Station 2, Balabag Boracay Island, Malay Aklan, Boracay, Philippines | (937) 315-4602
On White Beach and a short walk from the action in Station 2
Affordable rates year-round
Spacious rooms with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges
Some rooms can sleep up to eight guests
Three pools surrounded by tables and chairs, plus a poolside bar
Cafe La Carmela is open 24/7 and serves Filipino cuisine
Several meeting rooms, including one of Boracay’s largest ballrooms
Airport transfer services (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
Extensive maintenance and cleanliness issues in some rooms
Many bathrooms are in urgent need of renovations
Some rooms are dark and have views of a wall
Restaurant serves underwhelming food and is often crowded
Housekeeping services on request only
Can feel overcrowded
The 242-room La Carmela de Boracay is a budget beachfront property in busy Station 2. Some rooms are spacious and sunny, with basic but contemporary decor and nice amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and electric kettles. However, many units are showing extensive maintenance and cleanliness issues (especially in bathrooms) and a few are dark and musty. The restaurant serves average Filipino cuisine, but is often quite crowded. Three pools keep kids busy throughout the day. The property has low rates year-round, but for guests desiring a little more than this budget property provides, the Boracay Beach Resort offers better value.
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Scene
A busy, budget beachfront property catering to large groups and families
The budget La Carmela de Boracay is a busy hotel that can sometimes feel overcrowded with kids running around, staff on walkie-talkies, large tour groups around the pools, and droves of guests on their way to and from the beach at any given time. The property has expanded several times throughout the years, adding a number of buildings to the original structure, and creating a sort of maze with long hallways and several open lobbies. The main front desk is housed in one of the original buildings, but has been updated with stone-clad pillars, dark wood accents, and fresh coats of paint. The rest of the reception areas are decorated in different styles, ranging from generic and dark to colorful and cute. The most appealing of all is the Premier West Wing lobby, which has cheerful furniture in bright colors, wood panelling, and large, modern lamps. This property offers an inconsistent experience, but is a popular pick for families on a budget and large groups.
Location
On Boracay’s most famous beach, and within walking distance of nightlife and dining
This hotel is located directly on White Beach, Boracay’s most famous and prettiest stretch of sand. Although a little south of the action in Station 2, the beachfront area is busy throughout the day, and there are several massage parlors, convenience stores, and hotels nearby. Attractions such as the D Mall and D Talipapa can be reached in about 10 minutes, and 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 10-minute drive away.
Rooms
Rooms of all sizes and styles; some are in urgent need of renovations
The hotel has 16 room types and can accommodate anywhere from two guests up to eight guests. All rooms have air-conditioning, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and flat-screen TVs, but room quality and decor is inconsistent, and views vary greatly. Ocean View Wing units are basic but contemporary, with a few pops of orange and blue, and appealing bathrooms with mosaic tiles, large walk-in showers, and modern fixtures. Main Wing ones, however, have old furniture showing extensive wear and tear, balconies facing a wall, and bathrooms with rusty taps and appalling maintenance and cleanliness issues. Premier East and Premier West units are somewhere in between, with generic wooden furniture, beige tiles, small unfurnished balconies overlooking the grounds, and updated bathrooms with walk-in showers. Suites have themed decor, large terraces, and separate showers and tubs. There is a fee for in-room Wi-Fi, and housekeeping is only available on request.
Features
Direct access to the beach, three pools, a buffet restaurant, and extensive meeting space
This hotel is located directly on a busy stretch of White Beach, and offers a few loungers and umbrellas on the sand. Additionally, there are three pools on-site, including two shallow ones for kids and one with a man-made waterfall. They’re all better for a quick dip than for swimming, but offer lots of seating areas with tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Loungers are a scarce commodity. The vibe here is lively and sometimes loud, with kids splashing and running around, and large groups and families taking up most of the space around the pools.
Cafe La Carmela is open 24/7 and serves a varied Filipino buffet, but food generally gets average reviews and international options are limited (and it often feels crowded). The hotel is popular among large tour groups and families, and offers lots of meeting and events space, including one of Boracay’s largest ballrooms. Airport transfer service and in-room Wi-Fi are available for a fee. Free Wi-Fi is only offered in the lobby.
