Mandala Spa and Resort Villas: Secluded Getaway in Boracay

Whenever there is an option between a relaxing yet secluded resort and another one that is more centrally located, I always find myself gravitating towards the first. I was looking for such resorts in Boracay when I found Mandala Spa and Resort Villas.

We stayed here for 2 nights. Here is my honest review of Mandala Spa and Resort Villas in Boracay.

About Mandala Resort

Mandala Spa and Resort Villas is an “oasis of natural beauty” located along the main road in Station 3. It is famous for its spa, which is said to be the best in the island. It also has an on-site restaurant called Prana, which serves healthy dishes, including vegetarian meals.

It is about a 10-minute walk from the beachfront in Station 3, which is an uncrowded part of White Beach. There are no nearby shops and restaurants from the resort, so you need to head down to the beach or get a trike to take you to the commercial spots in Boracay.

Our Stay at the Garden Villa

We actually stayed first at Henann Park Resort in Station 2. From there, we took a trike to the beachfront in Station 3 for lunch since it was still early and then walk towards the resort.

I already read about the short walk, but what we didn’t know is that it would be uphill. Since we were carrying our bags, we were already a little out of breath and probably looked lost and tired that a trike passing by actually offered to get us there for free.

We entered a resort filled with so much green, it almost felt like a jungle inside. We headed straight to the reception area.

Our check-in was stressful and probably something that guests should be wary about in the future. I confirmed with the receptionist whether the breakfast was already included in our booking and she said it was not. I was confused since I was sure I booked one with breakfast. Sure enough, I checked their website (since I booked with them directly) and it says that each booking comes with complimentary breakfast, a welcome fruit basket, and daily yoga class. I was then told that their website was not updated and as such the inclusions did not apply.

After going back and forth, I told them I would just like a full refund and we would book in another resort. After that, the issue was settled fast, although the yoga class was still not available since there was no instructor at that time.

It was stressful and we wasted a lot of time, but moving on. Let me tour you around our garden villa.

Our room

The moment we entered the room, the scent of wood and aromatics filled my nose. It was pleasant, like being inside an actual spa. Gumamela flowers were scattered decoratively inside.

There was a large bed, a desk area, and a round sofa cushion. There was complimentary water, coffee, and tea.

The bathroom area was also spacious, with an outdoor shower (with organic soap, shampoo, and conditioner), a beautiful bath tub, and a toilet and an old-school commode with bidet. I’d already seen this type of bidet in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, but I still didn’t know how to use it. We had to google it online haha.

There were also bath robes and plenty of towels.

Hali was particularly interested on the walls outside because it was made with coral stones. I was in love with the bath tub, and since the resort has no pool, I simply made use of the tub for warm baths in the evening.

There was also a veranda with a rocking chair overlooking a small garden.

I really liked our room. It’s hard not too — it was beautiful and there was so much detail and care provided in the amenities inside. It was a nice home away from home, and the staff was immaculate and easy to approach. They even have a sun-down service where they will clean up and turn down the curtains for privacy.

The Food

Mandala Spa and Resort Villas has a dining area called Prana Restaurant, which serves healthy and delicious food.

Our room comes with a complimentary breakfast — a bowl of muesli with fruits and our choice of coffee or shake. The muesli bowl was good and filling, though I think it is a bit expensive if ordered ala carte (it was priced at P390). We also had chicken satay, which was authentic tasting and delicious.

There are no other nearby restaurants, so you really need to head down to Station 3 for dining options. At least it is close to Nagisa Japanese Restaurant, which is one of our favorite restaurants in Boracay.

Other Resort Facilities

One reason I booked in this resort is that I thought they had a pool. I saw previous reviews and social posts where there was clearly a pool overlooking the ocean. When we checked in, the staff told me that they no longer have a pool since it was not part of the property bought by the new management. Oof.

This is another thing that the resort could improve on. In my opinion, a secluded resort needs to be all-inclusive — you should have an easy access to a beach or have a resort pool (or even both). None of which is here. Even the yoga classes were not happening when we visited. So basically there is nothing else to do aside from staying inside the villa.

Like I said above, Mandala Spa and Resort Villas is famous for their spa services. We didn’t avail one since I find it too expensive — a package for one person is almost equal to a 2 night’s stay in the villa. Bali had amazing spa centers with flower baths and even they are not as expensive as this one. However, there are a lot of positive reviews for the spa so it’s probably worth splurging on if you have the budget

Overall

I liked our room and its amenities, the complimentary breakfast, and the service of the staff in particular. Everyone was just so nice and friendly.

That saying, here are things that weren’t to my liking:

• Booking: Misleading information on booking website.
• Location: It’s a 10 minute walk to the beachfront in Station 3. The walk to the resort is uphill and can be tiring.
• Resort: The tropical ambiance is beautiful, but for a “relaxing” accommodation there was loud party music coming from a nearby establishment at night. We just ignored it, but for others this can be an issue.

I still liked our stay overall, but honestly I feel like for a luxury resort they could really do with a lot of improvements to keep their villas up to par with other accommodations in Boracay.

Here’s a short video tour of Madala Spa and Resort Villas:

https://www.tiktok.com/@taraletsanywhere/video/7143793712751987994

Book your stay here

You can book discounted rooms at Mandala Spa and Resort Villas via Agoda.

Here are things you should know:

• Check-in is 1PM, and check-out is 11AM the next day.
• Breakfast inclusion depends on your booking.
• Transfer service from/to Caticlan Port is available for P150 per ride.

Have you been to Mandala Spa and Resort Villas? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments section below!

What to read next:

Visiting Boracay? You might be interested in these:

• Updated Travel Guide to Boracay
• Boracay Food Trip: Best Restaurants in Boracay
• Best Boracay Buffet Restaurants
• Nalka Seafood Restaurant

Looking for accommodations?

• Best Resorts in Boracay
• Affordable Boracay Resorts and Hotels
• Boracay Villas for Family Getaways
• Henann Park Resort
• Mandala Spa and Resort Villas