Boracay's Savoy Hotel: Paradise Found (Newcoast's Hidden Gem!)
Savoy Hotel Boracay: Paradise Found (Newcoast's Hidden Gem!) – A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the sand and sunshine on Boracay's Savoy Hotel, Newcoast's supposed "hidden gem." This isn't your perfectly polished travel blog, this is real. I'm talking honest-to-goodness, what-I-loved-what-I-hated, and those little nuances that make a holiday memorable, for better or worse.
First Impressions: Getting There & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof, Sometimes!)
Getting to Boracay is already an adventure. From Caticlan airport (yes, the tiny one!), you'll be whisked away to a port, then onto a boat, and finally a van. The Savoy is in Newcoast, which means it's a bit further out from the bustling Station X, which is both a blessing and a curse. It's quieter, sure, but getting around can be a bit of a trek, especially if you're relying on tricycles.
Accessibility? This is where things get a little… bumpy, like the tricycle ride. While the hotel claims "Facilities for disabled guests," and has an elevator (thank GOODNESS), I wouldn't call it fully accessible in the truest sense. Sidewalks around the hotel and Newcoast in general can be uneven. Consider this if you have mobility concerns. Navigating Boracay as a whole takes a bit of planning.
The Rooms: Your Personal Tropical Prison… or Paradise, Depending on the Day
I booked a standard room, which, let's be honest, felt more "cozy" than "spacious." BUT! Cleanliness? Top marks. Seriously, these guys are on it. Rooms sanitized between stays and daily disinfection in common areas? You could tell. Everything sparkled, and I'm a germaphobe, so that's saying something. Air conditioning? Essential, especially if you're like me, and turn into a sweaty puddle at the slightest hint of humidity. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (And it actually works, unlike some places!) Blackout curtains? YES! Finally, some sleep! And they even had a hair dryer – small victories, people, small victories.
The bed? Comfortable enough. Not the cloud-like experience you dream of, but definitely okay. Having air conditioning in public area and Non-smoking rooms is a deal. I especially appreciated the safety/security features, like the in-room safe box, smoke detector, and fire extinguisher.
The Amenities: Pools, Pampering, and Pizza (Oh My!)
Okay, let’s talk about the good stuff. The Savoy nailed the relaxation factor.
- Swimming pool [outdoor] and Pool with view: Yep. Stunning. Infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Spent hours there. And the pool bar? Poolside bar? Genius.
- Spa: Treat yourself, because you earned it. Massage, Body scrub, and Body wrap are all on the menu. I did a massage that was so good, I almost fell asleep mid-rubdown. Almost.
- Fitness center / Gym/fitness: I intended to hit the gym. I really did. But paradise called, and my resolve crumbled. (Maybe next time.)
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom I didn't get a chance to visit any of them, but I want to go back and try them next time.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and Occasional Disappointment!)
The Savoy offers a decent spread, but like any hotel, it has its ups and downs.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A mixed bag. Asian breakfast? Available and pretty good. Western breakfast? Standard hotel fare. I was a little underwhelmed by the eggs, which, let's be honest, is a breakfast dealbreaker. But they had fresh fruit and a decent coffee machine, so I survived.
- Restaurants: Multiple options. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Check. International cuisine in restaurant? Check. I tried the pizza at one place, and it was… meh. But the coffee shop was a lifesaver for my caffeine cravings.
- Room service [24-hour]: Always a plus! Especially when you're nursing a sunburn and craving pizza (yes, again).
- Bar: Happy hour is a must. Drinks are well-made, and the atmosphere is chill.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound
This is where the Savoy shines. They took hygiene seriously during my visit. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and Staff trained in safety protocol? Check, check, and check! They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were super diligent about wearing masks (this was during a time when that was still a thing). I felt genuinely safe, which is a huge weight off your mind when you're traveling.
Things to Do: Beyond the Beach (If You Can Drag Yourself Away)
- Access, Internet services, Internet, Internet [LAN], Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: So you can actually do things. Work, or get entertained.
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Taxi service: Yes, yes, and yes. Although I spent my time relaxing in the pool and sleeping.
The Quirks: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Odd
- The check-in/out [express] was super speedy. The concierge helpful, albeit a little…enthusiastic at times.
- The gift/souvenir shop was handy for last-minute presents (and overpriced snacks).
- The elevator was a godsend after a day of sun and sand – especially if you're carrying a bunch of duty-free alcohol.
- The shrine, a cute little touch for those seeking a moment of reflection.
- Couple's room and Proposal spot: If you want a fancy, memorable moment.
