Pros

  • On White Beach, centrally located amid Station 2's restaurants and bars
  • Rooms feature furnished balconies; some suites have plunge pools
  • Bathrooms in some rooms have separate showers and soaking tubs
  • Outdoor pool with water features plus a full-service spa
  • Italian restaurant and bar with a wood-fired oven
  • Nightly live beachfront entertainment
  • Free hot breakfast with Asian and Western options
  • Meeting and event rooms
  • Wi-Fi is free throughout
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Cons

  • Some rooms are worn, and those facing the beach suffer from noise
  • Not all rooms face the beach, and some face walls
  • Live music goes late into the evening (a pro for some)
  • No fitness center or hot tub
  • Wi-Fi can be spotty
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Bottom Line

The Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel combines the atmosphere of a classic, slightly faded beachfront resort with the amenities of a more urban hotel in the middle of Boracay's Station 2. A number of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops are within a five-minute walk. Its spa has a beach-facing lounge for relaxing foot treatments and the tropical landscaping around the pool creates a relaxed daytime vibe, but the scene changes at night when the beach hosts live music late into the evening. Its Italian restaurant makes its own bread and gelato, and breakfast is included. The 52 somewhat dated rooms have furnished balconies, but some are showing a lot of wear and the decor is a bit dated. It's worth comparing with the Henann Regency Resort & Spa nearby, where rooms are far nicer.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel

Scene

Slightly dated beachfront hotel that's relaxing by day, and a party by night

From the beach, twin foot bridges right off of the sand pass over a koi pond onto a covered terrace that opens into a central pool courtyard. It's draped in thick leafy vines and white flowers that frame the eaves under the second floor balconies, giving the space a pleasant tropical look. At the back end, the partially open-air lobby is dark, with wood paneling and weathered rattan furniture. The style isn't the most appealing, and doesn't really scream "beach" -- in fact, the dated look extends throughout the hotel, into the rooms and even the spa. In the evenings, live pop or classical music entertains guests having dinner or drinks by the beach, but guests trying to sleep before midnight may not approve (especially those in rooms facing the pool and beach). Still, it's one of Station 2's more popular choices, and the atmosphere changes a bit throughout the day. Given it's broad appeal, expect to see plenty of families, couples, and groups of friends here.

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Location

On the beach in Station 2, walking distance to dining, shopping, and nightlife

The hotel is directly on White Beach, Boracay’s most famous stretch of sand, right in the heart of lively Station 2. It will take anywhere from one to 10 minutes to walk to dozens of restaurants and bars, and it's a five-minute walk to famous D’Mall. D’Talipapa Market can also be reached on foot in about eight minutes. Station 3, known for its varied dining options and quieter vibe, is just a short walk away. Station 1 attractions -- including Willy’s Rock, the Holy Rosary Parish, and Club Paraw -- are all a five-minute drive away, or less than 20 minutes on foot down the beach. It's a 40-minute trip to the airport by car and ferry, though the hotel can arrange transfers for a fee as well.

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Rooms

Pleasant, but slightly dated, with furnished balconies; some suites have private plunge pools

The hotel's 52 rooms and suites are a bit dated and dark, like the rest of the hotel, though they have a few Filipino touches that give them some character. Bamboo door accents and furnishings, along with rattan chairs, lend a dash of island style, while custom glass-topped vanities filled with Boracay sand and shells provide a local focal point to every room. Lower-category rooms start at 25 square meters (269 square feet) of space, and include rattan armchairs and ottomans, while suites start at 67 square meters (721 square feet). All rooms have small furnished balconies and some have sea views, but keep in mind that others face nearby walls. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, though it doesn't work well all of the time. Flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and electric kettles are included as well. The bathrooms have older tiling that shows wear, and even entry-level rooms have a decent amount of counter space. Some upgraded rooms feature separate showers and soaking tubs, along with four-poster beds; tatami beds are a nice occasional perk as well. Top-floor suites add wet bars and whirlpool tubs; the Mandarin and Ambassador Suites also have private plunge pools. It's worth noting that light sleepers may want to sacrifice sea and pool views, as there's a good bit of noise from both when entertainment goes late into the night.

