A piece of Palawan in Boracay
YASMIN D. ARQUIZA, GMANews.TV

The famous four-kilometer White Beach of Boracay is about a minute’s walk from the resort, but The Strand makes up for the minor inconvenience with its unique verdant environment. Several moons ago, I had the good fortune of staying at the resort for a travel assignment, and it has since become one of my favorite lodging places in Boracay.

Tucked into a hill at the northern tip of Station 1, the resort is rather secluded so you’ll have to tell the tricycle drivers it’s at the back of Boracay Terraces in order to find the place. The one-hectare property used to be a mahogany plantation and most of the trees are still there, providing shade and cool breezes on sultry afternoons. Other trees like mango, avocado, pomelo, and bread fruit give the place a provincial feel.

The moment you enter the room, you will want to step out of the confines of your sandals and go barefoot in your new pad. The low table in the living room invites you to squat on the wooden floor, switch on the flat-screen TV at the corner, and rest your head on the built-in sofa that doubles as an extra bed. With a size of 60 square meters, the one-bedroom suite was three times bigger than my flat in Manila, and all my senses were soon basking in the feeling of incredible freedom from all that space.

The sliding glass doors open out to the veranda, the perfect spot for writing your journal entries or just daydreaming in the reclining chairs. Looking out at the lush gardens and trees from the expansive veranda made me feel like I was somewhere else, and not in the crazy party island of Boracay. Indeed, a friend who later joined me would comment that The Strand made him feel like he was in Palawan, where we had shared many outdoor adventures, instead of Boracay.

There are 13 rooms in the resort, the biggest a 100-square meter penthouse. It is an intimate setting that would appeal to travelers who prefer quiet surroundings, in contrast to the mass market lodging offered in most parts of Boracay. The outdoor architecture presents a perfect harmony of wood and stone, the series of steps leading to the rooms providing both privacy and a sense of interconnectedness at the same time.

Quality time. Share quiet moments with your loved ones in this airy family suite balcony.Each of the suites has a veranda, living room, kitchen, and bedroom. The toilet and shower are separate, and there’s a huge tile-framed mirror in front of the wash basin. The set-up ensures that there’s no waiting line in the bathroom, which is convenient if you’re sharing the room with several people. Décor is minimalist, and while the choice of materials and furnishings is sometimes divergent, everything is tastefully done. The choice of German-made bathroom and kitchen fittings, orthopedic beds, and even the duvets certainly reveals the owners’ preference for the finer things in life.

Owner Pinky Elerud, who is married to a Swedish expat, acknowledges the Scandinavian inspiration for the resort. Originally a private rest house, the couple began building more rooms after their friends discovered the hideaway and began requesting for a place that they could rent for their families. Pinky says they built and decorated the rooms “based on how we wanted it for ourselves," which explains the homey ambience.

Visitors will love the little touches such as the handmade soap in delightful colors of lemon, lime and beige wrapped candy-like in cellophane fastened with native twine. There’s a light well with hanging plants outside the shower room, separated by a glass wall. Frosted glass panes on the door and wall allow natural sunlight to seep into the bedroom, bringing you to wakefulness gently.

The lamps held particular fascination for me, both the reading lamps in the bedroom and the wall-mounted one in the veranda.

Guests can have their meals at the open-air Limestone Café if it’s not drizzling outside, although the staff will gladly serve you in the comfort of your suite as well. There’s both Filipino and continental fare, but my favorite meal during my overnight stay was the sumptuous dinner of fish stewed in capers, chicken pasta, and crunchy green salad that Pinky whipped up for us.

The resort becomes a village of sorts during the peak season when many long-stay visitors, especially Europeans and Balikbayans, make The Strand their home in Boracay for their holidays. Pinky says the guests get to know each other well, as the resort provides an intimate atmosphere for camaraderie. They play card and board games, or simply mingle with other guests at the Mahogany Lounge.

One of the unique things about The Strand is its swimming pools, which are chlorinated with saltwater and therefore, more gentle on the skin and the environment. There’s a lap pool for adults and a kiddie pool for the young ones just beside it.

On top of the hill, hikers are rewarded with great views of the island and its surrounding waters. At sunset, you can watch the fishermen hauling in their boats from the sea or take a walk on the winding path towards Diniwid beach.

The resort can accommodate up to 60 people. It is a favorite venue for corporate team-building activities (did I mention that it has a conference room good for 25 participants?) and rightly so. It’s the perfect getaway for harried urbanites who want to enjoy Boracay’s lovely beach without the hordes of revelers ruining their tropical island vacation.

The Strand Boracay Resort is located at Sitio Sinagpa in barangay Balabag, Boracay island, Tel. +63 36 2886900. Check out www.boracaystrand.com or email info@boracaystrand.com