We stayed at the posh Mandala Spa & Villas, about a 5-minute walk away from the white sands of the beach. It was a stunning place to stay. The gate of the resort is right smack in the middle of the very busy street parallel to and just behind the famed beach front. From outside, you’d think you’re just in Pasig or some other busy street in Manila. But once you get inside, the tranquility starts to set in. The room we had was pretty impressive. It was nestled in the thick foliage around the resort. There are only 12 villas, so even if full, I doubt if the resort gets anywhere near hectic. Here’s our villa from the outside:
And just when when we thought that the villas were all rustic in design and made of bamboo and sawali, we open the door, and instead of seeing a bahay kubo, what greeted us was a vision of opulence:
The main room was a full octagon, and the furniture scattered around it with much space in between. It reminded me so much of The Farm in San Benito, being a wellness center and spa as well, and the meticulous detail put into the construction. It was just so tempting to stay there and relax all day on the huge bed. We had to be pried away from the bed to go to the beach. The spacious main chamber opens up into the veranda, where you can vegetate on the cushy beach chair with matching footstool that overlooks the trees and the distant beach:
And the bathroom!!! Oh my goodness, I didn’t even know where to start. I wanted to soak, shower, pee and poop all at the same time because every part of it just begged you to use it! It starts off with a tease of what’s in store:
And when you finally turn the corner, the full splendor is revealed:
Of course the piece de resistance was the gorgeous bathtub that was designed by the manufacturer specifically for Mandala:
Loved soaking in that tub. But more than the tub, I loved the outside shower the most. I just love outdoor showers. Like I said, it reminded me of The Farm, which also had an outside shower. But what was extra nice were the organic and biodegradable soap, shampoo and conditioner that they supplied generously. In fact, they encourage you to try out their eco-friendly products instead of your own, in case you brought any. I loved the soap the most. It’s also in liquid form, and it’s got this strong minty flavor that just smells SOOO good. Although I got a bit overwhelmed when the eucalyptus-y fumes got into my eyes. I took so many showers just to be able to use their soap. They also sell them, but I regret buying only 1 bottle.
Hehehe…I must say it was quite a sexy feeling because it felt like you were bathing in public even though you’re safely hidden from view despite being outdoors. We also had free massages as part of the package. I think the prices are pretty steep because of the quality of the rooms and the treatments, but I wouldn’t know because I got the package from the rewards I earned from my credit card, so I didn’t really pay much. The food isn’t strictly vegetarian like in The Farm, but you’d have to tell them in advance so they can buy fish or something for you.
It was really a relaxing place to stay; a nice contrast to the frantic pace the beach usually is in. So after all the fun and frolic on the beach, it’s nice to retreat to the solitude of a sanctuary in the middle of a busy beach like Boracay. Highly recommended, if you want hardcore relaxation.
