Who would have thought that right smack in the middle of D’Mall in Boracay would rise a Spanish hotel, complete with a plaza that plays nightly live music and serves tapa-style food and drinks?
If you’ve been to Boracay one too many times like I have, you’d expect to see the usual suspects in D’Mall—all those souvenir stalls, restaurants, one-level shops, clubs that play the top 40 hits, and small accommodations. I clicked on a summer ad on Facebook featuring this beautiful Spanish hotel that I haven’t heard of before. I was surprised to see that it’s located in D’Mall. Was I in horse blinder mode when I strolled through D’Mall in 2021?
Feliz Hotel Boracay is owned by Elizalde Hotels and Resorts and managed by Enderun Hotels.
The lobby and concierge
Roof deck, which was closed for renovation during my visit
The room with complete amenities that could rival that of 5-star hotels
Feliz Hotel officially opened in July 2019. Whether you’re checking in or just passing by, this 80-room, four-star boutique hotel will make you do a doubletake. It’s like you’ve come across a little Europe in the middle of Boracay.
There’s a spacious plaza in front of the hotel, with a grand fountain and surrounding stalls that serve affordable food and drinks. You don’t have to be a guest to get a table and catch the nightly bands or acoustic performers. It’s just a two-minute walk to Station 2’s beachfront.
Checked-in guests enter through 18-foot wooden doors. You’ll be greeted by the homey, cheerful lobby with Latin American interiors and fixtures.
If you’re looking to add numbers to your pedometer, skip the elevator and explore the hotel on foot. Walk up the stairs to admire the reflecting pools and European architecture from different angles. If you’re looking for a gym, it’s on the ground floor.
Unfortunately, I received an email from the management a few days before my booking in May, informing guests that the rooftop infinity pool and poolside bar, Buenavista, will be closed for renovation. Boo! I still dropped by the roof deck to admire the 360-view of Boracay.
The rooms are a pleasant surprise. Whether you’re getting the premiere, deluxe, or suite, you’ll get a luxury bed (or two) that will make you forget you’re in a boutique hotel, a modern bathroom with all the frills, spacious interiors, five-star amenities like a digital hub, and a cozy day bed by the window, which you’ll enjoy as a reading nook or remote working station.
Complimentary breakfast, with a mélange of continental and Filipino options, is served daily at La Plaza on the ground floor. It gets cramped inside the resto from 7-10am, so I often ended up by the alfresco section fronting the plaza. This all-day restaurant also serves authentic paella, ceviche, and churros, in case you’re craving Latin American flare come lunch or dinnertime.
My only complaints: 1.) With all the hotel’s sustainability efforts, why choose PLASTIC coconut trees as part of the architecture? 2.) You can hear the plaza’s live music in your room until they stop playing at around 11pm, so if you’re looking to hit the sack early, you’ll need earplugs.
Beeves aside, this hotel has become one of my most recommended accommodations in Boracay, whether you’re a solo traveler like myself or traveling with a group. But call to check if all amenities (like the roof deck pool) are fully functioning before you book.
Feliz Hotel is located at D’Mall, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. Visit their website at felizhotelboracay.com or call +63-36-288-3424.