Along a narrow street named Alice in Wonderland is where you’ll find Asya. It shares none of the dry humor of its neighbors (like Camote Ugly bar and the chicken joint Manok ng Ina Mo), and is definitely a cut above the rest.

It’s only a few steps away from the beach and the hubbub around the Tourist Center, yet because of its luxurious and serene surroundings, it seems a world away. With a cobble-stoned courtyard garden, tropical greenery spread throughout, balconies that open up to the courtyard, a gazebo outfitted with fashionable furnishings (mostly in creams and whites) overlooking the resort’s swimming pool, Asya revokes a sense of privacy and security without being intimidating or isolating. Each ground floor unit has its own private pocket garden. All rooms are spacious, the beds are luxurious, the rates reasonable, and the service, outstanding, thanks to a genuinely friendly staff who seem clairvoyant, with a talent for anticipating guests’needs. They have an excellent restaurant to boot: Binggoy Remedios (of the old Dos Mestizos restaurant fame) and Daniel Guillen at the resort’s Traviesa Restaurant whip up Spanish-influenced meals to swoon over. Sample their Paella Marinera (Seafood Paella) (P720), or tapas like Salpicao de Vaca (P250), Gambas al Ajillo (P210), or Chorizo (P210) for a real Castilian feast.

Best for: Everyone – editors’ top pick!
When to go: Between christmas and New Year’s to party, summer of course.
Room to book: The Courtyard Suite for families and group of friends, the Villa Suite for couples or honeymooners.
Details: Alice in Wonderland St., Manggayad, Bo. Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan (Tel.(036) 288-5875, (02) 889-9904 to 06, www.asya-boracay.com). Deluxe from $130, Courtyard Suites from $160, and Villa Suites from $180.