Asia's best hotel spa is right here in PHL on the world's best island

For those in search of a grand vacation, it makes sense to book a flight to Boracay, which was voted the "World's Best Island" by readers of Travel + Leisure this year. 

 

Boracay has been a tourist favorite for years, with its three-kilometer white sand strip and beautiful sunsets. Whether you prefer sunbathing solo or dancing all night, there are plenty of places to stay in Boracay.

 

But if you want to make the trip extra special, you may want to book a room at the top hotel spa on the island. Voted by Travel + Leisure readers as the number one hotel spa in Asia in the 17th annual World’s Best Awards compendium of the best hotels, destinations, and travel companies in the world, Discovery Shores Boracay offers luxurious accommodations.

 

"The 88 spacious suites feature large glass walls that look towards a scenic rock garden, but chances are you'll spend more time by the water. Take a dip in the infinity pool, or jet-ski on the crystalline sea," Travel + Leisure describes Discovery Shores. 

 

The beachfront hotel's facilities include two restaurants, a beach bar, a sunken pool bar, and a kiddie lounge. 

 

"Chefs at Indigo restaurant can prepare a customized, multi-course degustation menu—just make sure you give them 24-hours' notice," advises Travel + Leisure. At the Sandbar, mojitos are infused with local fruit flavors like lychee and mango, and karaoke-loving Filipinos can choose from over a thousand tunes at the recreation lounge.

 

Last March, executive chef David Pardo de Ayala whipped up a five-course Mediterranean menu for the resort's fifth anniversary celebration, featuring slow-poached Pacific grouper and, as Yasmin Arquiza wrote, "a scintillating orange and sesame Turkish delight that had to be the best dessert Boracay has to offer." 

 

At its Terra Wellness Spa, guests can de-stress with the Dagdagay, a native foot massage where two sticks are used to stimulate blood circulation. They also offer the 60-minute Hilot Haplos, a combination of medium Deep Tissue Massage, kneading, and smooth flowing strokes. Virgin Coconut Oil is blended with essential oils of ginger and ylang-ylang.

 

Of course, such decadence is not what you would call budget-friendly. "For those lucky enough to spend a night or two at the resort, it is certainly worth the extra expense. It would be nice if more Filipinos can experience such luxuries – for those who can afford it, published rates start at a few hundred dollars per night – so promos during the off-season should be taken seriously," Arquiza advises.

 

This is the third year that Discovery Shores has ranked in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards list of Top Resorts in Asia. “This is an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to giving our guests unmatched service standards complemented by our dedicated staff and our world-class facilities,“ said Jose C Parreño, Jr., chief operating officer of The Discovery Leisure Company Inc (TDLCI) and concurrent general manager of Discovery Shores Boracay.

 

While the facilities are excellent, what makes this top hotel spa an ideal place for a memorable island experience is the service. "In the end though, it’s not so much the material comforts such as goody bags and sweet treats discreetly placed in the room between meals, but the simple gestures such as the signature “service from the heart” with one hand on the chest and the friendly smiles that spell the difference," Arquiza writes. –KG, GMA News All photos courtesy of Discovery Shores Boracay