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Post summary: We rank the ten best El Nido resorts to help you decide where to stay on your next visit to this stunning island.
When we think of stunning luxury resorts in paradise with overwater bungalows in the middle of clear turquoise waters, we usually think first of heavenly getaways such as the Maldives, luxury resorts in Polynesian Islands, perhaps the beautiful resorts at the remote islands of the Caribbean.
But the list of best resorts in El Nido below will change the way you think!
Considering this Philippine paradise is recognized as the most beautiful island in the world by Condé Nast for several years now, more and more travelers are discovering not only the jaw-dropping landscapes of this island but also the stunning El Nido resorts that are on the island.
If you are looking to stay in one of these gorgeous El Nido resorts soon, keep in mind that most of them are almost always sold out. Make sure you book right away if the dates are available for the resort!
Enjoy!
Table of Contents
El Nido Resort #1: MATINLOC RESORT
Matinloc Resort is a popular El Nido resort because of its stunning property, location, and hospitable staff.
This El Nido resort is only a short boat ride away from the famous Big Lagoon and small lagoon. It features a spa center, private beach access, infinity pool, complimentary snorkeling and kayaking, table tennis, and private boats for hire.
Each of the rooms at Matinloc Resort has stunning ocean views of El Nido and offers an in house restaurant where guests can enjoy a buffet or a la carte meals.
Matinloc Resort offers guests a free shuttle service from El Nido Airport to El Nido town shuttle.
What Guests are Saying About Matinloc Resort on Booking.Com:
This place is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. Almost like being on a deserted island with 5 star service. I only took a couple points off (to be explained later). The property is amazing, the staff is out of this world. This place is straight up good for locking yourself away from the world for a few days. So relaxing! We had very few complaints.
Sarah / USA
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT MATINLOC RESORT
El Nido Resort #2: PANGULASIAN RESORT
Pangulasian is an elegant and luxury resort in El Nido that is part of the Pangulasian island, overlooking the famous Bacuit Bay.
This El Nido Resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, giving a unique luxury experience while in the middle of paradise. Palm trees and other exotic plants line up the entrance into the resort, where guests walk into a stunning open-air lobby with massive potted tropical plants and giant rocks. The decoration is also consistent with the brand of Small Luxury Hotels of the World – contemporary wicker furniture and ornate wooden details, matching the stone-tile floors and elegant space of the resort.
All 42 suites at Pangulasian Resort are all stand-alone villas, each offering different views and locations depending on your preference. Some villas face the beach, a private pool, or a location that has more privacy. Each villa comes with modern amenities that you would expect in any luxury hotel in the world, and stunning bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and tiled showers.
What Guests are Saying About Pangulasian Resort on Booking.Com:
Fantastic and very exclusive El Nido resort! Amazing sea marine wildlife in front of the villa thanks to the ecological approach and systematic preservation of wildlife. No plastic policy helps a lot. Congratulations to you all for preserving such an amazing place !!
Olivier / SINGAPORE
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT PANGULASIAN RESORT
El Nido Resort #3: THE NEST EL NIDO BEACH RESORT
The Nest El Nido Beach Resort is one of the most popular resorts in this island in recent years.
This stunning El Nido Resort is only a short distance away from the iconic Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, and a short boat ride away from the beautiful Matinloc Shrine, where you get some of the best jaw-dropping views of El Nido.
All rooms at The Nest El Nido Beach Resort come with modern amenities, a seating area, and a balcony for select rooms. The resort also features a restaurant, serving continental breakfast and a la carte menu, offering a stunning view of Cadlao Island.
What Guests are Saying About The Nest El Nido Beach Resort on Booking.Com:
Rural location, away from noisy town streets. Very good breakfast selection -birds like it too ? free tricycle ride to-from town, reception very friendly, hut amazing and comfortable with a sea view. Nice infinity pool overlooking the sea and islands. Amazing El Nido hotel!