Missing Pieces and Missed Opportunities
Here's my reality check:
- There's no option for pets.
- While they have the basic options, they didn't offer the chance to order Breakfast in room or Breakfast takeaway service.
- A little bit more variety in restaurant food could have been good.
The Heart of the Matter: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Despite the minor quirks, the Savoy gets it right. It's clean, comfortable, well-located (once you get past the front gate!), and feels like a proper escape. It's a solid choice for a relaxing Boracay getaway.
My Honest Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars.
SEO-Optimized Booking Offer: Escape to Paradise at Boracay's Savoy Hotel!
Headline: Boracay Bliss Awaits! Experience the Savoy Hotel – Your Ultimate Newcoast Getaway!
Body:
Tired of the same old vacation? Yearning for sun, sand, and unforgettable memories? Look no further than the Savoy Hotel in Boracay, nestled within the exclusive Newcoast area! This hidden gem offers the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and unparalleled comfort.
Why Choose the Savoy Hotel?
- Unwind in Style: Luxurious, non-smoking rooms with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and stunning views. Revel in the private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, ensuring a truly relaxing escape. Find options for Couple's room and Proposal spot to get that memorable moment! Perfect retreat with soundproof rooms.
- Paradise Found: Dive into the crystal-clear waters of our outdoor swimming pool with spectacular views!
- World-Class Amenities: Indulge in rejuvenating experiences at our luxurious Spa with massage, Body scrub, and Body wrap, or stay active in our well-equipped Fitness center.
- Culinary Delights: Savor a diverse range of flavors at our restaurants, from authentic Asian cuisine to international favorites. Enjoy refreshing cocktails at our vibrant poolside bar, and don’t miss our daily happy hour!
- Safety First: Rest easy knowing we prioritize your well-being, with meticulous cleaning protocols, sanitary products, and a dedicated team trained in safety measures.
- Ultimate Convenience: Enjoy essential amenities, including safe dining setup, Cashless payment service, contactless check-in/out, and convenient transport options like airport transfer, and car park [free of charge].
- Family-Friendly Fun: With Babysitting service, Kids facilities, and options to accommodate your little ones, Savoy is the perfect destination for a family getaway.
Limited-Time Offer!
Book your stay at the Savoy Hotel today and receive:
- Exclusive discounts on select room types.
- A complimentary bottle of water upon arrival.
- Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability).
- Free access to all hotel
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because this isn't your glossy magazine travel itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL, the messy, glorious, slightly-hungover account of my trip to the Savoy Hotel Boracay, Philippines. Prepare for a wild ride. And yes, I'm already mentally calculating how much I owe on my credit card…
Operation: Boracay Bliss (and Maybe a Few Broken Dreams) – A Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival! (And the Agony of Baggage Claim)
- 6:00 AM: Alarm. The ungodly shriek that indicates the start of "vacation fun." Groan. Coffee, NEED COFFEE. Packed like a Tetris master the night before, feeling smugly superior.
- 7:00 AM: Taxi to airport. Traffic. Always. I swear, Manila traffic is a sentient being designed to test my patience. Contemplated offering the driver a bribe for a teleportation machine. He gave me a look.
- 9:00 AM: Airport chaos. Cebu Pacific is always a gamble, like Russian Roulette, but with delays and questionable safety protocols. I got the "less delayed" side. Yay!
- 10:00 AM: Flight to Caticlan (God, the airport is tiny! Adorable, even.)
- 11:00 AM: The luggage! Okay, here is where the "broken dreams" began. My checked bag decided to take a detour. Lost. Just…gone. Cue internal screaming. External denial. "It'll turn up!" I lied, mostly to myself.
- 12:00 PM: Boat trip! (Thank God for that swim suit and that sunblock). The turquoise water immediately started washing away the baggage claim rage.
- 1:00 PM: CHECK-IN! The Savoy Hotel Boracay Newcoast. The pictures online were glorious. The lobby was…less glorious. (But still pretty nice.) Got upgraded! YES! Maybe things will be looking up!
- 1:30 PM: Holy moly! Room with a view. This is where the "bliss" started. Actually stunning. Balcony, ocean breeze, the scent of coconut… I could live like this. This is where the emotional rollercoaster really starts. From complete despair over the suitcase to pure unadulterated contentment in one hour.
- 2:00 PM: Food. I needed food. Badly. The Savoy's restaurant. Ordered everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but close. Ate like a starving person. Everything was delicious. The mango shake was a religious experience. (Seriously, the mango in the Philippines? Forget about it. It's on another level).
