Dave's Straw Hat Inn

A quiet place with a cute charm to its separate huts and private rooms, each with an outside balcony. It seems ideal for one person or a couple. The Mango Pancake and omelette we had on the patio were good portions, so come hungry. The towels smelled clean, which was much appreciated after a day at the salty beach.

Dave was genuine, friendly, and hospitable, and the staff were superb. It felt like staying with friends. The place is tucked into a quiet little corner, just a short walk from one of the world's most gorgeous beaches. I stayed there in 2006, and it was one of the most pleasant places I've ever stayed. It saddens me to see what Boracay's popularity has done to the island. I hope the clean-up goes well and that it can become paradise again.

It's one of the best places I've stayed, thanks to how down-to-earth it is and how friendly the staff are, not because it's some 5-star resort. We got stuck on the island during a typhoon and had to stay a few extra days. It's a small, quiet, laid-back place, though not right on the beach. There's also a nice little library for casual reading.

We left after one night, and when we told the staff, they didn’t ask what had gone wrong or how they could make it better. The welcome had felt lukewarm from the start, and our initial friendly mood didn’t last. Our room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the air conditioning worked, but it was small, dark, musty, bland, and without character. This was supposedly their superior villa. We’ve stayed in plenty of places in the Philippines, and this was our worst pick. The reviews we usually rely on let us down. For what it costs, it’s poor value, basically an expensive hostel without the social side.