There are four island resorts under the umbrella of El Nido Resorts: Lagen, Miniloc, Apulit and the newly-opened ultra-luxurious resort in Pangulasian. Three of the resorts are in El Nido while Apulit Island Resort where I went is in Taytay, Palawan.
If you look at the best available rates in their website, a room for two per night ranges from P14,500 to as much as P26,500 (when you stay in Lagen). It is pretty expensive. But let us break down the costs to understand the value of a P14,500/day accommodation. I hope you understand this one. This is my attempt at creating an infographic.
You really get value for money because you can join one island hopping tour in the morning and another one in the afternoon. If you’ve read my entire El Nido Resorts experience, the impeccable service and the warm reception we got inspired me to work harder to be able to afford another trip there.
A 4D/3N stay in the resort will cost 7,575 x 3= P22,725 per person. If you have traveled abroad, this budget is way cheaper. If you can justify an expensive international trip, why not spend the same amount in your own country? Moreover, the P22,725 is way cheaper than a 4D/3N night stay at a 5-star hotel in Metro Manila. Get some fresh air, visit the province and experience this 5-star service.
Here are my suggestions in getting discounts for you El Nido Resorts vacation:
1. Like their Facebook page. I got the vacation because I won their Facebook contest. You will also get updates on their different promos.
2. Avail of their promo rates. El Nido Resorts often joins travel fairs and offers packages at a discounted rate.
3. Look out for airline promos. Direct flights to El Nido is expensive and are not part of the resort rates. Try flying to Puerto Princesa and take a bus/van to El Nido or Taytay.
4. Book with Agoda. Agoda has a rewards program where you earn points whenever you book with them. The points have monetary values which you can redeem in your next booking.
Whether you stay in El Nido Resorts or not, you must visit Palawan at least once in your life. Palawan is a proof that the Philippines is indeed a beautiful country. I saw this video and I am inspired to explore this country more.
Source: thumbpress.com via Daniel on Pinterest
P.S. El Nido Resorts did not ask me to write the series of blog posts about them. I enjoyed my experience in their resort that I felt the need to share the experience in this blog.
El Nido is another dream destination of mine kaso im afraid that they are pricey. I need to save more:)
sometimes, i find agoda’s booking rate a bit pricey. anyway, i love to catch a glimpse of palawan after our family’s vacation in boracay this summer.
agoda boasts of their low rates that if you can find a cheaper rate somewhere else with the same hotel, you are supposed to inform them and they will lower the rates. I like booking thru agoda because they accept paypal.
Booking early fights is one way of saving so much moolah 🙂
cebupac offered piso fare yesterday. i was not able to book a trip though. 🙁
I’ll be here the next 2 years. 😀
oh, i wish to be back next year or two.
You got the El Nido vacay for free?! Oh wow, I’m so envious! =) My husband and I might visit El Nido if we got extra cash. But if wala, then we will stick with our original vacay plan to Puerto Princesa. =)
i have not tried the honda bay tour in PP. plan ko gawin yan next time.
That looks like a really lovely place to have a holiday.
INformative post. I would like to be a travel blogger too. Hoping for that to happen in 2013. Hehe. By then, maybe I could come here so I can share your experience.
Me, too. I really don’t travel often. I try to travel once or twice a year.
I really hope I could visit this place. Thanks for your advice on how to get the cost cheaper.
I hope you do, Mylene. I wish I could visit your province, too!
I really want to travel more for the next yr than this year but looking at ur breakdown, hmm, the buffet for me is kinda expensive for a thousand per meal. i’m still the traveling in a budget mode person as of the moment. haha..:)
I am a budget traveler, too! P1000/meal is expensive but I felt it was the value of the food I’ve eaten every meal at Apulit. I am currently struggling to fit into my jeans. 🙁
I agree with you completely. I was on vacation with my husband and my daughter in Kota Kinabalu two years ago. I felt that the money we spent there would have been a greater deal had we went to a Philippine resort instead. Mas maganda pa din dito sa atin!
If service is good, I won’t mind paying more even if it is in my own country. 😀 That said, I wanna go to Kota Kinabalu, too!
This is one of my dream destinations for years na…Hope I could go next year
nainngit ako sa iyo hehe
i also want to win and visit palawan
I’m going to Palawan this coming December but won’t be staying in a luxury resort (unless its free lol). You’re so lucky you were able to enjoy Palawan for free. 🙂
wow thats one expensive trip! good thing there are discounts and promos.
kaiingit! i’m not really lucky with freebies and contests. if there’s one prize i want to win, it would be definitely something like this. 😀
love your posts on Palawan… my family is planning to go there in 2014 —we’re fully booked already in 2013 🙂 I will keep in mind your tips.
Enjoy Palawan!
Just arrived from Puerto Princesa and El Nido tour. When I saw your blog, I regret of not visiting this Apulit Island, a mesmerizing place. Will go there in my next visit. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Hi, Georgina! I want to go to El Nido too! I hope to read about your El NIdo experience.