Boracay 2013 : Boracay Regency

It is already rainy season but it didn’t stop us to experience Boracay.. Bakit naman hindi eh di hamak na mas mura na rate ngayon..lol.

April this year I availed Piso fare promo from Zestair. But actually its not really a piso fare because total cost for 3 of us became P3,000 pesos (including taxes and surcharge + terminal fee).

For accommodation, I first read some reviews in tripadvisor.com, and as expected those resort with good impression also have a soaring high daily room rate. Until one of my friend who recently spend his summer at Boracay recommend to us the Boracay Regency. I browsed to their website and I find it too expensive also..lol. But the good thing is, I found a promo on their website.. the inclusions?

2Nights accomodation @superior room
Roundtrip transfer via Caticlan/Kalibo
Daily Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner (all are buffet)
Welcome refreshment

and it only cost 6900/person. I think everyone will agree that this package is already steal, because if you check their normal rate, it cost P7,200 per room/night which only include daily breakfast.

After a short exchange of email with the resort’s reservation, we got booked a room based on the promo rate.

 We arrived at Kalibo International Airport, and from there we ride a bus of  Southwest. It took almost two hours going to Caticlan Jetty port.

My wife and son upon arrival at Kalibo Airport

Shuttle bus service by Southwest Tour

Upon alighting the bus, one of their personnel separate us from the rest of the bus passengers. We then privately transferred to Boracay Regency’s private port via van - a 5min travel, for another travel  going to Boracay island using their private speedboat, a group of personnel already waited for us for another van transfer going to the resort. Daming transfer.. kaya mas ok kung magcaticlan na lang.. next time. :)

The check-in process only took almost 5min, but since we arrived as early as 10am, our assigned room was just getting fix at that time and we have waited another 10min before we were escorted going to our room.

Superior room is just basic, with comfortable bed, aircondition, LCD Tv, mini ref, closet with safety vault, and a coffee and tea.

Comfort room was provided also with basic necessity - bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste and toothbrush, shower cap, shaving kit and hair dryer.

The resort's location is at boracay station 2, perfectly located at the center of the 4 kilometer stretch of white sand. Unlike other resort in station 2, boracay regency is more peaceful. There are no vendor in front of the resort. The place is so relaxing. It is also good that there are several option within the resort for dining - Mesa, Christina Restaurant, Sea breeze cafe-where we always dine ;), Wave bar, Hap Chan and of course the well known McDonalds..lol..

Our whole stay in Boracay is  just a cycle of eat, dine, swim from pool to beach and back to pool, nap/sleep, walking at the seashore and the never ending photoshoot.

Probably, next time we must try some activities..  -when my son will be able to join us with those activities.

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa

September 1 - 3, 2012

Marinduque - so called as the heart of the Philippines laid the Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa, a perfectly designed resort at the sands of Elefante Island. 

Together with my wife and son, we take an escape from the city's busy atmosphere. And we were lucky to have a 3days/2nights stay at the resort through asiatravel.com  promo. We paid only 7,500 pesos per night compared to the regular rate of 28,000 pesos per night. 

You can get to Marinduque by:

•  Airplane- Zest Airways
• approximately 45 minutes from Manila-Marinduque
• Bus and Sea Vessel - Jac Liner and Jam Liner which both have terminal in Kamias, QC and Buendia Pasay are offering a daily operation going to Dalahican, Lucena. From Dalahican Port, there are sea vessel going to to Balanacan, Cawit, or Buyabod Port.Cawit Port is the nearest to the resort. Among the ships bound to Marinduque are Montenegro Lines and Starhorse Shipping Lines.
• approximately 9hrs travel from Manila-Marinduque  

And we choose the latter option, Aside from being more affordable compared to a regular airfare, we feel more comfortable than taking a zestair flight-a well-known airline for their often cancelled/delayed flights. 

We started our travel at 9PM of August 30 and we reached Marinduque 6AM of September 1. 

