Hotel Review: Summer's Last Hurrah at The District Boracay

Just a week after celebrating Mother's Day at F1 Hotel, we went to Boracay for another celebration.

If ever you desire a restful retreat with your family, an all girls/ barkada getaway, a family reunion or, heck – any excuse you can think of, Boracay is the perfect place! As for me and my hubby, having our birthday vacay in Boracay is my perfect excuse to take a well-needed vacation from the daily grind and to unplug from reality.

Coconut trees  and a glorious amount of powdery white sand... This place never gets old.

Every year, we choose to be one with the powder-like sands of Boracay.  It's one of the hottest destinations in the Philippines and despite it becoming more crowded every year,  its popularity hasn’t waned  and people still consistently come back for more.

Indeed, only priceless memories and postcard-perfect memories abound in every visit to the Boracay island paradise.

  

Other girls want to walk in heels & shine in glitter, but I'd rather be barefoot & golden my whole life. 
Tip: Explore the island on foot.

Getting there

You must take ze plane, ze plane to get there, or you can also try 2Go. But we always choose to go there by plane which is obviously  the fastest mode of transportation to Boracay. You can either take the straight flight to Caticlan or take the Kalibo trip. From Caticlan, a shuttle bus takes you to the jetty port where you can ride a boat to take you to the island in 5-10 minutes. From Kalibo, it takes another 45 minutes to an hour bus/van ride to Caticlan Jetty port. So if you want to save time and if you're so excited to hit the beach, the best  option would be a direct flight to Caticlan. However, for this particular trip, the eagle landed at Kalibo Airport. And by eagle, I mean PAL.

Here's a closer look on our transportation expenses:

From Kalibo to Boracay	Transportation Cost
Van to Caticlan Plus Boat via Fastcraft to Caticlan Jetty Port  (approx 1.5 hrs)	PhP 250 / pax
Terminal fee (6 years old and below are free)	PhP 100
Environmental Fee  (Below 11 years old are free)	PhP 75
Trike going to Station 2 (approx.15 mins)	PhP 28/ pax or PhP 100 -special
Trike to and from resort	PhP 50.00

From Boracay to Kalibo Airport	Transportation Cost
Trike to Caticlan Port	PhP 100
Boat from Caticlan  to Cagban Jetty Port	PhP 25
Terminal fee at Cagban Jetty Port	PhP 100
Van to Kalibo Airport	PhP 175
Kalibo Airport Terminal Fee	PhP 40

The District Boracay

Among the slew of hotels that crowd the main beach, we decided to stay at The District Boracay. Actually, this review is long overdue and I found myself procrastinating even if it's an effortless review to write because I am absolutely over the moon about this resort. I supposed it's because there's so much to say about this hotel. But if you ask me to describe it in one word, it is a "standout" and by far the best smelling and swankiest hotel we've ever stayed in Boracay.

Check out this video of our fun-filled summer vacay at The District Boracay last May:



We chose this hotel for obvious reasons including: the first-rate amenities that are deliciously part of our stay, the room with our own verandah, fully stocked mini bar, free Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, a full-sized executive desk, a safety deposit box, among others.  Plus, nightly turndown service and all gratuities included. And if that doesn’t make you say OMG, perhaps a few more of our reasons will:

The location

One of the reasons why I chose The District is because of its impressive location. It's a cozy beachfront hotel, the place you want to find yourself in for a luxurious experience.

It is located right in the middle of Station 2 in Boracay, just near D'Mall and all the famous night spots. And if you are coming from Station 1, it is just few meters away from Starbucks Coffee. Despite being close to everything,  it is peaceful and quiet once you're inside the hotel.

The warm welcome

Posh interiors speak volumes. Upon arriving, we were greeted with the posh but chic glass-walled reception area, decorated with very art modern-inspired architecture and design, with a view of the ocean that looks as if it came right out of a magazine. The huge chandelier above the foyer is beautiful. You may also skip the hassle and arrive in style via the resort’s own shuttle.

The receptionist gave us a welcome drink, a cold glass of lemonade/calamansi juice, with a cold towel that was really refreshing.

Check-in and the registration was smooth and hassle-free. The receptionists were so accommodating and they made us feel instantly at home.

