Where to Stay in El Nido Palawan: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2025
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, or even just starting to Google around, El Nido will definitely pop up. It’s one of the most popular destinations in the country, and honestly, for good reason.
El Nido is known for its incredible scenery: turquoise waters in every shade of blue and green, massive limestone cliffs, and hidden beaches that look like they belong in a movie. It ended up being one of my favorite places I visited in the Philippines.
Because it’s so popular, I’d really recommend booking your accommodation early. Places fill up quickly, and you don’t want to get stuck in some random budget hotel that looked way better in the photos.
In this little travel guide on where to stay in El Nido Palawan, I’ll walk you through the best areas to stay, as well as some great hotels and resorts, including the ones I personally stayed at or would absolutely recommend.
In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in El Nido Philippines
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Morgan Villas – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️ Sea Cocoon Hotel – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️Frendz Hotel El Nido – Click here for rates & availability



Where to Stay in El Nido – My Experience
I’ve spent about 3 months total in the Philippines, hopping between 7+ islands and El Nido in Palawan was actually my very last stop.
I stayed for around a week, trying to explore as much of the region as I could and joining as many of the island hopping tours as possible.
I’ve mentioned this in my other El Nido articles already, but I’ll say it again, I’m honestly not the biggest fan of El Nido town itself. It didn’t feel charming to me at all. It’s loud, touristy, and kind of built up in a way that just didn’t vibe with me. Luckily, there are loads of other incredible places to stay around the area, and I’ll share a few of my favorites below.
Personally, I like to mix up my accommodation style when I travel, I don’t usually stay in just one place for a whole week. So in El Nido, I stayed a few nights in the town itself, which was super convenient. All the restaurants, bars, cafes, and island hopping tours are right there, so it’s a good base. But it wasn’t exactly what I’d call idyllic.
That’s why I ended up moving to a beach resort for the rest of my stay and it was the best decision ever. I booked a couple nights at Angkla Beach Club & Boutique Resort, located right on Nacpan Beach just outside of town, and wow. It was beautiful.
Palm trees everywhere, golden sand, turquoise water, a great beach club vibe, and a pool overlooking the ocean. Honestly, I kind of wish I had stayed there the whole time.
So that’s what I’d recommend to you too, if you’re not on a super tight budget, maybe split your time. Do a couple nights in town for convenience, then move to one of the beach resorts or even a private island resort for something a little more special. I’ve listed a few great options for both below.


Best Areas to Stay in El Nido Palawan
El Nido Town
El Nido Town is pretty much where everything’s happening. It sits right on Bacuit Bay and it’s got all the tourist stuff, restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, you name it.
But I’ll be honest with you: it’s not exactly the most charming beach town you’ll ever see. It’s busy, built up, and a little bit chaotic at times. That said, it’s super convenient, especially if you’re doing island hopping tours since most of them leave from here. It’s also the best area if you’re on a tighter budget since there are loads of hostels and cheap hotels around. Not my personal favorite vibe, but if you want to be in the middle of it all, this is it.
Corong-Corong Beach
Corong-Corong is just a few minutes before you reach El Nido Town, and I actually liked the vibe here a little more. It’s gotten way more popular over the years, so there are now tons of boutique hotels, beach bars, and little villas all around, but it still feels a bit more relaxed compared to town.
The beach here is super calm too, perfect for sunset drinks. And bonus: if you’re arriving by bus or van, this is where the terminal is, so you can just hop off and you’re already home.


Nacpan Beach
One of my favorite beaches around El Nido was Nacpan Beach which is honestly just so gorgeous. I stayed out here for a couple of nights right on the sand at one of the beach resorts, and it was such a nice change of pace.
The beach is super long, the water’s crystal clear, and there are palm trees everywhere. I stayed at Angkla Beach Resort and absolutely loved it. It’s a proper luxury hotel, which I don’t usually treat myself to, but maybe that’s why I appreciated it even more.
If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxing experience in El Nido, I’d totally recommend staying out here instead of in town. In my opinion, this is the best beach in El Nido to stay at.(Also, don’t worry about missing out on tours. All the resorts here offer the same island hopping trips, so you don’t need to be based in El Nido Town to do them.)
Private Islands
I actually thought about booking one of the private island resorts but ended up leaving it too late, so I couldn’t find anything in my price range. But wow, there are so many incredible 5 star resorts in El Nido. Many of them have overwater bungalows, white sand beaches, and such a unique and upscale vibe to it.
I did a bunch of research and found that there’s a whole range, from full-on 5-star luxury resorts in El Nido to more low-key eco resorts that feel a bit more Cast Away. Honestly, next time I’m here, I’m 100% booking one of those in advance.



