357 Boracay makes waves

A chance walk on one of the few remaining empty stretches of Boracay in 1992 led to the construction of a pioneering boutique resort hotel that has received accolades for its service including a prestigious international award for quality.

357 Boracay, located at one of the best spots in the island paradise of Boracay, is now on its eighth year and continues to be the benchmark for service, competitive pricing, and commitment to see to the needs of its clientele, which includes expatriates, local and foreign tourists, families and businessmen.

357 Boracay president and owner Alberto Rosal said the boutique resort was the fulfillment of a dream that began with one of their family vacations in Boracay.

"We were walking on what was a relatively quiet part of the island when we saw a ‘for sale’ sign on a piece of property. We fell in love with the place and soon made arrangements to buy it," Rosal said.

"That was in 1992, but it took several years of careful planning and thinking of what travelers like me would want to have around in terms of services and amenities in a resort hotel," he added.

Finally satisfied that he had the right combination, Rosal opened the boutique resort hotel’s doors to the public in 1997. Since then the accolades from local consumer groups and its clientele have not stopped coming; and so with the awards and tributes, not just from clients but also from consumer watchdog groups.

These awards for 357 Boracay include: Most Outstanding Beach Resort in 2001 by the Consumers Excellence Award, the People’s Choice Award in 2002, the Top Hotel and Resort from the Year-Ender Excellence Award for 2003 and 2004, the Most Outstanding Resort for the 2004 Consumer’s Choice Awards, and Most Outstanding Beach Resort for the 2004 Buyer’s Choice Awards.

This year, Rosal and 357 Boracay vice president Erlinda Legaspi flew to Geneva, Switzerland, to receive their crowning achievement – the Century International Era Award which is given to businesses that excel in several criteria that includes excellence in leadership, customer satisfaction, service, business management, quality, technology and innovation.

357 Boracay is the first Philippine business to receive the Century International Era Award that is given by the group composed of members from 71 countries.

Rosal said the award was not meant to just declare a company the best but also to make it a benchmark for other businesses to follow.

He said that with the awards they have received 357 Boracay will continue its efforts of providing quality service and accommodations for its growing clientele. "We want to provide our guests with utmost comfort and convenience. Staying in 357 Boracay is like having your own home in the paradise called Boracay," Rosal said.

357 Boracay has easy access for local and foreign tourists with its exclusive ferry service to and from Caticlan and Kalibo in Aklan. It features a replendent restaurant and bar with a stunning array of meals and drinks, including the best pancakes that side of the island.

357 Boracay also boasts of fully airconditioned luxury rooms, cable and TV facilities and a myriad of activities its patrons can enjoy – scuba, parasailing, snorkeling, jetski and the wildly popular windsurfing.