Sandy toes, salty kisses, this tranquil El Nido resort is calling you
When it comes to popular destinations, El Nido will always come to mind. It’s the hotshot not just of Palawan, but of the Philippines. It’s a dream go-to place for a lot of locals and tourists alike, and for countless reasons too. It is a breathtaking refuge full of scenic views worthy of being given the “Nth wonder of the world” title, and the photos I captured using my mobile phone camera cannot even give it justice.
Somewhat of a recluse in more ways than one and just living through Tiktok videos and Instagram posts, I often find myself dreaming of going on adventures, feeling the saltwater on my skin, the waves crashing against my body, hearing the birds chirping from every direction, and just feeling a gust of wind in my hair. Yes, that is what El Nido is—a dreamlike experience, vividly coming at you in the form of waves and majestic beaches, an abundance of Palawan delicacies, and an immersive culture that everyone deserves to have the pleasure of learning more about. A lot of adjectives ran through my mind during my whole stay there—positive ones and ones that are almost always reserved for special occasions, moments, and people. Enchanting, bewitching, spellbindingly wicked.
I had the privilege to fly there one busy week at the tail end of November with the help of Airswift. It was a welcome breather from the bustling Manila life and the busy work week that was looming over me like an angry storm cloud, although, in all honesty, the accommodation was the biggest surprise.
A safe haven for vacationers and soul-searching wanderers alike, Lime Hotels and Resorts is any traveler’s one-stop shop for any and all kinds of rest and relaxation needs, what with having everything within radius of a kilometer or two. A quaint couple-run restaurant called Kape ni Manang with one of the best chicken inasals out there, and a jolting coffee experience. A restaurant for vegans and non-vegans alike called Blue Mango. An equally amazing bar and a spectacular infinity pool to boot in the sky lounge.
How I’d love to have stayed there for an extended period of time a la Suite Life of Zack and Cody, or even just a place there or by the beach, but that’s a reality I guess I’d only experience in my next life.
A four-star hotel reminiscent of a modern cruise ship replete with 181 rooms set on El Nido Bay’s sunset-ablaze horizon, Lime Hotels and Resorts welcomes you with one spacious lobby after another. Its bright and welcoming reception area never gets dull and greets you with lime juice and a damp towel upon entering to help you freshen up before checking in. The ceiling, although high, does not give off an intimidating vibe. Its chandelier-like designs and ornaments are so Instagrammable I feel like I have about 20 photos of just that in my camera roll. What’s more, the view from the sky lounge is just to die for.
We then enter the hotel's highlights—its rooms that range from superior to deluxe suites and premier ones, among other premium names for its accommodations. The price range goes from ₱4,550 to ₱22,050 per night, inclusive of a breakfast buffet. Whichever room you choose at whatever price point you’d like to indulge yourself in, it’s guaranteed that your stay will be one for the books. In the end, what sticks with you is the overall hotel experience rather than the room name, right?
Short words turning into prose, poetic even, cannot articulate how much people want to bury their feet in the sand longer, letting the sea wash all their worries away, basking in these fleeting moments, and taking it all in one crashing wave at a time.
I had the chance to stay in the deluxe suite, a gigantic room with state-of-the-art controls and interior design that could match any other luxurious hotel you can think of. You get a king-size bed, replete with light controls on ends, a huge bathtub, a shower, and last but not least, a balcony almost a quarter of the size of the room itself with a jaw-dropping view of not just the sea but the nearby islands as well. It’s cozy inside, and magnificent once you check out your view from the balcony.
There’s nothing wrong if you opt to stay within the hotel’s four walls, but then, it would’ve been a waste of an amazing opportunity. What are El Nido’s sights for if you’re not going to take the chance to witness them firsthand? From big lagoons to secret ones to caves that rival ancient cathedral-like sculptures, to sandbars aptly called Snake Island, and the choice to snorkel or just bask on the sandy beaches, there’s an experience for every soul. It’s just a matter of how much you enjoy each place you go to in El Nido.
One can go to these wonderful places with the help of Lime, using the hotel’s van to assist you in reaching the pier and ultimately, you and your ever-elusive extra money’s choice of either going there via a bangka or a speedboat, with the latter costing more than the former.
Anyone gets hungry after a day full of enchanting quests, and it’s a good thing that the hotel is surrounded by 1,001 restaurants, cafes, and bars. A few steps from the hotel will take you to Blue Mango, a refuge for vegans, pescetarians, and carnivores alike. Their food is a mix of everything, but the sure highlights were the red pasta, the beans mixed with seafood, and their take on tofu sisig. There’s also Chica Chica, just a five-minute walk from Lime. The cuisine is Spanish-Filipino fusion, of which the sure star of the night is its take on a tortilla dip with hints of truffle, an explosion of flavors that complement the toasted bread you dip in it. Kape ni Manang was my favorite, a charming open-air restaurant that serves classic Filipino food the way only they know how. There was this turon sisig that was weird on paper, but great in execution, a too-good scrumptious liempo I had to get seconds of, and one of their bestsellers, the ginisang munggo. Then there’s the coffee, just the right kind of tapang (strong) if you will, but the much-needed kick you require to power through a day full of work or adventure. I have to stop myself there, because if I don’t, this would be endless, like my craving for Palawan delicacies.
If you’re a sort-of-an-introvert-and-only-an-extrovert-to-close-friends who loves staying inside, and who vicariously lives online through other people’s Instagram posts and stories, jaded by the unending pandemic, you’ll surprise yourself with how much you can have fun by experiencing these things. Short words turning into prose, poetic even, cannot articulate how much people want to bury their feet in the sand longer, letting the sea wash all their worries away, basking in these fleeting moments, and taking it all in one crashing wave at a time.
If ever you find yourself wanting to go to El Nido, never let Lime Hotels and Resorts pass because almost everything is within reach—restaurants that are a walk away, the sunset as beautiful as the person you plan on going with, the sights to behold, the caves to explore, the beaches to sunbathe on, the activities to fully immerse yourself in and experience, and the time-out you need from this game we call life.
Anyone’s welcome. It’s just a matter of when you plan on going. Your home away from home is just waiting for you.