Bulabog Beach, Boracay, Philippines
On quiet Bulabog Beach, prime for water sports
Modern, apartment-style rooms with kitchens and flat-screen TVs
Large balconies with partial ocean views
7th Note Cafe Bar serves simple meals, gluten-free items, and room service
Lagoon pool with hot tub and kiddy pool
Sunken pool bar with generous happy hour specials
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms can sleep up to eight guests
Airport transfer services (for a fee)
Ocean is quite rough during peak season (October through June)
Breakfast isn't included
Not in heart of popular restaurant and bar zone
Non-suite rooms are small and dark
The 7Stones Boracay Beach is a mid-range, mellow-vibed hotel with 28 modern rooms set on the island's main water-sports area of Bulabog Beach. Many of the serene and clean-lined rooms come with contemporary kitchens, and all feature free Wi-Fi, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and balconies that overlook the ocean or the meandering lagoon pool. The hotel has a simple, open-air restaurant and two rooftop decks with ocean views, but the main draw here is the friendly swim-up pool bar. Guests can also belly up to a beach-side tiki bar and watch the kitesurfers, who take advantage of the gusty winds that blow here during peak tourist season. Beach-loving families with young children might want to consider a stay at similarly priced and Monaco Suites de Borocay, which has a calmer beach and dolphin-shaped infinity pool.
Scene
A contemporary beachfront property with a laid-back surfer vibe
Surrounded by small hotels and residences, the laid-back 7Stones is nestled inside a hidden, brick-paved alley overhung with leafy vines. Divided into two sections, the low-slung and contemporary hotel's 28 rooms feature curved terraces with geometric iron railings that face out over a 25-meter lagoon pool that snakes toward the ocean. Steps at the bottom of the property lead to a narrow stretch of gray sand where the hotel has a beach bar, loungers, and a few plastic tables and chairs.
Inside, a corner reception area and small gift shop share space with a restaurant that opens out to the pool. Simple and unfussy public areas feature modern beige tile floors, terra-cotta painted walls, and a minimum amount of decorative accents. Roof decks with built-in benches and a few potted plants top both sections of the building, offering views of the beach and neighboring rooftops.
Location
On Borocay's quiet west side, overlooking a premier kitesurfer's beach
The hotel is located on the east side of the island overlooking reef-protected Bulabog Beach, a popular spot for Jet Skiing, sailing, and kitesurfing thanks to its stiff seasonal breezes. Popular White Beach, with its calmer waters (and crowds of tourists), is within a 10-minute walk across the island. Shops, bars and restaurants are also within a short walk at D'Mall and clustered in bustling Sections 2 and 3 on Boracay's west side. Willy’s Rock, a volcanic rock formation topped by a small shrine, is within a seven-minute drive.
Rooms
Spacious, contemporary rooms with well-equipped kitchens and large balconies
The hotel has 28 rooms and apartment-style suites, all with clean-lined wood furniture and wall-mounted shelves in chocolate brown that harmonize with the terra-cotta or harvest gold accent walls and neutral tile floors throughout. Suites feature open kitchens with breakfast bars and Euro-style cabinets that are stocked with dishes and cutlery; smaller rooms have wet bars. All rooms open out to curved balconies and come with minibars, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Large bathrooms, some with jetted tubs, have wall-mounted sinks stocked with upscale toiletries and open walk-in showers. Free Wi-Fi is generally quite reliable. The largest rooms sleep up to eight guests.
Features
Direct beach access, pool with two hot tubs, a swim-up bar and separate kiddy pool, a casual restaurant and free Wi-Fi
While Bulabog Beach is just three steps below the hotel's pool area, many guests prefer to hang by the hot tubs or friendly swim-up bar, which features well-priced happy hour drinks. There's also a convenient shallow pool where little ones can splash. Simple meals (including gluten-free items) are served at the 7th Note Cafe Bar or directly on the beach. The hotel hosts a weekly steak night on the beach. Room service is available and breakfast costs extra. Wi-Fi is free and generally works well.