Makulay Lodge and Villas

The views are the reason to book this lodge. It’s just outside town, about a five-minute walk, with its own little stretch of beach overlooking the bay. Our room was up quite a few steps, as they clearly tell you, but waking up to that scenery made the climb feel fine. One morning there were hornbills right outside our window. The restaurant and bar area looks modern and chic, and the staff were so kind and helpful. I was really happy to arrive here. Plan ahead and book a room if you like, but keep in mind it isn’t fancy or modern inside.

The manager was friendly and understanding when we finally asked to speak with him, but it seemed that little worked when he wasn’t around. We spent a whole day without water in our room. We reported it several times, and staff said they had fixed it when they hadn’t. We had to take the girl in charge upstairs to show her. Staff seemed unmotivated and unprepared to solve problems, often on their phones while there were plenty of things to fix. It ruined our days in El Nido. The room was old, dirty and dim, lit only by bare bulbs. There was no hot water, barely any pressure, and the tap water smelled bad and looked dirty. Towels and linen were dirty, there was no internet, and insects and animals got in through gaps around the doors and windows. The walls were paper thin, so we heard everything next door. The bed was tiny despite being sold as a double, and its five-centimeter foam mattress was dirty, smelly and painfully thin. After asking for cleaning before a tour, we returned to find nothing done. When we asked again, someone came but didn’t even take out the garbage. The website description bore no resemblance to reality. I know expectations should be modest in this area, but calling this a hotel is ridiculous. It’s more like a bad hostel, and not worth the price. The food was expensive, portions were small, and it was very plain. Don’t stay here, there are plenty of other options around.

The restaurant and patio are beautifully designed, with lovely landscaping that makes good use of the view. Apart from the loud music, they were pleasant places to eat, relax or work on my computer. The location is also lovely, right on the shore with a great view and a quick walk from the main part of town. The staff were friendly. I stayed at Makulay Lodge earlier this month, having enjoyed it on a visit in 2011, before the more recent renovations. The rooms felt overpriced. My bathroom was a bit dingy, and the outer screen door had a broken lock. Even with a discount, the room didn’t feel worth what I paid. Renovations might make the price fit better. The owners seem to be turning the place into an “electro chill” spot, with loud electro music and tacky posters along the beach promoting events. I’d choose El Nido town if that were the atmosphere I wanted. It took away from the natural beauty and quiet of this coastal setting, and I preferred the simple, laid-back feel the place had before. Without the music and posters, I’d have enjoyed it much more. To me, these changes reflect El Nido’s ongoing overdevelopment and the way it alters the area’s character and culture. I wish the place would embrace and celebrate what was already there.

The location is great, but we waited an hour and fifteen minutes for our food. The chicken arrived undercooked, even after I asked them to put it back on the barbecue. The drinks tasted like nothing but alcohol and were horrible. They made my meal free after I complained, but that didn’t make it worth more than two stars.