El Nido Paradise Found: Your Weekend Getaway Awaits!
El Nido Paradise Found: A Review from Someone Who Actually Lives Life (and Maybe Spilled Coffee on Their Shirt)
Alright, alright, let's talk about El Nido Paradise Found. Look, I'm not going to lie, I went in with a little bit of… skepticism. "Paradise Found?" Sounds a little cheesy, doesn't it? But after a weekend sprawled across their… let's call it "paradise adjacent" – I'm here to spill the REAL tea. Buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t your typical five-star, brochure-perfect review. I'm going to keep it real.
(First, a disclaimer: I've got a slight coffee stain on my favorite travel shirt. Adds to the authenticity, right?)
Accessibility: Getting There and Settling In (or, My Luggage's Adventure)
Okay, so, accessibility. Let's start with getting to the hotel. Airport transfer? YES! Thank the heavens, because navigating the usual chaos after a flight is the LAST thing I wanted. They’ve got it sorted – smooth, efficient, and the driver even helped me wrestle my overly-packed suitcase. (Pro-tip: pack Lighter! Easier said than done, I know.)
- Airport transfer: Check! Major plus.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Need to see. Didn't explore enough for 100% verification. Ask the hotel beforehand.
Once there: Elevator… Yup, vital. Exterior corridor… (mostly). More on layout later.
On-site Accessible Restaurants & Lounges: (Did They Get This Right?)
This is where it gets tricky. I didn't specifically check for fully compliant accessible dining, but… the layout seemed pretty manageable. Wide pathways. Tables spaced out. The main restaurant, in particular, made a good first impression. But, again, clarify if this is a MUST-HAVE.
Internet: Essential for a Modern Paradise Explorer
Okay, crucial stuff. I'm a digital nomad (ish). I NEED the internet.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms: BOOM. Nailed it. The signal was strong AND, more importantly, consistent. No buffering nightmares while I was trying to download my favorite film.
- Internet access – wireless: Check and check!
- Internet Access – LAN: Okay, I didn't use the LAN, but the option is there. Respect. (For the truly hardcore, I guess.)
- Internet services/Wi-Fi in public areas: Adequate. Think: pool area, lobby. Maybe not lightning-fast, but definitely functional.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Finding My Zen (and Maybe Losing It a Little)
This is where Paradise Found really shines.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Stunning. Seriously. The view. The atmosphere. Just…wow. Spend an afternoon there, and you will melt away. I may have spent a little too much time there.
- Pool with view: Absolutely!
- Spa/sauna: Yes! I did the full spa experience. The massage was… divine. I may have snored a little. Don’t judge. That “Body scrub” was actually pretty good, especially after I got a good tan.
- Gym/fitness: I intended to go to the fitness center. I really did. But that pool… and the happy hour? Let’s just say, the StairMaster remained untouched. (Maybe next time!)
- Body wrap/Foot bath**: *Not experienced, but available*
- Steam room: Not experienced, but available
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Belly's Guide to Paradise
Food is a big deal for me. I'm a food critic, but a very lenient one. Let's see…
- Restaurants: Several choices. The main restaurant (Asian and International cuisines) was excellent. The breakfast buffet was epic.
- A la carte in restaurant: Check. Plenty of options.
- Asian breakfast/cuisine: Check (and delicious.)
- Breakfast [buffet]: Worth the price of admission. Seriously.
- Breakfast service/ in room: Yes to both!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/ in room: Coffee game: strong. They had REAL coffee makers in the room. I'm happy.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Yeah, flexible. I have a dietary restriction, and they accommodated it without a fuss.
- Bar/ Poolside bar: Excellent cocktails. The happy hour was… very, very good. You’ve been warned.
- Happy hour: Must. Not. Miss.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes, yes, and yes.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes. Crucial for late-night cravings.
- Bottle of water: Always. Good!
- Salad in restaurant/ Soup in restaurant: I didn't focus on those but did see them.
- Snack bar: Perfect for refueling after swimming.
- Vegetarian restaurant/ Western breakfast/ cuisine: They're there, but again, not a focus of my trip.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping the Germs at Bay (And My Anxiety in Check)
Let's be honest, post-pandemic, safety is at the top of the list.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They used them.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yup.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: Check, according to their claims.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good option to have!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes.
- Safe dining setup: Tables were spaced out, etc.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed it.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area/ in all rooms: Obviously!
