El Nido is a dream travel destination nestled in the northern part of Palawan Island. This beautiful paradise offers incredible island-hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and beautiful beaches. It’s a great place to splurge, relax, and enjoy one of the amazing resorts in El Nido, as you’ll see in this article. This blog post is broken up into three categories: 5 luxury El Nido resorts, 4 beachfront El Nido resorts, and 3 cheap resorts in El Nido.
My personal favorites are Frangipani El Nido Resort for its beach and sunset views and Cauayan Island Resort & Spa for its luxury and eco-friendliness.
QUICK PICKS: MY 3 FAVORITE RESORTS IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN
Don’t have time to read my detailed breakdown of all the top resorts in El Nido? No worries! These are my three top picks for the best El Nido resorts. If you book one of these three, you are guaranteed to have a great stay in a great location!
LUXURY RESORTS IN EL NIDO COMPARISON TABLE
| ACCOMMODATION | RATES |
| LUXURY RESORT | |
| Cauayan Island Resort & Spa | $356 |
| El Nido Resorts Lagen Island | $447 |
| Matinloc Resort | $325 |
| Seda Lio | $211 |
| Vellago Resort | $371 |
| BEACHFRONT RESORT | |
| Frangipani El Nido | $331 |
| Nacpan Beach Glamping | $106 |
| Panorama Resort | $102 |
| Cadlao Resort & Restaurant | $161 |
| CHEAP RESORT | |
| Seaside Hue Resort | $62 |
| Garden Bay Beach Resort El Nido | $43 |
| RC Villas and Resorts | $89 |
12 BEST LUXURY RESORTS IN EL NIDO
These are my recommendations for the five best luxury, four beachfront, and three cheap resorts to stay in El Nido.
EL NIDO RESORTS LAGEN ISLAND
El Nido Resorts Lagen Island (Luxury): A sanctuary situated in a cove where guests can get in touch with nature and wildlife or simply enjoy the beach and sunset views. The resort comes with first-class amenities including an outdoor pool, a library, a bar, a restaurant, and a spa.
It offers three types of accommodation such as oceanfront cottages, water cottages, and forest rooms. All cottage rooms are all filled with wooden furnishings and floor-to-ceiling glass doors which lead guests to their own balcony overlooking the beach.
Guests can also enjoy exciting activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and more. Shuttle service from and to the airport is free. This is easily one of the top resorts in El Nido.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for El Nido Resorts Lagen Island
CAUAYAN ISLAND RESORT & SPA
Cauayan Island Resort & Spa (Luxury): In Cauayan Island Resort and Spa, you will experience first-class personalized services like no other. This eco-friendly resort offers luxurious villas with stunning ocean and mountain views. It features a huge infinity pool facing the beach, a state-of-art fitness center, a spa, outdoor showers, a restaurant, and some villas have daybeds on the balcony. With a private beach, viewpoints and amazing snorkeling, this is the best luxury resort in El Nido.
The spa room is fitted with floor-to-ceiling glass windows while the pool bar serves a wide variety of cocktails. The resort has a free kayak and snorkeling gear for you to use. Airport transfer to and from the airport is included in your stay.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Cauayan Island Resort & Spa
MATINLOC RESORT
Matinloc Resort (Luxury): Matinloc Resort is a 5-star beachfront property set on Matinloc Island. It offers luxury villas and suites which are suitable for families, couples, and business travelers. Some villas are perched on the limestone cliffs or the tree while others are on the beach near the infinity pool. Guests can take advantage of the sweeping views of the ocean, mountains, and the private white sand beach.
Amenities include a massage facility, Jacuzzi, restaurant, conference room, bar, gym and library with books and computers, and sun loungers under the coconut trees. Guests can also enjoy kayaking, island hopping, and snorkeling. Matinloc Resort makes it into the top three El Nido luxury resorts.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Matinloc Resort
SEDA LIO RESORT
Seda Lio Resort (Luxury): Another stunning beachfront property set 20 minutes away from the town center is Seda Lio Resort. This 5-star resort provides cozy rooms and suites with modern amenities. Each room has an expansive living room, balcony, and en-suite bathroom with a bathtub.
The Seda Suite has a separate living room, dining room, a small kitchen, and an extended balcony. Other amenities include a pool bar, fancy restaurant, 2 pools, gym, spa, game room, children’s room, and playground. Aqua sports such as kayaking, island-hopping, scuba diving, and yachting can also be enjoyed here. My favorite part about Seda Lio is that it has one of the biggest pools on this list of the top resorts in El Nido.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Seda Lio Resort
VELLAGO RESORT
Vellago Resort (Luxury): Experience a one-of-a-kind luxury life at Vellago Resort. Set on Seven Commandos Beach, this boutique oceanfront resort boasts six luxurious rooms. Each room features a king-sized bed with a mosquito net, an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub, a private balcony, and a sofa bed.
One of the highlights of the resort is the romantic dinner set up on the beach with torches and candles lit up. You can enjoy wondrous views from the balcony while having your breakfast or lunch in a beach cabana. There are bean bags, cabanas, and sun loungers on the beach for guests to use. Snorkeling and island hopping are the main activities here.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Vellago Resort
THE BEST BEACHFRONT RESORTS IN EL NIDO
Frangipani El Nido Resort (Beachfront): Just walking distance from Panorama Resort, this 2-star beachfront resort is one of the best-rated accommodations in El Nido. Featuring an outdoor pool and bar, Frangipani offers spacious suites facing the beach with outstanding sunset views. Its 50-sq.m suite has its own en-suite bathroom, a safe, a king-size bed with a sofa, a huge TV, bath amenities, and a private terrace fitted with a furniture set.
