RedDoorz Plus @ Secret Garden Boracay — Hotel in Malay

We transferred here after I made a quick survey online on where to stay since our flight got cancelled and the earliest flight home was not until the next 3 days. Our previous airbnb was in between Station 2 and 3, I wanted to try staying near station 1 and 2 and this place was perfect- this fit the bill as I also looked for a cheaper range accommodation. My vacation budget was limited already because of our extension due to the flight cancelation. Had a hassle-free online booking same day we checked in, and a warm welcome at the front desk. ||This place was perfect for saving what was left of my cash (not all ATMs dispensed cash, we were caught between typhoons Urduja and Vinta during our trip) but they also have a convenient terminal for debit and credit cards. It is near affordable eateries like Lola's pizza, Andok's, Munchies- that offers a diverse mexican/filipino menu- McDonald's, and of course this hotel had its own restaurant/cafeteria that served great "silog" meals which can be brought to the room if requested, and most importantly at this point in our trip, cheap Filipino fare which we enjoyed several times, as well as a convenient last breakfast of our trip before finally heading home. ||This place is also near laundry shops, unfortunately parts of the island had no water that time, again the typhoon's fault, so laundry shops were impossible, 2 to 3 days pickup. I was able to do some laundry in our room especially that we were lacking clothes by then. DMall and the White Beach is roughly a 5 to 10 min walk from here. ||The room we were given, the stargazer (rooms are named after flowers) was spacious, had a nice selection of channels on cable (it was consistently raining and we just wanted to stay in the room for longer hours now that we have been around the island much longer than planned) very cold a/c, another sink apart from the bathroom sink, hot shower, mini fridge and electric water kettle for late night hot chocolate - some Swiss Miss that I bought at a nearby convenience store. The only downside I saw was the wooden floors that might be noisy to the guests next door or if you're with a companion. But I slept like a log even when there were guests in the other rooms so maybe if you're a light sleeper, request to stay where the floors aren't creaky. ||The manager, and owner I suppose, was kind enough to arrange a tricycle ride for us to be able get to the jetty port on time, anticipating the holiday crowds. We spent Christmas eve here. It was very peaceful waking up on Christmas morning with our garden view from the room's hallway/balcony and to be greeted by their cheerful staff.||Even if I have ample budget on my next visit, I will consider staying here again for the many plus factors: location, amenities, safety (there is a security guard and it's in a gated compound), hospitality and value for money. ||Thank you Secret Garden, my daughter and I enjoyed our peaceful Christmas eve with you. It was indeed a silent and holy night experience wherein we just prayed before getting a good night's sleep. Looking forward to...

I wish I could give more stars just based on the staff who are wonderful and hard working. They always put the effort into being polite, friendly and helpful. The other long term residents are wonderful people too. Unfortunately my experience was spoiled when it came to interacting with the owner.

The luxury rooms are big enough for a comfortable long stay but are not luxurious. As you can see by the photos, the way to deal with the window from cockroaches was to use tape. The office desk I had was removed and never replaced because of termites, that then started on the bed and the tape was the resolution for this too.

The biggest issue was the pricing. At every opportunity there was an uncomfortable conversation with the owner about paying more money than agreed. After the first month there was a price increase. There were then additional requests to pay for the gas in the kitchen and then the final upset was the 50% increase in room rent for the last two weeks of staying there, I was only told the owner wanted more money a week into the 2 weeks period. Unfortunately most interactions with the owner were cold and rude, this was nothing like the rest of the team who are lovely.

Another major issue I had was the way short stay guests behaved on several occasions. The walls and floors are thin and noise travelled easily. My final weekend there I was awake at 1.30am and 3am on the Friday. I had to go tell the guests on the Saturday at 2.30am as they were being even louder. This wasn't the first time we had problems there with noisy guests. Alongside this I had been asked to move rooms twice because short term guests wanted my room, I was living in this room for months not days so it...

When my other hotel stay fell through, a local brought me to the laid back and quiet of the secret garden. Was perfectly located for kiting at Bulabog beach and easy walking trips to D Mall and other beaches. It’s away from the mob scene which was ideal. Very affordable, the room was clean, simple and everything worked well. AC cranked if I used it. If I’d stayed longer they’d transfer a small fridge into the room. The staff were helpful and always there to answer questions. These ladies are humble, no attitude and kind. There’s a new, modern non pushy restaurant that has normal priced dishes and options for breakfast lunch and dinner. They made me custom made dishes for my special diet without question. Sweet people. The garden area creates a cool and quiet place to just chill after experiencing the throngs of visitors or a day in the sun and wind.

For a budget hotel this place is a gem. Thank you...