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Kristel Dawson
Washington DC, District of Columbia

One of the best resort in El Nido, but just a few improvements

Review of Matinloc Resort
4.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed Jan 1, 2024via mobile
Made Tripadvisor account for this! It was really agreat experience in this resort, I do have Pros and Cons on this resort and lets start with Pros

Pros
1. Workers are very friendly and the hospitality is phenomenal.
2. Its in secluded island so you have to take a boat to get here from the main town, its very quiet and peaceful
3. Great beach and they have a sand bar where you take the kayak for free to explore
4. Food is great and breakfast are free
5. Bed are comfortable and have jacuzzi inside the room as well
6. They have infinity pool and another pool which is saltwater

Cons
1. The boat are not included in the price, and they need new speedboat, water was getting into it and they have to use a bucket to remove the water.
2. the loading dock is 9/10 dangerous, so if you are handicapped, I dont recommend, they have to carry you and pray you get there safely
3. Sand Bar has trash on them. They need to clean that island, i almost step on broken wine glass
4. Room plumbing are broken, toilet is leaking and the faucet is loose.
5. If you have Tour boat from outside source, they cant dock on this island (but I think this is El Nido policy so Im not sure) you have to pay the hotel boat to get into the mainland to meet your tour
6. They have their own Tour Boat but its sooo expensive
7. Food are ok, especially the korean cuisine, its not good.
Date of stay: December 2023
Room Tip: getting to mainland will cost you money docking area is dangerous tour boat cant dock in here,...
Trip type: Traveled with family
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Reviewed November 24, 2023 via mobile

We visited Matinlok Resort this winter and had a wonderful time. The staff was friendly and courteous and reay to assist woth your needs. The island hopping tour was fun. Our tour guide turned into a photographer, snorkel instructor, and all around information guru. He was awesome. Later in our stay he showed some nice snorkeling spots at the resort. We even found Nemo 🫣🤣.
The restaurant is very nice. The menu is kind of limited but there is definitely something for everyone. They even got us some Mantis Shrimp for a small added fee. Fresh fish is definitely the way to go. The Red Snapper was fresh and delicious. We give Matinloc Resort 5 stars for cost and experience.

Room tip: The Resort does not offer alcohol but they will bring you to a general store at the port so you can pick up what you would like for your stay.
Date of stay: November 2023
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
1  Thank Relax741880
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed July 18, 2023

We had a wonderful time at the Matinloc Resort. The Matinloc Resort is located in one of the most beautiful locations in the El Nido area of Palawan. The resort is the perfect getaway if you prefer a “less touristy” location. If you visit this resort, please ask for Jed as your Island Hoping Guide as he will ensure that your experience is a good one. Not an inexpensive resort, but we felt the extra cost was well worth the memories made here. If we had it to do it over again, we would have spent more time at Matinloc (we stayed three days) as opposed to splitting our time between El Nido and Puerto Princessa.

Room tip: No need to bring snorkel gear as the hotel supplies everything!
Date of stay: July 2023
Trip type: Traveled with family
1  Thank R7713VEjeffm
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed July 13, 2023

I highly recommend this peaceful little resort. One can snorkel right from the sugar fine sand beach and see a large variety of tropical fish swimming in crystal clear waters. I loved hopping on a kayak and paddling down to a sandbar beach to continue snorkeling. Viewing sea turtles majestically swimming beneath me was sublime.

The staff were fabulous and took very good care of us. Jason, the front desk manager, was incredibly helpful and kind. The waitstaff were so lovely and attentive.

Our rooms were gorgeous and well maintained. The views were unparalleled to none!

Date of stay: June 2023
  • Trip type: Traveled with family
    • Value
    • Location
    • Service
Thank stephaniebA8581PG
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 14, 2023

We (2 adults, 2 teenagers) had a great time (4 nights) at the Matinloc resort. The transfer from El Nido Airport went very smoothly. We had first a very relaxing day on the beach and pool, including free kayak and snorkelling. The second day was an island-hopping tour organised by the hotel. Of course this was more expensive than the tours provided in El Nido Town, but our boat was much less crowded than the others, and Ian, our tour guide, customised the tour so that we avoided the crowds. The last day was again some relaxing time at the beach, and discovering some other snorkelling spots next to the beach. The food was good. Sometimes the menu was missing some choices, but this was very understandable for us, knowing that we were in a lost island. The absence of alcohol didn't bother us at all. Our family-room was great. Everything (including Air-Conditioning) was working perfectly. The staff was extremely nice and helpful. Special Thanks to Ian, who has been such a great tour guide. The transfer-back to El Nido Airport went again very smoothly.

Date of stay: April 2023
    • Value
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1  Thank marc a
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 8, 2023

** NO ALCOHOL AT THIS "Resort"** We found this out as we got into the van at the airport. After informing us of this fact they offered to take us to a store to buy some. The store they took us to must have been someone's family store. No selection but when I asked for some Absolute Vodka they said they could pick some up at a different store. One I had to give the driver my money because they wouldn't drive us to the other store- he would have to get it on his own. (very weird as he was back 3 minutes later- clearly he walked to a different store). From there we see the room. It's spacious but dated with stains on the rug and the chaise lounge. Not small stains, either. The bathroom was also very dated. The furniture on the deck was uncomfortable plastic chairs and a plastic table. This hotel considers itself a luxury resort- it is not. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious but.... I would not recommend this resort to anyone. Luckily the next resort we went to which was across the bay was the same price and absolutely gorgeous!!!! If I had reversed the hotel stays- I wouldn't have stayed all three days at this resort after seeing how much better other resorts are. Consider yourself warned.

Room tip: I paid $700 a night in February. It was such a rip off. The next place we stayed was the same price and worth every penny!!!
Date of stay: February 2023
  • Trip type: Traveled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Service
3  Thank O4685HNdonnak
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