The Shangri-La Boracay Resort is the very definition of a dreamy haven in the midst of the tropical jungles. When you close your eyes and imagine what a private beach resort in paradise should look like – this is what you see. A luxury 5 star beach and resort and spa, it is the very definition of all inclusive, as it provides its guests with everything they could possibly wish for.
Located in a remote location, about 15-20 minutes drive from White Beach, this resort is the perfect escape from the crowds. The Shangri-La is one of the world’s leading chains of luxury hotels, so you can always expect everything to be at the highest levels imaginable. Just like their other branches in Mactan, Makati and at the fort, the Shangri La Boracay is the hotel which sets the standard for everyone else.
What makes the Shangri La so special is that it offers a full experience and not just a place to stay. There are only a few hotels in Boracay that do such a good job of creating an all inclusive offer that will surely leave you with a lifelong memory. The only 2 comparable hotels are The Lind and Discovery Shores – their advantage is being on White Beach, while Shangri-La offers a much more exclusive location. Spending a few nights at one of these hotels, then moving to Shangri-La for some peace and quiet, will result in the ultimate all inclusive Boracay vacation.
Unlike most hotels in the Philippines, the service here lacks the famous hospitality and warmth. Instead, they adopt a professional and courteous attitude. It's really a matter of personal taste, but we actually like this better. In any case, you can expect to get a quick and accurate response to any issue you might encounter. Also, many extra services are available, many of which are free of charge.
This resort isn't brand new like the luxury hotels in Station 1, but it's extremely well kept. The rooms and a public areas all look new and have a very beautiful tropical design. In general, the design and atmosphere of this place is truly exceptional, one of the best we have ever seen.
Even the smallest rooms are large and very comfortable. They are all newly furnished and equipped with everything you'd expect from a luxury resort. The toiletries are the best we've seen anywhere in Boracay. A personal butler is available on call, so you can always get everything replenished. There are some small issues with the rooms here though, and you can read about these in more detail below. The main problem however, is the fact some of the rooms are pretty secluded – you need to call an electric cart to pick you up if you want to go anywhere.
The main swimming pool is huge, easily the largest in Boracay. There's also 2 other, smaller pools you can go to. The resort has a private beach, separated into 2 areas – both are very beautiful and peaceful. It is however, impossible to match the beach at White Beach of course.
Again, this is really a matter of personal taste. If you want to be close to everything, then the location is terrible – it takes a long time to reach and you practically have nothing nearby. For people who want a real private recluse in the ultimate paradise island experience, this is perfect. The location itself is nothing short of spectacular – based on the mountain side and going down all the way to the beach – with some of the most beautiful views anywhere in the Philippines.
Shangri La is the most expensive hotel in Boracay and it certainly merits the question whether its worth it or not. For us, as long as you know exactly what you are paying for, the answer is a definite yes. For the price you pay, you are guaranteed the best possible luxury experience. Not only that, but the unique design and breathtaking landscape make the whole stay so much more enjoyable.
The Shangri-La’s size is one of its problems, but also a huge part of the resort’s appeal. It makes you feel like you are in the middle of a tropical rain forest, but with all the luxury and pampering of a world class 5 star accommodation. That said, most rooms are quite far from the beach, pool and other facilities. You’ll have to pick up the phone in your room and call the car to pick you up, just so you can go anywhere inside the resort.
Rooms are divided into 3 main categories – standards rooms, suites and villas. Each category offers a selection of a few different room types. Generally speaking, standard rooms are located at the main building and around at. This means they are the quite far from the beach, but at least the main pool is only 5 minutes walk. That said, to get back to the room from the pool will require climbing a bit, so asking the resort car to drop you back might be more convenient.
Villas and suites are located all throughout the resort, and they are the most popular choice among guests. They are all huge, typically with at least 2 separate floors. They vary in shape and size, but the price is mostly dependent on how close they are to the beach. They are all fully furnished with the most luxurious offerings you can imagine – there’s even a private balcony with a Jacuzzi in it. For more detailed information about the different rooms available at the Shangri La, scroll down the page to the Room Types section.
