Is a luxurious beach vacation something you’re looking forward to on your next visit to the Philippines? Then you may want to consider this resort in El Nido, Palawan.
From its secluded beaches to its award-winning, world-class amenities, Pangulasian Island Resort is the perfect blend of luxury and warmth. The most upscale of the El Nido Resorts group of luxury resorts this side of Palawan, it promises an unforgettable holiday where balikbayans can rediscover and fall in love with everything that the motherland has to offer: local flavors, untouched nature, and a beach escape that’s guaranteed to recharge you before heading back to the real world’s hustle and bustle.
Still need convincing? Read on for more reasons to indulge and consider taking a trip to this private island resort.
1. Getting there is easy.
From Manila, all you have to do is book yourself a ticket to El Nido via AirSWIFT. Flights are available daily and are sometimes even cheaper than booking a trip to Boracay. Guests of El Nido Resorts are usually given special rates, as well as exclusive access to priority check-in with AirSWIFT in Manila. At Lio Airport in El Nido, there’s also a special VIP lounge reserved for El Nido Resorts guests where you can wait in a much quieter, less crowded area before boarding. You’re assisted the whole way once you land in El Nido, so it’s pretty hassle-free.
2. Your transfers are included.
Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll still need to take a 15-minute car ride to the El Nido Resorts Jetty Lounge, where they’ll offer refreshments and prep you for a 30- to 45-minute private boat transfer directly to your resort. Just make sure you inform the resort about your flight details and if there are any changes later on, and confirm that your transfers have been reserved on your arrival and departure dates to avoid any miscommunication.
3. The villas are beautiful.
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There are four types of villas that you can choose from: The Pool Villa has a private pool connected to the balcony; the Beach Villa has direct access to the white-sand beach; the Canopy Villa lets you nestle into the treetops 18 meters above the ground; and the Kalaw Villa, which is located in a secluded cove of the island, affords guests more privacy. All villas are accessible via a short walk or buggy ride if you wish, and each one has its own special charm. If you’re staying multiple nights, we suggest booking different rooms to experience and enjoy the different vibes that the resort has to offer.
Editor’s note: Each villa is spacious and comes with all the creature comforts you need for a luxurious beach vacation. They even provide fruits, snacks (nuts, cookies, etc.), hats, slippers, totes, and refillable water bottles, since guests are discouraged from bringing disposable plastic bottles on the island.
4. The food is pretty good.
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One of the main things you need to consider before booking a trip to a private island is the food. Pangulasian’s main restaurant, Amianan, offers a variety of cuisine options, from French and Italian to local grilled options for every meal. The staff are always happy to accommodate any special requests, so you’re sure to enjoy your dining experience. Depending on the package you choose, you can either just have breakfast included in your stay and order à la carte for the rest of your meals; or opt to have daily full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Drinks are excluded from both packages. Of course, you can also order room service or have food and cocktails served by the pool if you’re in the mood to lounge (they have a pool bar).
Editor’s note: When the staff asks you what your favorite dish is, make sure to tell them—they just might ask the chef to cook it for you, especially if it happens to be a Filipino dish that you miss. If you’re traveling with children, ask them for the kid’s menu options. Also ask the staff if they have happy hour at the pool bar.
5. There are a lot of complimentary activities.
As a guest, you’re free to use snorkeling gear, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and all non-motorized equipment during your stay. The resort also offers guided snorkeling tours and guided group tours, where you can go on hikes to the highest part of the island or explore the different must-see spots of El Nido, like the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Snake Island, and Cudugnon Cave. These are scheduled early in the morning to avoid the crowds coming from other resorts, so if you’re a late riser or love to indulge in hotel breakfasts, you can opt to book a private boat and visit the sites that you’d like to explore at an extra cost.
KUBO Tip: Read this article to make sure that you pack all the essentials you need for your beach trip!
Editor’s note: If you’re a big group, the Pangulasian team will likely assign you your own boat for the tours, especially if you’re traveling with children. Just make sure to coordinate with the team on your preferred tours ahead of time (ideally upon checking in). According to one of their guides, while anytime is a good time to visit El Nido, May and June have the best weather for all the tours.
6. The dive spots are mind-blowing.
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Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, the underwater scenes you’ll see around El Nido will make you feel like you’re in another world due to its rich marine biodiversity. You’ll see everything from colorful corals to large starfish, various species of tropical fish, and if you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of their resident sea turtle.
The crystal-clear water is always warm and inviting, so make sure you pack a GoPro to capture all your memorable moments under the sea and make arrangements with the resort beforehand to rent and reserve the necessary equipment.
7. You can also just chill.
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If you’re not into beach activities, there are a lot of amenities at the resort to keep you entertained. You can read by the infinity pool, hang out by the bar, play board games and billiards, or just take endless photos because every corner of the resort is pretty much Instagram-friendly. They also have a decent gym if you’re worried about missing a workout; and a secluded spa where you can book relaxing, traditional massages and body scrubs. Of course, if you just want to do absolutely nothing, that’s totally possible on this tranquil island, too!
8. It’s the perfect place for some romance.
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Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to honeymoon or just want to have a lovely getaway with your partner, walking around this little private island is guaranteed to make you feel the l-o-v-e. For extra romance, try booking a private dinner along the beach at sunset or ask if you can book a private trip to one of the more secluded islands for extra quality alone time.
Looking for a place to book an intimate wedding? Not only will you love the magazine-worthy backdrops and set-ups, but keep in mind that your guests will be sure to love the VIP service they’ll get at the resort and the unique experiences that El Nido itself has to offer.
9. You can feed giant Jack fish at their sister resort, Miniloc Island.
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If you go on the Seaside Exploration tour, which is part of the complimentary group activities, you’ll get a chance to visit and have lunch at El Nido’s Miniloc Island. This resort is known for their snorkeling area, where there are Jack fish (locally known as talakitok), coral reefs, and other fish—Nemo (clownfish) included. Feeding time is at 10:30 a.m., which is around the time you’ll arrive, so you can snorkel and watch the fish go in a frenzy as they snap up their food.
Editor’s note: While lunch at Miniloc is available to Pangulasian guests during one of the tours that take you close to the island resort, we still recommend going back to Pangulasian for lunch if you opted for the full-board package and your group was assigned your own tour boat. Sometimes, when the Miniloc restaurant is full, the Pangulasian tour staff will just arrange a private lunch on one of the islands you’ll be visiting.
10. The service is impeccable.
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From the moment you arrive on the island, you’ll be welcomed with the warmest smiles and sincerest greetings—maybe even a happy song and accompanying music, also upon your departure. Each staff member is eager to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible, and they will go to extra lengths to accommodate special requests, such as leaving sweet anniversary or birthday greeting on your bed, or if you’re traveling with kids, making sure they’re entertained with toys and treats.
It’s a great place to be pampered and spoiled—and since most balikbayans based abroad hustle hard, this is just the perfect treatment you need (and deserve!) to recharge.
To book a trip to Pangulasian Island Resort, visit their website. You may also go to the links at the bottom of the website and click on “Get A Quote” to get a personalized quotation for your holiday.
