Building the beach of dreams
If you build it, they will come.
This is the key sentence in that Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams. And this is what’s largely happening in Boracay, that world-famous stretch of pristine white-sand beach where construction activities have been going on nonstop (at the same time as the parties, launches and concerts in motley-lighted beachside bars and clubs flooded with alcoholic elixirs and beachcombers out for a good time).
Boracay undoubtedly is the home of sun, sand and some interesting statistics: In 2007 alone, Boracay posted nearly P11 billion in tourism revenues, with visitor arrivals reaching nearly 600,000 for the whole year. Thus, the consistent rise in tourist arrivals compels the demand for better accommodation options in the island and among the real estate players in the country.
One such initiative is being undertaken by DMCI Homes, which has joined the leisure residential development market with its first project venture called Alta Vista de Boracay.
The STAR was recently invited by DMCI Homes to check out the development of the project, which has been going smoothly (as smooth as the paraw sails under the bright Boracay sun, or the bronze bodies of sunbathers getting a massage from the masseuses with violet vests).
DMCI Homes provides quality, urban-friendly, fully serviced communities to young, middle-income families. And Alta Vista is the biggest condotel-residential development in the island, with a cluster of 17 elegant, three-story buildings spread out across four hectares of prime land.
“The development offers fully-furnished, fully-fitted condominium-type units in a well-planned complex that adheres to a warm Southeast Asian architectural theme,” according to DMCI Homes project director Tet Abad Santos.
The people behind the project are very optimistic. We were told that in the near future, visitors could stay in either studio (Panorama) or loft (Pinnacle) units at Alta Vista, which is located at Barangay Yapak in the northern part of the island and is a few minutes away from White Beach, Puka Beach and nearby world-class golf resort Fairways & Blue Water and the picturesque grounds of the Shangri-La Resort.
“At Alta Vista de Boracay, each building is strategically designed so that every unit has a breathtaking view of Boracay — from the commanding hillside view of the sea on one side and a world-class fairway on the other,” says Abad Santos.
Let me tell you about the features of the building. There is a three-story walkup with 10 units per floor. There are single-loaded corridors for optimum privacy, plus an ample water supply and 24-hour security. Within the facility itself guests can partake of resort-hotel amenities such as the sparkling infinity pool, creatively landscaped gardens, a contemporary-designed clubhouse with its own main reception and dining area, game room, lounge area, spa, viewing deck, business center, audiovisual room and snack bar.
I could just imagine my wife, Katrina, having coffee at the lounge area, while my kids Kenneth and Keith David keep themselves busy in the game room.
We were also told that a private shuttle service van is available to guests so they can move freely around the island. A 21-hour concierge service is available all year long. Let me tell you, convenience is the operative word for the hotel-resort.
The adventurous soul in me wondered whether the condotel offers extraneous activities to guests.
Abad Santos explains, “The condotel can arrange organized activities to guests such as all-terrain vehicle rental, banca rentals, bike rentals, bars, boating, diving, golf, gym, hiking, horseback riding, kiteboarding, mountain biking, paraw riding, rowing, snorkeling, specialty restaurants, spelunking, windsurfing and even shopping.”
Shopping. Great. So I could buy pasalubong for my layout-artist friends such as Boy Suerte, Rey Rivera and Jojo Gamboa.
Last December, the first two buildings (Jade and Keira), along with the main pavilion housing the front office, spa and recreational areas, were opened, allowing a preview of things to come.
The project director concludes, “The Hymettus and Illiniza buildings are already finished and ready for turnover. The three-story structures offer a choice of hilltop or sea-view rooms, all with balconies and a kitchenette inside the rooms.”
These amenities take island life to a whole new level of sophistication.
At this rate, we will soon start calling Boracay the “
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For more information on Alta Vista de Boracay and other DMCI Homes projects, call 888-3333 or visit www.dmcihomes.com.