The Shangri La is one of the most veteran 5 star resorts in Boracay. Since its launch back in 2010 it has enjoyed a stellar reputation, earning him an endless list of awards. Most recently, it has been named as one of the top 10 luxury resorts in Asia by Travel & Leisure magazine. The list of awards really goes on forever, but it's worth mentioning that the resort's spa and restaurants have won many accolades in their own right. This is another testament to the high standards kept by this establishment. When you consider the fact this hotel has been around for so long, the fact it manages to maintain this level of excellence is truly remarkable. For so many years now, guests are always happy to visit the hotel and most of them swear they'll be back. The amount of reviews online is overwhelming, and almost all of them are decidedly positive. To that, we have to add our own experience with the resort, which has always been perfect. Still, we went through as much information as we could find online, to try and find the most accurate and up to date feedback regarding this hotel. Tripadvisor.com shows an astounding 2898 different guest reviews. The average score is 4.5, and the Shangri-La is ranked as the 4th best hotel in Boracay. Only 2% of guests have rated their stay at the hotel to be below average, while 80% gave it the highest score possible. People really liked the private beach, the pampering spa and of course the overall romantic and exotic feel of the hotel. The very few complaints came from guests who thought the food was too expensive, or the service too slow. There are also 654 reviews on Booking.com and 818 on Agoda. They show a score of 9.2 and 9.1 respectively, which is one of the highest scores any hotel in Boracay has. At both sites, guests praised the beautiful private beach and really liked how clean and well designed their rooms were. Positive feedback was also given to the food, the breakfast in particular. The most common complaints were about how expensive it was, as well as the slow service – specifically having to wait for the cars to drive you around the resort.
The advantages of staying at the Shangri-La are these:
Still, there are some issues you should consider before booking:
The main restaurant is called Cielo, which is located by the pool. This is where breakfast is served, and it’s also the menu available for in room dining. Vintana is also a great place to eat, with dishes coming from all over the world. Rima (Italian) and Sirena (seafood) are more exclusive – they are very small restaurants, located at more remote parts of the resort. For these 2, it’s better if you reserve a table a few hours in advance. The resort also offers a romantic dining option in your villa or by the beach, with your very own personal chef for an additional charge. This could be the perfect way to end a romantic day in paradise.
The resort spa is called Chi, and is a world class treatment center which has won many awards for being the best hotel spa in Asia. It’s beautifully designed with large fish ponds everywhere, creating a true feeling of tranquility. The gym and health club is also the best one we saw in Boracay – it’s large and full of new equipment. Lastly, there’s a huge kid’s playground with inflatable slides and many other toys.
There are also arranged activities for kids all throughout the day. These are varied to address different age groups, but generally speaking they are good for children between the ages of 5 to 12. they include arts and crafts, games and animal related activities. The pizza making course is a special favorite among kids of all ages. A parent or a guardian must be present at all times, but it’s also possible to use the hotel’s babysitting service. This costs 10$ an hour and a minimum booking of 3 hours is required.
Lastly, there are also countless activities for adults every day. The best idea is to ask at the reception, and they’ll give you a brochure with the schedule for that specific week. Usually, the popular activities include yoga, pilates, zumba, aqua workout at the pool, and a long list of beach games and sports. Every night, there’s also a dance and a show performed for guests near the pool at the Cielo restaurant.
To sum it all up, this resort has everything you can possibly dream of. The private location makes it great for couples, especially honeymooners, who seek a quiet escape in an all inclusive paradise. Still, everyone who values the true meaning of luxury will have a wonderful time there – and we had many families and even singles who chose to spend a night at the resort. Being a world renowned brand, the Shangri-La is always a sure bet for anyone who wants nothing but the best.
The Deluxe room is the most basic room type and is an excellent choice for a couple. Since it’s 63m2 it can also comfortably fit in 2 adults and 2 children. Most deluxe rooms have a garden view and are located at the main building, but a seaview Deluxe room is also available for 30$ a night. All deluxe rooms come with 1 king size bed, and extra beds can be added upon request.
There are 2 types of Premier rooms – the premier seaview and family seaview. They are both nearly equal in size – 63m2 and 66m2 respectively, so the only real difference is the bed setup. The Premier seaview has 1 king size bed, while the family version comes with 2 queen size beds and a sofa bed instead.
There are no less than 8 different types of Villas available at the resort. The most popular one is the tree house villa – which is 2 floors – one is the living area and the other one is where you sleep. The lower floor also has a Jacuzzi in the balcony. Other Villas include the Loft Villa (same set up like tree house), 1,2 or 3 bedroom private pool villas, and the 2 bedroom beach villa. Sizes for these range from 216m2 to 700m2. The smallest Villas can accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids, while the largest 3 bedroom villa is designed for 6 adults and 4 children.
These suites are located at the ground floor, and are the closest to the private beach. Each of them is 127m2 and comes with 1 king size beds. Extra single beds can be added upon request, and the suite can accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids at no additional charge.
