I had a great time staying the Da Mario. I was just in the Philippines for 2 weeks and spent that majority of my nights there. The rooms we stayed in were college dorm style, perfect for what my team needed (we were there for a missions trip). Each room had its own bathroom and an air conditioner. The bathroom in room one was not great and had problems, but when you're in the Philippines, why should you complain about the little things? The shower was good enough to shower in and the toilet was there when we needed it.
The outside of the hotel was quite nice as well. There were a few hammocks for the guests, a little bar/restaurant, and a walkway to the beach. The bar/restaurant seems to have gotten some bad reviews, but we all enjoyed it. Irene and Marlot are two of the workers there and they make the best mango shakes on the island. Far better than Jonah's. If you choose to stay here, you must order a mango shake on a night that Irene is working. The pizzas were also good. After a day of work it was always nice to stop by and order a mushroom, white, or plain pepperoni pizza. Mario is also a nice gentleman, contrary to other reviews.
If you are looking for a place to stay that is close to the beach, Da Mario is a good choice. The hotel rooms are no more than 200 feet away from the beach. If you want to explore the shops each night, Da Mario is still a good choice, though the walk to get to the touristy shops is probably 7 minutes down the beach, 5 if you walk along the water rather than the sidewalk.
The beach in front of the hotel is amazing. Since it is in Zone 3 and not the more tourist centered Zone 1, there are not many people in the water during the day time. You may see some locals hanging around and usually a few sailboats pulled on shore, but for the most part is a quiet area. The water is extremely clear and the white sand is beautiful.
My final review is as follows: the rooms were good if you're with friends, the bathrooms could use some help. Don't expect hot water when taking a shower. The room service gave new sheets and towels everyday. The room service is pretty trustworthy, but just to be safe, don't leave money lying around on the night stand. The location is perfect. There is a short walk to the tourist shops, but the walk is enjoyable. After all, you are on a beach in Boracay. If you like mangos, the bar out front makes the best mango shake on the island. Even if you don't like mangos (like me before this trip), the shakes are amazing. The sunsets are amazing and beach out front is clean and quiet, with very few people around. If you want a fun trip in a nice but not extremely crowded or fancy place, stay at Da Mario. If you want to be in a crowded and fancy area with lots of tourists and noise, look at a hotel in Zone 1 or 2.
