The Funny Lion - El Nido — Hotel in El Nido

We stayed last March 27 - 31, 2024. When we arrived at the airport, there was not only one but three staff that greeted us! The trip from the airport to The Funny Lion was only 15 minutes. The guard opened the van’s door for us and greeted us with a warm smile. Upon entering, a few more greeted us with the highest energy and that made us smile despite the heat from our short travel. We didn’t have to bring our luggages because it was automatically taken by the driver. The check-in was a breeze! We were greeted by their refreshing welcome drink and cold towel. It didn’t stop there! When we got in our room, they took the effort to surprise us with fresh coconut juice, a cake that my daughter dug in right away, our family’s name on the screen, two stuffed animals named Roary for the kids, and so much more! Not only that, the staff politely asked for our attention and explained where we can find the things that we need in the room including their laundry services. It’s amazing! As this is our first time in El Nido, it was also our first time in their resort and having us informed was really helpful. It was also the first time that my family and I had that kind of service and I think it’s them making an extra mile for their guests to feel at home and for that, we are really grateful. After settling in, we had some pizzas and cocktail drinks at their restaurant, Hunt. The food was good! The GM was very kind and accommodating. He asked us how was our flight and also talked to us for a few minutes while the kids swam in the pool. He also asked us what our plans for the next day and since we didn’t really have an itinerary ready, he suggested that we go island tour and he also booked it for us! So convenient! The next day, we ate breakfast early as our call time was 8:30 am. The food options for breakfast is really good for a boutique hotel. Really nice utensils, I must say, I wanted to bring them home 😆. I noticed that there’s a staff that checks if the food displayed needs to be refilled. There’s also one that brings coffee in a coffee press nonetheless and one liter of cold water which I really appreciate. The staff were very attentive to our needs. After a day on the islands, we cooled down by the pool and to our surprise, they served every guest with their “pawsicles”, so cute and refreshing! They also served cheese popcorns for free! The kids love it and were looking forward to it everyday. The next day, Sir Nilo suggested for us to spend the day at Papaya Beach. Their very own beach / island! It only took a 7-minute boat ride and there we spent our time swimming, kayaking, laying on the sand and ate lunch. There’s a picnic basket with your lunch that they send around 11 am - 12 nn to make sure your food is warm 🥹, grabe their service!🙌🏻 There’s also a cooler that they let us borrow for water and some beer that you need to pay too. Other than that, the boat transfer, van transfer, kayak and staying on the beach was totally free! There’s a schedule as well and we chose the 9 am - 2 pm. BTW, the resort is just a few steps away from TownSquare, where there’s a lot of options to eat, drink, dance, get souvenirs and go to the gym. Also, TFL has a gym and a spa just across the building. The location is perfect as it’s in the center of everything. To end this, we also tried their massage at Sea Tree Spa Wellness and it was the best we’ve ever tried! Our stay was sweet and we didn’t want to leave! We needed more time. We will definitely be back and stay again here. Much love and shoutout to Ms. Val na grabe ang energy and greets us every single time we go in and out of the resort. To Sir Nilo, most especially. Napaka sipag and napaka visible na GM. Thank you so much! To the staff that cleans our room everyday, to everyone literally, thank you so much for making our stay such a memorable one. One we will place in our...

If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would.

I’ve been travelling the world full-time for the last 15 years, hopping from country to country, checking into every type of hotel you can imagine…from luxury city towers to boutique resorts on remote islands. But I can genuinely say that The Funny Lion in El Nido is one of the warmest, most unforgettable hotel experiences I’ve ever had…and it all comes down to their incredible staff, heartfelt service, and the magical energy they’ve created here.

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed like an old friend coming home. Not only were the check-in and welcome smooth and fast, but Val, Kim, Cjay, and every single member of the team, including the lovely restaurant staff, the smiling housekeepers, and even the ever-watchful and kind security guard, made me feel seen, remembered, and valued every day.

I don’t say this lightly: this is the kindest, most attentive team I have encountered anywhere in the world. And that’s coming from someone who has travelled 24/7 for over a decade and a half.

The Staff – Heart of the Experience

What really stood out to me is that they remember your name, not just one or two of them, all of them. And they greet you by name every single time they see you, with genuine warmth and beaming smiles that instantly lift your mood.

