Mandala Spa & Resort Villas

Set in the jungle, the Mandala Spa & Resort offers a quiet, relaxing spa getaway to couples, many of which are on their honeymoon. The resort consists of just 15 thatched-roof villas and gazebos linked by paths that wind their way through lush foliage. Rich with teak wood polished to a high sheen, the buildings at the resort are more or less open to the elements -- the restaurant and many of the spa buildings have Japanese-style shoji paper walls that are left open and lead to terraces with stunning views of verdant vegetation. The atmosphere is serene and best for those who don't mind being removed from the town center.

Up at the top of a hill and surrounded by expansive lush greenery bursting with wildlife, the Mandala Spa & Resort feels isolated from the outside world. That said, it is only a five-minute walk down to White Beach’s powdery sands, and the bars and restaurants at Station Three. However, reaching the more buzzing Station Two -- home to a shopping mall and much of the island’s nightlife -- takes 20 minutes on foot, or 10 minutes by car or tuk-tuk. The nearest airport is Caticlan, over on the neighboring island of Panay, and the transfer takes 40 minutes and includes a ferry ride. However, long-haul travelers are more likely to arrive at the larger Kalibo International Airport, which is a two-hour drive away.

The 15 villas here are all private, thatched-roof structures set amid beautiful green foliage. Garden Rooms are the simplest, yet still upscale and stunning; they're outfitted with king-sized, four-poster beds in the middle of their octagonal, teak-floored rooms, as well as intricately carved headboards, dark-wood desks and rattan chairs, locally inspired artwork, and pops of deep red. Their small stone terraces have chairs and overlook the greenery. Grand Villas, meanwhile, are larger, featuring separate bedrooms and living rooms. The Pool Villas have small infinity pools and hot tubs. Bathrooms are high-end affairs across the board, with glass walls that provide scenic views, deep, stand-alone soaking tubs, and outdoor showers. Also provided are bathrobes, bidets, and a full range of toiletries. Standard amenities consist of minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, bottled water, air-conditioning, and safes. All of the villas except for the Digital Detox Villas (for obvious reasons) have free Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs.

As the name suggests, the Mandala Spa & Resort is centered around its extensive spa facilities. Guests get a free morning massage, as well as a communal yoga session, and there are numerous additional treatments that can be booked, including reiki and Ayurvedic therapies, a variety of baths and massages, and Watsu hydrotherapy. Additionally, there are a variety of fitness and dance sessions put on by local instructors. Prana Restaurant serves free breakfasts with a spread of pancakes, omelets, fresh fruit smoothies, and eggs. For lunch and dinner, there is an a la carte menu on offer, with ingredients sourced from Boracay and the surrounding islands as far as possible, and guests following detox regimes have specially designed set menus. Most guests, save those in the Grand and Pool villas, don’t have access to a swimming pool, however, and there isn’t a gym. There is free and fast Wi-Fi throughout the resort, except in the Digital Detox Villas.