Microtel by Wyndham Boracay

The Microtel brand has almost 20 properties in the Philippines, and this hotel offers the same reliability and on-brand simplicity. From the beach, the Microtel resembles a cute chalet-style home, surrounded by palm trees and enclosed by a bamboo fence. Inside, it’s well-maintained, with simple decor of dark wood furniture, cream-tile floors, and whitewashed walls. There's a touch of local design throughout from warm tones and local artwork, but overall the style here isn't memorable. Outside by the restaurant and bar, there’s a beachy vibe, with chalkboard specials, barbecue nights, and tables that spread out toward the sand. The quieter location appeals to lots of families and couples wanting to avoid a central, crowded location.

The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham has a narrow beachfront plot on Diniwid Beach, north of White Beach in Station 1. The beach is smaller and quieter than White Beach, though not as impressive. It's also worth noting that previous guests comment on drainage issues on the road to the hotel depending on the season. The Microtel sits between two hotels, and the rest of the area is made up of small local grocery stores and chilled-out bars. The popular Spider House cafe is a two-minute walk along the beach. This part of the island is quieter and farther from the lively attractions of White Beach, although the hotel provides a free shuttle service to transport guests to and from Station 2’s popular D’Mall. Most attractions -- such as Willy’s Rock and the Holy Rosary Parish Church -- are a 10-minute motorbike journey away. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from the island's jetty port. Travelers should allow just over an hour, including a ten-minute ferry ride, to reach Boracay’s Cataclan Airport, or two-and-a-half hours to Kalibo Airport. 

Simple rooms have cool cream tiles, dark wood, and warm summery tones, though overall the look will seem dated to most travelers. We also spotted a bit of wear on things like furniture and door frames. Amenities are basic, with air-conditioning and a TV. There’s no mini-fridge but previous guests have successfully requested one from the management. Wi-Fi is only available for a fee. Rooms are divided into three categories: Queen Rooms, Queen Rooms with Beach View, and Queen Suites. Queen Rooms and Queen Rooms with Beach View -- that look out over the beach through the palms to the sea -- have two queen beds. Suites have one queen bed and are more spacious, with a seating area, bar area, and basic kitchenette with kettle, fridge, and microwave. Compact bathrooms differ by category; in the Queen Rooms they are more like wet rooms, with a walk-in shower, while Suites have a shower/tub combo. Hairdryers are provided.

The hotel’s design makes the most of its beachfront location. All of its facilities (aside from the large lobby and a simple meeting room with projector and plastic beach chairs) are open-air and face the beach. The airy lobby has reading nook, basic computer station, and TV corner. Guests can help themselves to water from the water dispenser and coffee throughout the day. In the area leading down to the beach, there’s a small pool. Mama’s Fish House is the open-air poolside restaurant, serving up seafood specials and crepes of the day with nightly barbecues. A simple continental breakfast is included. At one end of the restaurant, the Coconut Bar has a daily happy hour and is a great spot at sunset. For kids, there’s a small outdoor play area with slide and a toy corner. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby but costs extra in the rooms. Given the quieter location away from the island’s main attractions, the free shuttle to and from the popular D’Mall in Station 2 is a nice touch.