Lexias Hostel and Co-Working Space

WARNING: LIFE-THREATENING HEALTH HAZARD & FINANCIAL SCAM Stay away from Lexias Hostel and Co-Working Space El Nido unless you want a hospital bed instead of a vacation. This is not a hostel, it's a documented biohazard and financial scam. My companion was rushed to a clinic and admitted with a severe bacterial infection. The medical team confirmed it was waterborne and directly caused by the hotel's “drinking” water and tap water used for basic hygiene. The room was a nightmare, infested with bed termites and swarms of insects. I have infected wounds on my legs from the bites. There were no shower doors, only filthy curtains, and the water supply repeatedly shut off for hours, from 1:00 AM to 9:00 AM during our stay, making basic hygiene impossible. This business is a scam: * Bait-and-switch: the rooms look nothing like the promotional photos. * Double charging: Agoda said a refund had been issued, but management demanded cash at the front desk before letting us leave. * Fake ratings: they keep a high Agoda rating while Google Maps has reviews from other guests who were also poisoned by the water. It's highly questionable how this property maintains a Business Permit or DOT accreditation. Distributing contaminated water and keeping such unsanitary, insect-infested conditions is a gross violation of Department of Health (DOH) standards. DO NOT BOOK HERE. YOUR HEALTH AND MONEY ARE AT RISK.

The views were stunning and the location peaceful, with big beds, though the rooms were dim and worn out. The slope up to the hotel is very steep, but their pick-up and drop-off at McDo Vanilla Beach helps a lot. Internet was fast, and the restaurant staff and front desk were great. We loved the burger, and they made us a Cuba Libre even though it wasn't on the menu. It was disappointing that the pool was under maintenance. The stay was tolerable, but things need updating.

The sunset view is great, but the facilities are terrible. My first impression of the bathroom was that it looked like an abandoned high school. Cleanliness and upkeep should matter even in a hostel. I own a property myself, and I can't understand whether this one is being properly supervised or looked after.

We didn't stay at the hostel, but ate there while waiting for the zipline. My friend and I both got sick after having iced tea because of the ice. I had a bacterial infection and spent almost a day at the medical center. I can't speak to the rooms, but I definitely wouldn't recommend eating at the restaurant.