The one-bedroom suite with a living area is good for 4 guests with the same amenities. The atmosphere is laid-back and breakfast is included in the price. I highly recommended this resort if you are in El Nido.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Frangipani El Nido Resort
PANORAMA RESORT
Panorama Resort (Beachfront): Panorama resort is a quaint oceanfront and boutique property situated at Corong-Corong Beach. It offers rustic accommodation blending modern Filipino design and comfort, a restaurant, an indoor/outdoor pool, and a pool bar. Surrounded by lush gardens, each uniquely-shaped room is detached from others giving you more privacy.
Room amenities include Wi-Fi, minibar, luggage closets, soundproofing, safety deposit box, AC/fan, and a spacious work desk. Personally, I loved the beautiful panoramic view of the sunset from the beach bar.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Panorama Resort
CADLAO RESORT AND RESTAURANT
Cadlao Resort and Restaurant (Beachfront): Located just a few minutes away from the town center, Cadlao Resort is another amazing beachfront resort. The resort has bungalows with a mix of traditional and modern styles which are ideal for all types of guests, particularly families. Each bungalow boasts an unreal view of El Nido Bay including Helicopter Island. There are two swimming pools, spa, Wi-Fi, a boutique shop, and a restaurant.
The property provides a daily free tricycle ride from and to the main beach. The rooms are equipped with a safety deposit box, thermos, bath amenities, air conditioner, fan, and a private terrace. The highlight is the restaurant beside the infinity pool as guests can dine with sunset and beach views.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Cadlao Resort and Restaurant
NACPAN BEACH GLAMPING
Nacpan Beach Glamping (Beachfront): This beachfront resort on Nacpan Beach provides luxurious and exotic accommodation with lavish amenities and complimentary breakfast. Guests can enjoy its state-of-the-art glamping tents, outdoor pool, restaurant, garden, shared bathroom, and pool bar. Each carpeted tent is fitted with AC, fridge, safety box, and Wi-Fi.
Whether you choose between having a room with a sea view or a mountain view, this place is very insta-worthy and it is just a stone away from the beach. Guests can indulge in its delicious meals served at the restaurant, or simply have a romantic dinner on the beach. I highly recommend this resort!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Nacpan Beach Glamping
SEASIDE HUE RESORT
Seaside Hue Resort (Budget Resort): From the name itself, this resort on Nacpan Beach provides colorful beach houses with restaurants, parking spaces, gardens, and luggage storage. Each room has a toilet with a bidet.
There is a wide selection of rooms that are perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers. For $18 a night, you can grab a single bed in a mixed dormitory room equipped with air conditioning and lockers. But if you want some privacy, you can still book a large double room for roughly $62 with breakfast. There are colorful bean bags and small tables on the beach making it perfect to grab a beer and watch the sunset.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Seaside Hue Resort
GARDEN BAY BEACH RESORT EL NIDO
Garden Bay Beach Resort El Nido (Budget Resort): Nestled a bit off El Nido town proper, you’ll find Garden Bay Beach resort. This budget-friendly resort offers bungalows fitted with a fan or air conditioning. Each accommodation has a seating area and a private bathroom.
Breakfast is included in the price and they offer free tricycle rides from and to the town center. They also have hammocks on the beach where guests can relax and enjoy the view of the El Nido sunset. When it comes to food, the property also offers a good selection of vegetarian meals. This beachfront resort is your best pick if you don’t want to stretch your accommodation budget.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Garden Bay Beach Resort El Nido
RC VILLAS AND RESORTS
RC Villas and Resorts (Budget Resort): This secluded resort offers cheap accommodation with all the comfort you need. RC Villas and Resorts has lovely villas and rooms equipped with a view and balcony, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and private bathroom.
If you choose to stay here, take advantage of their amenities such as an outdoor infinity pool with a view, restaurant, bar, and shared lounge. There are also sun loungers by the pool where guests can chill while enjoying the view of the mountains and the sea. Breakfast is included in your stay plus the staff is extremely helpful. For the price, I can’t recommend RC Villas and Resorts enough!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for RC Villas and Resorts
I hope one of these luxury resorts in El Nido is going to be perfect for your trip to this beautiful, tropical location. It’s seriously one of my favorite spots in the Philippines so I hope you enjoy your stay.
ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY EL NIDO SERIES?
You want to go island-hopping in El Nido but aren’t sure whether TOUR A,B,C or D will be better? Take a look at my El Nido Island Hopping Guide that compares all of the four tours to help you pick the best one for you.
Wondering what there is to do in El Nido? I’ve been twice and spent almost 30 days in El Nido so I’ve got some great recommendations for you in my Travel Guide to El Nido: 20 Awesome Things To Do
Which region will you choose for your accommodation in El Nido? I’ve broken each region down and given you suggestions for budget, value and luxury in El Nido Town, Lio Beach, and Las Cabanas Beach in this guide: Where to stay in El Nido
My Review and photos of: Tour A
My Review and photos of: Tour B
My Review and photos of: Tour C
The most epic activity you can do in El Nido on the land is to hike up Taraw Peak and I share the photos and tell you how you can use the same local guide as me in this blog post: Hiking up Taraw Peak – What You Need to Know
Monica
Wednesday 20th of April 2022
I believe several of these hotels are out of business (especially the budget resorts). I cannot find any booking info for many of them. Panoramo --only a phone # but reviews are several years old. I found your site helpful but unable to find something to book.