Introduction
Most visitors are coming to El Nido for some vitamin sea in Bacuit Bay. For those that have a preference to take a dip in a pool or enjoy sipping cocktails poolside here are a few of your options in the 5313. While spending time in chlorine filled water doesn’t personally appeal to me, it does to a large enough audience to justify making this post. Pool lover’s this one’s for you.
Buko Beach Resort
Buko Beach has an overall great design from architecture to interior design. Aside from the actual hotel buildings this spot has an incredible view of Bacuit Bay and hosts spectacular sunsets in Corong-Corong!
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Cadlao Resort
Cadlao Resort is appropriately named, with views some of the best views Cadlao Island! This beachfront hotel has a pool centraly located, surrounded by its villa rooms. They are one of El Nido’s top hotels and get great reviews on their food. Even if you’re not staying, you can always get a reservation for a romantic date at their in-house restaurant.
Cuna
This new comer opened up this past May (2018). This rooftop restaurant and pool has the best views of Bacuit Bay in the main town of El Nido. Expect this spot to get busy both for their food and views.
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Cauayan Island Resort
Cauayan Island Resort is a quick speedboat away from El Nido’s mainland. With a beautiful beachfront and 23 villas that overlook the bay the pool may not be the best part of this luxury hotel. To have a dip in the pool you’ll have to shell out $300 + USD a night and be willing to be stuck on an island in paradise!
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Lagun Hotel El Nido
Lagun Hotel is hard to miss. Coming in from Corong-Corong at the intersection it’s the big building on your right. If you’re choosing between Cuna and Lagun we’d still choose Cuna for the view. However, this spot does have a great pool with partial views of the bay while those block are because of the beautiful karsts that makes up the limestone topography. Below that is views of a tourist town undergoing all sorts of construction.
Frangipani
Franginpani best know for their beautiful interior design and great sunset view. But, step out of the room and restaurant and take in one of their signature cocktails at there poolside!
Lagen Island Resort
El Nido Resorts were pioneers in luxury island resorts scattered around Bacuit Bay. Lagen Island is one of three of the El Nido Resorts properties. The other two are Pangulasian Island Resort and Miniloc Island Resort. Each has their own pool but Lagen seems to be the most photogenic! On a side note we love their sustainability efforts, with each spot having their own environmental officer and recently being awarded the country’s first sustainable tourism estate development.
Panorama
Panorama is in a tight space but the owners ability to utilize it in such a beautiful way continues to surprise not just us but visitors from around the world. The beach on Corong-Corong is just steps away from this resort but not the best for swimming (don’t swim there). Fortunately, it’s got a gorgeous pool with great cocktails being served all day.
The Nest
The Nest is in a quieter side of El Nido. If you’re coming from town, continue walking along the beach (towards the right side) until you get to the corner. From there, keep going. There’s an authentic feel to what El Nido’s main town might have felt like years ago. There are great hotels in the area including The Nest! There infinity pool gives a great give of Cadlao Island and Helicopter Island.
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El Nido Overlooking Hotel
El Nido Overlooking Hotel has 4 private villas set on the hillside of Corong-Corong. Given the amount of rooms it’s great for a private getaway. The panoramic views of Bacuit Bay give you reason to disconnect and take in El Nido’s natural environment.
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El Nido Garden Beach Resort
This hotel is one of the last hotels at the end of El Nido’s beachfront. It’s one of the few hotels in town that offer poolside services!
Your recommendations?
When we do lists it’s never comprehensive. It’s impossible for us to do so but if we missed something that should be on this list, send us an email with the photo and we’ll do what we can to get it in.
