El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan

Miniloc Island Resort sits in a peaceful cove on Miniloc Island, designed as a back-to-basics Filipino coastal village. Rooms are built with indigenous materials, feature thatched roofs and wooden flooring, and each has air conditioning, a minibar, and a vanity area. The resort offers Garden Cottages, Beachside Rooms, Deluxe Sea View Rooms, and Water Cottages, the latter opening directly onto the water.

All three meals are served buffet-style at the Miniloc Clubhouse restaurant, offering a rotation of local Filipino dishes and international cuisine. Guests can request picnic lunches on the beach, and the kitchen accommodates dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut allergies. The bar serves cocktails during happy hour (4-6 PM) with a buy-one-get-one-free deal, and a coffee house is on site.

The resort includes complimentary guided tours to Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Snake Island, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island, with exclusive access times before other boats arrive. Snorkeling at the house reef allows guests to swim with 1.5-meter jack fish, sea turtles, and schools of marine life; feeding sessions happen daily. Motorized and non-motorized water sports are available: kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and diving with PADI dive master Jimbo.

The on-site spa and wellness centre offers massages, facials, and body treatments; Joy and Deth are frequently mentioned for exceptional service. An outdoor infinity pool overlooks the cove and limestone cliffs, with cushioned sun loungers and pool towels provided. The hotel also has a fitness centre with treadmills, cross-trainer, and free weights, plus a games room with billiards and table tennis.

Miniloc caters to families with a children's playground, babysitting services, and family rooms; tour guides like Benji and Marlon are noted for helping children snorkel safely. The resort operates with a strong commitment to sustainability: using native materials, minimizing waste, and staff regularly clean floating debris to protect marine life. Facilities include a 24-hour front desk, concierge, luggage storage, laundry service, and free roundtrip shuttle from Lio Airport plus a 40-minute boat transfer.

Location: Private cove on Miniloc Island, minutes from Big and Small Lagoons

Rooms: Water Cottages, Beachside Rooms, Garden Cottages with thatched roofs

Dining: Full-board buffet with local and international dishes, picnic lunches

Activities: Complimentary island tours, snorkeling with jack fish, PADI diving

Wellness: Spa with massages, infinity pool, fitness centre

Ideal for: Families, eco-conscious travelers, couples on honeymoon