Overwater Bungalows in El Nido (2023)

Why We Like It: On Miniloc Island is the Filipino hotel group El Nido’s local eco-resort of the same name. It is something of a luxury resort but one with a laid back unassuming vibe. It is also eco-friendly and feels more locally authentic than most resorts we’ve seen, but with a bit of hippie chic thrown in. There are a total of 50 rooms, a mixture of beach cottages and overwater bungalows. The style is classic Filipino, its bungalows and on-shore cottages have walls of woven bamboo slats and traditional thatched roofs, and all of it blends nicely with the peaceful, rural nature of the setting. Overwater Bungalows: They have overwater bungalows, which you will see referred to as ‘Water Cottages’ or ‘Seaview Rooms’. On shore, what they refer to as Beach Cottages are, as the name suggests, on the beach and then the more secluded Garden Cottages are a little further back. Check out your room options at Agoda here. None are enormously spacious but are certainly cozy, comfortable, and have an authentic, rustic charm, despite them being internally, relatively modern in style. They range in size from READ THE REVIEW

Why We Like It: The El Nido eco-resort chain’s Lagen Island branch has a jaw-dropping setting, even by Philippines island standards – a picture-perfect cove surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush green forest. Lagen Island as a whole is spectacular and a known sanctuary for a huge variety of flora and fauna. If you’re any kind of nature lover we’d highly recommend the resort’s guided jungle hikes. It is a luxury resort (4-star), with a kind of barefoot chic vibe, and the accommodation, food, and service are of a very high standard. It has 51 rooms in total, a mix of what they refer to as Forest Suites, Beachfront Cottages, and their overwater bungalows which they refer to as Water Cottages. All are crafted from local wood, most of it recycled and, in common with pretty much all El Nido’s resorts, the accommodation, and the resort in general, feel authentic and seem to blend in nicely with the sublime natural surroundings, though mod-cons too are present. Water Villas & Other Accommodation: So there’s a total of 51 rooms, 18 of which are overwater bungalows or Water Cottages, 53 m²/570 ft² READ THE REVIEW