Head to head
Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & SpavsShangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa
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Scores at a Glance
Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & SpaShangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa
Overall
8.6
9.3
Beach
9.0
9.4
Food
8.2
9.0
Service
8.0
9.4
Rooms
8.8
9.2
Luxury
8.5
9.4
Value
8.0
7.6
Romance
8.2
9.2
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
| Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa | Measure | Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Overall Score | 9.3 (better) |
| 5-star | Star Rating | 5-star |
| 4.3 (445) | Google Rating | 4.7 (3,202) (better) |
| From $172 | Price / Night (pp) | From $170 (better) |
| No | Adults Only | No |
| Yes | Kids' Club | Yes |
| Oceanfront | Beachfront | Oceanfront |
| Grand | Resort Size | Grand |
| 90 min | Airport Transfer | 30 min (better) |
All Scores
| Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa | Measure | Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | Beach | 9.4 (better) |
| 8.2 | Food | 9.0 (better) |
| 8.0 | Service | 9.4 (better) |
| 8.8 | Rooms | 9.2 (better) |
| 8.5 | Pools | 9.0 (better) |
| 8.5 | Luxury | 9.4 (better) |
| (better)8.0 | Value | 7.6 |
| 8.8 | Family | 9.1 (better) |
| 8.2 | Romance | 9.2 (better) |
| – | Nightlife | 7.2 |
| 8.2 | Quiet | 9.1 (better) |
| 8.0 | Adventure | 8.8 (better) |
| 8.2 | Wellness | 9.3 (better) |
| 7.0 | Remote work | 8.2 (better) |
Of the 17 measures we call, Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa leads on 1 and Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa leads on 16.
Vibes
| Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa | Measure | Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Romance | Yes |
| Yes | Quiet | Yes |
| – | Adventure | Yes |
Activities
| Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa | Measure | Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Spa | Yes |
| Yes | Diving | Yes |
| Yes | Water sports | Yes |
| Yes | Nightlife | – |
| Yes | Kids | – |
| – | nature | Yes |
Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
- Guests 18 and over get free access to the neighboring Secrets Playa Esmeralda, which adds adult-only dining and bars
Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa
- Private 350m white sand beach
- CHI The Spa
- Zipline and island hopping
- Solenne restaurant fine dining
Pros · Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
- New rooms
- Water park and kids/teen clubs
- Strong beach
Pros · Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa
- Two secluded beaches and a quieter northern Boracay setting.
- One of the strongest luxury resort products on Boracay.
- Excellent service and arrival transfer experience.
- Strong family facilities including Adventure Zone and family-friendly packages.
- Large spa village and strong wellness setting.
Cons · Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
- Long airport transfer
- Dreams beach can be choppy
- Service still uneven
Cons · Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa
- Expensive compared with most Boracay resorts.
- Not walkable to central Boracay nightlife or D'Mall.
- Some guests may find the resort too removed from White Beach action.
- Pool count is less of a megaresort-style feature than the beaches, villas, and service.
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