Lucia / UNITED KINGDOM
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT THE NEST EL NIDO BEACH RESORT
El Nido Resort #4: VELLAGO RESORT
The stunning Vellago Resort has an idyllic location in El Nido, a short distance away from some of the island’s picture-perfect beaches. Some of the popular beaches near Vellago Resort are Seven Commandos Beach (50 meters away from Vellago Resort), Papaya Beach (150 meters away), and Ipil Ipil Beach (800 meters away).
This beautiful El Nido Resort features stunning suites with tropical, elegant decor, each with a million-dollar view of El Nido.
Vellago Resort can arrange various activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and island-hopping tours.
What Guests are Saying Vellago Resort on Booking.Com:
I loved the privacy it offered and there are limited rooms – beach is semi-private – the staff go the extra mile to make your stay special – I wish we had stayed here all of the seven nights at El Nido resort – I am dreaming of coming back. Couples resort, which is a bonus!!
Vanessa / SOUTH AFRICA
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT VELLAGO RESORT
El Nido Resort #5: PANORAMA RESORT
The chic Panorama Resort is a short distance away from some of El Nido’s famous sites. Panorama is only 3 kilometers away from the famous Big Lagoon, and offers a private beach area, an outdoor and indoor pool for their guests.
Guests at Panorama Resort can enjoy a mountain view or an oceanfront view from their rooms, and a private terrace with a garden or pool view. The resort also provides an airport transfer, bicycle rental service, and island-hopping tours on-site.
What Guests are Saying About Panorama Resort on Booking.Com:
Loved our stay! The resort it’s self is amazing and one of a kind. Nothing bad to say about this place. Our room was spacious and clean. The staff was very helpful, attentive and welcoming. Adjacent to the resort is a beach restaurant and bar with a killer sunset view. My friends and I would defiantly stay here again.
Jinelle / CANADA
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT PANORAMA RESORT
El Nido Resort #6: BUKO BEACH RESORT
Buko Beach Resort is a beautiful beachfront El Nido Resort right in Corong Corong, famous for its picture-perfect sunsets.
This lovely resort in El Nido provides in-room massages, a 24-hour front desk, and an on-site restaurant and bar where guests can enjoy their famous drinks while watching the sunset.
Each room at Buko Beach Resort has air conditioning, free WiFi, and comes with a tropical outdoor bathroom.
What Guests are Saying About Buko Beach Resort on Booking.Com:
I have been to many places in my life. Buko Resort is a perfect 10. Would like to see more resorts with this kind of service. The staff is pleasant, available, and accommodating. They make all your wishes come true, and you feel part of the family. A big thank you to Theresa and her team. In El Nido, there is only Buko Beach for me and my girlfriend. The resort is small, exclusive, and eco-friendly—beautiful and cozy rooms. We stayed for three nights, and in those days, we got up before 6 AM, therefore before breakfast schedule. But the resort team always had the availability to prepare a special early bird and serve it in the bar. Details matter! The bar has one of the best sunsets in El Nido. I hope to come back to Buko Beach Resort. Keep it up!
Gustavo / PORTUGAL
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT BUKO BEACH RESORT
El Nido Resort #7: EL NIDO RESORTS MINILOC ISLAND
El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island is one of the four El Nido Resorts properties along with Pangulasian, Apulit, and Lagen. This beautiful hotel offers a unique experience to its guests with its beautiful cove location, surrounding limestone cliffs and vegetation the property.
Each of the luxury rooms has rustic vibes featuring thatch roofs, wooden floors, and materials and designs using traditional Filipino materials. Of course, every room offers stunning views of El Nido.
Activities available at the resort include diving, sunset cruises, windsurfing, island hopping, lagoon tours, and Hobie Cat sailing.
What Guests are Saying About El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island on Booking.Com:
TOP TIP: Combine your stay between Lagen and Miniloc for a complete experience! The location is perfect, just 5 min from the big and small lagoon. The area just in front of the hotel is perfect for snorkeling. Staff fantastic and food delicious. One of the El Nido hotels that feel like home.
