The Best Resorts in Boracay, the Philippines

It’s easy to do nothing at this Mediterranean-style resort, set in lavishly landscaped gardens on a snow-white stretch of beachfront. There are three pools to laze by, one with a sunken pool bar, while dining options include exquisite seafood dishes at Christina’s, modern Filipino cuisine at Mesa and a reasonably priced Chinese eatery by the beachfront. It has 302 rooms, including family rooms, those with direct pool access and honeymoon suites with oversize whirlpool tubs.

Feel like a VIP from the moment you arrive by speedboat at this resort, just a short ride from Caticlan Jetty Port. Complete the picture by booking a suite with a private plunge pool for complete privacy, though even entry-level rooms have fully automated windows, large LED TVs and Nespresso machines. It’s still unlikely you’ll spend much time in your room, as the hotel also offers a huge infinity pool complex, a spa, a semi-submarine boat, a speedboat island cruise and 3,000sqm (32,292sqft) of powder-soft sand.

Give the kids the beach holiday of their dreams at this resort on Boracay’s beautiful northern coastline. They will be spoiled rotten with an indoor playground with a drop slide, welcome toys and books, family movie nights and access to a mind-boggling entertainment centre with table tennis, karaoke and billiards. Adults aren’t forgotten either, with yoga classes, nature walks, a detached spa village complex and a range of watersports, including parasailing and kite surfing.

Live the castaway dream by booking a room in one of Fridays’ native Boracay cottages, tucked under the palm trees at the northern tip of Panay Island. With a white sandy beach steps from your bed, it’s tempting to do little more than sunbathing, but the hotel also offers boat rental services, a games area, spa treatments and a cultural show and fire dance performance every Friday night.

Pass up the bigger resorts for a more intimate experience at this property with only 46 rooms in Boating Station 1. No need to stress about squeezing in an endless list of restaurants and activities either. The focus here is on relaxing and whiling away the days in the tropical gardens or on the beach, exploring nearby islands and feasting on Filipino cuisine at the laid-back beachfront restaurant and bar.

Ideally situated for island hopping from Boating Station 1, the Astoria Boracay encourages you to take it easy and soak up the rays by its stylish 25m pool. There’s also a children’s pool to keep mini-guests content, while food is served all day at the White Café, with both a buffet and an à la carte service every evening. Rooms include complimentary breakfast and fridges for keeping snacks perfectly chilled.

Those in need of serious pampering won’t want to budge from the Lind, a modern five-star beachfront property in Station 1 on Boracay. The hotel’s spa is one of the best on the island, with a vast array of treatments that you can also enjoy in your room or by the pool. Don’t worry if you’re travelling with family either. The excellent Kid’s Club means you can still sneak away for a massage while the children are entertained.

It might feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere at this beachfront hotel in Station 1, but the Two Seasons is ideally located if you want to explore beyond the resort’s idyllic pool. Boracay’s main attractions, including Diniwid Beach and Willy’s Rock, are nearby, while you can stroll along the beach – or jump into a rickshaw – to reach the shops and nightlife at Station 2. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even sample stir-fried crocodile at the hotel’s barLO Resto Lounge.

The details count at Coast, which offers a range of extras to make your holiday even more memorable. Exceptional amenities include complimentary land and boat transfers from the airport; Netflix in every bedroom; all-day popcorn and ice cream in the lobby; kids’ activities by the pool; and even colourful murals and pineapple-stencilled walls for Instagram-posing. Don’t miss the staggering breakfast buffet either, including breakfast pizzas and a noodle station.

There’s no need to leave this sprawling resort in Punta Bunga Cove if you don’t want to. Instead, you can doze away sunny days at the 3,300sqm (35,521sqft) multilevel pool area or stroll to the white sand beach for a dip in sparkling turquoise waters. There’s also the fitness centre, spa, kid’s club and seven restaurants and bars, including a pizzeria, a Japanese restaurant with live cooking stations and a cafe that hosts a daily chocolate hour.