The other side of the island
BY ED BIADO

Sometimes, you have to take a tricycle.

In the city, that’s not a very pleasurable experience but if you’re on the island of Boracay, it’s almost a necessity if you wander off too far from your resort and you need to find your way back.

It’s also the easiest way to commute to the accommodation options that are not on the main white beach where the “Stations” are. Hopping on a tricycle would be the cheapest and fastest way to go to your room if you’re checked in at Fairways & Bluewater Resort Golf & Country Club (Newcoast, Boracay).

I was in and out of tricycles when I stayed at Fairways, a place I fondly call “the other side,” because, contrary to what some people may think, it’s actually not that far. Getting there from D’Mall is less than 10 minutes and there’s a complimentary shuttle service at the gate to take you anywhere within the resort. If you’re really not the tricycle kind of person, you can wait for the hourly shuttle, also free, that loops to and from D’Mall. But I’m not very patient and I can’t afford to pay for a chartered service that would set me back P350 every time I feel like going back to my room.

If you’re not too fond of crowds, you don’t even have to leave the resort as there are lots of things to do there as well. Fairways & Bluewater is Boracay’s largest resort, occupying 127 hectares of the island. The view from its coast is breathtaking. The sand isn’t as fine and white as Station 1’s but the exclusivity and tranquility makes up for it.

The guest suites are located in clusters of buildings, so you really need to avail of the free shuttle to get around. But the beauty of it is that nothing ever feels crammed and there is a view everywhere you look, just like in my room’s balcony, which faces the golf course and a pond with swans (or are they ducks? I’m not sure.). The rooms are likewise spacious and decently appointed with all the necessities.

With the hilly landscape, it’s easy to forget that you’re in Boracay and think that you’ve been transported to a gated community in Tagaytay. But you’ll remember where you really are when you get hungry and find yourself at the lobby restaurant, where it will seem like you’re dining at the edge of a cliff overlooking the resort’s private beach.

The resort, managed by Centara Hotels & Resorts, is a favorite destination for golf tournaments, but vice president for marketing Cita Villanueva told me over breakfast, “We want to emphasize that the resort is not only for golf. It’s a venue for families and those who want to experience another side of Boracay.”
You won’t run out of things to do at Fairways. There’s a spa that offers in-room services, three beach coves exclusive to resort guests, recreation areas for those who want to play volleyball, beach soccer or Frisbee and two swimming pools, one of which is Boracay’s biggest at 1,100 square meters. There’s a business center and a private function area as well.

One of the most interesting places in the property is the chapel, which is found inside a naturally formed cave. The location and size of the estate also makes horseback riding and zipline possible. And let’s not forget the 6,600-yard 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Graham Marsh.

“There have been a lot of changes and developments since Centara took over,” says general manager Ian Cameron. “We’re completing the construction of the unfinished buildings and we’re developing so much more of the land to provide our guests so much more.”
Fairways & Bluewater is more popular among foreign tourists than local tourists, with visits from all over the world at different times of the year, depending on each market’s vacation season. I was surprised to find out that April and May are actually among their less busy months. This is when that they sponsor events that will boost their domestic visibility. During this time, promos for domestic guests are also available. One of which is Last Minute Boracay Deals with packages that start at P3,599 per person for a triple-sharing 3D/2N stay. The offer runs until May 30.