Pinjalo resort is one of the very first hotels established in Boracay. Located in White Beach station 2 area, it has been a popular among visitors to the island for many years now. The fact it was built a long time ago, when land prices were very low, allowed this resort to occupy a vast area and provide its guest with a feeling of comfort, peacefulness and space.
Pinjalo isn’t located directly on the beach, but it’s only 2-3 minutes walk away from it. This help keep the room rates down, and so you can stay at one of the most popular areas in Boracay and still pay a very reasonable price. This 3 star resort is highly recommended for couples, large groups and families, who wish to stay at the heart of the action but enjoy some peace and quiet.
[expert_review]
The first time we visited Pinjalo was actually more than a year ago, and our stay there left us with mixed feelings. We felt like the resort has a lot of potential, especially considering their fair price, but it falls a bit short on delivering the quality we want to offer for our customers. That’s why back then we decided we won’t work with that resort for the time being, and will review it again in the future if something changes.
When we came back to Boracay again a few months later, we were delighted to hear the resort has been sold to a new owner. Now it’s run by the same people who own the Nigi Nigi Nu and Nigi Nigi Too resorts, with whom we have a very good experience working together. These guys know exactly how to work with Western tourists, and we weren’t surprised to see they addressed the exact issues we were concerned with when we first stayed there.
When you first get to Pinjalo, and even as you enter the reception area, it might seem a bit underwhelming. The place looks a bit tired and worn down, not what you expect to see from a resort who charges as much as they do. However, as you cross the small bridge that leads to the garden area, you’ll immediately change your mind. First of all, the place is huge and very spacious, which helps create a romantic and peaceful atmosphere. Secondly, the gardens are very well designed and maintained, making the resort very charming.
[pros_cons]
To get to the beach from Pinjalo, you just continue down the road, pass the 7-11 and you are there. If you want to get to Nigi Nigi Nu, you then turn right and walk for another 2 minutes. The breakfast served at Pinjalo is still subpar, but luckily they are smart enough to realize that. Hopefully it will be fixed very soon, but for now you can take your breakfasts in Nigi Nigi instead – a place which serves the best Western-styled breakfasts in Boracay. In any case, breakfast is included in the price, and over at Nigi you can take it any time until 5pm.
There are 4 different room types available, as well as apartments which are designed for larger families and groups. The rooms are pretty spartan in their design, but at least they are all bigger than the normal standard in Boracay. Still, they all come with a mini fridge, AC, free WiFi, safety box and hot/cold shower. Free towels and other toiletries are also replenished on a daily basis.
Overall, Pinjalo is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay near White Beach’s station 2 – the place where all the nightlife and fun is. You get to enjoy the best location, but stay at a peaceful resort surrounded by beautiful gardens, and pay a much lower price. This makes Pinjalo an ideal location for young couples as well as larger groups.
the standard is the most basic room category, but is still very large with 23m2 of living space. there’s also a nice little balcony outside, where you can sit and have a drink while looking at the garden. The standard room comes with a queen size bed, as well as usual amenities provided by the hotel.
The deluxe room is 31m2 and comes with either 1 king size bed or 2 queen size, depending on your choice. there’s also a larger 45m2 version which includes an upper deck. The Deluxe loft comes with a queen size bed on the lower level, and a king size in the upper.
There are 2 types of suites available, either with 1 bedroom or 2. The 1 bedroom suite is 84m2 and comes with 1 king size bed, while the other is 112m2 and has a king size and a queen size bed in it. Additional beds can be added to both for a small daily fee.
One of Pinjalo’s main advantages is the fact they offer affordable accommodation to large groups. There are 2 Villas, named Palm and Heliconia, each with 3 bedrooms, as well as an apartment you can book. The apartment is cheaper but only has 2 bedrooms. All of these can easily house at least 6 adults, but extra beds can also be added. The apartment and Villa Heliconia are 150m2, while the Palm Villa is a whopping 280m2 and also has the most modern design and furniture.