After a pretty amazing journey from Manila to Miniloc, saying that I was keen to check out my digs for the next few days would be an understatement!
After being welcomed to the resort with a traditional Filipino song and a cool refreshing drink, I was able to check in to my amazing overwater villa. Once I had checked in I discovered that the resort had decided to really treat me and I had somehow scored the number one most requested room in the entire resort – water cottage no. 1!
Inside the cottage was nothing short of wonderful, but the views outside are what really make this an incredible place to stay.
Miniloc is fondly referred to as the ‘discovery island’ in El Nido. It is a perfect base for the young, the young at heart, the adventurous and the curious. These stunning island dwellings give off amazingly tropical vibes and the accommodations are contemporary yet rustic, with all the modern amenities one could ask for.
There is a variety of accommodation options on the island, including garden cottages, beachview and seaview rooms and of course, water cottages.
Garden cottages start at approx PHP 18700 (AUD $530) per night and can sleep up to 3 occupants.
Beachside rooms start at approx PHP 22800 (AUD $646) per night and can sleep up to 2 occupants.
Seaview rooms start at approx PHP 23330 (AUD $660) per night and can sleep up to 3 occupants.
Deluxe seaview rooms start at approx PHP 25400 (AUD $720) per night and can sleep up to 2 occupants.
Water cottages start at approx PHP 28060 (AUD $795) per night and can sleep up to 2 occupants.
Please note that the quoted prices above are all subject to change, availability and seasonal influences.
These prices also include all meals, activities and airport transfers. Only thing that will cost you a smidge extra moolah will be drinks and even these are very well priced.
Anyway, back to my incredible water cottage!
The views off my little balcony out to the ocean were nothing short of glorious! I was able to spot the many fishies swimming around, watch the coral through the crystal clear waters, wave at the kayakers that went by and observe the most stunning sunrises I have ever seen.
After throwing my clothes onto coat hangers (a veritable luxury for a girl who usually spends her travelling life in 20 bed hostel dorms) it was time for me to don some bathers, see a bit more of Miniloc and soak up a bit of Vitamin D in the process.
After nearly drowning my camera (seriously guys, I need to get some underwater housing for my Olympus camera baby) I thought it might be safer to photograph a bit more of the resort from the safety of a kayak.
Now you may read that and think, “Ellen, weren’t you worried about capsizing?”, which is a very fair question.
I will be honest, any worries about capsizing were hidden by a Singapore Sling induced idiocy (ahem), however, I ended up being pretty nifty operating a camera and kayak simultaneously and no camera water damage was incurred.
After kayaking around the bay and out into the open ocean, it was time to reapply my sunscreen and get ready for an afternoon exploring some of the surrounding islands. Stay tuned!
T H E L O W D O W N
Getting There: From Manila, book a direct flight with Air Swift
El Nido Resorts: I’d like to say an enormous thank you to the wonderful team at El Nido Resorts for not only making this stay possible, but also for making it so wonderful
Miniloc: To explore more of this gorgeous resort and to book, visit the El Nido Resorts website here
Kayaking: No rentals required, kayaks and paddles sit on the beach just waiting to be used
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with 12-40mm M.Zuiko Pro Lens
Threads: I am wearing a gorgeous maxi by Aussie label Tigerlily
Remember: To not operate a kayak under the influence of alcohol, but if you choose to ignore this advice as I did, make sure you wear a life vest, and if you choose to also ignore this second piece of advice as I also did, fingers crossed you are a strong swimmer!
This looks fantastic.
It really was!
What a gorgeous spot. Pity about the price tag for the rooms but I can but dream!
In my eyes, a couple of nights somewhere really amazing like Miniloc can be evened out budget wise if you spend the next week or so in really dodgy budget dorms haha
Looks amazing, like heaven on earth.
Heaven on earth is a pretty apt description!
Simply, Wow…
That looks like a treat and a half. Good on you!
Lol love the note about kayaking under the influence ;D
Hahaha! I am mostly a responsible human but occasionally not 🙂
What a beautiful place! You captured it in your pictures. Well done.
Thankyou very much 🙂 it helps when a place is so perfect looking!
I hope you enjoy Miniloc! This is definitely a location I want to visit in my next trip to the Philippines 🙂
When are you headed back to the Philippines?
