Glamping at Karuna El Nido — Hotel in El Nido

Do not stay here!!!! Awful service & communication. The only thing it has going for it is the view - everything else was shambolic. We arrived late our first evening and was not given any information (wifi, breakfast time/how to order/menu etc) and so struggled the next morning without wifi and service to communicate with staff as they contact you via whatsapp. The phone in the room saved us but only once we had found the one working plug socket which we could plug it into which was behind the mini fridge. (we also complained about this but was never acknowledged). Once we phoned, staff were reluctant to give us the wifi password as we hadn’t filled in forms sent to us (which we couldn’t fill in without wifi!) Throughout the day, water stopped working and then came through brown in both the toilet and the sink (pictured below) After phoning reception about this issue, housekeeping came and flushed the toilet repeatedly to ‘solve the problem’ and after we said it hadn’t worked they claimed maintenance was coming. Maintenance never arrived. We phoned multiple times for updates and only when we chased they said a pipe broke and they fixed it by which point we had waited the majority of the day for someone to come. The water was still not coming through as clean (see sink picture) and we asked if there was another room we could move to/shower in but was informed they were all under maintenance. (we later learned was not the case). We ordered food that evening and were only sent a very reduced menu once we were told what we originally ordered wasn’t available. Our plates from meals were never collected despite the amount of times housekeeping had been coming to our room to test the water. The next morning we attempted to shower, only to find the water was cold. We sent a complaint that morning to which we received no reply. We phoned reception to ask if anyone was coming to fix it, and they said the manager would speak to us upon checking out. We were checking out that morning and maintenance only arrived for the first time when we were leaving.

By the end of our stay we were so disappointed and angry at the lack of service throughout our stay (which was for a birthday) and staff offered no compensation and were instead focusing on the timings at which we messaged on whatsapp as they claimed we never complained until the morning of departure which was not true - staff we spoke and complained to the day before never passed on any details to the manager as they claimed to have done and nothing was recorded. The managers defence was also ‘it was only brown for part of the day’ which was ridiculous. Clean water and working electricity are basic amenities of a hotel stay, let alone a luxury one. After having to argue our case we also had to defend ourselves as we were insinuated of lying about the water and said a switch was turned off which we must have done because housekeeping don’t touch it and the manager said she supposedly checks it before every stay. They also tried to charge us for 2 beers from the minibar which we had not drank. After half an hour of standing our ground she reluctantly agreed to waive our food bill as she ‘wasn’t scared of a bad review’ which wasn’t our motivation for compensation at all, just simple acknowledgment of poor service which was clear we were never going to be given.

Staying here is expensive and is meant to be a luxury experience which we did not experience at all! Save your money and stay somewhere else! The way we were treated by staff after our entire stay was appalling and we have never experienced...

We had a fantastic stay at Karuna El Nido Glamping and would definitely return! From the moment we arrived, the service stood out. Aly at reception was wonderful, answering all our questions with a warm and helpful attitude. Communication was smooth, with reception typically responding within 5 minutes or less.

The La Dolce Vita room was exactly as pictured— beautiful, clean, and thoughtfully equipped. There were snacks, a mini bar (for a fee), a mini fridge, and even a mini water cooler, which was super convenient given the non-potable tap water. We used that water to brush our teeth too.

Though the resort is nestled in the rainforest and we encountered a few critters, it was completely expected given the setting. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and the paths were well-lit, making it feel safe and inviting even at night. Each unit seemed to have its own private entrance, and our room and balcony felt very private with a gorgeous view.

It was mostly quiet since you’ll hear peaceful forest sounds like cicadas, geckos at night, the occasional rooster during the day (not too loud), and birds pecking at the window or door in the morning. It all added to the charm of staying in the middle of nature.

Yes, there are lots of stairs, but that’s part of the charm of being on a hill. If you don’t have mobility issues, it’s very manageable and the free van/tuktuk service made it easy to get up and down without much effort. We mainly used the stairs just for short walks between the room, restaurant, pool, and spa, which are all close together.

