El Centro Island Beach Resort Boracay

It’s a convenient location, and the place is decent and functional. El Centro Resort feels a little dated, but it was okay overall. If you just need somewhere comfortable and aren't too fussy about modern interiors, it does the job.

El Centro is right on the beach, surrounded by higher-end resorts, but at a much better rate. Key places are within walking distance, so the location offers a lot of value. There’s no pool, and although it’s beachfront, there isn’t proper lounge seating or much of a “sit by the sand” resort feel. The beach area out front could be better set up for relaxing. If you can do without a pool and would rather explore, swim in the sea, or hang out at nearby cafés and restos, it’s a solid location for the price.

The staff were accommodating and professional, and even checked licenses before letting in the home massage therapists we hired. Breakfast is free and good. I’d recommend the baconsilog if you want a worthwhile morning meal. The beach is just seconds away, and the place has what you need for a budget stay in boracay, including free breakfast, beach towels and mats, and decent room amenities. We had a great stay in a good location.

I first stayed at El Centro in April 1994, and now we're in 2024, so it's nearly 30 years of coming back. In those days it was just a few bamboo cottages, with no other resorts nearby. Boracay still felt almost untouched, though it was slowly getting popular. El Centro has changed a lot since then, and for a business, we're a dream come true customer. We've tried a few other resorts over the years, but some cost much more and feel like hotel chains. El Centro feels like home, a simple Ilongo home beside one of the world's best white sand shores. What keeps us returning is the family feeling. The resort is run by staff who first came to work there as young teens cleaning bungalows. Tita Rosa passed away in 2022, and she can be proud of the solid business she built with such dedicated staff. During the pandemic, when every resort was closed, El Centro stayed open. It wasn't operating most of the time, but all the staff were kept on, paid, and given accommodation and food. We visited as soon as the Iloilo lockdown eased and permits let us drive around Panay. The staff were happy to see familiar faces and meet people again. We sponsored a nice meal for everyone to give them a change from their routine food. We're simple but demanding guests. I mean we like being looked after the way family relatives look after each other in Iloilo. The accommodation is simple, but very clean. Rooms sleep 4 to 8 people, with plenty of room to move. Each has a full size refrigerator, phone, decent WiFi, and a simple, clean bathroom with hot shower. The days of rooms with only electric fans are long gone! Hahaha. El Centro also has a huge generator, so 24/7 electricity is guaranteed. The restaurant isn't fancy, just home-cooked food, mostly Ilongo-inspired, with some international dishes too. Their French fries are fantastic, and the little burger is cute. The recipe hasn't changed for as long as I can remember. The resort is right on the white sand at station 2, close to the access road, and it's hard to find anything in the area that's this affordable, clean, safe, and homey. In low season, you can spend as little as 40USD a night with breakfast for two, and much more in high season. Call the resort for details so you can plan ahead and choose the season for your budget. It's not fancy accommodation, but it's simple and super clean. Some rooms have windows, and others have balconies with no view. These are basically rooms to sleep in, and you'll sleep well since it's usually quiet. The rooms are well soundproofed, even though you're right on the beachfront. If you're after an affordable, simple place on the white sand beach, with very good and cheap Ilongo foods, El Centro is for you. To contact them, ask for Miss Nono. (Viber +63917624 6471)