Escape to Paradise: Sundown Resort & Austrian Pension, Boracay!
Boracay Bliss (and a Bit of Bungle): My Escape to Paradise: Sundown Resort & Austrian Pension Review – The Unfiltered Version!
Okay, let's be real. Boracay? Pre-pandemic, it was the place. Turquoise water, powdery sand… Instagram gold, right? Now, post-pandemic, and with a slightly more… ahem… mature perspective, I went searching for that beachy magic again, and landed, somewhat haphazardly, at Escape to Paradise: Sundown Resort & Austrian Pension. Buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your typical sanitized travel blog fluff. This is real life, with all its messy glory.
First Impressions – Accessibility & Getting There (Sort Of)…
The website promised accessibility. Promised. I'm not wheelchair-bound, but my knees are ancient history. So, the "accessible" promises were… interesting. Let's just say the uneven sidewalks around Boracay are a challenge for everyone. The resort itself? Well, navigating to the lobby was doable. The elevators? Present, but… charmingly slow. The staff, bless their hearts, were incredibly helpful hauling luggage and pointing me in the right direction (more on helpfulness later). Accessibility Score: C+. Room for massive improvement, especially regarding signage and ramp access, but the staff's willingness pulled it up a notch.
Getting Online & the Nitty Gritty: Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, Wi-Fi in Public Areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Okay, internet. This is where Boracay, and maybe even the resort, showed its age. The promise of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!? More like… intermittent Wi-Fi in all rooms. Let's just say I got intimate with the resort's router. The signal would come and go like a particularly moody ex-boyfriend. I tried connecting via Internet [LAN], but the port seemed permanently… unavailable. Internet services were basically a prayer. Wi-Fi in public areas? Better, but still spotty enough to fuel my rage-fueled Instagram refresh attempts. Internet itself… well, it existed. Sometimes. This is HUGE if you're working remotely, even to post photos to Instagram, especially if you are traveling and are trying to keep in touch. My Wi-Fi Mood: Frustration! Then acceptance. Then, grudgingly, enjoying the forced digital detox.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax & Getting My Spa On! (Or, Attempting To)
This is where Sundown actually started to live up to its name. And the "Austrian Pension" part? Well, that was kind of a mystery. But the resort itself had the usual suspects.
Swimming Pool: Gorgeous! Swimming pool [outdoor], overlooking the beach. The water was crystal clear, and I spent hours simply floating, contemplating life, and avoiding the searing sun. Pool with view? Absolutely.
Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Massage: Okay, this is where things got… interesting. The spa was… quaint. Think cozy, not cavernous. They offered treatments, including Body scrub, Body wrap, and lovely Massage. I opted for the massage, and it was one of the best I've ever had. Seriously. The masseuse was a miracle worker. She somehow kneaded away the stress of the internet and the flight and my various assorted life woes. Spa: Definitely worth it. Sauna, Steamroom: Didn’t get a chance to check these out due to the limited time.
Fitness Center, Gym/Fitness: I glanced in. It looked… functional. Let's leave it at that. Fitness wasn't high on my agenda on this trip!
Cleanliness and Safety – The Pandemic Edition
Alright, let's talk about the C-word (no, not that one!): COVID. I was seriously impressed by the resort's efforts.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Literally, everywhere. I felt like I was bathing in Purell.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, Room sanitization opt-out available: Yes and yes. They were REALLY taking this seriously.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were. Masks were everywhere.
- Safe dining setup: More on that in the food section, but they did a good job of distancing tables and handling food.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. It was a beach, so sometimes difficult.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know, just in case.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Austrian Intrigue (or Lack Thereof)
Okay, here’s the truth: The "Austrian Pension" branding… felt a little… irrelevant. There was no evidence of Alpine cuisine or, like, a yodeling contest.
Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant: The buffet was surprisingly good. A solid selection of both Asian and Western breakfast classics. Coffee/tea in restaurant: Perfectly fine. No complaints. Breakfast service. was efficient and friendly.
Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant: The menu leaned heavily on international and Asian influences. Decent food, nothing overly fancy.
Poolside bar, Bar, Happy hour: The pool bar was a godsend for cocktails. Happy hour was a genuine highlight.
Snack bar, Bottle of water: Essentials.
Vegetarian restaurant: Did not see this available.
