There are moments in life that once seemed so far away that they almost felt imaginary…read more
For my husband and I, staying at the Shangri-La Boracay was one of those moments.
We were actually supposed to come the previous year for our anniversary celebration, but life had other plans. We became very ill and had to cancel the trip entirely. After recovering and getting back to our normal lives, my beloved husband decided it was finally time to make our long-awaited anniversary getaway happen.
So, we flew all the way from the quiet plains of South Dakota to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
And honestly?
It was worth every mile.
From the moment we landed, the experience felt seamless. Representatives from the hotel, dressed in their elegant red uniforms, greeted us immediately at the airport and handled everything from there. We were escorted into a comfortable shuttle van and brought down to the hotel's exclusive jetty area so we could transfer directly to Shangri-La without the usual chaos and confusion of island transfers.
The private jetty ride itself was beautiful. The water was sparkling beneath us, the breeze was warm, and seeing the resort slowly appear in the distance felt surreal after waiting so long for this trip.
When we finally arrived, we were welcomed by native performers, music, and smiling staff who somehow made us feel both important and completely relaxed at the same time.
Since we booked a suite, we were assigned a personal floor valet service that operated around the clock in shifts. They even gave us a dedicated cell phone that directly connected us to whichever valet was currently on duty. I have stayed at many beautiful hotels over the years, but that level of attentiveness was genuinely impressive.
Our suite was absolutely stunning.
We overlooked the beach and had both indoor and outdoor dining areas, along with an outdoor hot tub that had already been prepared for us with warm bubbling water and flower petals. After the long journey, we wound up taking a nap almost immediately.
When we woke up, we wandered down to the beach and that was the moment everything really sank in.
The beachfront at Shangri-La feels like its own secluded world away from the busier parts of Boracay. The white sand was impossibly soft and bright, the water was cool without being cold, and the atmosphere was peaceful in a way that almost felt intoxicating. There was even a beach valet nearby ready to bring drinks while we relaxed near the shore.
Mostly, though, I just loved spending uninterrupted time with my honey.
No stress.
No rushing.
No obligations.
Just the sound of the water, warm sea air, and the feeling that after years of working hard and pushing through difficult seasons of life, we had finally reached a chapter where we could stop and truly enjoy one another again.
That evening we were shuttled to our anniversary dinner at Rima, which deserves its own separate review entirely because it was spectacular.
The next morning we enjoyed one of the most beautiful breakfast buffets we've had in years. Fresh tropical fruits, pastries, Filipino and international selections -- everything was beautifully presented and constantly refreshed.
We spent several days there simply relaxing, walking the beach, enjoying the suite, and appreciating how fortunate we were to finally make this trip happen.
This is not an inexpensive hotel by any stretch of the imagination. Even with the perks my husband receives from frequently staying at Shangri-La properties, our suite still cost well into the four-figure range per night.
But unlike some luxury hotels that feel expensive simply for the sake of being expensive, Shangri-La Boracay truly delivered an experience that felt restorative, romantic, and unforgettable.
Leaving was honestly depressing.
But as my husband and I sat preparing to leave paradise, we were already talking about returning.
Hopefully later this year in 2026.
