From alpine air to ocean air, same essence
“Diwa” is Tagalog for spirit, or essence — the thread we’ve kept between two very different homes: an apartment in the Swiss Engadin, high above Lake Silvaplana, and a beachfront lodge on Boracay, steps from the sand. Both booked direct through Booking.com.
We bought homes in places we love to kitesurf. When we are not there, you can be.
Residenza Chesa Margun
Silvaplana-Surlej, Engadin, Switzerland · Apartment 14-2 · by Interhome
Tucked into the hamlet of Surlej, the Chesa Margun residence sits at the foot of the Corvatsch cable car, on the still-water side of Lake Silvaplana in the Upper Engadin — the same valley that draws walkers, cyclists and windsurfers in summer and skiers all winter. St Moritz is a short drive along the lakes.
The apartment is self-catering: a kitchenette for cooking your own meals, heating for the colder months, and an interior that leans into its mountain setting rather than hiding from it. The complex has a lift, ski storage and rental nearby, and free private parking, so arriving with skis or bikes is straightforward.
Inside: stacked stone walls, reclaimed-timber joinery, a hand-cut stone basin and a deep tub — built for coming in cold and staying a while.
And if the wind drops or the lake freezes over, the Corvatsch and Furtschellas lifts are minutes away — so kiting isn’t the only way down.
- Self-catering kitchenette
- Free WiFi
- Free private parking
- Lift access, ski storage
- Heating included
- Hiking & cycling trails at the door
- Freestanding bathtub
- Reclaimed-wood wardrobe
Rates, exact dates and the full floor plan are kept current on Booking.com.
Diwa Lodge Boracay
Borac, Boracay Island, Philippines · Ventoso Residences
A beachfront apartment with direct access to the sand, a few steps from Bulabog Beach — Boracay’s kite and wind-sport side of the island, and a favourite for a quieter pace than White Beach. Bring a book, or a kiteboard; the terrace and sun loungers are made for using either way.
Inside, it’s set up to actually live in: a fully fitted kitchen and dining area for self-catering, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a sofa bed for extra guests. The sun terrace in front of the building comes with its own loungers and the building runs 24-hour security.
Rated 9.3 out of 10 — “Superb” — by recent guests, with beach access named most often as the highlight.
- Fully fitted kitchen
- Free WiFi & air conditioning
- Sun terrace, loungers, umbrellas
- 24-hour security
- Flat-screen TV, sofa bed
- Direct beach access
9.3 / 10 — Superb, 12 reviews
Rates, exact dates and room photos are kept current on Booking.com.
Two privately hosted homes, one in the Swiss Alps and one on a Philippine beach. Both are booked and managed through Booking.com — message either listing directly with questions.