These bright-colored umbrellas are readily available for the guests near the lobby.


The room

From the minute we walked in, we were smitten. Being the perfectionist that I am (not to be confused with obsessive-compulsive), I am very particular with the cleanliness and the "smell" of the room.

There was a wonderful aroma in the room that will awaken your senses. Personally, I think these are 2 important requirements for the hotel I stay in. The District Boracay did not disappoint us in this aspect. It makes this place a million times better than it already is. The relaxing smell wafting through the room right when we enter is to-die-for.

We stayed in room 107 which has 2 queen size beds, and private verandah where we enjoyed a spectacular view of the pool.  It was the perfect room for our stay because my daughter loves being in the water. The pool is a haven for her and an awesome area where we can all lounge together.

The room was spacious enough with all the things we need - a large screen LCD TV,  a full-sized writing desk, fridge, toiletries, slippers, mini bar, beverages like water, coffee and tea, electronic safe and  free internet access.  The room is tastefully furnished and decorated in a contemporary, minimalist and modern design with a heavy use of white, brown and orange that looks elegant. Also, it is luxuriously laidback and spotlessly clean. The room features huge closets on both sides with some shelves so we had enough space for our luggage.

We have experienced the best bed and pillow combo! The beds were super comfy and the pillows were really soft. You'll feel that you just never want to leave the bed.

It seems that The District has poured out all the goodness in one place. I don’t have time to list all of the additional perks here, but let’s just say complimentary bowl of fresh fruits, slippers, robes and daily turndown treats with individually-named cards, or a  personalized "sweet dreams" note with sweet treats were part of our amazing stay in this hotel. I mean, how sweet is that?  At night, all we had to do is to cozy up in this heaven of a bed where only sweet dreams await.

For tea lovers and coffee addicts, there's a coffee/hot water maker and some cups on the table. There is also an electronic safe in the room, just large enough to accommodate a 15″ laptop and other valuables.

They have everything you need for a relaxing stay in case you forget to bring your own toiletries. Adding to its charm is its commitment to ecotourism, they have Eco-Fresh toiletries including an insect repellant. I like the elegant vanity sink and it has a separate high-flowing rain shower and comfort room. Here's a couple of pictures:

If you want to have ultimate privacy,  stay on a higher floor to get a view of the ocean and the pool but if you have smaller kids, I would suggest getting the Premier Suite or ground floor rooms facing the pool. On the other hand, the elegantly appointed premier rooms are perfect for honeymooners or couples traveling together.

The verandah

In addition to all of those pluses, I can’t rave enough about the verandah.  Fantastic.

The drying rack where you can hang your wet swimsuits to dry is really useful and functional. Our daily newspaper was personally delivered on our doorstep by their staff wearing an orange-you glad shorts and summer-ish blue polo shirt.

The pool

 The 5-ft deep, 15-sqm long outdoor lap pool and a lounge pool (more like wading pool for kids) with cascading waterfalls wall  and sun loungers, is the  perfect spot to lounge about with a good book or to simply chill like a villain.

The water is perfectly warm and very clean. The pool attendant is always on stand-by and beach towels are already rolled up for you on the loungers by the poolside.

They also have available inflatables and life jackets for the kids which is a nice addition.  It's open daily, from 7 am to 10 pm.

The beach

For me, probably the nicest thing about the hotel is that we are about a minute walk to the beach where you can just stare out into that wonderful view for hours.

Feels good to watch Boracay's breathtaking sunsets, crystal clear waters and pristine white sands. And it's within easy reach of a multitude of leisure activities. Check out some of the fun and exciting activities we love to do in Boracay. You can talk to the receptionist if you would like to arrange your preferred activities such as parasailing, banana boat, island hopping, among others.

There's WiFi access within the resort's premises that can reach up to the beachfront.  The guy at the beach was constantly moving umbrellas and sun loungers to help make the most of the beautiful weather.

The food

The District has highly-rated and upscale restaurants (Vigan Grill, Star Lounge, and Caruso Ristorante Italiano) that are  likewise elegant and cozy. You'll definitely feel you're living the high life even before you sit at your table.

