Astoria Boracay Chic, Cool, Comfortable & Colorful

Chic, Cool, Comfortable & Colorful

(The 4 C’s of Astoria Boracay)

Written by John Tanjangco

Nestled in the heart of one the world’s most famous beaches, Astoria Boracay is the island’s newest iconic landmark. Its architecture is a unique fusion of modern, tropical and contemporary styles that was conceptually and architecturally designed to have that global appeal for all to appreciate.

Then transformation from what was once Boracay Gold Crowne Resort, to the newly opened Astoria Boracay was executed by Gallego Architects, selected specifically for their 20 year experience in designing seaside homes, villas and resorts in the Philippines and around Asia. And what an amazing transformation this is. Principal architect Eduardo Gallego shares his love for architecture with his passion for the sea, the major influence in his designs which uses natural elements in planning and constructing seaside structures.

The architectural style of Astoria Boracay captures the eye of anyone passing by its front entrance on Station 1. They stop, pause and/or pose and take photos of what is an irresistible photo-op or Facebook profile picture moment and leaves them happy and wanting to come and stay for their next trip. All because of the intriguing architecture one simply called “sexy”

The 3,000 sq. meter beach front resort and its 39 spacious and well appointed suites are all about geometric shapes with repetitive elements that seem to mimic the undulating waves.

Glass railings all throughout allow a seamless integration of the exterior and the interior spaces. The white building color allows the building to reflect the changes in the color of the sunlight throughout the day.

The lobby pavilion houses the WHITE Café and bar restaurant, with custom designed furniture that speak of the designers’ creativity and of Filipino craftsmanship. Overhead, 244 pieces of stylized angel fish uniquely appear to be swimming effortlessly into a lighted “wave” wall. On the second level is the Chill Bar where guests can lounge around with their favorite drink while watching Boracay’s famous sunset. Two function rooms are found behind the area that offers either a commanding view of the China Sea, or a view of the pool and the lush gardens. The Tropical Free-Style Cuisine and Fresh Catch of The Day buffet offerings by the beachfront is a hit with any of the local or foreign guests.

At the center of the resort is a 20 meter lap pool, with a side deck where one can lay on half submerged sun loungers. At one end of the pool is a children’s pool with an origami inspired slide providing hours of fun for the young travelers. The pool area is surrounded by a teak wood deck with creatively shaped crescent loungers that seem to float in the mid-air. At the other end of the pool is what appears to be a modern sculpture – the pool shower! This wonderfully functioning piece of art has become another one of the most photographed items at the resort.

Surrounding the pool are 3 building clusters with 39 beautiful, well appointed, color-themed suites all designed by famous interior designers Ivy and Cynthia Almario: all NON-SMOKING enclaves have sound and UV-insulated PVC doors to ensure a goodnight’s sleep. Astoria Boracay suites also feature individual climate control air conditioning, 32” LCD television with cable programming, safety deposit box, telephone with voice mail feature, personal refrigerator, complete bath amenities, complimentary coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary internet access and a balcony and/or terrace. Astoria Boracay is surrounded by lush tropical gardens containing plants that are rare to the island providing an unequaled garden experience for visitors and locals alike.

All suites have colorful graphics applied on walls and on the bathroom glazing, offering a zesty, fresh and vibrant tableau in three colors – aqua’s and teals, happy greens and sophisticated grays. Now that’s what we call real resort eye candy! The headboard with its woven detailing, is finished in an off-white color, as are most of the other furniture, to provide a neutral counter point to the vibrant graphics.

Like Boracay’s sunset, Astoria Boracay never fails to fascinate its guests and passersby with its ever changing ambience created through its wonderful use of light, form and space. The property is a design connoisseur’s and vacationer’s dream resort that looks crisp, fresh and the perfect compliment to the turquoise, white powder sand shoreline of Boracay Island.

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For inquiries, please visit www.astoriaboracay.com,

Call us (02) 910.0557, (02) 687.1111 loc. 8024

Or email us at sales@astoriaboracay.com

ASTORIA PLAZA: STYLISH & ELEGANT

ASTORIA PLAZA: STYLISH & ELEGANT

By Arnold Gamboa

Tucked in a strategic area in bustling Ortigas Center is a hotel where elegance and good service abound- Astoria Plaza.  It’s restrained modern elegance sweeps all the way from the lobby, to its coffee shop and function rooms, up to its guest rooms. The lights on the lobby’s double volume ceiling cast a subtle glow on the mirror-like black granite floor that seem to gracefully sway with the grey granite walls. In one corner of the lobby is the “crescenti silla”, an ensemble of chairs, foot stools & side tables from the highly-acclaimed jewelry & furniture designer Ann Pamintuan. On the other side is a duet of “dragnet” chairs by world-renowned Kenneth Cobonpue. A quartet of flower arrangements on the hallway catches the attention of passers - a clever creation using fresh flowers interspersed with indigenous materials and faux fleurs.