Room service [24-hour]: Available! Invaluable when I wanted to hide away from the sun.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential in Boracay.
- Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Standard stuff, all handled efficiently.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Handy.
- Convenience store: Useful.
- Elevator: Snail-paced but present.
- Facilities for disabled guests: A little hit and miss. But try to be patient if it is important to you.
- Food delivery: Not really. The hotel is well located for that.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Available, but I'm guessing it isn't cheap.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events: Don't remember.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Understandable.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Yes.
For the Kids – Family Friendly?
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They seemed family-friendly. I didn't really see enough kids to give a good rating!
Available in all rooms – The Room Itself (And the Little Annoyances)
Okay, my room:
- Additional toilet: Nope.
- Air conditioning: Crucial. Worked well.
- Alarm clock: Present, as expected.
- Bathrobes, Slippers: Luxury!
- Bathroom phone: Why?
- Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub: Yes.
- Blackout curtains: A lifesaver for sleeping.
- Carpeting: Present.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Efficient and friendly.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Functional.
- Extra long bed: Not that long.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Present, did not work.
- High floor: Nope.
- In-room safe box: Yep.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Not mine.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Spotty, as mentioned.
- Ironing facilities: Present.
- Laptop workspace: See desk.
- Linens, Towels, Bathrobes: Fine.
- Mini bar: The mini bar could have been better- restocked faster.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- On-demand movies: Nope.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Perfect.
- Refrigerator: Needed more.
- Satellite/cable channels: Mostly okay.
- Scale: Always a slightly terrifying addition to a holiday.
- Seating area, Sofa: Yes.
- Shower: Fine.
- Smoke detector: Present.
- Socket near the bed: Appreciated.
- Soundproofing: Not entirely.
- Telephone: In case you dare to use it.
- Toiletries: Okay.
- Umbrella: Needed.
- **
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average itinerary. We're talking Boracay, baby, and my brain is already half-melted from the thought of the sun. Sundown Resort & Austrian Pension House, here we come…or…I come. Hopefully, the others follow!
BORACAY: A Messy Masterclass in Island Living (and possibly losing my toothbrush)
Day 1: Arrival & Beach Bliss…and a near-Disaster with Luggage
Morning (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Arrived at Caticlan Airport: Oh. My. God. The heat hit me like a brick wall. I swear, I think I lost a pound of water just walking from the plane to the luggage carousel. Seriously, felt like I'd teleported directly into a hairdryer. Baggage claim was a joke. Like, seriously, is this even a place?
- Quirky Observation: The "luggage carousel" looked more like a glorified conveyer belt for bags the size of small toddlers. Watching people wrestle their suitcases was better entertainment than anything on the in-flight entertainment screen.
- Emotional Reaction: Slightly panicked. My bag. MY PRECIOUS BAG. Where is it?
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): The Tricycle Ride to the Austrian Pension House:
- This was honestly the best part. Wind in my hair (the one that wasn't already fried), the sun on my face, the pure, unadulterated chaos of a Philippine tricycle…it was beautiful. We somehow ended up crammed in with a family of 7 and a dozen mangoes, too.
- Messy Rambles: I remember the ride, the smells, the constant buzz of the engine…and then the road…man, that road. I never thought I'd be a fan of the bumps and potholes, but they were a ride itself.
- Opinionated Language: Let it be known, tricycle rides are hands down the only way to get around Boracay. Forget those fancy vans, this is the real deal.
Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Check-in and First Impressions of Sundown Resort:
Ok, so, the Austrian Pension House. I can see the ocean from my balcony! Yes! The room's not fancy, but it's clean, and the view is a solid 10/10. Bonus points for the incredibly friendly staff who, after a long conversation, managed to find my luggage! Someone's watching over me.
Imperfection Alert: The air conditioning… needs some work. It's wheezing more than cooling, but hey, at least it's trying.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): White Beach Immersion:
- Okay. White. Sand. Turquoise water. I think I'm in heaven. Seriously, my jaw literally dropped. Spent the next two hours just wandering aimlessly, letting the waves lap at my feet. Tried to take a decent photo. Failed miserably.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated bliss! It was like someone had hit the pause button on the world and decided to just hand me a giant tropical cocktail.
Lunchtime (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Food Stop.
- Needed to eat something. Settled for a beachside restaurant nearby. Grilled sea bass (delicious).