- 3:00 PM: BEACH! Finally. White sand between my toes. Sun. Salt. Bliss. Tried to suppress the urge to call the airline and scream about my missing suitcase.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Walked on the beach! Saw a guy making sandcastles! Felt jealous, got over it.
- 6:00 PM: Cocktail. Sunset. OMG. This is why I travel. This is why I live. Felt a genuine pang of pure happiness.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. The food was okay. The company was amazing (I'm traveling solo, which I recommend).
- 9:00 PM: Early night. Jet lag is real. And my missing suitcase was still a nagging thought.
Day 2: Island Hopping and the Pursuit of Happiness
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Buffet. Ate all the things. Including the suspiciously green juice. (No regrets!)
- 9:00 AM: Island Hopping Tour! Booked it through the hotel. Apparently, Boracay is known for them.
- 9:30 AM: Bangka ride! The outrigger boat. Terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. The waves were surprisingly choppy. Almost took a tumble trying to take a selfie.
- 10:00 AM: First stop: Coral Garden. Snorkeled. Saw fish. Beautiful fish. The water was crystal clear. It was one of those moments where you think, "This is it. This is what life is supposed to be like." Was it? I have no idea. But it felt damn good.
- 11:00 AM: Second stop: White Beach. Pure white sand. Blue water. More bliss. Took more photos than I care to admit. Tried to master the "effortless beach pose." Failed miserably.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch on the boat. Grilled seafood. Delicious. Sunburn setting in. Should've reapplied sunscreen. Again.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: MORE BEACH! This time at a hidden cove. Swam. Relaxed. People-watched. There was a couple that looked ridiculously in love. I felt a mix of envy and pity.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Shower. Sunburn cream. Checked my phone. Still no suitcase. Deep breaths.
- 5:00 PM: Happy Hour at the hotel bar. This is where I met someone. A fellow solo traveler, she was from New Zealand, she's a lawyer and hilarious. We drank cocktails and swapped travel stories. This is what travelling is all about!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More food. (I told you, I’m a big eater). The hotel's restaurant again.
- 8:30 PM: Karaoke. Okay, this is where things got messy. I don't sing. Really, I don't. But the cocktails… and the New Zealander… and the general sense of "why not?"… Well, let's just say, I murdered a Celine Dion song. And loved every second of it.
- 10:00 PM: Passed out.
Day 3: The White Sands, The Sunset, and A Bittersweet Goodbye (Plus, the Suitcase!)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up with a hangover. And a smile. That Celine Dion incident was worth it.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast. More buffet. Ate the same amount of food. Maybe more.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Last beach day! Spent the entire afternoon soaking up the sun, swimming and just enjoying the gorgeous sand. I was very happy to just sit on the beach and let the waves crash over me.
- 2:00 PM: Checked out. The end.
- 3:00 PM: This is where the REAL happy ending happened. The suitcase! It arrived! Right at the last moment. The relief was immense. It felt like Christmas.
- 4:00 PM: Flight back to Manila. Bye bye Boracay. You were glorious. You were chaotic. And I’ll be back. I just know it.
Final Thoughts:
- Savoy Hotel Boracay Newcoast: Comfortable, well-located, and a good value. The staff are amazing!
- Boracay Itself: Stunningly beautiful. Be prepared for crowds (but it's worth it).
- The Sunburn: Ouch. Learn from my mistakes. Reapply sunscreen. Religiously.
- The Missing Suitcase: A minor hiccup. It happens. Don't let it ruin your trip. (Unless it's your passport. Then, panic).
- The Karaoke: Always say yes. Always.
- The Mango Shake: The best thing I've ever tasted. Possibly.
- Overall: 10/10, would Boracay again. And maybe bring a second suitcase next time. Just in case.
This is real travel, folks. Imperfect, messy, and utterly unforgettable. Now go out there and make your own memories. And don’t forget the sunscreen. You'll thank me later.
Escape to Augusta: Luxurious Stay at Country Inn & Suites I-20!Savoy Hotel Boracay: Paradise Found...Maybe? (A Messy Guide!)
So, is the Savoy Hotel Boracay REALLY a hidden gem, or just another Instagram filter?
Okay, okay, let's be real. "Hidden gem" is a BIG claim. It's more like... a *discovered* gem, but one that's managed to avoid the absolute chaos of White Beach. The Newcoast area, where it’s located, feels a world away from the D'Mall frenzy. Think of it as the chill older sibling of the more rambunctious beaches. I went in with high expectations, fueled by those pristine photos online. And let me tell you… reality is *always* messier, innit?
