Willy's Beach Club Hotel: Revisited

We're back again in Boracay last July 2016 with my husband and we've decided to stay again in Willy's Beach Club Hotel.  I've posted in my previous blog about affordable beach front hotels in station 1 which become very useful to me since my husband and I always prefers to stay in station 1, beach front, near Willy's Rock.  From the list, we've already stayed in Blue Lilly Villa.  You can read my reviews of this hotel here. We were supposed to try Boracay Plaza Resort but my husband would like to stay again in Willy's Beach Club Hotel.

Willy's Beach Club Hotel is also quite an affordable hotel.  It's not listed in my affordable beach front hotels in station 1 as this post was more of affordable hotels below Php 3,000 per night price.  Depending on the season, you can book Willy's Beach Club Hotel for a little over Php 3,000 per night.  During my first visit in this hotel last 2013 (see my blog post about it here), the accommodation rates then was below Php 3,000 for a deluxe room on an off peak season.  Since our trip was July 2016, considered as an off peak season, we were able to still get an affordable room rate.  We booked the Super Deluxe Room that has a bath tub and location is nearer to the beach.  For 3 nights stay, the price we got was Php 9,531 through My Boracay Guide website.  I also used My Boracay Guide when we booked our first stay at Willy's Beach Club Hotel last 2013.  Our booking comes with free airport pick up for 2, which saves us about Php 800.  You can read my review on their free transport service here.

The Super Deluxe Room is quite smaller than the Deluxe Room we booked before.  The room we had is still located at the 2nd floor.  View from the veranda is facing the restaurant but view of the beach is nearer (right side view) than our previous room. Other differences are super deluxe room have bath tub, mini ref, facial tissue, and own veranda.  Having our own veranda is perfect since my husband smokes.  Our previous room also has veranda but it seemed shared to the other room perpendicular from us.

Super Deluxe Room

Mini Ref

Another view of the room with small vanity dresser

Veranda and view

Welcome fruits were also provided in our room.  However, some fruits tasted old already that's why we didn't consume it all.

Welcome Fruits

Again welcome drinks were provided upon arrival in the hotel.  There's no more seashell necklaces given to us upon arrival unlike before.

The room is quite old but does not smell one.  I say old as we had a little difficulty in opening and closing/locking our door.  Linens and pillows are clean and smells nice. Bathroom is clean with ample water supply, hot and cold shower, towels and toiletries.

Bath tub beside the Toilet

Toiletries with facial tissue and hair dryer

The bath tub

Our stay still comes with free buffet breakfast.  Again, they served combination of Filipino and American dishes.  The choices were sufficient with breads, drinks and dessert.  They are also offering grilled buffet dinner.  I can't recall how much it cost but I think its not that expensive.  We tried it one time since it was rainy the whole day on our 1st day.  The choices were mostly meat and a few cuts of fish, shrimp and squid with pasta, rice and soup.  For us, its quite enough already but for some, it may not be as inviting since the cut or the portions of the food were quite small.  But anyway, it's buffet, you can get another one without a limit.  What's also good about this buffet dinner is that you can have a freshly grilled meat as there is a standby griller who can grill for you at the corner of the buffet.  Their food still tastes good.  Some servings of their ala carte foods were quite a lot.

Beef with mushroom

Similar to our last stay at Willy's Beach Club last 2012, we did not experience any problems during our stay.  Willy's Beach Club Hotel may not be a fancy and luxurious hotel but it is one of the affordable hotels in station 1 worth staying as it can be relaxing and enjoyable since it is beach front and away from the crowd.  If I'll be visiting Boracay again next time, I wouldn't have second thoughts of staying in here.

Review: My Boracay Guide's Transport Service

I have been using My Boracay Guide website the past years I've been to Boracay.  Recently, I booked again through their website when my husband and I decided to stay in Willy's Beach Hotel again for the second time.  I also booked through them the first time we visited this hotel (you may read about my review on Willy's Beach Hotel here).  Their rates were quite lower than other booking sites such as Agoda and Booking.com.

Upon booking, there was a notification that my booking comes with free airport pick up.  This is My Boracay Guide's way of gratitude to their customers who chose to book with them.  Based from their website, they have various kinds of transport vehicle depending on your budget.  Price is also dependent on the number of persons.  Since ours is free, the kind of vehicle given to us is their economy transfer.  This usually cost Php 400 per person for 2 pax, one way, inclusive of boat fee.  However, terminal and environmental fee is not yet included.  In their other transport service, all of these are included in their fee.

Once booked, My Boracay Guide will send an email to confirm your booking.  The free transport service was not included in their email to me so I confirmed it further to them.  Once confirmed, I gave them details of our flight and arrival.  We will be coming from Caticlan airport.  I believe My Boracay Guide's transport service can either be in Caticlan or Kalibo airport.  They were able to acknowledge my email on our flight details. I thought that was it.

