The Alternative Beach Cottages
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Cudugman Point, Brgy. Bibiladan, El Nido, Palawan Island 5300 Philippines
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About
#6 of 187 B&Bs / Inns in El Nido
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Welcome to the Alternative Beach Cottages! We invite you to our beloved island, and the exclusivity and luxury it offers. Here, you will experience genuine island serenity and ambience as you are woken up by cicadas and birds in the morning; roused by the brilliant morning sunlight; amazed by its lush forests, white sand beaches, colorful corals during snorkeling, mysterious cave systems, and untouched wildlife. Please, come and let us impress you with our delectable organic food and pleasant, experienced staff. We invite you to join our tours, discovering and enjoying, what El Nido has to offer; also, we set up the most wondrous barbeque lunches! Relaxation and fun on your holidays, this we assure you. Being a Filipino family-run island accommodation, we aim to provide the best and most memorable Philippine vacation you can experience. In our island, we provide quality service during your stay, like: evening electricity (6PM to 12AM) for your electronics; free WiFi internet service; round-the-clock staff service; daily housekeeping service; breakfast, lunch and dinner service (you may also request by-the-beach kind of set-up); access to the island bar and drinks; touring around El Nido islands with inclusive beach lunch; organizing special events (i.E. Beach weddings, baptismals; and many other activities in ensuring a full island experience! We will always be at your service to make sure you have a memorable stay in El Nido, and by extension, in the Philippines.
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Property amenities
Public wifi
Free breakfast
Beach
Canoeing
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Massage
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Hiking
Snorkeling
Sun terrace
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Private beach
Safe
Room types
Ocean view
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HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Mid-range
Location
Full view
Contact
Cudugman Point, Brgy. Bibiladan, El Nido, Palawan Island 5300 Philippines
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Located at Kundugan Point, an extension of El Nido that stretches into Biscuit Bay, and difficult to access by road, the Alternative Beach Cottages is reached via a 30-45 min boat ride from the El Nido harbor, giving this accommodation the feel of being on one of the remote and secluded islands in Bacuit bay. After researching accommodations and reading the positive reviews I decided to book this accommodation. My hope was that it would be similar to the luxury beach resorts in the area without the ridiculous price tag of the El Nido Resorts run by the Ayala group- a wealthy non-local family conglomerate from the mainland. First the bad points of this experience-the communication prior to arrival was exceptionally poor due to the lack of responsiveness to emails and calls from Expedia. After decades of world traveling and trip planning, I would put this among the very worse in this regard. Except for the auto response from the Expedia platform confirming the reservation, I was unable to get any response to my questions about tours which was important so that I could properly plan my trip. I sent messages using the Expedia platform, emailed them directly using the address on their website, and had Expedia call them mid-day several times with no response each time which led to worry about whether something was wrong at the resort and whether our reservation would be honored. It also led to problems coordinating with other properties because of our itinerary. I decided to take a leap of faith and hope for the best when I arrived in El Nido from Puerto Princesa. Fortunately, pick up was almost on time -just after 2pm at the El Nido bus terminal (one review said that pick up could be as much as 45 minutes late)- two guys showed up asking for us by our name. We then had to walk about 10 minutes with our backpacks to the harbor where the crew used small kayaks to ferry us to the boat anchored off shore, and there we waited another 45 min for a couple who eventually no showed. While waiting on the boat, the staff spoke among themselves in Tagalog and ignored us before we started the 30-40 min boat ride to the resort. Needless to say the beginning of our stay was off to a very bad start but we were relieved at least that we did not have to scramble for a last minute accommodation. Just before leaving the harbor, Erika the acting manager of the property boarded the boat. I learned that both the owner and Alex, the manager, responsible for guest relations and communications was on vacation. In my opinion, someone should have informed of this so that we were not kept in the dark as long as we were about our status with this property. Also, given that Alex did not responsibly handle this part of his job, the owner should seriously consider finding a new manager or re-train him given his sub-standard performance. By contrast, Erika was personable, she apologized on behalf of the organization and tried to make things right with the tours. We were offered a late lunch which was great. The portions were generous and most important, dietary preferences are honored as one of our party was vegan/ plant based. I also learned that they do gluten free. In fact the unusual name of this resort is rooted in a past local restaurant that catered to vegan and vegetarians - hence the name “alternative.” Meals are served 