Banana Grove Backpackers Inn — Hotel in El Nido

We loved our stay with Tom and Annie!

Despite a mix up by VRBO with our booking, they were super helpful!

They offered to let us pitch our tent and even take a moped to try some walk-ins elsewhere. It was Chinese new year and everywhere in El nido was fully booked!

After many failed attempts through booking apps elsewhere in El Nido and walk-ins we returned and Tom and Annie had setup a room/hut for us that was still being prepared for use, that was beautiful. Moving us later to a fully finished hut a couple of days later that was even nicer!

Banana Grove was by far the most wonderful place we stayed in Palawan!

Annie's cooking is first class! The best we had in over a month in the Philippines! I highly recommend the Chicken Curry or the Seafood Laska! We were even lucky enough to have some food prepared by her for a night camping on a beach nearby!

From the moment we arrived the immediate family, extended family (Bead) and staff all made the whole stay feel like we were at our own home!

They are both very knowledgeable about the local areas with some great advice for beaches helping with recommendations and booking day trips. With some great conversations!

It was also fantastic to have new Motorbikes and new helmets available to rent on site!

For those working remotely - the internet and WiFi was also better than I'd experienced in Manilla or the rest of the Philippines. Having virtual meetings and video calls on the terrace was brilliant!

We were sad to have to leave and would not hesitate to stay here next time we are in El Nido!

I can't recommend staying at Banana Grove enough!

A huge thank you to Tom, Annie and all the staff for making our stay in El Nido...

Great family-owned and operated native hut-style accommodations run by the friendly and attentive duo of Tom and Annie. They also have a restaurant and bar on-site with delicious food cooked to order. From organic pesto spaghetti (basil grown on-site!) to freshly brewed coffee and cold beer to local specialties like pancit (noodles) and vegetable spring rolls, everything we tried was delicious and generous portions. Annie even whipped up garlic toast made with olive oil that has effectively ruined other garlic toast for us. Rooms are simple and cozy, but stay surprisingly cool with just a fan due to their native design that lets the hot air out. This place is expanding, so some parts are still being built-up (had 3 'kubo' huts when we were there, with plans to build more). Stayed for nearly 2-weeks in Sept 2019 and would definitely stay again the next time I'm in the area. Close to the fantastic Lio Beach - definitely check it out if...

Where to start with the legends that are Tom (English) and Annie (Filipino). It’s the perfect combo to make sure all your needs are met - whether you need a drinking buddy, a trip to an undisturbed island (without any other folk), great food (chicken and coconut curry + homemade coconut ice cream gets 5*), or personal delivery of your forgotten phone charger to the bus station without request!

El Nido town has been something of a concrete tourist jungle for some time and will leave you with little sense of the beauty of the island past the usual tours or of the people themselves. This is where Banana Grove excels - straightforward jungle style accommodation in a natural setting in a genuine filipino town. Be prepared for the local children to greet you each and every time you make a journey out! An authentic experience that must...