Despite hearing about rolling blackouts in town, we didn’t experience any power interruptions during our stay. The Wi-Fi worked well, the A/C and hot water were reliable, and umbrellas were even provided in the room for convenience.

We also took advantage of the spa, where we enjoyed relaxing massages, and the on-site restaurant, which served delicious food. Booking tours and transport through reception was a breeze and super convenient. Free rides are available to Corong Corong and El Nido town (just 10–15 minutes away), with reasonable extra charges for farther destinations like Lio Airport (~30 mins).

We arranged airport pickup in advance, and they were waiting at arrivals when we landed. Highly recommend coordinating with reception ahead of time.

While I didn’t personally use the pool, it looked clean and peaceful, with stunning views. It was never crowded, though it’s worth noting that the pool is visible from the restaurant, so diners can watch you swim, or you can watch them eat!

A quick note: the reception and services operate between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, so it’s helpful to plan any requests, bookings, or transport needs around those hours.

Everyone—from the reception team to the drivers, restaurant, and spa staff—was incredibly kind and accommodating.

I highly recommend this place and would absolutely come back again. Next time, I’d love to stay in one of the other rooms. Each one had its own unique vibe and style, while still complementing the natural rainforest setting. Honestly, I don’t think you could go wrong with booking any of the rooms.

All in all, Karuna was the perfect mix of comfort and adventure in a stunning location. We’ll be adding some photos to show just how gorgeous it really is. Don’t hesitate to book—this...

I decided to share this feedback because every time I post reviews, they usually get over 1,000 views — so I’m hoping this one can help other travelers make an informed decision, and also help the Karuna team improve even more.

We stayed at Glass House, Glamping at Karuna for 7 days, and overall, it was a relaxing and memorable experience. After reading some negative reviews online, I’d like to give an honest and constructive take — satisfaction is relative, but here’s our on-point feedback:

Location & Accessibility – The place is uphill (kaya nga glamping 😄). If you’re not into walking or climbing, this might not be the place for you. But for us, it was a nice way to get some light exercise, especially since there’s no gym on-site. Accommodation – The room was very cozy. There’s no exhaust fan in the CR, but it wasn’t a major issue. Amenities & Expectations – The coffee machine and some kitchen utensils seem to be more for aesthetic purposes than for full use. It wasn’t a big deal for us, but we suggest adding a small note to help manage guest expectations. Housekeeping – Excellent service. We requested cleaning daily and the staff delivered — very responsive, efficient, and friendly. Great job to the housekeeping team! Transport Service – They offer free transport to and from town via tuk-tuk or minivan, depending on the availability of the driver. Just take note: it’s not immediate, so make sure to book with them at least 20 minutes ahead. This was probably the most convenient service they offered! Extra Transport Charges – There’s a charge if you go beyond their free kilometer range. For us, we paid ₱300 per way using the minivan, which was still very convenient. Shuttle Experience (Airport Transfer)– We availed of their shuttle service (with discount pa!) and they were always on time — a big plus for us since we stayed a full week. Communication – Super fast response via WhatsApp! Whether it was housekeeping, transport, or general concerns, they were quick and accommodating. Restaurant – The resto at the other villa was very accommodating, and the staff were kind and attentive. A nice place to unwind and enjoy a meal. Food is really good. Tricycle Access – If you’re arriving via tricycle, take note that they’re not allowed to go all the way to your room/unit — only up to the guard area for security and safety reasons. For us, it wasn’t an issue at all since we only used a tricycle once, and we actually enjoyed the walk. But it’s good for future guests to know ahead of time. That's why we always utilized minivan. Warm Hospitality – We also had the chance to meet one of the owners of Karuna and his wife, and they were both very accommodating and kind. His wife was always smiling and welcoming — it really added to the homey and peaceful vibe of the place.

Final Note: If you’re not into uphill walking, this place might not suit you. But if you’re okay with a little trek and want a peaceful, nature-inspired stay with reliable service, Glamping at Karuna is worth trying.

This place will always hold a special place in my heart because this is where my boyfriend proposed to me. No huge crowds, no noise — just the peaceful surroundings and the two of us. It was intimate, quiet, and felt like our own little world. For that, this place will always...