From Shipping Port, we travelled again for another 40minutes going to Lipata, Buenavista with a pre-arranged shuttle van of Bellarocca. Indeed, a long and tiring travel, but our tiredness suddenly waned as we feel the calmness and simplicity of the surroundings - Fresh air, lush valley.

But wait there's more, we then transferred to a rubber speedboat for another 10min ride going to the island. Pagod na ako! Kami!

Shuttle Van - My Son and I

As the speedboat docked at the island port, some of the resort's staffs patiently waited for us, under the extreme heat of the sun handing a garland, which is hung round to each guest's neck upon arrival. A luscious scent of the garland -made of kalachuchi flower and leaves, gives as a refreshing feeling. Ang bango-bango ng bulaklak!(sabi sa kanta ng Viva hotbabes).

Speedboat ride to Island - My Wife and son

The Marina - Island port

Few of the staff who welcomed us.. Sweet. :)

Golf Cart Ride from Marina to Reception Area

  

Resort's General Manager at Head Chef welcomed us as we reached the reception area.A short orientation was conducted to discuss do's and dont's in the island, Menu selection was also discussed. 

Our Room - Deluxe

An approximately 42sqm studio type unit located at the second floor of the hotel building, it has a balcony which gives us a stunning view of open sea and Mt. Malindig. For a couple like us with 1 kid, room size is perfect. 
Safety vault, personal Ref, flat screen TV, iPod dock, home theater, and lined internet are among the appliance/gadget available for pleasure inside the room.

Other accommodation types are Junior Suite, Terrazas, Villa, and Glass house. You may visit their web site for details. http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com/

My kid playing in bed.. natuwa sa lambot at bango ng kama.. hahaha

view from our room

View from our room - infinity pool below

 For a five star resort like bellarocca, expected naman siguro na yung bathtub with branded toiletries.

Activities

Picture Opportunity - while your in the island, wala kang itatapong view, lahat ng anggulo picture perfect especially with the Mt. Malindig as background. Tip ko lang, bring an extra data storage such as usb drive, memory card or external HD..hehe

Island Tour - they provide island tour for free, this is an opportunity to see different type of accommodation and different area of the island - the chapel, tea house, villas, terrazas, and etc. You just have to ask for your sched. :)

 Kayaking and Snorkeling- complimentary activity for guest..
   Windsurfing, Hobie cat sailing can also be experienced for a minimal fee.. Jet ski, Banana   boat is also available

Entertainment - library and entertainment room is always open for all guest, at night, videoke room is also open.

Marinduque Tour - for a minimal fee also..

Pictures while enjoying the beauty of the island and a luxury service. :)

The Food

Before our stay in Bellarocca nagbasa na rin kami ng ilang reviews and we agree na may kamahalan talaga ang food pero expected naman knowing na separate island sya. Idagdag pa natin yung excellent service nila.. sulit na rin yung ibabayad mo sa food. Sa selection ng food, nothing is special sa menu na inooffer nila, most of the menu are also offered sa mga restaurant sa Manila at ibang resort. What something special is the restaurant itself and the service of staff during dining.

Expenses

(For 2Adult and 1kid(3yrs old))

Manila-Marinduque Transfer
                                                 Bus      =      900.00(roundtrip)
                                                 Barko   =   1,400.00(roundtrip)
Resort Accommodation                Deluxe  =  15,000.00(for 2nights, normal rate is 28,000/night)
Food                                                     =    6,000.00(for 3days, tipid eh. :))
Activities (kayak, snorkeling, island tour)  =   Free
Golf Course Tour                                    =       600.00
TOTAL EXPENSES                                    =  P23,900


other pics.. the view..

Overall experience, bitin ang 3days of stay. For those people who are seeking a serene surroundings, luxury service and amenities, Bellarocca is a perfect place. Recommended also for a newly wed couple for their honeymoon. And for a wedding rites, island is a great option.. how I wish na maulit ung kasal namin dito. hehe..

At babalik kami dito.. promise! kahit walang promo..hahaha