Eco Sanctuaries Nature Lodge Nacpan Beach — Hotel in El Nido

Failures under the guise of Eco. Too far from town for electricity perhaps, so use solar power. We were aware this would mean no air conditioning, no fridge in the room, no hot water shower. Ok but it's over $180 US a night, the food but especially the service must be excellent to justify rustic accommodation at this price. Well unfortunately not. The breakfast meal choice is good and tasty. But no juices one breakfast, no alternative shakes ? Just luke warm water not cold. A couple of beers in the afternoon? No, they're all warm just put in the fridge, there's only room for 8. Ok, I'll wait, when they're cold I'll be offered them surely? No, it never happened. I noticed 6 non hotel guests in for lunch an hour or so later enjoying cold beers though.|And outsiders who aren't paying $180 a night are a regular feature, they can just arrive, split one meal and one beer between 3 people and occupy the nice quiet sunbeds for the day ???? So just get a cheap $50 room down the beach, buy one beer and use the facility. Paying for a supposed exclusive eco sanctuary it isn't, anyone shares it with you. |Eco probably accounts for no insect treatment in the rooms or the grounds. We were bitten more extensively in one night than we've ever been by nikniks, ie sandflies. We travel extensively, Africa, Central America, Asia, always well prepared with Deet. But they knew they had sandflies which aren't put off by Deet, and had the appropriate repellent to hand, they just didn't tell us. When we showed them 30 ugly bites each it was "oh sorry, here's repellent, 800pesos". We have to ensure days of ugly red marks itching for £12 !!! Ruin a vacation. At this price knowing you have a problem it should be provided for free. And incidentally it's 600 pesos in the village so they even profiteer on your discomfort, 400 pesos for a smaller one they should provide for free. |Then departure. No interest where we might be going or how we might leave this 4x4 only self proclaimed remote location. We ask. They'll find out. They never came back to us. We ask again, " oh it's 3000 pesos to Duli beach". What? It's only 16 km, 30 minutes, it's shorter than going to El Nido and that price is far more expensive than arrival. A shrug, "we don't own the transport". We had a tricycle lift off them down the beach to the main car park. Chatted to a few guys with vans, no hard negotiating necessary I'm happy and they're happy with 1500. Half the hotel price !!|Basically all fluff and nonsense posing as a resort of substance and charging for it. No professionalism on site with an absentee US based owner. And my comments in other forums have been met with the owner suggesting I was aked if everything was OK while there and said it was great. No such conversation or paper exchange every happened, the staff were perfectly aware of our...

Failures under the guise of Eco. Too far from town for electricity perhaps, so use solar power. We were aware this would mean no air conditioning, no fridge in the room, no hot water shower. Ok but it's over $180 US a night, the food but especially the service must be excellent to justify rustic accommodation at this price. Well unfortunately not. The breakfast meal choice is good and tasty. But no juices one breakfast, no alternative shakes ? Just luke warm water not cold. A couple of beers in the afternoon? No, they're all warm just put in the fridge, there's only room for 8. Ok, I'll wait, when they're cold I'll be offered them surely? No, it never happened. I noticed 6 non hotel guests in for lunch an hour or so later enjoying cold beers though. And outsiders who aren't paying $180 a night are a regular feature, they can just arrive, split one meal or even just one beer between 3 people and occupy the nice quiet sunbeds for the day ???? So just get a cheap $50 room down the beach, buy one beer and use the facility. Paying for a supposed exclusive eco sanctuary it isn't, anyone shares it with you. Eco probably accounts for no insect treatment in the rooms or the grounds. We were bitten more extensively in one night than we've ever been by nikniks, ie sandflies. We travel extensively, Africa, Central America, Asia, always well prepared with Deet. But they knew they had sandflies which aren't put off by Deet, and had the appropriate repellent to hand, they just didn't tell us. When we showed them 30 ugly bites each it was "oh sorry, here's repellent, 800pesos". We have to ensure days of ugly red marks itching for £12 !!! Ruin a vacation. At this price knowing you have a problem it should be provided for free. And incidentally it's 600 pesos in the village so they even profiteer on your discomfort, 400 pesos for a smaller one they should provide for free. Then departure. No interest where we might be going or how we might leave this 4x4 only self proclaimed remote location. We ask. They'll find out. They never came back to us. We ask again, " oh it's 3000 pesos to Duli beach". What? It's only 16 km, 30 minutes, it's shorter than going to El Nido and that price is far more expensive than arrival. A shrug, "we don't own the transport". We had a tricycle lift off them down the beach to the main car park. Chatted to a few guys with vans, no hard negotiating necessary I'm happy and they're happy with 1500. Half the hotel price !! Basically all fluff and nonsense posing as a resort of substance and charging for it. No professionalism on site with an absentee US based owner. Very...

The property stayed true to its promise of being an environmental-friendly eco-resort, that is why my expectations before coming here had been managed. Nella, the property manager, explained what the property has and doesn’t have, which was very thoughtful on her part and something that prepared me mentally. For example, being a newly-opened property, they haven’t made car transfers readily available from Sunmai to Ecosans, but they thoughtfully ask you if you need assistance from their guests in carrying your luggage. But the walk from Sunmai to the property was very calming. You get to bask in the beauty of the turquoise blue waters and white sand beach! That in itself is a welcome treat.

Upon arrival at the property, I was welcomed by the very friendly security staff - a labrador named Mounty. I enjoyed petting him because he easily makes bond with guests - not to mention, he’s a pro-swimmer!

The staff welcomed me with big smiles, explaining to me what the protocols are around the property. They exert their full effort to ask you how’s your stay, which makes it comforting and reassuring for a lone traveler like myself.

Food was great; the in-house chef, Chef Gino, was very friendly and makes sure you have a sumptuous meal. He was also open to comments about the food, but for someone like him who has had an extensive culinary experience abroad, I just had no bad experience with any of the food he served; everything was delicious. I personally loved the veggie nachos, spanish sardines, garlic butter shrimp, curry veggie, and potato fries. The property is also growing their herbs and veggies in the backyard, which adds freshness to the meals they serve.

The villa i stayed in was very comfortable and spacious. Yes, it has no airconditioning, but the facility compensated for making mosquito nets available. But i didn’t experience any mosquito bites at all.

Overall, the place is perfect for those that wanna detach from the busy city and just wanted to relax even for a short while. This is highly recommended for parents wanting alone time with their kids, or burnt out yuppies wanting to reflect on what they wanna do in life. Personally? I will definitely come back to Eco Sans and Nacpan for the relaxing vibe, blue waters, and friendly locals....