El Nido Bayview Resort

Located atop a small hill overlooking the jungle on one side and Bacuit Bay on the other, El Nido Bayview Resort is rather charming. Its 22 rooms are housed in several small two-story buildings with balconies or patios and white facades, while the lobby and the restaurant are in separate wooden pavilions with pitched nipa roofs and lots of dark-wood finishes. The layout of the property can be challenging for guests with mobility issues and those with strollers or heavy luggage: the lobby is located at the bottom of the slope, while most rooms and the restaurant are a long flight of steps up the hill. Everything here is simple and basic, but the panoramic views are outstanding, and the property offers walking access to a pretty beach and the jungle. The downside of this location is the number of bugs that one encounters on any given day. Although this is to be expected in the area, critters make their way into rooms and the restaurant. 

Rates are average for a mid-range beach hotel in the area, but those seeking something cheaper and more centrally located in El Nido may want to consider APTR – A Place To Remember, though it is more basic than El Nido Bayview Resort: most rooms don’t have windows, and there have been reports of maintenance issues throughout the property. El Gordo’s Action Adventures Guesthouse is another good budget option, with dorms and private rooms, a great location on the bay, and a long list of outdoor activities available. At a higher price point, El Nido Cove Resort offers a semi-unplugged beach experience a 20-minute drive from El Nido.  

The hotel is located on a small road in Sitio Marimegmeg, a somewhat secluded beach area that’s about a 10-minute drive from El Nido town. The property is built on a bluff, which allows for wonderful views of Bacuit Bay. A long, palm-fringed beach with fine sand and a bar selling snacks and drinks can be found across the street, but there is little else within easy walking distance. Restaurants and shops can be found in and around El Nido, and there are several other beaches within a 15-minute drive of the hotel. Not all are suitable for swimming, so guests should ask the front desk before setting off for the day. There is a tricycle stand right outside the hotel, and rides are cheap and fun. El Nido Airport is a 25-minute drive away, and transfer services can be booked at the hotel for a fee.

The hotel’s 22 rooms are housed in several two-story buildings set on a grassy bluff above the beach. Decor is simple, consisting of dark-wood furniture, white tiled floors (polished wooden floors in suites), and just a couple of nature-inspired paintings on walls. Beds get great reviews from past guests and are topped with white duvets, two pillows per person, and chocolate-brown bed runners. Entry-level rooms are rather compact, with just about enough space for a narrow desk and chair, and shelves instead of a proper closet. These rooms also have smaller windows than suites, which have floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto private patios or small gardens with plunge pools. All units, however, have outdoor spaces and great views: some overlook the jungle and others offer panoramic vistas of Bacuit Bay. 

While rooms are overall comfortable, their location in the jungle and lack of mosquito nets means critters can make their way into the rooms, which may be uncomfortable for some guests. 

Room amenities are basic but average for the price, and include air-conditioning, electric kettles, free bottled water, safes, and flat-screen TVs. Only suites feature mini-fridges. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge but is spotty to non-existent in rooms -- it seems to work better in common areas. Bathrooms are modern, with walk-in rainfall showers, black stone-like tiles, and square sinks over wood-and-marble vanities. Basic toiletries and hairdryers are provided in all rooms.  

A basic breakfast buffet is included in all room rates, but some guests find it just average, with limited options and little variety over the days. Lunch and dinner are served at Narra, an airy restaurant housed in an open pavilion offering expansive jungle views. Food, however, gets mostly poor reviews from past guests. Additionally, snacks and drinks are available throughout the day at the beach bar. Sea kayaks and other non-motorized water sports are available on-site for a fee. The hotel also offers free outdoor parking, as well as laundry services and massages for a fee. 

A pool is currently under construction and expected to open in mid-2019.