There it was, “pick your moments,” in hot pink serif font stamped across buggies roaming around the lush groves of trees unspoiled since the glory days of Club Panoly. 

You wouldn't think this lowercase propaganda is possible in Boracay with an itinerary choked out for you by the hair-braiding cheeky girls who recommend the same two boutique hotels, nightlife bars, and bed-and-breakfasts crowding the coastline. But patrons won’t mind because the real adventure has always been in the glistening waters of the famous White Beach. 

And if they really want a huge playground all to themselves, they can just hop onto a coaster going northwest into the more private sand strip of Punta Bunga and stay at Mövenpick Resort and Spa.

I bet it will cost you a few pesos less to get an ink-jet printout postcard of this isolated beauty. I mean, the scenery only takes three colors to come alive: the red door photo prop on the white sand, green trees, and turquoise waters. 

So, if you’re staying at Mövenpick, the rules are simple: Pin your favorite spots on the brochure map and be your own main character. 

Day 1: The calm of Station Zero

We landed at Caticlan Airport amid a storm, with the Habagat winds blocking our sailing route toward the resort's Welcome Center. Yet, the drive to the hotel was unexpectedly smooth. We were greeted by kulintang dancers and a selection of breakfast pastries upon arrival. The spotlight, however, shone on the warm, attentive staff, including general manager Franck Merot, who seemed to know your name wherever you went and where you wanted to go. Looking for the toilet? The resto for lunch? My crooked sense of direction tested even on my way to the vast expanse of the sea? “This way, Ms. Vianca!”

The rain was too relentless for a proper tour, so we headed straight to our rooms. Mine was a “Classic” deluxe setup in blue and brown with a mural of animated fishes. Inside, a queen-sized bed, an office table, and just enough space to feel like your own little world. 

Every complimentary amenity here showed promise of sustainability, with toiletries in paper packaging, and a call to reduce water consumption and towels turnover. I did my part by turning off the aircon and staying on the balcony for more than 10 minutes to peek at the ocean and nearby resorts. Taking in the rain and basking in melancholy was my idea of respite. Picked moment number one.

Different types of rooms were blocks away from each other, some sequestered from the front view for exclusivity. Among all the other premium accommodations, the Sol Marina Villa stood as the resort’s top-tier with a modern tropical living room, two rustic bedrooms with wood-clad accents, and a private pool with jacuzzi sitting atop the shore. We stayed here to cap off the first night with a cocktail dinner where we downed full-bodied finger food that complemented a few sips of our Sol Marina Sour, a zesty blend of bourbon whiskey and amaretto.

The resort also boasts of the Sol Marina Beach Suites with the same beachfront glass balconies and extensive amenities, minus the pool and stucco gates. With a total of 312 rooms, Mövenpick seemed truly expansive that you would have to trek around connecting walkways flanked by coconut trees and sprawling grassland to get to your next stop. 

Or, you can simply swim your way around the multi-level pool that cuts across the heart of the resort, with a slim coping that borders both the restaurants and the beachfront steps. It’s the largest pool in all of Boracay—a signature Accor lagoon, much like the iconic centerfold-regulars of the recently closed-down Sofitel Manila. 

Day 2: Eat, Play, Lounge 

Rain cleared a bit and the sun was momentarily out. I began my day at the beach, where painted surfboards lined the shore, and quirky cardboard cutouts added a playful human touch to the horizon. It was “sunny” according to my very own weather report. 

Then I headed to breakfast at The Market with a good selection of Swiss baked goods and Filipino specialties. For the whole day, we were all about food.

Chef Jaime treated us to an exclusive lunch at Ssäm Restaurant, featuring off-menu international fusion dishes with fresh seafood from the Visayan Sea. My personal favorites were the Kilawin Mahi Mahi Ceviche with crispy Kamote Chips and a Spanish Gambas Paella paired with Chardonnay and a mango smoothie. It was easily the resort’s best dining experience, but those looking for a lighter fare could try The Café or Fun Pub for snacks and à la carte treats.

Throughout the trip, Chef Jaime continued to surprise our palates with diverse dishes, but we also tried our hands at whipping up our own merienda. We hosted our pizza-making contest at the Neapolitan-inspired Brezza, where a wood-fired, Italian-import oven acted as the centerpiece of the restaurant. Luckily, the quality of the ingredients saved our creations and lent some unadulterated flavor to the burnt crusts and holes. I also stopped by the resort’s traditional Chocolate Hour buffet to dip some fruits in an overflowing fondue and dance to Europop classics with the bird mascot, Pico. 

It was time for the sunset cruise, where we rode a speedboat and glided over the waves a few meters off the shore of Puka Beach. Throughout the ride, we snacked on canapes, sipped white wine, and swapped stories of seasickness. We made the most of our blow-dried hair from the in-house MetroGlam salon by having portraits taken, all clad in white like we were in a televised celebrity bachelorette party.

Moon hung in the night and we alighted to find a bohemian garden dinner setup with an Indian dish starter, setting the tone for long-winded chatters.

Day 3: Friday retreat

The clubs were for aligning the chakras, not so much for downing the shot glass. In the morning, you could race the rising sun, or take it easy with a yoga session on the sand. Unless you wanted to stop by Sol Marina Beach Club for cocktails and some fire-spitting dance action, then, by all means, surrender to the revelry. You pick your moments. 

I picked serenity. The highlight of my day was a heated shell massage at Sagay Spa, recently named one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 5 Best Hotel Spas of 2024. I opted for their 90-minute Regenerating Ritual using light strokes and soothing lavender oil, and I felt the past week’s stresses and tension melted away. Sooner enough, I drifted off to sleep within minutes of returning to my room.

Day 4: Not ready to go home

Not much happened that day, except for a last-minute dip in the pool before checkout, some reflections, and the flight back to Manila. As I hastily scribbled “thanks :)” on the handwritten letter left by the staff, I just felt lucky to be there. I mean, come on, I am a rainy-day person who frolicked in shallow pools at the first sight of nimbus clouds—Mövenpick made this moment mine. It was the last week of “salt air” August, and I grew to love Boracay even more in the gloomiest of seasons.