Upon arriving in Caticlan airport, there was a My Boracay Guide staff waiting outside.  We approached her but unfortunately our names were not included in her list.  I showed her the acknowleged email when she was asking a voucher from me.  She made a few calls and thankfully I heard that we were indeed part of their transport service.  

Aboard the shuttle/van service, we were with other passengers who I believed booked through Southwest tours since that was the name written on the van as well as on the driver's shirt.  For proper identification, we were given sticker of My Boracay Guide. This is I guess to separate and identify us from those who booked through Southwest tours.

From the airport, the van took us to Tabon port.  This is an alternate port going to Boracay.  The travel time is quite far, about 8 minutes.  The port is not as orderly as in Jetty port thus the fee were minimal.  Environmental and terminal fee is only Php 100 per pax while the boat ride is only 25 per pax.  From Tabon port, the boat will lead you to Tambisaan port.  Similar to Jetty-Cagban port route, travel time from Tabon to Tambisaan port is less than 10 minutes away.

Upon arriving at Tabon port, we had to find the My Boracay Guide staff to assist us.  It seems that we were the only one who used My Boracay Guide's transport service.  Well that's a plus since we are the only one who they would take care of.  Anyway, it took us a while before the staff from My Boracay Guide assist us.  We were asked to pay for the terminal and environmental fee then the staff told us that another staff will be assisting us on our way to the hotel upon alighting at the Tambisaan port.

Tambisaan port is near Crystal Cove as we can see it from afar.  There were tricycles also waiting for passengers to take them to their resort.  But it seems that most of the tourist there were guided by various transport service.  Not the usual DIY traveller.

Since our service was free, we rode the E-trike, the economy transfer service of My Boracay Guide.  Travel time is about 20 minutes from the port to Station 1 where our hotel is.  That's quite far since i'm used to the very short travel from Cagban port to hotels in Station 1.  Another reason why the travel time took a while is because we were riding an e-trike.  It's a battery operated tricycle which travels about 20-30 kph at maximum.  Quite slow.  I heard that the e-trike fee is 180 pesos one way.

We took the same route on our way back to the Caticlan airport on our last day in Boracay.  Similar to Cagban port, vans are available should your flight be in Kalibo.  As for us, since our airport is in Caticlan, we just paid Php 25  boat ride and Php 30 terminal fee.  I noticed that some did not buy tickets for the terminal fee.  Also, there were locals and pinoy tourists who simply go straight to the ticket counter without even bothering to fall in line when there is one.  Pinoy nga naman. Well, maybe one reason is that the line were not so organized.  Even after paying for the boat ticket, there was no organized line in the waiting area of the boat.

This new or alternate route is new to us.  The e-trike driver told us that this is the usual route when the water is not calm or when there are waves during Habagat season.  Well, there was indeed strong waves as if you were in a surfing beach.  This is the reason why we were not able to go to Ariel's Point... Again *sigh*.

Anyway, My Boracay Guide's transport service is quite acceptable.  Though it wasn't perfect and organized and there was a little waiting time, I would still recommend it for convenience.  But for budget travellers, you can still do DIY as it is not really difficult to reach Boracay.

Review: Blue Lilly Villa Resort Boracay

Going back to Boracay, we always prefer beachfront stay in station 1. After some research on various budget accommodations in Station 1 of Boracay, we finally decided to book at Blue Lilly Villa. We even got the room at a discounted price through my boracay guide website.  It is my second time to book hotels/resorts in MyBoracayGuide.  The first one was when we stayed in Willy's Beach Club in 2012 and now here in Blue Lilly Villa.

We booked for a standard room, which is just behind the reception area. The room was quite small but very clean and with strong a/c. The room has its own hot and cold shower, LCD TV, mini ref, extra mattress, queen size bed and desk fan. Wifi is also strong in our room. Each room is equipped with room service button where you can ask for anything from their friendly staff, to be delivered in your room.  I noticed in our room that it lacks clothes hanger.  Outside our room was a bamboo hanger but i'm not sure if its for everyone's use especially for the 2 rooms behind the reception area which is perpendicular to our room.  I wasn't able to ask about it.

The bed with extra mattress underneath

Room service button beside the bed

Mini ref and electric fan

Small LCD TV with small table and chair

Given that its only 3 stars, only mini soaps and towels were provided. The toilet/shower area was quite small. While inside, you need to stay away from the door for you to be able to close it and use the toilet. The faucet was quite at the edge of the water bin which makes it difficult to use.  Nevertheless, water flow was strong and everything was functioning well.

The bathroom.  See the door?  That's already full open.

Need to close the door to access the toilet

The free breakfast was just so so.  There were times when the viand seems reheated several times as it was somehow hardened already.  Nothing spectacular on their food but somehow edible.  You can also ask their friendly staff to buy food for you from outside stores.