- Cash withdrawal/ Currency exchange: Yep.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless. Impressed.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful. They booked tours and gave great recommendations.
- Doorman: Always ready to help.
- Elevator…: mentioned already, a good thing to have.
- Invoice provided: If you’re travelling for business.
- Laundry service: Okay, didn’t need service.
- Meeting/banquet facilities/ Meetings: Good for events, not that I checked those out.
- Safety deposit boxes: Essential!
- Shop: They have a shop.
- Taxi service/Airport Transfer: See above.
- Car park [free of charge]/ Valet parking: Yes, they offer options.
For the Kids: (Because, Let's Be Real, Sometimes You Need a Break)
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Family/child friendly/ Kids facilities/ Kids meal: Yes. It’s overall suited for families.
Available in all rooms
- Air conditioning: Mandatory, and perfectly working.
- Bathrobes/ Slippers: Yes. Fancy.
- Bathroom phone: (Why?!)
- Blackout curtains: YES! Crucial for sleep.
- Coffee/tea maker: Always a plus.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Desk/ Laptop workspace: I worked from mine a bit.
- Extra long bed: YES, for those long, lazy moments.
- Free bottled water: Essential.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- In-room safe box: Always needed.
- Internet access – wireless: See internet section.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Mini bar: Yes, (and decently stocked).
- Non-smoking: All rooms are non-smoking. Great.
- Private bathroom/ Shower: Good.
- Refrigerator: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Enough options.
- Seating area: Comfortable.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Smoke detector: Essential!
- Soundproofing: Adequate.
- Telephone: (Yes, there is one… why?)
- Toiletries: Good ones!
- Towels: Soft.
Safety/security feature:
- CCTV in common areas/ CCTV outside property/ Security [24-hour]: Yes.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Helpful.
- Fire extinguisher/ Smoke alarms: Present, as always.
- Check-in/out [express]: Easy.
- Check-in/out [private]: Available if needed.
Getting around:
- Bicycle parking/ Car park [on-site]/ Car park [free of charge]/ Car power charging station: Yes.
- Taxi service/ Airport transfer: Covered.
Room decorations:
- **
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is El Nido, Philippines, Weekends Beach Resort, unfiltered. Prepare for some sunburn, some sand in your… well, everywhere, and the unvarnished truth about paradise.
Friday: Arrival and the Glorious, Glorious Chaos
10:00 AM - Manila Airport Meltdown: So, the flight. Let's just say it involved a questionable breakfast burrito, a crying baby who definitely knew how to work a room, and my phone dying right when I needed to book an Uber. Classic. Finally, we land. The air hits you like a warm, salty punch to the face. Beautiful, but also… humid. I feel like I'm already coated in a permanent sheen.
1:00 PM - Puerto Princesa Airport Shenanigans: Okay, let's be real: Puerto Princesa airport is adorable. Tiny, breezy, and full of that "island time" vibe. Except, finding the shuttle van to El Nido was a mini-adventure. Think frantic waving, bad Tagalog, and the distinct feeling of being mildly scammed. But hey, the scenery on the drive was enough to make me forget the potential monetary loss. Jungle, rice paddies, the ocean peeking through… I think I saw a monkey riding a water buffalo. (Okay, maybe not, but the point is, it was stunning.)
5:00 PM - Weekends Beach Resort – Initial Impressions (and a Slight Panic): Oh. My. God. This place. Weekends is… well, it's rustic. Let's go with that. The "luxury" part is debatable. Think cozy, not swanky. The room had a view of the beach, and the sand was literally right outside our door, so instant points for that. A quick swim immediately followed (beach is fantastic, a must). But then, the power went out. And with it, the hopes of charging my phone. Okay, deep breaths, I can do this.
7:00 PM - Sunset and the First Real Meal: The sunset. Unbelievable. Hues of orange, pink, purple… it made all the travel drama worth it. Dinner at the resort restaurant was… interesting. The food was lovely with good local music. Okay, the service was a little slow (island time, remember?), and I think I saw a rat scurry across the floor, but hey, it's part of the charm, right? (Please tell me it’s part of the charm.)
Saturday: Island Hopping and the Sudden, Profound Realization of My Own Physical Incompetence.
