THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT MOVENPICK RESORT AND SPA BORACAY

The island of Boracay has long been a staple in travel guides to the Philippines. While its white-sanded seaside, the locals’ smiling faces, and the welcoming sea-kissed breeze have attracted the hubbub of the famed party scene, this humble locale in Malay, Aklan is also home to the quieter corners for families looking for a respite–or, a bit more fun for general audiences.

For first-timers on the island (like me!) and the regular round of travelers, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay is the meeting point between the Boracay of the stories and its calmer side. The four-star premium Accor property comes sprawling with 3,300 square meters of lush greenery and a serene beachfront at the northern tip of the island Punta Bunga Cove, a sophisticated and serene address tucked among the thrumming tourist spots.

How to Get to Movenpick Resort and Spa Boracay

Once landing at Caticlan Airport, Mövenpick guests can take a private transfer with the hotel’s shuttle to the port, where the resort’s welcoming area awaits. Pause for a drink and head on to the resort’s sea transfers onto the shore straight to Mövenpick.

Price: Land-sea transfers are P9,600 net for six people and Land-sea-land transfers are P7,000 net for six people, both exclusive of terminal and environmental fee.

The Rooms at Movenpick Resort and Spa Boracay

After arriving at the pristine shores of Boracay, take a well-deserved breather at one of the resort’s 312 rooms and suites. For one or two guests, start at the Classic Queen or the Classic Twin, which comes with a view of the resort. Upgrade to Premium or for a larger space or book the Sol Marina Beach Suite, which houses two adjoining rooms for families and groups that overlook the sparkling crystal-clear seawater. 

But for travelers with a larger party who opt for a more private expansive space, the Sol Marina Villa offers a private pool, two bedrooms with large dining and living areas alongside a Jacuzzi. Inside the Villa, host a lunch or dinner party for a taste of a luxe beach-living lifestyle–there’s a perfect view of a personal poolside peeking through the windows, too.

Price: Rooms range from P10,000+ for Classic rooms to around P30,000++ for the Sol Marina Beach Suite and Sol Marina Villa, depending on the date

What to Do at Movenpick Resort and Spa Boracay

1. Paint the sunset by the beach

Whether or not one has a skilled hand on the canvas, holding a paintbrush, a drink, with the seashore in sight is already a combination for relaxation. Take a spin at interpreting Boracay’s blue skies and its pink-hued transition to the sunset with the Sunset Paint and Sip activity, which comes with the mocktail or cocktail of the day, a pica-pica snack, one canvas, acrylic paint, a paintbrush set, and a palette board. Whatever the result, no one here will judge. (We promise!)

Price: P1,500 net per person (Coming soon)

2. Get a sugar rush during Chocolate Hour

Each afternoon, Mövenpick Boracay opens up The Market with an all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet. For an instant sugar pick-me-up, take a pick with the chocolate fondue and an array of chocolate-dipped desserts on the table in between your day’s jam-packed activities. You might even spot Pico, the resort's resident bird mascot, dancing to a tune.

Price: Free daily for all guests

3. Take part in wellness activities (and some dancing!)

Swimming at the beach might be at the forefront of many Boracay wanderers’ to-do lists, but there are plenty of activities for wellness seekers in and out of the water. Get a crash course on traditional Filipino dances with 101s on Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Maglalatik, or the Tinikling, or rejuvenate sun-worn bodies with sessions of Belly Dancing and Zumba. If the water sings its siren song again, dip in the pool for an immersive Aqua Aerobics for the best of both worlds–or terrains.

Price: Free for guests

Schedule: Pandanggo sa Ilaw (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. / Saturday, 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.) Belly Dancing (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. / Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.) Zumba (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. / Sunday 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.) / Aqua Aerobics (Wednesday 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. / Saturday 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.) Maglalatik (Thursday, 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. / Sunday, 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.), Tinikling (Wednesday 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. / Friday 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.). Schedule of activities is subject to change without prior notice.