1. Best Hotels in El Nido Town
Morgan Villas El Nido
Morgan Villas is actually where I stayed during my time in El Nido Town and I have to say, I was seriously impressed. I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was, but it turned out to be one of the most unique and beautifully designed places I stayed at in the Philippines.
The villas are located up on a hillside just outside the main part of town, with absolutely incredible sunset views over the bay. The whole place feels really well thought out, the staff were super kind, and overall, I just had such a good experience here.
Weirdly enough, one of my favorite parts was the bathroom. It had these huge wraparound windows, even in the shower, so you could look straight out into the jungle and over the ocean. It felt totally private, but also like I was right in nature.
If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale and a little different from the usual hotels in town, I can fully recommend Morgan Villas. It felt like a proper escape, even though we were still close to everything in El Nido Town
Book Here: Morgan Villas El Nido

The Funny Lion El Nido
The Funny Lion El Nido is probably one of the most well-known boutique hotels in town and for good reason. I actually tried to stay here originally, but it was fully booked at the time. That said, I ended up at Morgan Villas and loved it, so no regrets there.
Design-wise, The Funny Lion is super sleek and modern. It’s not your typical beachy, laid-back design, but more of a polished, boutique hotel feel. The rooms are clean, stylish, and put together in that Instagram-friendly way without feeling overdone.
There’s also a really nice outdoor pool, a gym, and a cozy indoor restaurant, so it has all the little extras that make a stay feel a bit more comfortable. Location-wise, it’s right in the center of El Nido Town, so you won’t need a scooter, everything from restaurants to shops is within easy walking distance.
Book Here: The Funny Lion El Nido
Frendz Hostel
Frendz Hostel might honestly be one of the most impressive hostels I’ve seen in the entire Philippines. I didn’t stay here myself, but I came by for drinks and lunch on the rooftop and I was seriously blown away.
The place is huge, super new, and kind of reminded me of the Selina hostels in Latin America. I didn’t get a look at the rooms, but everything else I saw was really well done. It’s got a modern, social atmosphere and just feels way more put together than most hostels I’ve seen in Southeast Asia.
The rooftop is definitely the highlight. Not to be dramatic, but it might just be the coolest pool in El Nido. It’s up on the roof with insane views over the bay and the town, and yes, sunset drinks in that pool are just as good as you’re imagining.
Book Here: Frendz Hostel El Nido



2. El Nido Hotels & Resorts in Corong Corong Beach
Panorama Villas El Nido
Panorama Villas El Nido is definitely one of the most upscale places you can stay in El Nido. The design is gorgeous, it’s modern, but still feels tropical and beachy, which I love.
Every single villa has its own private pool, which honestly just makes it feel super unique. I didn’t stay here, but it’s 100% on my list for next time. It feels like the perfect spot for a romantic trip or a honeymoon kind of vibe.
Book Here: Panorama Villas El Nido
Karuna El Nido Villas
What I like about Karuna Villas is that it feels a bit more traditional while still being super high-end. These days, a lot of places all start to look the same with polished concrete everywhere, minimal design, no personality.
Karuna has more character. You can tell they added some Filipino touches, and the whole place feels a bit warmer and more lived in. Also, their pool is incredible. The views over the ocean and limestone cliffs are just so amazing. I’d totally stay here on my next trip.
Book Here: Karuna El Nido Villas
Panorama Boutique Hotel
Panorama Boutique Hotel is a bit of a mix. It has that whole polished concrete aesthetic too, but here it kind of works. What makes it stand out is that it’s right on the beach and has its own beach club.
I really liked that part, even though the beach club can get busy, so if you’re more of a social type, this place is probably perfect. They’ve also got a pool right by the beach with full-on ocean views, which I think is pretty incredible.
Book Here: Panorama Boutique Hotel

3. My Favorite Accommodation El Nido Nacpan Beach
Angkla Beach Club & Boutique Resort
This is where I stayed and honestly, I can’t stop raving about it. After spending a few days in El Nido town, I just really wanted something that felt a bit more like paradise if that makes sense.
So I booked two nights at Angkla Beach Resort, which is about 30 minutes from El Nido town on Nacpan Beach. And wow. First of all, Nacpan Beach is absolutely stunning with a huge stretch of golden sand, turquoise water, palm trees swaying, it was exactly what I was craving.
But the resort itself was probably the most beautiful place I stayed in all of the Philippines. The beach club area was my favorite part with a gorgeous pool, great restaurant, bar, everything just looked amazing.
My room was spacious, had air conditioning and a private bathroom, and the staff were genuinely lovely and so helpful. I couldn’t have asked for a better stay.
Book Here: Angkla Beach Club & Boutique Resort
Nacpan Beach Glamping
When I was booking my stay at Nacpan Beach, I was actually torn between this place, Nacpan Beach Glamping and Angkla Beach Resort. In the end, I went with the more upscale (and more expensive) option, but this one honestly looked amazing too.
It’s basically a bunch of stylish glamping tents set up between the palm trees, right on the beach. I remember walking past it one morning and thinking how cute it looked.
All the tents have air conditioning, which is a huge plus and the setup is way more than just basic camping. Proper beds, lounge chairs, nice design… honestly, it looked better than some actual hotels in El Nido.
They’ve also got a really nice swimming pool and a beach bar, which looked super inviting. I have no doubt I would’ve had a great time if I had stayed here too.
Book Here: Nacpan Beach Glamping

