Boracay Newcoast: The Island’s New Travel Destination
The summer of 2022 promises to be the most fun and travel-worthy summer we have had in the last three years. Due to the global pandemic, our summer seasons were completely shut down in 2020 and 2021 because of the lockdowns and travel restrictions that were imposed during that period. But with the country now experiencing a resurgence of travel activities as the Philippines is now down to Covid Alert Level 1, we have also taken this opportunity to visit our favorite beach getaways and go on Revenge Travel mode. Of course, Boracay is always a top priority, so we did not hesitate to book our flights and travel to the island last March. This time, we visited a lesser known part of the island called The Keyhole which is destined to be the next popular hotspot for island’s many visitors.
We’ve visited Boracay so many time already, but we were really surprised to find out that this scenic and very Instagrammable spot was just a shuttle or tricycle ride away. You can find the Keyhole inside Boracay Newcoast, a prestigious new development from Megaworld Corporation and Global Estate Resorts which includes the Fairways and Bluewaters resort and golf course. I knew that Megaworld had bought this expansive property on the other side of Boracay a few years ago and had started developing it, but I never knew that the Keyhole had always been there ever since. Boracay Newcoast has now made it easier for anyone to reach the Boracay Keyhole and take those awesome travel photos and videos.
We stayed at Discovery Shores Boracay during this trip, but travelers will be happy to know that Boracay Newcoast is now home to two new hip and savvy cost-friendly hotels, Belmont Hotel Boracay and Savoy Boracay. These can be found inside Boracay Newcoast and are just a stone’s throw away from the beach coves that will be host to many parties and activities this summer.
At the center of this one-kilometer white beach is an expansive grand plaza called Newcoast Station. This centerpiece also serves as the entertainment center and take-off point towards the other features of this integrated tourism estate. It is surrounded by hotels and an array of various leisure selections and activities to choose from.
Best of all, Boracay Newcoast is actually open to the public. While most of the visitors here are the guests staying at Belmont or Savoy Boracay, anyone can enter Newcoast Boracay with their shuttle vans or tricycles to enjoy the calmer and more secluded white beach here. We took a shuttle from Discovery Shores to Newcoast but tricycle rides are also available for around P150 per way.
On Saturdays, the Newcoast Station usually hosts parties and buffet dinners with DJs and live entertainment so the place gets a festive atmosphere. The Grill + Chill promotion features a variety of scrumptious meats and side dishes from 6:00pm to 9:00pm for P1,100 per person. There’s also complimentary shuttle service to and from D'Mall in Station 2 during this day. There's also a daily happy hour by the beach at the Newcoast Beach Bar from 3:00pm to 5:00pm where guests can get 50% off on their favorite cocktail drinks.
But the biggest tourist attraction on this side of the island is definitely the Keyhole. This natural rock formation is a majestic sight to behold from the beach cove, but it gets even better when you see it up close.
You can find a lot of new Instagram photos nowadays with the #BoracayKeyhole as the backdrop. Newcoast Boracay has made it easier to get here with its new access roads, so make sure to visit and take those great travel pictures. Belmont Boracay has a great package called Day Trippin’ which includes day use of a hotel guest room or P1,000 food and beverage credits at Belmont Café; a 30-minute complimentary massage at Aqua Spa; 20% discount at Belmont Café; exclusive access to swimming pool, fitness center, and the Newcoast Beach, plus complimentary shuttle service to and from D’Mall in Station 2 for only P1,600++ per person.
For those who always dreamed of having their own private home in Boracay, complete with the conveniences, security, and serenity of an exclusive village, now is your chance. Newcoast Village, the first luxury residential phase of Boracay Newcoast, evokes the quaint and intimate character of the world’s most famous Mediterranean coastal village. 197 Prime subdivisions lots, offered in a variety of sizes, are arranged around a private and exclusive 2.5-hectare community area. With commanding views of the ocean and island but away from the commercial noise and stresses of the typical crowds, Boracay Newcoast offers homeowners the chance to unwind, relax, and bask in the comforts of their own home.
If you want to stay in the island for just a few days, Belmont Boracay offers 442 well-appointed rooms at very affordable rates. This is also a great option for corporate groups or activities since you can fit all the guests in one place.
Boracay Newcoast will also be home soon to a convention center, so guests attending these conferences can easily go to their activities straight from the hotel.
After our short tour around Boracay Newcoast, we were treated to a vibrant dinner at Belmont Café, the all-day dining restaurant of Belmont Boracay which offers a contemporary feast for the palate. The restaurant is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm and can be found at the ground floor just in front of the lobby.
Inspired by the surrounding ridge and powdery white sand beach, the food and beverage selection celebrate the bounty of both land and sea with its Asian and Mediterranean influences. The use of quality fresh produce is part of the menu as it supports local farmers to ensure sustainability.
There’s also a small bakery outside the cafe for those quick grab and go orders.
We were quite famished from our tour around the property so we ordered some Fresh Fruit Shakes (P225) to quench our thirst. They also have cocktails like Daiquiri (P240), margarita, cuba libre, and others if you like a more exciting drink.
For our appetizer, we tried their signature Bangus Cigarillo (P350). These deep-fried smoked milkfish spring rolls are wrapped with vegetables and served with Thai dipping sauce. It’s a new way of enjoying lumpia with more Filipino flavors.
We also enjoyed the Pork Sinigang sa Batuan (P580) with its warm sour soup flavored with batuan then served with kangkong, raddish, onion, tomato, string beans, eggplant, and okra. I always love eating sinigang and this was a hearty and meaty serving.
Our favorite dish that evening was the Cashew Kare-Kare (P950). This is an upgraded version of the classic Filipino dish with its crispy fried pork belly cooked in cashew bisque and vegetables. You can really taste the difference as the cashew gives it a more pronounced and creamy flavor.
There’s also the Beef and Tuna Adobar (P800) with its surf and turf combination of braised beef in adobo sauce, garlic confit and seared tuna loin.
We also had some Grilled Squid (P650) and there other grilled items on the menu as well such as salmon, prawns, or porkchop.
Take advantage of their special promotion when you visit the Boracay Keyhole! Diners can get a 20% discount at Belmont Cafe by simply taking a photo and showing it at the restaurant. I’m sure you will get hungry after walking around Boracay Newcoast so this is a great deal for everyone.
We also had the opportunity to check out some of the rooms at Belmont Boracay. Their Executive Suite is a spacious 52 square meters and can fit 2 to 3 persons. It even comes with two balconies for twice the scenic pictures on your feed. They have an ongoing promotion where you can get room accommodations with buffet breakfast for two for only P3,750 per night until September 30, 2022. Most of the other rooms are smaller but these are definitely the best value you can get in Boracay.
We would like to thank Sarah Jane Santos, Area Digital Marketing Officer for Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, for hosting our small group and showing us around Boracay Newport. There are so many new activities and developments around this area, so I’m sure it will soon become the next big tourist hot spot in Boracay.
It’s Friday, let’s go! Another sneaky peak from my time shooting in #knoxvilletn at #meadsquarry specifically here at #thekeyhole - such an incredible place (at Ijams Nature Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEbpZE8BlN_/?igshid=zfussaodzo16