Rodrigo / BRAZIL
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT EL NIDO RESORTS MINILOC ISLAND
El Nido Resort #8: CAUAYAN ISLAND RESORT AND SPA
Cauayan Island Resort is a popular El Nido resort set in the middle of a lush tropical setting, away from the busy area of El Nido.
The beautiful resort features an on-site restaurant and access to an outdoor infinity pool for guests.
Each of the rooms features a private balcony, offering stunning views of the beach and garden. All villas have beautiful furnishings and designs and modern amenities such as flat-screen TV and minibar.
Cauayan Island Resort also provides island-hopping or kayaking tours around the islands of El Nido. There are also diving activities and a spa provided by the resort.
What Guests are Saying About Cauayan Island Resort and Spa on Booking.Com:
A very quiet and private island, with quite close distance with El Nido town. This is the place where you can relax and enjoy your holiday. You shall not miss the SPA where you can enjoy the SPA and watch baby sharks swimming in the sea! One of the most amazing El Nido resorts you can not miss!
Calvin / CHINA
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY AT CAUAYAN ISLAND RESORT & SPA
El Nido Resort #9: Cuna Hotel
Cuna Hotel is a hip and trendy hotel that features a shared lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, and a restaurant and bar on-site offering stunning El Nido views.
All rooms at the Cuna Hotel come with air conditioning, a TV, hairdryer, while some rooms offer views of the mountain.
Cuna Hotel serves American breakfast daily and offers complimentary snacks at the lobby for guests.
What Guests are Saying About Cuna Hotel on Booking.Com:
Loved the friendly staff—pool deck and restaurant amazing. Our kids loved it as the staff so fun and kind. Great to retreat after the island hopping to a few luxuries. Beds v clean and comfy.
Georgina / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
>> CHECK FOR RATES & AVAILABILITY FOR CUNA HOTEL
El Nido Resort #10: El Nido Resorts Lagen Island
El Nido resorts Lagen Island with some of the best locations out of all the properties on the island. Guests can go hiking through Lagen Island’s forest trail, which leads to a view of one of the coves on the other side of the island.
The stunning resort offers guests plenty of marine sports activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, and mangrove or cave tours.
All rooms feature elegant interior designs such as antique wood floors, reclaimed wood furnishings, on top of other modern amenities. Each room also features stunning floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which opens to a private balcony overlooking the cove, bay, or cliffs.
What Guests are Saying About El Nido Resorts Lagen Island on Booking.Com:
The location is excellent, and the staff makes this place even better. Everybody is so lovely and helpful. Beautiful views of the sunset. Food delicious and fresh. We had a beach villa, and it was spacious, clean with a lot of amenities. The hotel supply complimentary water in all the rooms and restaurants. They have a free plastic policy that I find it great to preserve the environment—one of the best El Nido hotels out there.
Santi / SPAIN
There’s absolutely no doubt that El Niro is stunning and I really wanted to visit when we were in the Philippines a few years back. However I was stunned by the prices, especially in comparison to other equally amazing places in Asia and the Maldives. Do you have any idea how to book one of these places without losing an arm and a leg?
Hi Anne! Booking.com usually has some of the best deals I’ve found in comparison to other booking sites I’ve been on- some of the costs are almost 40% off compared to other sites.
But yes – I hope you come back soon before it gets way toooooo touristy!
Such beautiful properties in such a stunning location. I loved El Nido and before travelling, we also considered the resort on Matinloc Island as well as Miniloc Island. However, they were a little out of our budget so we settled for a more budget option (also a beach resort on the main El Nido island). However, I would really recommend one to spend a little extra because some of these resorts in the Philippines are exceptional!
Hello Medha! Matinloc Island and Miniloc are definitely on my bucket list. Some of the pictures on those properties are mind boggling…. it’s alike a heaven on heaven on heaven….
