ZEN Rooms La Soledad El Nido

Breakfast was good, the place is close to the beach and good restaurants, the AC worked well, and the beds were comfortable. Filtered water was available upstairs. Still, this definitely isn’t a 5 star hotel. The guesthouse is down an alley, and people hanging around made me worry someone might break in, though nobody did. We killed about 10 mosquitoes in the room when we arrived. After we complained, staff brought some kind of incense that visibly killed another four or so. I didn’t like the shower head, and the bathroom and shower area were small. We were told not to flush toilet paper. The beds had sheets and pillows but no blanket, the sink water wasn’t drinkable, and there was no TV.

It’s easy to get around, with plenty of convenience stores, restaurants and shops nearby. There’s no need to bring bottled water to El Nido, since distilled and purified water is sold all over.

This is a good option if you’re traveling on a budget. Check-in was quick, and they clearly explained how everything works. The room fits a double bed, a small cupboard and a toilet, and the air conditioning is decent. Breakfast is a complimentary silog, with unlimited coffee available all day. You’re right in the center of El Nido, within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, bars and port.

It’s about a two-minute walk to town proper, and we had a good stay. The bed was very comfortable, with a bidet and hot and cold shower. They provide free mineral water and coffee with breakfast, and don’t let guests brush their teeth with tap water because it might cause stomach problems. You can wash clothes in the CR and hang them on the balcony, which looks out toward a big rock formation on the right. Breakfast is included, but it comes packed and the serving is small, just enough to fill you up before an island tour. I recommend it.