9:00 AM - Island Hopping Fiasco: The island hopping tour! Everyone raved about it. We set off in a bangka (a local boat) and my expectations? Sky high. Picture this: stunning lagoons, secret beaches, snorkeling with vibrant fish. Reality? A bit more… treacherous. Getting into the tiny boats was an act of pure contortionism. I swear, I almost lost my dignity (and my bikini top) twice.
Snorkeling Sabotage: The snorkeling? Epic. The ocean is crystal clear, the coral is all vibrant colours, and the fish… oh my god, the fish! I saw… everything. Clownfish! Sea turtles! And then I swallowed a mouthful of saltwater. Several mouthfuls actually. My sinuses are still screaming. My mask kept fogging up. I’m pretty sure I looked like some panicked, sputtering sea monster.
Lunchtime and a Near-Death Experience (Kinda): Lunch on a deserted beach was… well, it was beautiful. Simple grilled fish, rice, fresh fruit. Paradise, right? Except, I nearly choked on a fish bone. Seriously. Full-on Heimlich maneuver on myself in the middle of paradise. My inner monologue was screaming, "This is how I die. In a beachside paradise. By a fishbone." (Luckily, I survived).
Mid-Afternoon - Kayaking Confessions: Time to kayak! Me, the athletic extraordinaire (that's a joke by the way). My arms are now screaming, and my core is convinced it’s on fire. Every time I see another boat effortlessly glide past, I wanted to weep. My kayak was going in circles, I was dripping sweat. The scenery was beautiful, of course, but I was too busy berating myself for being so physically inept to really appreciate it. This whole experience was a brutal reminder that I need to get off my arse and exercise more. (Note to Self: Exercise! Or hire someone to row for me. Preferably, both).
7:00 PM - The After-Island-Hopping Slump: We dragged ourselves back to the resort. Exhausted. Sunburned. Salty. Hungry. And yet, somehow, content. The simple act of collapsing onto the beach, drinking a (slightly overpriced) beer, and watching the stars come out… it was pure, unfiltered bliss. And honestly, that made me feel like a lucky individual.
Sunday: Relaxation, Regrets, and the Reluctant Farewell
9:00 AM - Lazy Morning… Kinda: This was supposed to be a chill morning. Wake up, read a book, lounge on the beach, enjoy the serenity, etc. Except the roosters started their incessant crowing at 6. AM. So, I spent the next three hours tossing and turning, mentally plotting their demise. But then, I finally surrendered to the day and strolled on the beach with a cup of local coffee.
11:00 AM - Spa Day! (Almost): A massage was on my list. A soothing massage to work out the pain! The spa was closed. My muscles are begging for relief. Alas, there will be no relaxation session.
1:00 PM - Farewell Feast and the Taste of Saltwater Tears: One last lunch. One last gaze at the ocean. One last bite of delicious, fresh seafood. And suddenly, the reality of leaving hit. I’m not ready to leave this place. The humidity, the chaos, the minor inconveniences – it’s all part of the magic.
2:00 PM - Airport Debrief: Standing near the airport, I feel a pang of sadness. I will miss the breathtaking sunsets, the crystal-clear water, the sound of the waves, the easygoing attitude of the Filipinos. I have made good memories, even if not every little thing has gone right.
5:00 PM – Departure…and the Promise to Return: Boarding the plane. Looking out the window. This place? It gets under your skin. El Nido, you messy, beautiful, frustrating, and incredible paradise. This ain’t goodbye. It’s see ya later! Or, more accurately, "balik ka dito!" (Come back here!).
El Nido Paradise Found: Your Wildly Honest Weekend Guide (Because Let's Be Real)
Okay, spill. Is El Nido *really* paradise? Like, the Instagram kind of idyllic?
Alright, alright, let's get real. Paradise? It’s… complicated. The pictures? Yeah, they're mostly true. The turquoise water? Jaw-dropping. The limestone cliffs shooting out of the sea like something out of a fantasy novel? Stunning. But here's the thing: expect a little bit of gritty reality alongside the glamour. Think: some iffy Wi-Fi, a few (a *few*) over-crowded beaches, and the occasional, shall we say, "rustic" plumbing situation. I remember once, trying to take a shower after a particularly epic day of kayaking, and… let's just say the water pressure was… optimistic. But, honestly, it was all part of the charm! And the beauty? The sheer, raw, overwhelming beauty? It's still there. You just have to embrace the chaos.
What’s the best time to visit El Nido? I don't want to get caught in a typhoon!