- Quirky Observation: Eating lunch with sand stuck to my feet. It was, somehow, the ultimate definition of vacation.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Beach Time…and a close encounter with a Sea Turtle:
- Spent a good chunk of the day swimming, sunbathing, and generally attempting to become a permanent beach fixture. Then, while snorkeling (the visibility was terrible) I saw a sea turtle! Truly. I almost choked on my snorkel, honestly, but it was the most wonderful thing ever. The memory makes me tear up.
- Doubling Down on the Experience: I found my own personal Nemo!
- Messier Structure: The turtle was just…. so chill. So graceful. I followed it for maybe twenty minutes, trying not to scare it off. I lost track of time, stopped worrying about sunburn, just was. It was the kind of experience you write home about.
Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Sundown Drinks & Dinner:
Watched the sunset from the beach (duh). It was glorious and then the night went quickly, food was good, and wine was consumed.
Opinionated Language: The sundown was, hands down, the most beautiful thing I've seen in ages. Every hue of orange, pink, and purple smeared across the sky. It was so beautiful.
Day 2: Island Hopping & Regrets (Maybe)
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Hungover Breakfast & the Decision to Island Hop:
- The aftermath of Day 1's fun activities. Coffee was key. I realized I'd either lost or forgotten to pack my toothbrush.
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Island Hopping Tour.
- Did it. It was…fine. The tour rushed us to some islands, and then let us go back to the boat. Snorkeled, saw some more fish.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I thought I'd love the island hopping, my heart sank a little. It's beautiful, sure, but felt…touristy.
- Messy Structure: The lunch they served on the boat was a little questionable.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Beach Revival:
- Needed to detox from the island tour. Back to White Beach.
- Imperfection Alert: Sunburn intensifying.
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Trying to Learn Kitesurfing:
- Failed miserably.
- Quirky Observation: I got sand in places I didn't even know existed.
Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Drinks and Dinner.
- Went to a different restaurant. The food was…meh.
- Messy Rambles: Ate, drank, did some people-watching. Wondered if everyone else I saw was faking their happiness or if I was just a grumpy old woman already.
Day 3: Relaxation, and a Long-Awaited Toothbrush
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Sleep.
- Finally got some decent sleep.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Breakfast and Beach Time:
- Decided to stay at the beach and just read.
- Mid-Day (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Massage and More Beach:
- Got the massage. It was the best. After, went back and swam in the sea.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Shopping for Souvenirs:
- Bought a ton of souvenirs for all my friends and family.
- Messier Structure: Overspent. Of course.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Final Sundown Drinks:
- Went back and watched the sunset for the last time.
- Doubling Down on the Experience: The sunset was even more beautiful than the first one. I cried this time.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Final Dinner:
- Ate the final dinner. This time I ate alone. Ate to my heart's content.
- Evening (8:00 PM onwards): Packing & Farewell Drinks
- Packed, and said goodbye. I really don't want to leave.
- Opinionated Language: Boracay, you're a disaster, and I love you.
Day 4: Departure (And Toothbrush Acquisition!)
- Morning (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Departure, and a few last-minute beach wanders.
- Was sad about leaving.
- Imperfection Alert: Found a toothbrush at the local store.
Post-Script:
This trip was messy, imperfect, and sometimes frustrating. But it was also unforgettable. Boracay, with all its quirks, is a place that worms its way into your heart. I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing two toothbrushes.
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Okay, spill the tea: Is "Escape to Paradise" really paradise, or just a clever name?
Alright, alright, let's just say my expectations were… high. You know, "Escape to Paradise: Sundown Resort"? Sounds dreamy, doesn't it? I imagined myself, like, sipping a coconut on a pristine beach, seagulls serenading me… the whole shebang.
The truth? It’s… complicated. The "paradise" part is definitely present, but it’s like paradise with a slightly wonky WiFi signal. The sunsets? Absolutely breathtaking. Seriously, photos don't do them justice. I spent a solid hour just staring at the sky one evening, completely mesmerized. You know, that kind of silence when you just… *are*? That's what I got.
Then there's the "Escape" part. I definitely escaped. From the deadlines. From the dishes. From the general humdrum. So, yeah, escaping? Nailed it. Paradise? Let's call it… *almost* heaven. With a few quirks, which we'll get to, trust me.