We had a  hefty breakfast at Vigan Grill on the 2nd floor with an awesome morning view! We loved the breakfast buffet, for both its variety and aesthetics.

• 

  Fresh fruits

  For a healthy brekky
• 

  French toast

• 

  Pastries

  Muffins...
• 
  A wide variety of healthy options
• 

  Get your grub in!

  YUmmy...

Everything on the buffet table is prepared fresh amidst a sophisticated ambience perfect for a discriminating taste. Will post a food review about Vigan Grill and Star Lounge soon. And please check my post soon about my top picks/ foodie finds in Boracay. :)

The sparkling sunset at Sky Lounge

After a long walk on the beach, we took a break at The District's rooftop bar, Star Lounge, which is a great spot to watch the sunset or get lovely glimpses of the hypnotic blue ocean while sipping on cocktails.

This is where you can enjoy Boracay’s skyline and a perfect view of the beach. It has the perfect ambiance for a chill-out night in the island or a romantic dinner with your special someone.




I love the Habagat drink! The beauty of this drink is its extra dimension of flavor. You have the tequila mixed with peach schnapps for a tart citrus, and then you get extra fruity sweetness from the pineapple juice plus an extra punch of rum. A refreshing drink that will forever be a favorite. Another must-try beverage is the Mango mint shake.

Happy hour strikes at 5! Sunset Happy Hour at The District is from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, when all cocktails and local beers are 40% off. They also serve dinner from 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

I've heard the resort is currently developing a unique menu of spa treatments for its guests at the other side of Star Lounge. And while this is being developed, the resort has partnered with a local supplier for massage and spa services.

The exceptional service

On top of all of this, I can’t say enough nice things about the staff at The District. It is far better than I might have imagined it would be. They are always ready to assist us throughout our entire stay. They went above and beyond the all-inclusive call of duty and they made sure that all our needs and requests were well attended.  I like how organized they are in terms of sending mails and emails about our flight schedules, transfer arrangements as well as providing guest questionnaires after our stay.  After our trip, I even received an email offering a dinner for two at Vigan Grill on our next visit as their gesture of appreciation. Plus points on generosity, thoughtfulness, and for being exceptionally friendly and helpful. Having said that, they managed that fine balance between efficiency and friendliness.

If you'll meet them soon, you can expect 5-star service from them! By the end of your stay, whether it was in the span of a day or a week-long personal retreat, the staff at The District will have made sure that by the time you return to your daily grind, you are completely rested, refreshed and rejuvenated.

After our superb and swanky stay at The District Boracay, I can attest that we – in no way, shape or form – were able to experience everything this amazing hotel has to offer. I love every inch of this place and it was so hard to leave. I mean, really. Such a beautiful hotel with equally wonderful people. From the warm welcome to the lovely staff and excellent room, it is definitely worth checking out!

It combines a unique tropical ambiance, elegant and well-designed rooms, great facilities, with amazing service. These are just some of the things that sets The District Boracay apart from other resorts in Boracay. It is unlike all others.

All in all, The District is far and away the best place we have stayed in Boracay. We didn't want to leave and and will definitely be returning there on our next trip, without a doubt.  For anyone who wants a truly enjoyable and memorable Boracay experience, book this hotel, we definitely recommend it.

Need to know:
Kids 10 years old and below are free on accommodation as long as they share the bed with the parents. But Breakfast and Transfers will be charged separately, depending on the child’s age
Check-in time is 2:00 pm and check-out is 12 noon.

From June to September, The District gives you more reasons to enjoy the lean season with its 4 exciting packages. Check out the details here. For a complete list of The District's published rates, inclusions, policies, terms and conditions, visit their official website here.

THE DISTRICT BORACAY
Station 2, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5609, Philippines
Telephone: +(63 36) 288-2324 - 27; +(63 36) 288-1448
Manila Sales and Reservation Office
2208 Orient Square Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605, Philippines
Telephone: +(63 2) 234-9058, +(63 2) 234-5917
Website: www.TheDistrictBoracay.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheDistrictBoracay
Twitter: @DistrictBoracay

Full disclosure:
Thank you to The District for being our swanky home during our Boracay stay.  I didn't receive any compensation for this review. We were guests, but all views and opinions are my own and never influenced in any way.

 

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