Astoria Plaza’s uncluttered & modern interiors provide the perfect setting for some notable collection of furniture & objet d’ arte (e.g. hammered copper lamps, brass pipe “wigwam” vases, vases from the “cocoon” series of Ann Pamintuan, etc), each of which are fine examples of modern design. At the Hampton Room (one of Astoria Plaza’s fashionable function rooms), maverick interior designers Ivy & Cynthia Almario designed a fabulous metal & glass lighting fixture which has seen many dreamy weddings & other social events. It’s nine other function rooms have also been the venue for product launches and conferences

Most of all, Astoria Plaza has become known in the industry for having one of the largest,  if not the largest suites in the country. All of the suites reflect the Almario trademark: modern, elegant, uncluttered, comfortable and very tasteful. It has a living and dining area, a fully functional kitchen and is WiFi ready. Small wonder that the hotel has been the favored “home away from home”  by “balikbayans” as well as some of the country’s leading corporations for their  traveling executives. All these,  coupled with the service rendered by seasoned hoteliers make Astoria Plaza, truly one of the most respected hotels in the country.

For inquiries & reservations, please call Astoria Plaza at tel. no.: 687-1111, ext. 8004. Astoria Plaza is managed with distinction by Genesis Hotels & Resorts.

Sexy is Back at ASTORIA BORACAY

Sexy is Back

at ASTORIA BORACAY

Written by John Tanjangco

Nestled in the heart of one of the world’s most famous beaches, Astoria Boracay is the island’s newest iconic landmark, thanks to its fabulous architecture of modern, tropical and contemporary styles rolled into one beautiful resort. The transformation from what was once Boracay Gold Crowne Resort, to the newly opened Astoria Boracay was executed bu Gallego architects and what an amazing transformation this has been.

The architectural style of Astoria Boracay captures the eye of anyone passing by its front entrance on Station 1. Local and foreign tourists stop, pause /or pose and take photos of what is an irresistible photo-op, or Facebook profile picture moment which leaves them happy and wanting to come and stay for their next trip, or check in the very same moment. All because of the intriguing architecture one simply called “sexy”.

What people find sexy about the Astoria Boracay is the space it provides, the selection of furniture and fixtures, and the whole mix of colors blending with the tropical yet modern design. At the White Café and bar restaurant, custom designed stylish Philippine furniture serve as theater seats to the 244 pieces of stylized angel fish hanging above, that uniquely appear to be swimming effortlessly in a wave. At the center of the resort is a 20 meter lap pool that features a side deck where guests can choose to lie on a half submerged sun loungers or on the creatively shaped crescent loungers where one seems to be floating mid-air. At the other end of the pool is the pool shower, which looks like a modern sculpture one would find in the Guggenheim Museum. This wonderfully functioning piece of art, together with the sun loungers and the 244 hanging fishes, have become the most photographed items at the resort.

The accommodations of Astoria Boracay also contribute to the sexy, modern and hip vibe at the resort. These 39 beautiful, well appointed, color-themed suites all designed by maverick sisters Cynthia and Ivy Almario are NON-SMOKING enclaves with UV and sound insulating PVC doors to ensure a goodnight’s sleep. In lay man’s lingo, that equates to sound proof rooms, a first in the island, and raising the bar several notches higher for all to aspire to have. All suites boast of colorful graphics applied on walls and on the bathroom glazing, offering that fresh feel in a vibrant tableau of three colors – aqua’s and lime green, happy greens and sophisticated grays. Now that’s what we call resort eye candy! Headboards with its woven detailing, is finished in an off-white color, as are most of the other furniture, to provide a neutral counter point to the vibrant graphics. The suites also feature: individual climate control air conditioning, 32” LCD television with cable programming, complete bath amenities, complimentary coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary internet access and a balcony and/or terrace facing the surrounding lush tropical garden where swings await those who want to spend quiet moments at the resort.

Just like the island’s sunset views, Astoria Boracay never fails to fascinate its guests and passersby with its ever changing ambiance created through its wonderful use of light, form and space and selection of furnishings and design. The property is a traveler’s dream resort that has definitely brought sexy back into the turquoise, white powder sand shoreline of Boracay Island. Astoria Boracay is managed by Genesis Hotels and Resorts.

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For inquiries, please visit www.astoriaboracay.com, call us (02) 910.0557, (02) 687.1111 local 8024 or email us at sales@astoriaboracay.com