It’s just so tempting. I have been thinking of Philippine’s fir sometime now and after doing most of south east Asia this seems to top on the list. Like you said the water the beaches are all pristine and the ones you think of in The Caribbean and Maldives. The resorts look perfect with inviting pools. Thanks fir sharing a great set of accommodation with reviews as well. Key again as you said is book in advance.
Hi Amar!
I hope these resorts are calling your name to visit El Nido ASAP!
And definitely, BOOK IN ADVANCE! It’s crazy how some of these resorts are sold out even on off-season!
The Philippines is such a beautiful country with a seemingly unlimited number of beaches and islands. It is a paradise in its own right. These resorts at El Nido seem to take uber luxury to an altogether different level. All of them have that dreamy and romantic aura which one associates with the Maldives or Seychelles or any other exotic island in the Caribbean. A stay in one of these would be nothing short of a dream come true. Though all of them look extremely gorgeous, my attention was riveted on Miniloc Island. It looks so lovely.
Hello Sandy! I don’t think you can go wrong in any of these resorts – but Miniloc is for sure getting some attention here.
What incredible resorts, my mouth dropped at these photos! I’d definitely love to book a few nights at all of them if possible, but I think I’d be seriously broke! The Panorama is probably my favourite, just because of that stunning decor. Would love to visit one day!
Hi Lisa! Booking a few nights on some of these resorts would be a dream! But I think you can find great deals on booking.com if you book in advance!
These all exotic resorts of El Nido are really worth visiting ones for nature lovers. I loved those turquoise water of this place and even the resorts offer beautiful views from their property. Also the guest reviews are excellent for these properties. El Nido has stunning luxury resorts and I am saving it for my future visits.
Hello Yukti! YES – the resorts are exceptional – and talk about the turquoise water of these places!
I can see why most of these resorts are sold out, they look incredible! I’ve never been to the Philippines before, but a stay on the beach in El Nido seems like exactly the kind of vacation that I would enjoy. I particularly like how Miniloc Island looks, will definitely save these recommendations for when I finally visit.
Hi Leah! Yes – it looks like everyone on here seem really keen on Miniloc Island. I’ve checked the dates, and seems like a lot of them are already sold out!
I stayed at the Pangulasian and Miniloc resorts about 3 years ago! Pangulasian is our favourite. I can’t wait to go back soon and stay at the Lagen one!
Cat – so jealous! Pangulasian looks heavenly!
Thats a lovely compiled list of some gorgeous Instagrammable luxurious resorts in El Nino.Loved reading the post, as I definitely will be visiting Philippines, early next year. Having stayed at a luxury resort in Maldives, I am eager to experience the resorts in El Nino, now.
Hello Arnav! early next year is the perfect time to visit Philippines, especially El Nido! Perfect weather!
The Miniloc Islands overwater bungalows look so inviting and beautiful! Though I must say, prices are a little higher than what I would have expected in the Philippines – I guess it’s really getting popular these days!
You know you’re right, when I think of a resort I don’t think about the Philippines. Maybe it’s cause I’m Canadian and people here tend to go to Mexico or somewhere in the Caribbean, but clearly El Nido in the Philippines is a place to consider for a relaxing vacation. All of these resorts look pretty spectacular.
All stunningly beautiful resorts. I really loved the pictures. To me, The Miniloc Island one looks best – its location is superb and the cottages are on the water. Must be a great stay.
You are right, when we first think of a luxury resort with turquoise water we think of Maldives and Carribean. But El Nido resorts looks so beautiful with stunning landscapes. I am now keen to visit Philippine soon and I will surely do the booking in advance. Those breathtaking views are so alluring.
I love booking.com and each of these places look amazing!!!!! I’m now dreaming of the EL NIDO RESORTS MINILOC ISLAND! I mean does it get any dreamier? Can I just hop from one hotel to the next? ? literally sent this to my husband since we’ve always talked about bora bora. This might be better!!
Wow I cant believe that such a place exist. Its beyond spectacular. Each resort is absolutely gorgeously located. The view from the THE NEST EL NIDO BEACH RESORT is incredible. Thanks for introducing me to this destination. Now Its on my list.