4. Head to the beach for water sports

What’s Boracay without having a boat and the quiet seas all to yourself? In the grand tradition of the island’s must-do tourist activities, hop on a kayak for a bit of rowing fun, whether it’s for solo soul-searching on a single-seater or a duo activity on a double capacity. For an option that’s tailor-fit for the Instagram feeds, board the transparent Crystal Kayak, or have a bit of an adventurous streak by perching on top of the Paddle Board. Elsewhere, for marine enthusiasts, see the seas with a Snorkeling Safari or Rental, or take your baby steps to surfing with a session on the Body Board.

Price: Single Seater Kayak - P450 for 30 minutes, P600 for 60 minutes; Double Seater Kayak - P550 for 30 minutes, P800 for 60 minutes; Paddle Board - P650 for 30 minutes, P850 for 60 minutes; Crystal Kayak - P300 for 20 minutes, P600 for 30 minutes, P1,000 for 60 minutes; Snorkeling Safari - P800 for 2 hours; Snorkeling Rental - P500 for 1 hour; Body Board - P350 for 30 minutes 

5. Attempt to make a pizza

Make your way by the poolside and onto Brezza Ristorante, where a large pizza stone oven, shipped straight from Naples, Italy, acts as a centerpiece of the pool bar. There, kids–or kids in spirit–can be chefs for an hour with a pizza-making class. With the tools of the trade such as dough, toppings, aprons, and even a paper toque (chef’s kiss!), they can make their own spin on a pizza under the watchful eye of actual trained chefs. (And yes, you can eat your masterpiece at the end.)

Price: Coming soon

6. Feast on some more food

Gastronomic experiences are aplenty, as inside the resort, there are seven restaurants and cafes from which guests can take their pick. Breakfast is held at The Market, where a mix of local and international dishes serve as the energy starters for the day. Make sure to take a croissant by the breads and pastries, as it’s highly recommended by the resort’s French general manager, Franck Merot, who’s a much-revered stickler for a good croissant.

For a more Filipino flair, stop by on Friday and Saturday evenings at Sol Marina Beach Club for the Kalye Sol, where guests can have the street food experience from an array of dishes, as they can pick and choose what chefs will grill right in front of them. My personal recommendation? The octopus barbeque!

7. Shop for essentials (and more) at the souvenir store

Nestled in the winding beachfront lot is Sagana, the resort’s resident souvenir shop stocked with seaside necessities and other knickknacks. Stock up on the next round of sunscreen sans the trip to the public groceries, or admire the eco-friendly artisan-crafted accessories that will complement tropical-inspired OOTDs.

8. Take a break at the spa

If relaxation is the subject matter, then a trip to the spa is a non-negotiable. Inside the resort lies the Sagay Spa, which has earned its accolades as one of 2024’s Top 5 Best Hotel Spa in the Philippines by Travel + Leisure. Among the spa’s must-try treatments is the Regenerating Ritual, treated with a high-calcium content with heat and essential oils, and their take on the Hilot, the Filipino healing art that makes fine use of Tuba Tuba leaves.

Price: Sagay Regenerating Ritual - P3,500 for 90 minutes / Hilot Ritual - P3,500 for 90 minutes

9. Hold a photoshoot with a professional photographer

The expanse of the resort is packed with the picturesque charm known to Boracay, laced with a dash of a uniquely Mövenpick take. The best way to capture that is through a twist on the personalized souvenir: photos of yourself to take home–or, more likely, to post online–snapped by a professional Boracay-based photographer. 

With the photoshoot service, be lensed by a photographer by Mövenpick Boracay’s iconic red door, or around the vicinity of the resort lot. No previous professional modeling experience required.

Pro tip: Have a makeover before the photoshoot at the resort’s in-house Metroglam Salon, which provides hairstyling, treatments, and even nail care.

Price: P5,000 to P10,000 for photoshoot session; P1,650 for cleanse and blow-dry / P1,950 for hair-styling or up-do

10. Have a picnic by the sunset

To cap off the Mövenpick Boracay experience, dine by the beachfront or the pool gazebo as the sun says its goodbye for the day. Skies will turn to its stunning pink hues as guests can relish a three-course meal, all while luxuriating in the plush and cozy seating for the night.

Price: P5,000 for two persons / P8,000 for four to five persons

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay is located at Punta Bunga Cove Barangay Yapak 5608, Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. For bookings and more information, visit their official website, Facebook, and Instagram. 

2024-12-06T04:14:17Z