Service was great. They allowed and delivered our breakfast in our room when it was raining one morning. They will also be the one to offer to clean your room if you like. We requested for that even with our valuables still in our room and nothing got lost.  The staff also helped my fiance in preparing a surprised proposal for me.  You may read the story here.

The room rate was cheap for a standard room. But for me, the discounted rate we got should be the right price for their room considering it was quite small. We stayed in other beachfront resorts in station 1 at the same rate as their regular rate but the room was bigger.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and most probably I will recommend this to my budget conscious friends.  Besides, it is a memorable stay for me and my now fiance as they help in the preparation of the proposal.

Budget Accommodations in Boracay Station 1 Beachfront

The whole stretch of White Beach in Boracay Island is divided into three (3) locations, namely: Station 1, 2, 3. All these locations offer various accommodations from budget inns to high end and luxurious hotels.

Station 1 is always perceived to be having posh and high end accommodations especially if you prefer staying in beachfront resorts.  But this blog post will prove it wrong.  Being a budget traveler, I will list down a few beachfront accommodations that I have recently researched in Boracay Station 1 that cost at most Php 3,000 per night, good for 2 pax.  By the way, the rates are off peak.  Price changes during peak season.

1. Blue Lilly Villa
- Php 2,900 Standard room with breakfast
- www.bluelillyvilla.com
- 09179178540; boracaybluelillyvillaresort@yahoo.com.ph
- quick response through text

2. True Home Hotel
- Php 3,000 Superior room with breakfast
- www.truehomehotel.net
- contacted through contact form from their website
- no response; inquired room availability through other sites like agoda

3. Little Prairie Inn
- Php 3,000 Standard room w/o breakfast
- FB page: Little Prairie Inn Boracay Beach Resort
- inquired through FB messenger
- 036-2886100/09487896447

4. Watercolors Dive Resort
- Php 3,000 Deluxe room with breakfast
- www.watercolors.ph or book here
- 09985541675

5. Boracay Plaza Resort
- Php 3,000 Standard room with brealfast
- www.boracayplaza.com
- 036-2883702

6. Blue Waves Beach House
- Php 2,000 Standard room with breakfast
- www.bluewavesboracay.com or book here

7. Las Brisas de Boracay
- Php 3,000 Deluxe room with breakfast
- www.boracaytrinidadresorts.com/abtlasbrisas.htm

8. Sun Villa Resort and Spa
- Php 2,620 Standard room
- Check their FB page or book here

9. Boracay Coco Huts
- Php 2,824 Standard room w/o breakfast
- book here

The first 5 resorts are very near to each other.  Going to station 1, you will first pass by True Hotel, then Blue Lilly, Watercolors, Little Prairie and lastly Boracay Plaza Resort.  They are just beside each other.

Blue Waves is located at northern part of Station 1, nearing Fridays.  Las Brisas is also at northern part but nearer to Two Seasons.

Sun Villa and Boracay Coco Huts are near to each other, also near Astoria Hotel.

It's also helpful to check agoda, travelbook and tripadvisor websites for promo rates and reviews on these resorts.  From those posted above, I've only inquired from the first 3 resorts.  I have considered Nigi Nigi Too as they have an ongoing promo rate at about Php 3,100 per night.  Other beachfront resorts that is a little more than Php 3,000 per night are Residencia de Boracay and Royal Park Hotel.  The last time I was in Boracay, we stayed at Willy's Beach Club for less than Php 3k per night on a peak season.  That was a promo deal from My Boracay Guide.  Well, that was year 2012.

We've decided to stay in Blue Lilly Villa.  Check my review on this hotel here.

Enjoy Boracay!

Willy's Beach Club Hotel: A Review

My friends and I wanted to have a very relaxing Boracay vacation: no water activities, just enjoying the sun, sand and sea.  As mentioned in my previous blog, this is my friends and I's first time in Boracay as a group.  We've been to other beaches all over the Philippines but never in one of the famous beach destination in the Philippines, Boracay.  I've also mentioned in my previous blog why this was a special trip.  One of which is our accommodation in station 1.

For many times I've been to Boracay, I've always stayed in station 2, where you can find budget but safe accommodation.  I've stayed in La Carmela, Tan's Guesthouse and Island Nook.  It doesn't matter to me before whether the resort is beach front or not.  My belief then was, who needs a fancy accommodation when most of the time you will stay outdoors in the powdery white sands of Boracay beach?  But my belief changed when I experience staying in station 1.

My friends' choice for an accommodation in station 1 was Two Seasons Resort.  A family room good for 7 pax cost about Php 5,000+ per person for 3 days, 2 nights stay.  This is quite expensive for me and my boyfriend that's why we backed out.  So my friends got the Two Seasons package good for 5 at Php 6,000 per person for 3 days and 2 nights care of Traveldotcom.  This includes buffet breakfast and transfers.