I go more or less every 3 years so looking at going back in 2018
Wow, looks like paradise <3 Happy Easter to your part of the world!
Happy Easter to you too!
Wow! You’re here in the Philippines!! Try to visit Hinatuan Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur and Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte. 🙂
Adding these to the list!
Amazing. It must be the most relaxing place in the world! The idea of waking up to the sound and sight of that beautiful blue ocean makes me giddy. I’m pretty sure I would never leave. You look like you are having a great time and I’m very glad you didn’t fall out of the kayak!
As am I haha! And it certainly was an amazing place to unwind, I certainly felt a pang of sadness when it came time to check out 🙁
wonderful. you should visit Bohol; things there to see, you will not find any where else in the world.
It is on the list! I would love to see the tarsiers 🙂
You are not too far from Bohol. If my house was finished there I would let you stay in it.
That is so nice! Next time I am near Bohol I will have to let you know 🙂
The house wont be completed until near 2017 I suspect. 🙁
My word! You’ve found paradise on earth. Definitely worth the long, though interesting travel. OMG. Cheers!
I know right! I really never wanted to leave!
Wow! Love the pics and it sounds incredible! I can’t wait to see El Nida, everything I’ve seen and heard sounds like paradise! Enjoy and can’t wait to see more from your trip!
New post up now 🙂 and many more to come!
Such a wonderful place to relax. Incredible photos.
Amazing place!!! Look soooooo chilled~~ (love)
You, and the resort are most elegant. Please be careful mixing booze and water- but you already know that. 🙂
Why thank you very much! As for mixing booze and water – I know it’s bad but I am Australian! We are good swimmers 🙂
What a life!
Looks great! I like the idea of being able to kayak around in the sea right underneath your accommodation!
It certainly is a pretty cool feature of the place!
Great site – very well written and always informative – I can see we are missing out on a lot – wish we could pack up and go… sigh!
Thank you so much, I am glad you are enjoying! Hopefully you can go away on a new adventure soon 🙂
These photos are stunning… and that villa! Incredible!! Thank you for sharing all of this- your travels are often slightly off the beaten path, and it’s wonderful to read about places I’ve never heard of/don’t know much about. 🙂
Love those water cottages On 24 Mar 2016 6:16 pm, “Travelling The World Solo” wrote:
> wwellend posted: ” After a pretty amazing journey from Manila to Miniloc, > saying that I was keen to check out my digs for the next few days would be > an understatement! After being welcomed to the resort with a traditional > Filipino song and a cool refreshing drink” >
What a paradise!!!! Is miniloc a remote place in Philippines? Beautiful photos by the way.
It is about a 30 minute boat ride from El Nido airport. I wouldn’t call it remote but it certainly isn’t big enough to be serviced by any public boats or ferries either!
It is beautiful and still fresh but very expensive! 🙁
Very much worth the splurge though 🙂
If I have that much money to splurge I will haha! besides I been wanting to go there eversince 🙂
Its worth saving up for 🙂
I love your photos, so beautiful!!! xo
Thank you so much 🙂
Love the photos!
So jealous, this looks incredible
It really is an incredible place!
Wow what a hidden treasure, thanks for showing us around I’m sure you had a lovely time. EM1 with the 12-40 is pretty waterproof, I’ve seen bottled water poured over it and left outside overnight to freeze in Iceland. 🙂 but take from that what you like haha
Hahaha my 12-40 took quite the battering in Iceland too! Got absolutely drenched in the rain on the Reykjanes Peninsula! However, I still wouldn’t be game to dunk it into the ocean haha
Speechless!
Wow, its so beautiful beach. It is like heaven on earth
That it really is!
*sigh* I may be in love! Maybe I should start travel blogging more so people invite me to their resorts! Live it all and seriously jealous! (As usual)
Hahaha do it! And I certainly will do 🙂
Wow.. So beautiful.. Awesome..
It looks really beautiful!!
Beautiful place and awesome pictures!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
What a gorgeous spot!!!Looks amazing, like heaven on earth. This looks fantastic.It must be the most relaxing place in the world! You should visit Saudi Arabia. things there to see, you will not find any where else in the world.