Are you dreaming of bliss on an island, or should I say many tiny Islands, far far away... of white sand beaches, grass-thatched roofs and rare birds singing in the trees above your hammock...of snorkeling, kayaking or even rock climbing? If so, the El Nido Resorts in the Philippines might be your destination. They are located on Lagen Island and Miniloc Island within the protected area of El Nido. The 45 islands and islets and the surrounding sea present endless opportunities for adventure, nature appreciation, and even just simple pleasures. El Nido itself is a municipality located at the northwestern tip of the province of Palawan. The Municipality of El Nido is composed of 18 barangays (villages) covering a total land area of 50,000 hectares. Its population of 27,000 people, is a mix of native Palaweños, with a heavy presence of migrants from other parts of the Philippines.
Lagen Island Resort has a total of 50 rooms with a variety of accommodation styles: 18 Water Cottages built on stilts, 9 Beachfront Cottages with a perfect view of the entire cove, 20 Forest Rooms and 3 Forest Suites built on the fringes of a tropical forest. All rooms have floors made of antique woods and furnishings made of old wood reclaimed from old houses.
The air-conditioned Clubhouse serves as the main dining area. On the lower level are the boutique, game area, library, clinic, and a conference room that can accommodate up to 70 persons, depending on configuration. The 12 x 25-meter swimming pool, designed with an even depth of 4 feet so as not to touch the roots of trees that lie underneath, is located in front of the clubhouse. Nearby is a poolside bar.
The sound of waves gently lapping at the beach accompanied by the ambient reflection of lights on the pool creates a memorable dining experience under the stars. It is the scenic landscape, crystal clear waters, and relative isolation that fascinate and attract travelers to this special place. The rooms aren't too shabby either!
Each cottage, room, and suite is air conditioned and has a private toilet and shower with bath amenities , a mini-bar, stereo system with CD player, and IDD telephone.
At the back of the resort is a trail that passes through a forest and ends in a private cove. If you decide to venture far from your hammock on that white sand beach, you will find many unique features. You may discover Vigan Island, also known as Snake Island, because of its winding white “snake’s tail” of sand. If you enjoy history, visit Cudugnon Cave, one of El Nido’s stunning geological formations. Archaeologists believe it was used as a burial site during Neolithic times. This ancient cave was formed by a million years of weathering action that hollowed out large portions of emergent limestone layers.
You may want to paddle your way to nature’s wonders, using the special sea kayaks, and regular kayaks available at the Marine Sports Center. El Nido ("nido" in Spanish means "nest") is named after the edible nests of Swiftlets (Collocalia Fuciphaga) found in the crevices of its limestone cliffs. These nests are the main ingredient for the gourmet nido soup. Considered a showcase of Palawan’s geology and diverse wildlife, El Nido's majestic limestone cliffs stand guard over clear waters, with hundreds of species of tropical fishes and corals, and three species of endangered sea turtles.
The resort offers a wide range of activities, from soft adventure sports to more leisurely pursuits. The more adventurous can even do some rock jumping!
Facilities at the Miniloc Island Resort are equally attractive. They include an open-air restaurant located at the clubhouse, a boutique, game area, beach bar, and a conference room that can accommodate up to 40 persons. Snorkeling areas, dive sites, lagoons, secluded beaches and picnic sites are all within easy reach of both resorts. There are over 100 private beach locations readily accessible from both resorts.
Miniloc Island Resort features grass-thatched roofs on 50 rooms with a variety of accommodation styles: 5 Water Cottages, 2 Waterside Cottages, 5 Seaview Rooms and 10 Deluxe Seaview Rooms built on stilts, 13 Garden Cottages surrounded by tropical plants, 3 Cliff Cottages nestled high in the hillside, and 12 Beachside Rooms.
All of the 50 rooms are made of local and natural materials and are equipped with an air-conditioning unit, mini bar, hair dryer, private toilet, shower facilities, and private verandas that offer views of the cove and nearby islands.
At Miniloc’s very doorstep, off the long dock, guests can snorkel alongside 3-foot-long Jackfish and hundreds of Sergeant Majors, Damsel fish, Fusiliers, and other multi-colored tropical fishes. You can be adventurous and explore them on your own, or be accompanied by a Marine Sports Guides. A complete line of snorkeling equipment is available free on a first come first serve basis.
The forests of El Nido are host to more than 100 species of birds, a large number of which are endemic to Palawan. If you take an invigorating walk amongst the giant trees and lush rainforest, you might see a monkey, Palawan Hornbill and other wondrous flora and fauna. If you end up at a beautiful cove on the west coast of the island, you may choose a 15-minute kayak paddle back to the resort. It's a great aerobic workout!
AND it's SUSTAINABLE...The El Nido Resorts strive to operate with minimal impact on the environment. They believe in respecting our natural resources through responsible tourism. The resorts work closely with the community in the prevention of illegal fishing, promotion of coastal clean-ups, environmental education campaigns, monitoring of snorkeling and dive sites, and installation and maintenance of mooring buoys. Both properties have desalinating plants to reduce the sourcing of water from watersheds in mainland El Nido. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) ensure that resort sewage is non-damaging to the environment, and recycled water from STP is used for flushing and irrigation. Residual waste is sun-dried and used to fertilize plants in the gardens. The resorts also make significant annual donations to a Conservation Trust Fund for future environmental projects.