My budget for station 1 accommodation is Php 3k-4k per pax for 3 days and 2 nights stay.  I was eying for White House Boracay since it is beach front and with pool.  And I'm hoping to get a discount from my sister (if she'll be the one to book in my behalf) since she frequents in White House whenever her family stays in Boracay.  I inquired from Travel Online since I've searched that they are offering packages to Boracay inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner at an affordable rate.  Then I came across My Boracay Guide website where hotels are arranged per station and according to price.  That's where I checked Willy's Beach Club which can fit our budget.  My boyfriend told me that it doesn't matter whether our hotel have pool or not since there is the beach where we can swim even at night.

I've searched both My Boracay Guide and Willy's Beach Club Hotel website to check on their rates.  My travel period of Nov. 29 is considered as peak season in Willy's Beach website while it is still off peak season at My Boracay Guide website.  So I chose the latter to book for our accommodation.  Although it is my first time to book from My Boracay Guide and haven't read any feedback on their booking capability, I didn't feel any hesitations as their site has been existent for quite a while.  Besides, My Boracay Guide only requires 15% downpayment from the total amount due.  So it's quite cheap.  Full payment will be done in the hotel.  Also, their online chat facility makes it easy to communicate with them and you'll get instant answers to your queries.

I got the Deluxe Room at Php 2,850 per night from My Boracay Guide.  In Willy's Beach Club website, the rate on my travel date would be Php 5,010 per night.  Great savings!  I just wonder why their description of peak and non-peak are different.

Willy's Beach Club Hotel - Deluxe Room

Willy's Beach Club Hotel - Deluxe Room

The Deluxe Room in Willly's Beach Club Hotel can accommodate up to 3 people.  But upon our arrival to our room, I was surprised that the room is very spacious.  It can even accommodate up to 5 pax, I think, but the hotel only allows up to 3 pax in this room.  The bed is queen size and the spacious room can add 2 single extra beds but again, only 1 extra bed is allowed.  The room has veranda although ours is perpendicular to another room which results to "sharing" of veranda.  The veranda have seats and tables good for two where you can lounge.  It also have clothes line where you can hang your clothes to dry.  But since our veranda seems to be "shared" with the other room, the clothes line available is only 1. 

Veranda at Willy's Beach Club Hotel

As described in both websites, our room have an ample air conditioning unit, mini bar, vanity dresser, cabinet, safe, cable TV, hot and cold shower and telephone.  Their shower/bathroom area is very clean and complete with toiletries, towels and glasses.  The queen size bed is clean and pleasant with decorative mini pillows.  The overall room is clean.  Wifi is available in the hotel however the signal gets weak once we entered our room. 

Sink and Toilet for Deluxe Room

Shower area for Deluxe Room

I forgot to mention that when we arrived at Willy's Beach Club, we were greeted with seashells necklace and a cool, refreshing drink.  The staff were friendly and accommodating during our whole stay.  We had minor problems with our TV when we got there as it won't open and the response from their staff is quick.  Their room key is attached to a beaded bracelet, a great idea so you won't loose your key.

Our welcome souvenirs from Willy's Beach Club Hotel

 Our accommodation includes buffet breakfast.  During 2 breakfast stay, the food served were different on both days.  It may not be a lot but sufficient to anyone's consumption.  They served a mix of Filipino and American dishes with fried rice, breads, jams, dried fish, bacon, eggs and many others.  The taste of the food is just normal, nothing extravagant but edible.  Again, the staff were very friendly.  We also tried eating at their restaurant during snack time where we tried their pasta and burger.  The pasta tastes good and the big burger was truly big enough good to be shared.

Fronting the hotel are monobloc loungers.  Free towels can also be acquired before you stay at the lounge.  Their staff can also assist you in setting up umbrellas once you decided to lounge.  We left some of our things in the loungers for quite some time while we swim and visit our friends in Two Seasons.  Luckily, our stuff didn't get lost.

The Loungers fronting the hotel

 

with Willy's Rock in my background

Overall, I enjoyed my stay with Willy's Beach Club Hotel.  The famous and picturesque Willy's Rock is just in front of this hotel so camwhore-ing is at its finest!  I would want to go back here the next time I visit Boracay again.  And oh, I'll change my belief.  I would want to stay always in station 1 because of its relaxing ambiance and beach front accommodations.  Though staying in station 1 will definitely need a good amount of money (in case you do not want to walk going to station 2 just to eat) since most of the restaurants here are quite expensive too, it doesn't matter as you will definitely enjoy the quiet, intimate ambiance offered by station 1 accommodations.

You may check this blog for my expenses on this Boracay trip.