Henann Crystal Sands Resort

The location was a big reason I picked Henann Crystal Sands. Step outside and you're in downtown station 2, with restaurants just 1-5 minutes away. There are about a dozen hotel beach chairs, and a staff member can help with non-alcoholic drinks. There's also a Starbucks right next door. The beach isn't private, which I expected. If you want a private, relaxing beach without leaving the hotel, this isn't the right fit. For exploring the city and being near food, it's perfect. We stayed four nights in a premier room for two adults, for about 860$. It had a queen bed, a twin bed, and still plenty of space, plus a huge bathtub that might be the longest I've ever laid in. Staff were professional and very nice. The only downside was the pools weren't heated, so they felt pretty cold. I'd give it 4.5 if I could.

The airport pickup went smoothly, and the housekeeping staff were kind and friendly when we met them. Those were the few bright spots. The rest of our experience was poor: the rooms were run-down and badly maintained, and other staff were rude and unwelcoming, making us feel like a nuisance instead of paying guests. When we accidentally broke a plate, we were charged 200 PHP immediately, without any understanding or courtesy. The neighboring hotel is under construction, so there's constant noise around the pool. For a resort this size, about 15-20 beach loungers is nowhere near enough. There are much nicer hotels along the beach. I can't comment on their service, but it's hard to imagine it being worse than what we experienced here.

The food was just okay, nothing memorable or terrible, and the service was genuinely poor. Staff seemed uninterested and inattentive, more focused on collecting money than making it a pleasant meal. This was the worst of the several buffet experiences we've had in Boracay. My main reason for giving one star was their refusal to waive the charge for our three-year-old daughter. She was only slightly above their height limit, which seemed oddly low compared with other buffets where children her age aren't charged. It makes sense to me, given how little a toddler eats. We explained politely and hoped they'd be flexible, but they seemed almost pleased to insist on the half-price fee. It left a bad impression and felt out of touch with basic goodwill toward customers. In a tourist spot like Boracay, hospitality matters for a buffet. They should think about fairness, empathy, and repeat business instead of short-term charges. We won't return or recommend it. We're here for another three weeks, but won't be coming back.

We've stayed at Henann Crystal, Garden, and Palm, and they've all been consistent, clean, high-quality hotels. The staff and buffets are great, and the gyms are good and functional. Each has multiple pools and sits along the main beach, with reserved beach chairs for guests. You can't really go wrong with Henanns on Boracay. They're in prime beach locations, so expect crowds when you head out unless it's the off season.