The dry season, obviously. November to May is your golden ticket. But even then, Mother Nature likes to play tricks. I went in February once, supposedly peak season, and still had a downpour that lasted an entire afternoon. It was actually kind of amazing, though! We were stuck in our tiny bungalow, listening to the rain drumming on the tin roof with a bottle of rum. Didn't even mind the mosquito bites, honestly. Just a reminder: Pack a poncho, a good book, and be prepared for anything. Also, avoid the typhoon season, duh. Nobody wants to swim in a tropical storm, unless you're into that kind of thing, in which case, more power to ya.
Island Hopping: Yay or Nay? And which tour should I choose? So. Many. Options.
Island hopping? Absolutely YES! It's the *reason* you go to El Nido. The real question is: which tour? There's A, B, C, and D. I've done them all. And here's the tea: they all have their pros and cons. Tour A is the classic, hitting the iconic lagoons and beaches (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Beach). It's incredible, but brace yourself for crowds. Tour B is supposed to be less crowded, but honestly, it felt like we were just hopping from beach to beach with a bunch of other tourists. C and D are alright, but... frankly, after the first two, they kind of blend together. My advice? Do **Tour A in the morning**. Get there *EARLY*. Like, sunrise early. We did that once, and had Big Lagoon practically to ourselves for a glorious half hour. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. Then, by the afternoon, when all the other boats arrived, we were already basking in our smugness. Choose the one that appeals most to you, remember to book in advance, and if you can swing it, *hire a private boat*. Expensive? Yes. But worth it for the freedom and the chance to escape the hordes. Trust me on this one.
Speaking of food… what's the grub situation in El Nido? Will I starve?
Starve? Highly unlikely. El Nido's got a pretty good food scene, albeit a bit on the pricier side (it's a tourist hub, remember?). You'll find everything from fresh seafood (go for the grilled fish!) to Filipino classics (hello, adobo!). There are plenty of Western-style restaurants too, if you're craving a burger or pizza. But please, *please* try the local food! Seriously, it's delicious. Find the little *carinderias* (local eateries) tucked away from the main streets. That's where you'll find the real gems and the best prices. I once stumbled upon a *carinderia* that made the most incredible chicken inasal. Still dream about it! Fair warning: bring cash. Not everywhere takes credit cards.
Tell me more about the beaches! Which are the must-sees?
Okay, beaches. This is where El Nido truly shines. First off, **Nacpan Beach**. It's a bit of a journey (an hour or two by tricycle), but worth it. Miles of golden sand, crashing waves, and a laid-back vibe. Perfect for a relaxing day. But remember, it can get W-I-N-D-Y. I've been blown off a hammock there. Seriously. Then, you've got **Secret Lagoon Beach** (part of Tour A). The hidden lagoons, the turquoise water, it's all insanely photogenic. And just around the corner is **Seven Commandos Beach**, which is great for swimming and general basking. Also, **Las Cabanas Beach** is great for sunset viewing with a cocktail in hand (and some restaurants and bars). Just be prepared for some serious crowds. But here's a secret: explore! Don't just stick to the main beaches. Ask your boatman to take you to some of the smaller, more secluded coves. You might just find your own personal paradise. Just be prepared for sea urchins. I learned that the hard way. Ouch.
I'm on a budget. Can I still enjoy El Nido without breaking the bank?
Absolutely! El Nido can be pricey, but it's totally doable on a budget. Here's the key:
- Accommodation: Ditching the swanky resorts for a guesthouse or hostel will save you a ton. Look for places slightly outside the main town - they're often cheaper.
- Food: Eat local! *Carinderias* are your friend.
- Transportation: Walk! Tricycles are cheap, but walking gets you exercise and allows you to discover some hidden gems.
- Activities: Stick to the freebies! Swimming, sunbathing, exploring the town, watching the sunset... these are all free. Choose *one* boat tour and make the most of it.
- Negotiate: Haggle respectfully, especially at the markets.
Okay, let's talk about the *annoying* parts. Anything I should be prepared for?
Alright, the less glamorous stuff. The things nobody tells you. First: **the crowds**. Especially at peak season, expect a lot of people. Try to plan your activities for off-peak hours, or go during the shoulder season. **The power outages** are a real thing. So charge everything! Also, **mosquitoes**. Bring *strong* insect repellent. And finally? **The sandTrip Stay Finder
