Barco El Nido Hotel

I especially appreciated the practical touches, like drying racks for wet clothes and the pleasantly scented 2-in-1 shampoo and body soap instead of single-use bath products. The hotel has spacious, cozy rooms with modern comforts, plus a spiral staircase and an elevator. There's a continental breakfast from 6 a.m., and the staff are attentive and accommodating. I loved the smart TV and indoor lounges for relaxing, too. I've found a place I'll happily book again next time I'm in town.

The calm, homey common area was lovely, with greenery and colors that weren't too bright, and having an elevator made getting around much easier. Staff also kept in touch through Viber and text, updating us on our concerns and suggesting places to go and eat in El Nido. One receptionist seemed aloof and didn't make eye contact, but the others were hospitable and helpful. They arranged our island hopping Tour A, printed something for us when our phones broke, and found me a pen and paper when I asked. We had a pleasant stay and highly recommend the hotel. We'd stay again if we return to El Nido.

The building is in very poor shape, and the room needs repairs and didn't feel clean. There was mold and mildew in the bathroom, a damp, musty smell, and no hot water in the shower. The WiFi didn't work in our room. There wasn't a proper comforter or bedsheet, so we used old throw blankets, and the angled window let hallway light past the curtain. The staff were very helpful with arranging tours and motorbike rentals, though. That's sadly the only good thing about the hotel, and they deserve to work somewhere better.

We paid about ₱9,900++ through Klook for three nights in the Quadruple Sharing Room, and it felt well worth it. The location was good, just a few minutes' walk from Townsquare, and the water pressure was strong. The mattress was thick, with lots of outlets beside the bed, and there were two drying racks. They had body wash and hand soap, but no slippers; the dental kit only came on the second day. Using the hair dryer required a ₱1,000 deposit. There's a water dispenser in the hallway, and you can reheat food on the first floor, just borrow plates from the staff.