Every little request I had was handled quickly, professionally, and with so much care, whether it was an extra towel, advice where to go, arranging transport, or helping me figure out an early morning boat trip to Papaya beach. Nothing was too big or too small. I truly felt looked after.

There’s something deeply special about staying somewhere where the staff don’t just “do their job”, they go above and beyond every day because they truly care. And that’s exactly what I felt from Val, Kim, Cjay, and the rest of the team.

The Property – Chic, Clean, Calm

The rooms are impeccably clean with a tasteful, modern design that still keeps the island charm alive. The beds are comfortable, the bathrooms are well-equipped, and everything feels fresh and thoughtfully maintained.

There’s a peaceful, boutique feel to the hotel…it’s quiet, calm, and yet still has the energy of a place that people love. It’s perfect if you’re looking to unwind, relax, and feel grounded while exploring the beauty of El Nido.

The Restaurant & Service – Just WOW

The on-site restaurant deserves its own standing ovation. We tried the buffet on our first night. The food is delicious, always beautifully presented, and the staff are incredible…welcoming, attentive, and always quick to check in without being overbearing. Whether it was breakfast, or dinner, I felt like I was being served with heart, not just service.

The smiles you get each time you sit down… it’s impossible not to feel happy here.

Final Thoughts – I’ll Be Back, Again and Again

You know how some hotels leave a mark on your heart? This is one of those places. It’s not just the building, the food, or the location, it’s the people that make The Funny Lion in El Nido so special.

They’ve created something rare here: a genuinely heartfelt, world-class experience where hospitality feels personal, real, and soul-filling.

To the entire team, Val, Kim, Cjay, all the kind housekeepers, kitchen staff, restaurant crew, front desk, and the guard… thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made my stay one I’ll never forget, and you’ve set the bar so high, I don’t know how any other hotel will ever compare.

I’ll definitely be back. And I’ll be recommending this place to everyone I know.

10/10. No question ☺️

Kind...

The only recommendation you need to read;

What an attention to detail all from hotel interior, super attentive staff and excellent customer service.

We stayed at room #140 for 4 nights, we were on the top floor and had sea view - and everything else we needed was provided in the room. The minibar was packed with complimentary fruits, soda and water. There were also gifts such as tote bag and bandanas for you to take home.

We had one night, where we requested an ironing board and this was brought to us immediately. The rooms are very well organized and kept neat and clean by the housekeepers. We also appreciated the lighting in the room - not too bright, neither too dark. Just perfect. Again; attention to detail.

We ended up buying their black electric kettle from the boutique as we were inspired by the design that we saw in the room.

Fantastic, fast laundry service as well. Everything neatly ironed and folded.

When it comes to their bar and ‘Hunt’ restaurant, you will find plenty of options and a wide selection of courses to enjoy. We really enjoyed happy hour cocktails (our favorite was the Maldita - very refreshing) and a couple lunches as well.

We were also provided complimentary snacks and drinks sent from the Resort Manager, Nilo - we thought this was super thoughtful.

…. And if there is one more thing to add as go-to for The Funny Lion, is their PRIVATE beach (oh my God….) - such an awesome facility owned by the hotel. I think we had one of our best days of our stay in Papaya Beach due to the fact that it was super clean, quiet and it was just simply us among a handful other guests. Beach mats were provided - and there’s a Basketball and Volleyball court as well if you need a break from swimming or suntanning. There were even complimentary kayaks to use for hotel guests.

We would like to finish our recommendation by personally thanking Jay C, Julie and Christian for giving outstanding service at all times. We were greeted personally by name every time we walked by the reception.

Julie was super helpful with transportation and very communicative. Jay C was very attentive, informative and helped us with tips for El Nido and which Tour to pick. And Christian was very fun to be with and super friendly - we definitely felt taken care of in our day in Papaya Beach.

Lastly, we would also like to include the incredible Resort Manager; Nilo. Giving outstanding warm welcome to each and every guest, he is very appreciative for his guests and is actually also interested in your wellbeing. We were really impressed by Nilo and his humble team. Nilo made us really feel at home already from the minute we arrived. I sensed he was a very hands-on manager and really represents The Funny Lion, El Nido very well.

I can tell that this is a good and humble workplace environment - and that is something we highly appreciate and support during our stay. It really reflects the people behind it all.

10/10 experience. And I think it’s very clear that we will be...