space. We were also able to tour the resort’s Loft Garden Villas, which if they are in your budget, offer incredible privacy as you are tucked away from the other guests in your own two-story paradise, immersed in the surrounding fauna.

The dining options at the hotel were quite enticing, and we indulged in all that was available. There was Sirena, the seafood restaurant where we ate fresh fish at our outdoor table perched on a cliff top. Our attention was torn between the beautiful view overlooking the bay, and the talented singers performing nearby. Another night we went up to Rima, the treetop Mediterranean restaurant, where we felt truly immersed in a jungle. There was also a casual dinner one night at the main cafe, where we had the most authentic butter chicken we have ever tasted outside of India.

The only downside: food poisoning. It began about 30 hours after arriving and eating only at the resort, and it left me reeling and out of commission for a full 24 hours. There’s no way to know if the food poisoning was caused by something we ate at this resort, or if it was from where we were a day earlier, but the hotel did send nurses by our room several times to ensure I was recovering properly. 

Our departure from the resort was as smooth as the arrival. We coordinated a departure time the day before and were picked up from our room and taken down to the dock at

the appropriate hour. From there the hotel’s boat took us to the pier near the airport, and a quick five-minute drive later we were checking in for our flight. 

Overall, choosing to stay at the Shangri-la was the best decision we could have made for our Boracay getaway. The peaceful seclusion of the hotel, complemented by the convince of shuttle services, allowed us to enjoy the beauty of Boracay without feeling overwhelmed by the crowds.