Bice Camp Darocotan — Hotel in El Nido

So apologies if this review is a bit gushy but my wife and I have just spent 2 days here and it’s the first place on our travels so far where we were so sad to leave!||First of all - it’s real. We booked online and were quite sceptical that there were no reviews! Literally nothing - I was worried it didn’t exist... It’s real and it’s incredible.||So for not a huge amount of money you will get collected from El Nido then driven to the north of the island before the husband & wife team running the place pick you up in your own boat! Dreamy.||Then a short hop across the water and you are literally in paradise. Very basic huts (with nets) are directly on the beach. Ours was no more than 4m from the high tide... There’s a beach bar with reasonably priced food (huge portions) and drinks.||They have free volleyball/badminton on the sand court. Free snorkels (no fins) and a frigging floating bamboo raft a hundred yards out into the perfect blue sea just off the sandy white beach!||Then there are all the reefs & the wreck (a 1970’s cargo boat no more than 2m under max at high tide). ||The family who run the place are lovely and despite the slight lack of English we got on fine! They’re so lovely with plenty of free coconuts that the husband will climb the tree for you!! ||People from nearby accommodation as well as the odd tour boat come to the beach in front of Backpackers. There’s no contest! ||Just be warned the rooms are basic (but the toilets and showers so super modern and clean). Bring bug spray so you can stay out and see the Milky Way and all the stars after the electricity goes out at 9pm.||Wish we could go back - It’s the slice of island paradise you’ve read about but never been able to find. ||Thanks...

For us one of the best travelling experience ever! All personnel kind and helpful, especially Dom and Andy, working so hard to make our stay awesome. Paradise like location that you have dreamed but didn't know it existed. This is the cheapest accommodation on the island and also the most authentic. Beautiful and comfortable huts. Bathrooms and showers very clean and practical. Small size of the structure makes the experience very nice, quiet with stilll some very good time with the other clients. Snorkeling absolutely fantastic with a shipwreck on the beach. Don't hesitate to go snorkeling also from the beach located in front of the village, there are huge colorful corals and multicolored fishes. We were lucky to swim with a giant turtle 🐢 met when kayaking in the next bay after the village. Food is very well prepared not expensive and good. Breakfast was included in our case. Some complained that they had to wait for their food... they must have had an urgent appointment 😅 . Snorkeling equipment provided for free, kayak for rent much cheaper than in other structures around. The 2 only others "hôtels" are accessible for a drink, lunch or dinner... this allows for variety... Transfer by boat is free of charge if you do during check in/out time. Tom is very reactive with messages to give you all information you need. No Wifi but data most of the time. They can also arrange all possible transfers for you...

Pros

Andy was kind and helpful. Getting to and from El Nido was very convenient. Hard to beat the excellent snorkeling 50m off the beach. Island's best beach is a few steps from your door.

Opportunities for Growth

Facitilities: Rooms don't have fans (contrary to what's advertised). Huts are sweltering at night and leak with rain. Bathrooms smell like urine and toilets lack toilet seats. Showers have 10+ bars of soggy, half used soap bars. We expected rustic, but there's a difference between "basic" and dirty.

Team: Aside from Andy and the boatmen, the team cared less about providing a quality experience and more about having fun amongst themselves, drinking in the afternoons, and playing loud techno music. Little gestures - like emptying overflowing trashcans and replacing foot baths in front of guest's rooms - would have gone a long way. When we checked out early, no one cared to ask why.

Tip: If you want to come to the island, stay at Isla (a 5 min walk away). Three times the price, but 20 times the quality. If - like us - Isla is out of your budget, eat there. 400 pesos at Backpackers got us an OK fish filet. 480 pesos at Isla got us an all you can eat buffet - chicken, salad, pork, fish, and fruit. Excellent food, warm vibes and clean bathrooms (with toilet seats!)

This is a beautiful location with tremendous potential! Hoping they can turn things...