Like most scams, Matinloc looks great on paper. My regret for booking this resort started IMMEDIATELY. My four night booking already carried a hefty $2,000 price tag, which I assumed was an investment on a wonderful once in a lifetime experience, then I got slammed with $400+ in hidden additional fees, REDFLAG Upon booking I received an email from Matinloc stating among numerous other rules and restrictions: THE RESORT DOES NOT SELL OR SERVE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. I emailed the resort immediately to try to cancel my reservation, pointing out that it is incredibly deceptive to list your property as having a miniBAR and they basically told me to go f myself in the most patronizing manner possible.
Matinloc is chock full of surprises whether you will like ‘em or not. Here are some examples:
- The rooms on Matinloc’s website were attractive and looked comfortable which was a big factor in choosing a hotel. Maybe they stuffed us up here because they were mad at me for trying to cancel or maybe I sinned in a previous life but I had no idea I would be staying in a literal treehouse, in fact, I didn’t even know they had a treehouse. If you’re wondering what type of treehouse is worth $500 a night, rest assured I am as well. The room was TINY and cramped. The shower/toilet/sink area was clearly an afterthought and left a lot to be desired in terms of privacy but I guess aside from our belongings getting covered in sap, the precarious steps, and the view of our luxurious 12” tv (aka only form of entertainment on the island) being partially obstructed by a giant tree it was completely disappointing (quick note: you must go behind the tree to plug in the USBs with the movies…no USB extension cable provided).
-When they “cleaned” they did not remove clearly dirty dishes. That one really got me. They also didn’t replace the same number of towels that they took so my fiancé and I would alternate who got to dry off after the shower or use the wash cloth.
-THE FOOD. I was most surprised by the food and I can’t stress how dangerous that could be. I ordered the chicken parmesan and I will hand it them- IT WAS AMAZING. It was also covered with slices of ham that were hidden by the melted cheese. Like I said, I loved it, but that’s a real bad surprise for someone who is kosher or I don’t know, keeps a pig as a pet. I just think its worth mentioning. Just like it might be worth mentioning that the Tempura Vegetables listed in the vegetarian section of your menu is served with shrimp- which the rest of us tend to agree is not a vegetable. BAD SURPRISE. The rest of the food is whatever——— except for the breakfast buffet which is truly terrible. 10/10 would sleep through.
-Sunset: I envisioned watching the sunset from the beach. YOU CAN NOT SEE FROM THE SIDE OF THE ISLAND THE HOTEL IS ON but for $100 they will sail you - and a friend all the way to the other side of their island where you can sit in the Banca boat with a can of coke and pizza just ask about their “sunset dinner cruise”. We attended this offering for the record.
-Nightlife. Nothing to review because it doesn’t exist. Clearly illegally downloaded movies on USB sticks should NOT be categorized as nightlife…but surprise this is what you will be doing when the sun goes down.
-The Pool is not heated (aka useless) especially when the sun goes down.
-Drinking “On the bright side” you can bring your own booze in reality they are nickel-and-diming you on a much larger scale. Unless you want to drink wine (which just screams tropical get away) or are a true alcoholic (straight tequila, anyone?) You are going to need a mixer Mantiloc offers a variety of fruit juice and smoothies, charges you $7 a drink and BOOM they have just turned the profit of a full bar selling you mixers you couldn’t drink fast enough to get a buzz even if you wanted to. Learn from my mistake and bring a variety of mixers you love. I’m not positive anyone is actually capable of enjoying a stay at Matinloc this could be your best shot and there’s a limit to how many pineapple smoothies a human can consume.
Wifi- The wifi worked okay in our room but when we ventured 30 feet to the beach…. *crickets*
Diving: The fun dive package was seriously the best. The guys we dove with were great and the diving itself was the highlight of our time in the Philippines. The only thing I would change is having Matinloc involved in any capacity. Book the dives directly through dive center (Pa-Lao-Yu Dive Resort, El Nido). The rate on their site is 3,600/pax Matinloc charges hotel guests 5,000/pax for the EXACT SAME PACKAGE. $50 profit for them doing LITERALLY UTTERLY ABSOLUTELY NOTHING except conning you into staying at their hotel.
The Lagoon Tour: We were charge $200 for a half day tour of small lagoon, big lagoon, secret lagoon, snake island and entaula island and they didn’t take us to all of the locations.
I attempted to enjoy this place for what it was but simply isn’t much to it. The kindest word I can use to describe our stay is depressing- and while we were just painfully bored the other handful of other guests at the resort looked genuinely forlorn. The staff seem terrified of the guests and have slight drone quality to them. It almost seems like they are trapped in an abusive relationship with the owners. (Matinloc employees! If you are reading this you are all so polite, awesome and competent. You deserve so much better and slip-resistant shoes!!!).
BE VERY AWARE they do not provide you copies of your receipts corresponding to the hotel charges upon check out. You will leave here feeling straight up pick pocketed.
