Boutique Hotel Hopping

Hipsters, millennial, and Instagrammers may be bummed if they come anytime between July-November. The southwest monsoon (rainy) season brings in a gray forecast, accompanied with some wind and downpours that might keep you away from the 45 islands that dot the bay. Visitors may have expected the splash of vibrant tropical summer colors as seen on most social media posts featuring El Nido. However, they can still see another side of El Nido on the mainland that is usually ignored. The influx of tourism has brought with it an explosion of hotel construction seen all over town. In the mix of all this noise are a few hotels that standout with their beautiful design. Our recommendation is to skip town and the concrete buildings the surround it and to tour the southern part of Corong-Corong. If you are looking for a tropical aesthetic and beach vibe hit any or all of the following spots. Start at Frangipani, hit Panorama, walk over to Buko Resort, and then get in a tricycle visit The Birdhouse. This series of boutique properties gives you good food, great drinks, and a beach vibe appropriate to the 5313 setting.

*Note that each one has an in-house restaurant, bar, and/or cafe. So no need to actually be checked in for a visit.

Panorama Beach Club and Resort is brought to you by some of the cool kids in town hailing from Spain. They are partially responsible for the happy hour vibes at Republica Sunset Bar and have recently expanded the Panorama hotel into a beachfront bar welcoming folks with a mix of drinks and music spun by a DJ. The incredible use of limited space, balanced with the tropical modern minimalist aesthetic of their interiors, fits well in the overall scheme of El Nido’s dramatic landscapes. The unique architecture comes off as modern Filipino and the shape of each unit is reminiscent of coconut husks. In the center is a pool which serves as the common space. If you’re looking for more socializing step out towards the beach. Flop yourself down for a drink with the beat of chilled house music over sunset and a cocktail at their beachfront bar.  If that’s not enough, check yourself in and enjoy the privacy of an adults only resort.

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Buko Beach Resort is next on our list of aesthetically pleasing properties in El Nido. Buko means coconut and in the Philippines is commonly referred to as the tree of life. Whether you’re looking for food, a drink, or building materials the tree of life can provide! The resort is describe by South African owner Paul Van Rooyen as “locally inspired and sustainably comfortable.” And now he’s currently working on a display workshop and boutique store to display local products. Further, it operates with an appreciation of the land that it was built on and operates with an environmentally-conscious vision using native material. There cottages aren’t only spacious but they are beautifully designed. They’ve also got a gorgeous pool overlooking sunset, perfect for the cocktail in hand and beating the humidity.

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Frangipani Resort continues the line of beautiful design in Corong-Corong with it’s beachfront boutique hotel and a backdrop of the limestone forest we frequently refer to as Bacuit Bay. This spot could easily be characterized as a tropical mid-century interior space. For the discerning traveling they want to give experience into Filipino design and the beautiful native furniture.

For the taste buds, they’ve got a chalkboard menu based on the freshest ingredients and what’s available at the local market.  The most picturesque area seems to be the Rubra Lounge area which serves as a great spot for morning coffee or an night cap. Of course, they also have stunning west facing views perfect any sunset that might appear in the rainy season.

The Birdhouse El Nido is tucked away just minutes away from the beautiful Maremegmeg Beach. Walk to the end of Orange Pearl Beach Resort and turn left, up and away from the beach. You might even find some of the subtle signs indicating you’re going the write direction. Once you get to the gate of the property you’ll open up to a series of bamboo staircases that traverse this hillside property. Take breaks in between to catch your breath and observe your surroundings. If you’re wondering whether or not the hike is worth it, let the encouraging sign boards and quotes keep you going.

Once you reach The Nesting Table their in-house restaurant be swept away by the stunning views where jungle and sea clash. As you walk through the restaurant it’s difficult to know where to look first as they have a resident interior designer who designed and curated each furniture piece with love. Finally making your way to the terrace it’s easy to see why visitors to the property spend the entire day, with many wanting to check-in. A mix of interior and beautiful surroundings gives you the best spot to wait out the rain or spend your vacation.