The "Austrian Pension" bit – what's *that* all about? Are we talking schnitzel and polka music?
Okay, the Austrian Pension… that's where things get interesting. There's, like, a clear Austrian influence. Think, a few alpine-themed decorations. And the food? Well, you might find some strudel. Not always. The breakfast buffet sometimes had some... *unique* offerings (looking at you, sausage with a slightly questionable texture).
But it's the vibe, you see? It's like a little slice of European charm plopped right on the beach. The staff is super friendly, and the whole place has a really laid-back, welcoming feel. It's not exactly a hardcore Austrian experience, no yodeling competitions, but it gives it character. Honestly? I kinda dug it. Better than a bland, generic hotel, for sure.
Let's talk rooms. Are they as dreamy as the sunset pictures?
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get *real*. The pictures? They’re… flattering. My room was… *cozy*. Let's just say that. The air conditioning worked, which is a huge win in Boracay humidity. The bed was comfortable enough, though maybe a little… *firm*. I think I found a little bit of sand in the sheets, which is probably inevitable, considering it's next to the beach.
But the view! I had a partial ocean view, and even that was stunning. Waking up to the sound of the waves? Pure bliss. So, yes, they are dreamy… with a few practical considerations, like, maybe bring your own pillow if you're particular. But the location? Worth every minor imperfection. Honestly.
How's the beach? Is it the white sand paradise we all dream of?
Oh, the beach. Okay, so, Boracay's beach is legendary for a reason. It's that powdery white sand that just… sinks between your toes. And the water is that ridiculously clear turquoise blue. The resort is right on White Beach, which is the main draw. And it lives up to the hype, mostly.
The only thing is the sheer number of people. It got crazy busy at midday, crowded with tourists , and vendors. You'll want to go early in the morning or late afternoon to get the full serenity vibe. One morning, I woke up before sunrise, and walked the beach and it was MAGICAL. Just me, the sand, the waves, and the incredible sunrise. That moment? That was pure paradise. Don't expect to have the beach to yourself, but it's still one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Food! Give me the lowdown on the resort's restaurant and nearby options.
Okay, food is important, right? The resort's restaurant was... convenient. It had a decent selection of dishes, both local and international. The breakfast buffet, as I mentioned, was a mixed bag. Some days were a win, other days… let’s just say I learned to appreciate the simple things: fresh fruit, like, the papaya was amazing.
The real win? The nearby restaurants! Boracay is a foodie paradise. You can get everything from amazing fresh seafood to delicious Filipino food. I had some of the best mango sticky rice in my life at a little place down the beach. Don't limit yourself to the resort's restaurant; explore! You can practically taste the ocean breeze! (In a good way.) Explore! I ended up stumbling across a tiny, family-run place and they had the best grilled fish I have ever consumed.
Did you encounter any… glitches? Anything go wrong? Spill!
Oh, honey, where do I even begin? No trip is without its mishaps, right? Honestly, it wasn't a disaster, but there were a few… quirks. The WiFi was spotty. Like, *really* spotty. Consider it a digital detox, I guess. Sometimes I had to walk to the lobby to snag a reasonable signal. I had a whole day with no signal at all which was a real problem since I had to call my boss!.
Also, the power flickered a couple of times. And one evening, I swear, a gecko got into my room. I shrieked like a banshee, which probably woke up the entire resort. But hey, it's the tropics, you get used to it. It's not some ultra-fancy hotel; it's a relaxed resort where you can be yourself. It's part of the charm, in a slightly terrifying way. Plus, the staff was always super helpful and dealt with any issues quickly. It's not a perfect resort, but it's a genuine one.
Okay, let's get real: Would you go back? And who would you recommend this place to?
Would I go back? Hmm… that’s a question that requires a lot of thought. Despite the few hiccups, the place still has its charms. I would, mostly because the sunsets were so spectacular. The beach is genuinely gorgeous. And while it's not a luxury hotel, the staff is so lovely that it makes up for a lot.
I'd recommend it to people who want a relaxed, casual experience. If you're looking for a flawless, five-star resort experience, this might not be for you. But if you're looking for a place to unwind, disconnect (willingly or unwillingly!), and enjoy the natural beauty of Boracay, then absolutely. Solo travelers, couples, groups of friends - it's a good choice. Just go with an open mind, a healthy sense of humor, and a good book. AndInfinity Inns