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Features

Beach with live music, Italian restaurant, outdoor pool, full spa, and meeting rooms

The hotel's best asset is its wide plot of sand on White Beach. It's dotted by loungers and umbrellas by day, and serves as the backdrop for live music and entertainment every night. Don Vito Ristorante hosts dinner and drinks at tables on the beach, and serves menu of Italian cuisine throughout the day in an indoor dining room, or on an outdoor terrace. Free breakfast is included with the option to go Filipino (eggs, beef, steamed rice) or Western (eggs, bacon, corned beef). The restaurant also has a wood-fired oven that turns out pizzas, plus it makes its own gelato and bakes its own bread. The hotel's courtyard pool is brimming with water features and tropical flora, though sun bathers have to take to the sand -- there's no room for loungers along its narrow brick deck and the overhanging balconies keep it in shade anyway. The Mandarin spa has treatment rooms providing facials and traditional Filipino hilot massage, along with more exotic treatments like hot stone aromatherapy. There's also a sunny lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the beach with leather loungers where guests can recline for foot treatments. A banquet hall and several meeting rooms can accommodate small scale events and weddings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel

Scene

Slightly dated beachfront hotel that's relaxing by day, and a party by night

From the beach, twin foot bridges right off of the sand pass over a koi pond onto a covered terrace that opens into a central pool courtyard. It's draped in thick leafy vines and white flowers that frame the eaves under the second floor balconies, giving the space a pleasant tropical look. At the back end, the partially open-air lobby is dark, with wood paneling and weathered rattan furniture. The style isn't the most appealing, and doesn't really scream "beach" -- in fact, the dated look extends throughout the hotel, into the rooms and even the spa. In the evenings, live pop or classical music entertains guests having dinner or drinks by the beach, but guests trying to sleep before midnight may not approve (especially those in rooms facing the pool and beach). Still, it's one of Station 2's more popular choices, and the atmosphere changes a bit throughout the day. Given it's broad appeal, expect to see plenty of families, couples, and groups of friends here.

See More Scene

Location

On the beach in Station 2, walking distance to dining, shopping, and nightlife

The hotel is directly on White Beach, Boracay’s most famous stretch of sand, right in the heart of lively Station 2. It will take anywhere from one to 10 minutes to walk to dozens of restaurants and bars, and it's a five-minute walk to famous D’Mall. D’Talipapa Market can also be reached on foot in about eight minutes. Station 3, known for its varied dining options and quieter vibe, is just a short walk away. Station 1 attractions -- including Willy’s Rock, the Holy Rosary Parish, and Club Paraw -- are all a five-minute drive away, or less than 20 minutes on foot down the beach. It's a 40-minute trip to the airport by car and ferry, though the hotel can arrange transfers for a fee as well.

See More Location

Rooms

Pleasant, but slightly dated, with furnished balconies; some suites have private plunge pools

The hotel's 52 rooms and suites are a bit dated and dark, like the rest of the hotel, though they have a few Filipino touches that give them some character. Bamboo door accents and furnishings, along with rattan chairs, lend a dash of island style, while custom glass-topped vanities filled with Boracay sand and shells provide a local focal point to every room. Lower-category rooms start at 25 square meters (269 square feet) of space, and include rattan armchairs and ottomans, while suites start at 67 square meters (721 square feet). All rooms have small furnished balconies and some have sea views, but keep in mind that others face nearby walls. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, though it doesn't work well all of the time. Flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and electric kettles are included as well. The bathrooms have older tiling that shows wear, and even entry-level rooms have a decent amount of counter space. Some upgraded rooms feature separate showers and soaking tubs, along with four-poster beds; tatami beds are a nice occasional perk as well. Top-floor suites add wet bars and whirlpool tubs; the Mandarin and Ambassador Suites also have private plunge pools. It's worth noting that light sleepers may want to sacrifice sea and pool views, as there's a good bit of noise from both when entertainment goes late into the night.

See More Rooms

Features

Beach with live music, Italian restaurant, outdoor pool, full spa, and meeting rooms

The hotel's best asset is its wide plot of sand on White Beach. It's dotted by loungers and umbrellas by day, and serves as the backdrop for live music and entertainment every night. Don Vito Ristorante hosts dinner and drinks at tables on the beach, and serves menu of Italian cuisine throughout the day in an indoor dining room, or on an outdoor terrace. Free breakfast is included with the option to go Filipino (eggs, beef, steamed rice) or Western (eggs, bacon, corned beef). The restaurant also has a wood-fired oven that turns out pizzas, plus it makes its own gelato and bakes its own bread. The hotel's courtyard pool is brimming with water features and tropical flora, though sun bathers have to take to the sand -- there's no room for loungers along its narrow brick deck and the overhanging balconies keep it in shade anyway. The Mandarin spa has treatment rooms providing facials and traditional Filipino hilot massage, along with more exotic treatments like hot stone aromatherapy. There's also a sunny lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the beach with leather loungers where guests can recline for foot treatments. A banquet hall and several meeting rooms can accommodate small scale events and weddings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.