5 Reasons Why Discovery Shores Is Boracay’s Best Resort

A traveler’s conundrum can be as simple as retreating from a popular destination such as Boracay when he or she can run towards it with reckless abandon. Aklan’s island getaway can be rammed with tourists regardless of the season, but it is still the Philippines’ crowning jewel when it comes to the supreme beach scene. Also, there are still places of calm for respite if you know where to find them. At Station 1, the iconic DiscoveryShores gleams in all its white glory. It’s where I found high-end pleasure that matched the surf and sand vibe of the island.

DiscoveryShores is a destination in itself. It has a variety of luxurious guestrooms in its sprawling space of multi-level architecture that respects the beachfront. With a stunning pool at the center, it easily motivates beachgoers to lose their sense of time within the premises of the resort as well. As a Discovery World Resort in the same roster of the famed city serviced apartment brand and lake-side community Bed & Breakfast, with which it shares parentage and standards, it exudes a charm all its own.

DiscoveryShores makes trudging from port to WhiteBeachand back again look less painful and more stylish. Booked with friends for the rainy season, I was warmly welcomed by the resort staff at the CaticlanAirportwhere a couple of air conditioned shuttles were waiting for my convenient transfer to Tabon and TambisaanJettyPorts, respectively. In between ports, the resort had me travel in style aboard an enclosed boat transfer that’s equipped with a flat screen TV and loaded with access to a healthy snack of oatmeal cookies. What’s more, it’s roughly a couple of minutes shorter than the usual boat transfer to the CaticlanJettyPort that other tourists are accustomed to experiencing.

Going home wasn’t shabby as well. Guests leaving the island via the Caticlan Airport are ushered to the comfortable lounge area that’s exclusive to Discovery Shores guests which I personally experienced one level up the departure area.

A member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts vibrant Lifestyle Collection, DiscoveryShores has consistently been listed in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotels. As a matter of fact, the 87-room property was recently nominated at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

My booked poolside Junior Suite reflects the prestige of a 5-star hotel resort from the plush king-sized bed and beddings and the 40-square meter space of welcome snacks, minibar, high-tech amenities (32-inch LCD, Nespresso, iPod dock, voice mail, in-room safe, bathroom rain shower) and access to strong Wi-Fi that lets guests use the Press Reader app (nifty for downloading full-content digital replicas of popular newspapers and magazines worldwide). It even has a small private garden at the back.

The resort’s other room types give guests the option to revisit the island for another unique experience since each room type is different. Two of the most sought-after ones are the Two Bedroom Suite and Two Bedroom Suite Premier (loft-type).

Housekeeping was offered at least twice a day (for a 2-night stay) which I did not find to be imposing at all. I even left in a huff for dinner with a few valuables exposed during one such routine but I still found them where they were except in a more organized placement. For that matter, I can attest that the value of trust is kept in high regard at the resort after receiving from a concerned staff a couple of shirts that I accidentally left inside the room upon check-out.

It is one thing to be luxurious and another thing to be relevant. I’ve been to a handful of luxurious resorts in the past and not all have managed to penetrate the personal strata of my consciousness as a guest.

I welcome a fancy smile from a resort staff once in a while, but I definitely appreciate the welcome foot massage that came with my stay which is something that DiscoverShores initially subjects its guests to upon check-in. I, however, had my complimentary massage scheduled before dinner.  

The attention I received from staff members during my stay extended to the poolside where I managed to enjoy a warm Jacuzzi soak with a cold glass of Pandan drink in hand. I did not even have to tell the poolside butlers to fold my wardrobe and towel at the recliner but there they were – all neatly arranged whenever I’d emerge from my cerulean dip.

I also found it secure to sunbathe at the expansive beachfront away from my valuables at the beach bed knowing that beach butlers of the resort were in full awareness of my presence.

A plenitude of food choices can be had for buffet breakfast at Sands Restaurant while a nocturnal experience of deliciousness is possible at Indigo Restaurant for dinner. I happened to experience both for various meals.

Check out my review of Sands Restauranthere.

Check out my review of Indigo Restauranthere.

After a tiring ATV ride (a great outdoor activity to do inland) at the nearby Zetro ATV & Buggy site, guests can opt to relax at the resort’s Terra Wellness Spa. A refreshing lemongrass drink makes for a soothing prelude to a relaxing massage at this wellness facility.

Boracay can easily be passed off as a touristic hype. However, once you find your patch of respite at the island, you will know you’ve discovered what’s best for you. DiscoveryShoresmakes perfect sense to be what’s best for all that you deserve – a home in an island away from home.

Official website of Discovery Shores

Address: 5th Floor Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines1600

Phone: +63 36 288-4500 or +63 2 720-8888 or +63 2 719-6695

Email:dsbrsvn@
discovery.com.ph