• Sand Castles Resort Boracay is the edge of the pathway along White Beach. Greg Hutchison, an Australian and his Filipia wife, Viveca, run the resort.

A well-planned bamboo structure is the main building that houses the reception are and a restaurant. In small lounge with a TV, set, a refrigerator and books. Tea and coffee are also available. The restaurant — with elevated alcoves that you can reserve for intimate dinners — specializes in Thai cuisine.

Some of the rooms are located on the second floor of the main building. These furnished with wood furniture which is more elaborate than in the cottage rooms. There is also a luxurious, exquisite honeymoon suite with large picture windows that open directly onto the ocean — very romantic and tastefully decorated with colonial style furniture, exposed roof beams, attractive fabrics, colored mats, clay vases and plants.

The other rooms are in bungalows behind the main building. These are spread out, facing one another on each side of the garden.

Three are individual rooms, while the six others are duplexes., The bungalows are elevated, each one with its own terrace that looks out to a garden of talisay and coconut trees. The cottages open to this garden through sliding doors and capiz windows. In a shaded alley is a pergola covered with bougainvillea creepers. All the structures use nipa, bamboo and wood. The bamboo work on the terraces is delicate — fine slats for flooring and thicker poles with geometric motifs for the railings.

The interiors of the bungalows are done in traditional style with pinkish wood for the floor, sawali (rectangles of braided wicker) walls and ceiling, and bamboo furniture. The decor make use of handicrafts from various region of the Philippines. The handwoven bedcovers and murals come either from Ifugao or Mindanao. Pottery, mats and colored straw hats adorn the walls. Green plants and gauzy white curtains in the window make for a picture perfect effect. The bathrooms are bright and comfortable.

The Hutchisons manage Tribal Adventure Tours that organizes off-the-beaten-track excursions.

How to get there

By air, land and sea, 55-minute daily flights on PAL or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Kalibo, 90 minutes by air-conditioned bus on Southwest Tours from Kalibo airport to Caticlan Jetty Port. Departures depend on flight schedules, 20 minutes by banca from Caticlan Jetty port to the resort.

Rates:

• 1 bedroom apartment mandaya             83.33USD/night

incl. taxes & fees                                            101.67USD

• 1 bedroom apartment beachfront         105.19USD/night

incl. taxes & fees                                           128.33USD

• 2 bedroom apartment maranaw           191.25USD/night

incl. taxes & fees                                           233.33 USD

• 2 bedroom apartment hanuno’o           260.93USD/night

incl. taxes & fees                                          318.33 USD

• 2 bedroom apartment ibaloi                  121.59 USD/night

incl. taxes & fees                                          148.33 USD

Amenities & Services:

• Tribal Adventures
• Watersports
• Outdoor sports
• Dining