7-9am, 1-2pm and 7-9pm. Other than the poor communication, the other issues have to do with minor inconveniences but ok for those seeking to unplug during their stay: Electricity is available from 4pm-9am. WiFi is limited; I was able to receive text messages through iMessage but emails were difficult to send and receive while electricity was on. Rooms are cooled with floor fan, no central AC. Staff is responsive to requests/feedback. An expected bonus-the hotel and beach faces northeast which means less direct sun which was perfect for us as we enjoyed being on the beach without getting excessive UV exposure. On the beach however sand flies are present after 5pm. The accommodation has more staff than guests - 18 workers make up the staff while the maximum guest count is 16. When we went there were 5-7 in all. We stayed at the Cliffside cottage which offered an ocean view screened by trees. and this room met our needs. There are four units one of them had no view so be sure to get details on the cottage you might be booking... Overall, alternative beach cottages is a charming secluded family run business that offers the catered experience without the pretentiousness of the nearby luxury resorts. Visitors are mostly Europeans. This place is great for those truly seeking a getaway, to unplug or for those seeking a venue for family reunions. Alternative beach cottage needs an alternative name To reflect the unique experience that they offer. Tours are almost private and in between the cost of a public tour and a private tour. Food is provided. I did Tour A which was good. If management could be more considerate and respond to emails in a timely fashion, this place would be a gem...…
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Date of stay: December 2019
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Waiting since 2 weeks for any contact, transport organise by the owner caused flight delay and extra costs of 1k euro, no sorry nothing, no contact, During 4 days we have cold water in shower, rats running around. No recommendation or if you like to have risky holidays you welcome. To expensive like for this standard.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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jeremycwilkinson wrote a review Nov 2019
Auckland Central, New Zealand114 contributions9 helpful votes
+1
Alternative Beach Cottages are in a fantastic location on a small isolated beach across the ocean from El Nido. Although the setup faces east so you don’t get the sun set the Cottages are cute and spread along the hillside with seaside views. The restaurant has an magnificent view over the ocean and staff served a delicious buffet dinner each night consisting of fresh local cuisine to cater to all diets. Staff are pleasant and nice but not very attentive. They ran out of beers after our first round and did t attempt to restock the following couple of days despite making trips back to town. The tour arranged through them was a good day out and boat staff made the effort to try allow us to see everything we requested.
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
Helpful
Definition of paradise, can't recommend this place enough. Pricey but Worth every penny. Amazing views, lovely staff, access to kayaks, so helpful and fantastic food. 5stars. Only wish we stayed longer.
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
Helpful
+1
We stayed at the Alternative for 3 nights in October 2019. Our stay was the last stop in our honeymoon and right before we were heading back home - and boy what an incredible stay this has been! Right from the get go and as we were getting off the boat, Alex was waiting for us with a big smile. He showed us the place and our room. The place is beautiful - a short little beach strip with a restaurant, a bar, and a few cabins. It is secluded and serene. Peaceful yet beautiful. Really no words to describe how magical the place is. The room (the cabin) is simple yet had everything you need - bathroom and toilet, a bed and a fan. That’s pretty much it. But you won’t be there long because you are either at the beach or kayaking or taking a tour... they offer many activities for a very reasonable price and we took full advantage! Their tours are much better than those leaving El Nido - they are more professional and you get tons of personal attention. Plus they’re cheaper!! So all in all we had an amazing stay! To add the food was absolutely incredible! And my wife is a vegan to which the chef totally accommodated. We had our best meals in the Philippines in that little spot!! Romantic setting, amazing food, great activities, and peace and quiet on a private beach. What more do you need? Thank you Alex and the team for making this stay an unforgettable experience for us! We hope to come back in the future!…
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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PRICE RANGE
US$196 - US$401 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PhilippinesMimaropaPalawan ProvincePalawan IslandEl Nido
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about The Alternative Beach Cottages
Which popular attractions are close to The Alternative Beach Cottages?
Nearby attractions include Entalula Island (7.1 km), Big Lagoon (7.7 km), and Small Lagoon (8.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Alternative Beach Cottages?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Alternative Beach Cottages?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are pets allowed at The Alternative Beach Cottages?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does The Alternative Beach Cottages have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.