Flavors of Boracay: Touchdown at HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay

Three days in Boracay with a curated itinerary showcasing the varied and eclectic diversity of culinary offerings both old and new revealed a new face of the island reflecting renewed optimism as it rises from the post-pandemic experience. Hosted by Patrick and Shria Florencio, the dynamic young couple represents the island's rising batch of inventive restaurateurs sharing their own innovative dining concepts adding to the many colorful layers of flavors to Boracay. The first in a series of thirteen blog posts, this year's edition of Flavors of Boracay takes your palate on a tasty journey of the emerging culinary scene of the famed island. Ready? Then, read on...

The past two years of the quarantine experience have been extremely challenging, with its impact still felt in the island paradise. The slow and sometimes painful transition to a new normal devastated countless small local businesses resulting in closures. Amidst this backdrop, familiar names have endured while the entry of new players promise to inject a vibrant shot of new life to the island. Roughly less than an hour's flight from Manila, we arrived at Boracay greeted by overcast skies. But despite the grey clouds, that familiar island mood takes over...

...and soon you're immersed in the Boracay groove. The air and sea rejuvenates your mind and body starting a chain of experiences to kick off your new Boracay adventure. Processing at the port takes mere minutes and after satisfying all the mandated protocols you're on your way.

Finally open once more, Boracay is ready to welcome back visitors from all over the world. And it's good to see the crowds back at the island. A shuttle from HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay whisks you off to your home for the next three days on the island...

...an imposing structure along the Main Road of Station 2 with its unique circular design. I remember Boracay before the pandemic, seen it during the zoning and I have to admit, the island's looking pretty good. 

The 126-room lifestyle resort with its cool contemporary design highlights a wide open free-flowing space combining both retail and dining outlets, Station X and Street Market in one self-contained property. It's an innovative feature unique to HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay with its lifestyle concept.  `

Once you step inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to the impressive swimming pool and pool bar as the design focal point. Each space from the lobby to the pool flows seamlessly with the retail and dining establishments of Station X and the Street Market, all located inside HUE Hotels & Resorts. 

The contemporary circular design becomes a recurring theme throughout the property generously draped in natural light... 

...with the pool as a key element and feature of HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay. Like many establishments around the country during the lockdown, the property remained closed for several months due to restrictions in travel. An official partner of Lysol, HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay implements all the mandatory health and safety protocols with constant sanitation as part of the training and day-to-day operations. The transition to a new normal may be an added layer woven into the Boracay experience, but the island vibe still comes through. Boracay for many is, after all a state of mind. 

You can say my new stories of the island began four years ago when I first met Patrick and Shria Florencio at a commemorative dinner for the late Anthony Bourdain four years ago at U Hotels (more on that memorable dinner on my post, A Cook's Tour with No Reservations to Parts Unknown: Chef Decker Gokioko's Chef's Table Tribute to Anthony Bourdain at U Hotels) followed by my first visit to Nonie's back in 2019 (more on my post, Flavors of Boracay: Eat Good, Feel Good at Nonie's). Boracay then and now can be viewed as two very different islands with the transition to the post pandemic phase. Reeling from the lasting impact of the quarantine experience, Boracay's culinary landscape has evolved and adapted in a new normal injected with fresh, bold and new flavors along with familiar mainstays in the flavorful fabric of the island. It's these stories that Patrick and Shria Florencio shared in the three days spent in the island, stories that inspire hope and a better appreciation of Boracay. And yes, Boracay still has so much more to offer.

The three-day itinerary included visits to Chan's Boracay (see my post, Flavors of Boracay: #TakeAChans with the Hawker Style Cuisine of Chan's Boracay), Muchos Latin American Kitchen & Bar (more on my post, Flavors of Boracay: That Cool Latin Vibe by the Beach at Muchos Latin American Kitchen & Bar), Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen, Two Brown Boys, Villa Caemilla, Nonie's, DiniBeach Bar & Restaurant, Jujumburi, Mojitoya by Fallen Angel, Love Shack Bistro and Ice Flakes Boracay plus a cool dive experience with Island Staff Diving Tour. Each stop offered its own unique flavors adding to a memorable weave of the Boracay vibe with stories that reflect the spirit of the island community. 

And that story begins with the first of thirteen posts on the island at HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay. After check-in, a welcome drink brings a refreshing shot of sweetness... 

...perking you up for the day's adventures. And Patrick and Shria Florencio prepared a comprehensive itinerary for the first day back in Boracay. HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay with its central location is the ideal staging point for a taste of Boracay after the pandemic.

The countless closures of small businesses due to the pandemic casts a sobering and lingering reminder of the constant changes in any cycle, but the tight-knit community of business owners have banded together not only to adapt but to aid and assist one another through the many challenges of a new normal that's here to stay. As you head up the room to freshen up, the property's sleek lines seem to be pointing to a brighter and more optimistic future for the island's many businesses rising from the quarantine experience. It's stories of the island's popular mainstays riding through uncertain times and the entry of new players on the culinary scene that's bringing a refreshed spirit to Boracay.

HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay is one of those properties that remained dormant during the long days of the quarantine, now fully open and operational to accept guests once more. 

Throughout the property, one is reminded of the resiliency and indomitable spirit of the island as it rises once more in a new normal. There is a pervasive sense of pride among business owners and locals, coming together in perhaps one of the greatest challenges in the island's history.  

A spacious and elegant Deluxe King is my home at HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay for an insightful look of the island post pandemic. With all the modern amenities for the modern traveler, HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay is ideally located with easy access to all the popular destinations of the island. 

The little touches from the hotel and our hosts made my stay even more special... 

...with a complimentary bottle of Original Kombucha from Nonie's Boracay as well as coffee, tea and water in a glass bottle. Reflecting more sustainable practices, the absence of plastic bottles is a positive sign in the right direction. 

Our hosts also packed a kit containing the rich and diverse flavors of the island's culinary scene with jars from Nonie's and Muchos Latin American Kitchen & Bar...

...along with an authentic Biryani Kit from Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen. It's a preview of even more flavors yet to come in a resurgent Boracay rising from the quarantine experience.

Guests at HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay are provided with a cool wrist band serving as your access to the property's elevators and your room. Gone are the days of lost key cards with the property's innovative wrist bands for a worry-free getaway.

The well trained staff at the property ensures your stay is as perfect as it should be, with a special mention to Tricia of HUE Hotels & Resorts Boracay for ensuring my packages were ready for check-in at the airport. It's service like this that makes your experience in the island even more memorable. 

How has the island changed since my last visit? The multi-faceted layers of the island's complex weave is now made even more colorful with the diverse new culinary offerings in a vibrant restaurant scene re-emerging from the pandemic experience. Refreshed and rejuvenated, we're ready for the day's full itinerary prepared by Patrick and Shria Florencio in Boracay. Hungry? Stay tuned for the next twelve posts on the flavors of Boracay...