By Jenny Fatima Macatiag
At Sea Cocoon Hotel, we felt nestled in a cocoon of comfort and relaxation, surrounded by the breathtaking views of the sea and the warm hospitality of its owner, Eric Sugui, and his friendly staff. The hotel is also conveniently located near the restaurants in town.
The team welcomed us with figurative open arms, and we knew that we were in for a memorable stay. As we gazed at the beauty of nature surrounding us, it was easy to romanticize the place.
We booked a special twin room on the fourth floor with a small balcony overlooking El Nido beach. The view from the room was spectacular, with the limestone cliffs seemingly kissing the waters of the bay.
The room was clean and comfortable, with new and efficient air conditioning. The hotel also offers a complimentary daily buffet breakfast and a rooftop café and bar that will open soon. The rooftop also offers stunning views of the bay.
El Nido town
The initial response to visiting a place for the first time and developing a deep affection for someone, or in this case, a travel destination, is often likened to falling in love. So, let’s embark on a journey of discovery and fall in love with the charming town of El Nido, as we explore the community, its businesses, and the daily activities that tourists and locals enjoy.
El Nido serves as the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, a cluster of islands adorned with limestone cliffs that rise majestically from the sea. Its poblacion offers a sanctuary far removed from the bustle of city life, replete with hotels, restaurants, and activity centers. It’s conveniently located, just a 5-hour drive from Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) or a mere 15-minute trip from Lio Airport.
Art Cafe El Nido
We couldn’t wait to explore more of the town as we headed out for lunch. Highly recommended was Art Cafe which is about a five-minute walk from the hotel. The restaurant offers an extensive menu consisting of seafood, and guest favorites like pizzas and pastas. They also have a souvenir store on the ground floor and a gallery of paintings down Serena Street.
After walking around town and checking out the sights and sounds of El Nido, we had an early dinner at Cafe Athena which is a Mediterranean-style beachfront restaurant.
Island tour
On our second day, we embarked on an island-hopping tour with Isla Malaya Tours. The group that we were with was a happy bunch. We had the time of our lives kayaking the big lagoon of El Nido and enjoying an island seafood buffet lunch right after.
It was already late in the afternoon when we got back to Corong Corong beach. We then decided to have an early dinner at Nanay’s Restaurant located in the Pops District of El Nido.
All these restaurants and activities are near the Sea Cocoon Hotel which makes it easy to move around.
El Nido provides peace and a chance to just let go of everything that weighs you down. Now is the perfect time to go, be inspired and fall in love with nature.