4/5 Good
IsabelleT, San Francisco, CA
Travelled with partner
7 Mar 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What we LIKED about Matinloc resort (1) the seclusion - you're away from the hustle and bustle of El Nido Town and are pretty much in your own private paradise; (2) the beach is really nice with white sand and clear waters - though the days we were there the winds were pretty rough creating a lot of waves; (3) the amenities were nice - the pool was great, the library is a genius idea, the kayaks and snorkels are free; (4) we had an ocean view villa and it was probably the nicest hotel room we have ever stayed in. In all, it was such a RELAXING place to stay.
What we DID NOT like about the place: (1) it's overpriced - like they know you're stuck on an island and have no other resources kind of overpriced (tiny bottle of lotion is $9.50 or P480); (2) the food is overpriced and not very good, and you're basically stuck with it because it's the only restaurant on the island - though I did enjoy the fish and chips. that's about the only thing I'd recommend on the menu; (3) the no booze policy is inconvenient. You can bring your own, or give cash at the front desk and give them a list and they'll go into El Nido Town and get it; the downside? (4) They only have 3 ferries a day going to and from El Nido Town. Meaning you're *fcked if you miss the last one and have to pay $200 or P10K to ask for a special ride.
Overall, we really did enjoy the very relaxing atmosphere, and we would do the "remote island resort" vibe again -- it's still a toss up whether we would come back here.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020