4. Best El Nido Hotels on Private Islands
Dryft Darocotan Island
Dryft on Darocotan Island was actually one of the places I really wanted to stay at and I was so close to booking it. But the dates didn’t line up, which was such a bummer. A lot of the private island resorts around El Nido are super high-end (and super pricey), but not Dryft. It’s more of an eco-resort, and if I had to describe it, it’s definitely a little more immersive in nature but in the best possible way.
The photos honestly look unreal. Think rustic wooden huts, glamping tents tucked between palm trees, and one of the dreamiest beaches I’ve seen with an actual shipwreck right out front. It totally gives off that “castaway island” kind of vibe.
Next time I come back to El Nido, I’m definitely staying here. I’ve linked it just down below, click through and check out the pictures. You’ll see exactly what I mean.
Book Here: Dryft Darocotan Island
Cauayan Island Resort and Spa
One of the private island resorts in El Nido that really stood out during my research was Cauayan Island Resort and from what I could tell, it’s probably the most exclusive and over-the-top place to stay in El Nido.
This place seriously has it all. It looks like somewhere they’d film the next season of The White Lotus. We’re talking a full-on private island with multiple beaches, private villas, overwater bungalows, a spa, a gym, and several pools. It’s next-level.
If I ever win the lottery, this is definitely where I’m booking a few nights. Check it out just to see what I mean, it’s wild.
Book Here: Cauayan Island Resort and Spa


FAQs About Staying in El Nido Palawan
Is El Nido worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. I do think El Nido is a bit too touristy at times, but I can’t deny that the scenery is some of the best I’ve seen anywhere in the Philippines. The landscapes, the limestone cliffs, the beaches, it’s all stunning. So yes, I’d definitely include El Nido in your Philippines itinerary.
What are the best beaches in El Nido Palawan?
There are all the famous ones you’ll visit on the island hopping tours like Seven Commando Beach or Secret Beach, but outside of that, I really liked Duli Beach. It’s about 40 minutes from El Nido and way less crowded.
What are the best beach resorts in El Nido Palawan?
I haven’t stayed at loads of places, but I had an amazing time at Angkla Beach Club & Boutique Resort. It’s a small, beautiful resort right on Nacpan Beach with a really nice pool and beach club.
When is the best time to visit El Nido?
I’d recommend coming during the dry season, from December to May. That’s when you’ll get the best weather. Just try to avoid Christmas and Easter if you can because El Nido gets absolutely packed during the holidays.
How to get to El Nido?
Most people fly into Puerto Princesa, which is the main airport in Palawan, and then take a van or bus to El Nido. I did that too and it took around five hours from the airport. But El Nido actually has its own airport, which I didn’t even know about before, turns out you can fly straight there from Manila and it’s not even that expensive.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hotels in El Nido Palawan
To wrap this up, I think where you should stay in El Nido really depends on what kind of traveler you are.
I totally get why backpackers or budget travelers might stay in El Nido town, I stayed there for a bit myself. There are tons of hostels, lots of nightlife, and it can definitely be a fun time.
But honestly, I didn’t love the vibe of the town. The surrounding nature is absolutely stunning, and the town itself just didn’t match that energy for me.
I really preferred staying outside of El Nido town. When I think of the Philippines, I picture quiet beaches, clear blue water, and palm trees, and that’s exactly what I got outside the town.
If I could do it again, I’d probably skip El Nido town altogether and only stay at beach resorts, either on a private island or at Nacpan Beach and just do all my island hopping tours straight from there.
Check Out My Other El Nido Palawan Guides
Best Beach Resort in El Nido Palawan: My Honest Hotel Review
Beaches in El Nido Palawan: My Top El Nido Beaches
Restaurants in El Nido: Where to Eat in El Nido Palawan
How to Get to El Nido Palawan: My Full Guide on How to Get to El Nido
Is El Nido Worth Visiting?: My Honest Review
El Nido or Siargao: My Honest Comparison
El Nido Itinerary: My 4 Days in El Nido Travel Itinerary
Best Time to Visit El Nido: When to Visit El Nido Travel Guide
Things to Do in El Nido Palawan: My Favorite Touristy & Non-Touristy Activities
Where to Stay in El Nido Palawan: My Favorite Areas & Hotels
El Nido Island Hopping: My Honest Review of Tour A
Port Barton Restaurants: Where to Eat in Port Barton
Is Port Barton Worth Visiting?: My Honest Review