When it comes to Philippines' best beaches, I have been to El Nido in Palawan to Caramoan in Camarines. There's another one top - notch and world - famous island though that remains very elusive to me, Boracay. I was asking myself why when during my 6 - month stint of doing a mystery flight to a local airlines, Boracay is always a choice but I keep on saying I will have this trip the next time around. Last July, I got a chance to visit this party island. Finally, I reached Boracay and ticked off Aklan, the province where it is located in my quest to visit all the 81 provinces of my country. Aklan is my 42nd! Together with my fellow blogger friends, we flew to check out Mad Monkey Hostel's newly - opened branch in Boracay.
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| Snapshots of Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay. To see these close up, click here |
Mad Monkey Hostel is the biggest chain of backpacker slash party hostels in Cambodia. They have branches in Siem Reap, Kampot, Koh Rong Samloem and Phnom Penh. I have visited the one in Phnom Penh last October, you can click here to read my review. Mad Monkey Hostel is well - known mostly to young Western backpackers exploring Southeast Asia particularly in Cambodia. Even here in the Philippines, whenever I join travel meetups, there's always a fellow traveler who would say he/she has stayed at Mad Monkey Hostel.
Checking in
It only took us 10 minutes or so to check in because we were booked in advance. We stayed at a private room with twin beds. There's a deposit of Php 100 for the room key and a valid ID to be given to the staff. These will be given back upon check out. For foreign guests, they need to give their passport.
The Mad Monkey Hostel Atmosphere
Space isn't an issue at Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay. Everything can be reached by a few minutes of walking. From the reception, to the bar, to the pool and to the rooms. To a city rat this sight is a relief. I love the integration of native products like these wooden lamps and chair made of rattan dotted along the hallway to all three floors of the building.
The Bar
Mad Monkey Hostel is a party hostel. When the night comes, the bar is where most of the guests gather to drink and have fun. Of the 3 nights we stayed, we were only able to join the third night. The first night, we were so tired from our flight so we slept early. The second night, it was raining. The bar is set in open air so it was almost empty but on our last night, we made sure that we join the party. There were FREE shots of drinks like the grenade which is 40% alcohol every hour. Some play beer pong and some smoke shisha. I look around, mostly guests are the typical young white foreigners. Make sure you are mingling with others or at least holding a glass of beer or so. Look for Andy, the Party Rep. He is a very funny bloke who is tasked to make sure you are having an awesome time while you are there.
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| The bar. Credit to Lariza G. |
Note: The bar is only open until 1130pm to give way to a good night sleep to all the guests and neighbors. You have two options: go back to your room or join others to hunt another bar outside the hostel.
The Swimming Pool
Our favorite spot when we are too lazy to go to the beach, the pool! Mad Monkey Hostel has the biggest pool to date. How can we not say no to an early - morning dip and before - sleeping swim every single day when we were there?
Note: Outsiders who buy food or drinks at the bar entitles them a FREE use of the swimming pool.
The Room
Our A/C room is spacious considering it has 2 single beds inside. There's a tall mirror, a short wooden table, 2 light shades on top of our beds, a place where you can hang your clothes and a drawer for your used clothes. The bathroom is pretty big. There's a free bar of Safeguard soap and 2 towels and 2 rolls of tissue paper.
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| Credits to Ace Paragoyo for his Instagram video |
Room rates:
Dorm bed As low as Php 400 per bed. You have an option to stay at a four - person or eight - person room. It is first - come - first - serve basis.
Note: Breakfast is not included. Both of these rooms have own private CR.
Food and Restaurant
There's currently few choices of food given the fact that this hostel just opened up last May. The restaurant is still under construction, it is located upstairs, on top of the front desk. We only ate our breakfasts here because and the rest we ate outside. I am sure in a few months time, the restaurant will be open and ready to serve a lot more dishes.
These are what we ate every morning. Clockwise:
Filipino Breakfast (Php 200): pork tocino or beef tapa, 2 eggs, garlic rice and papaya salad
Eggs and toasts Php (120) : eggs as you like them, 2 slices of big toast
Full English (Php 250): 2 eggs, bacon, homemade sausage, baked beans, grilled tomato, sauteed mushroom and toas
Healthy Monkey (Php 220): muesli, natural yoghurt and seasonal fruit
and this one we ate faster than we were able to take a picture
Banana Pancakes (Php 200): two big banana pancakes with maple syrup
Location
From Caticlan port, there are tricycles and minivan that can drop you off right at the front door of Mad Monkey Hostel. If the driver isn't familiar, tell him it is the place of the former Mayflower Hotel. It takes about 20 minutes without traffic. Just pay Php 20 per head or you can hire the minivan for Php 250 good for 12 persons. Tell the driver it is along Bulabog Road near the 24/7 building. Mad Monkey Hostel isn't at the beachfront but it is still at a walking distance to Station 1 for 15 minutes and Bulabog Beach for 10 minutes.
To book your stay / know more about Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay, please check the following information:
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/madmonkeyboracay/
Website: http://madmonkeyhostels.com/boracay/
Address: Bulabog Beach Road, Balabag, Boracay, 5608 Aklan
Phone: 0905 247 9898
From Caticlan port, there are tricycles and minivan that can drop you off right at the front door of Mad Monkey Hostel. If the driver isn't familiar, tell him it is the place of the former Mayflower Hotel. It takes about 20 minutes without traffic. Just pay Php 20 per head or you can hire the minivan for Php 250 good for 12 persons. Tell the driver it is along Bulabog Road near the 24/7 building. Mad Monkey Hostel isn't at the beachfront but it is still at a walking distance to Station 1 for 15 minutes and Bulabog Beach for 10 minutes.
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| With fellow bloggers and Luke, GM of Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay. Credit to Lariza G. |
"For me, Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay is the place to stay mostly for young, single and ready to mingle type of backpackers and couples who are up for adventure. This is not the place for those who are looking for retreat, soul - searching kind and not keen to meet new friends. You have to get out there at the swimming pool by day, join the Booze Cruise (island hopping tour with unlimited beer on the boat) and head to the bar for some drinks by night.
Your stay with Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay could also make a difference. Like its sister hostels in Cambodia, they are taking one step at a time to give back to the local community. Their most recent Fundraising Pool Party was able to raise Php 50, 000. This money was used to donate two LCD Digital Projectors at Balabag National High School."
Your stay with Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay could also make a difference. Like its sister hostels in Cambodia, they are taking one step at a time to give back to the local community. Their most recent Fundraising Pool Party was able to raise Php 50, 000. This money was used to donate two LCD Digital Projectors at Balabag National High School."
To book your stay / know more about Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay, please check the following information:
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/madmonkeyboracay/
Website: http://madmonkeyhostels.com/boracay/
Address: Bulabog Beach Road, Balabag, Boracay, 5608 Aklan
Phone: 0905 247 9898
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