It's definitely pretty. The pools are gorgeous, seriously. And the architecture? Modern, sleek... until you actually try to navigate to your room after a few cocktails. More on that later. But hidden? Not anymore, buddy. Everyone’s taking selfies by the infinity pools. But even with the crowd, there's still a certain peace there, a feeling of being...escape. It's not the *perfect* picture, but hey, what is?
The Rooms: Are they as dreamy as they look online?
The rooms... ah, the rooms. The pictures? Flawless. Crisp white sheets, that picture-perfect balcony, the promise of a sunset view… And you know what? They *mostly* deliver. My room was clean, the AC worked (a HUGE win in Boracay!), and the bed, oh, the bed! I swear, I slept better there than I do at home. That's saying something, considering my sleep regime is basically a comedy of errors.
BUT... and there's always a but, isn't there? My 'sunset view' was partially blocked by a particularly enthusiastic palm tree. (Seriously, it was like the tree was trying to photobomb everything.) And the walls... they weren't *paper-thin*, but let's say I got intimately acquainted with my neighbor's taste in late-night karaoke. (Thankfully, they weren't bad – just loud.) So, dreamy? Mostly. Reality? Peppered with slight imperfections, just like life itself. Embrace the imperfection!
Tell Me About the Pools! Are They Worth the Hype?
The pools? Oh. My. GOD. They are the *reason* to go. Seriously. Forget the beach (just kidding! Mostly). The pools at the Savoy are the real stars of the show. The infinity pools are *stunning.* Crystal clear water, that perfect turquoise hue... you'll spend hours just floating, staring out at the ocean, feeling like you've wandered into a postcard.
But here's the REALITY. Finding a free sun lounger can be a *battle*. People start staking their claim at sunrise, laying down towels like they're conquering territory. I witnessed a full-blown chair-snatching standoff. It was epic. (I may or may not have 'accidentally' sat on someone's towel while they were getting a drink.) (Just kidding, kind of...). So, yes, they're worth the hype, but go early or be prepared to get your sunbed game on. And maybe invest in a REALLY aggressive towel. It's Boracay. Embrace the chaos!
The Food Situation: Is it edible? And what about the breakfast buffet?
Food at the Savoy is... adequate. Not mind-blowing, not awful. Edible. Safe. You won't starve. The prices are, of course, inflated, as is the rule for resort life. Expect to pay more for everything.
The breakfast buffet? That's another story. It's... vast. A glorious array of options… BUT. It's also a bit of a free-for-all. Expect queues. Expect kids running amok (bless their adorable little hearts). Expect the occasional plate dropped. The food itself is generally good – the omelet station is a lifesaver – but the atmosphere is a bit like a busy airport. I was so tired after a few days of it I decided to eat some snacks from the local store. Take your time, and embrace the breakfast buffet as an experience.
What About the Service? Are the Staff Friendly?
The staff at the Savoy are generally lovely. Filipino hospitality is legendary, and they really try their best. They're friendly, they're helpful, they smile a lot. However... and I hate to be a party pooper... sometimes the service can be a *little* slow. Maybe it's the island life thing, maybe it's the sheer volume of guests. You're on vacation. Don't be in a rush. Learn to chill the heck out, and relax.
There was one time. Okay, two times, when I waited an absolute age for a cocktail. I was getting hangry, and the sunset was disappearing faster than my patience. I ended up having to flag down three different waiters before my margarita finally arrived. But you know what? When it finally arrived, it was delicious. And hey, the view was worth the wait. (And the second time, they gave me a free appetizer – score!)
Just be patient, be polite, and remember you're on vacation. And don't be afraid to ask twice. Or three times.
Okay, Let's Talk Location: How Easy is it to Get Around? And is it REALLY 'hidden'?
Getting around from the Savoy is... an experience. It's *not* walking distance to the action of White Beach. You have to take a tricycle, a shuttle, or a taxi. The shuttle is a great option, but boy, it can get busy. I waited for 45 minutes one evening. 45 minutes! And by the time I got to D'Mall, my hair was a mess, and all I wanted was that mango smoothie.
The "hidden" thing? Yeah, I already debunked that a bit. But the plus side is, you *escape* the constant noise. It’s quieter, more relaxed. Away from the main beach, it doesn't feel like a circus, which can be a massive relief. It’s a trade-off. Peace and quiet versus easy access to the party. It’s all about what you're looking for.
The Best Thing About the Savoy Hotel Boracay?
The best thing? The overall feeling of *escape*. Seriously. Despite the crowds at the pool, despite the occasional service hiccup, the Savoy just *feels* good. You wake up, you see the ocean, you're surrounded by beauty. It's a reminder that you'reStay And Relax