The Philippines Best Family-Run Luxury Stay in El Nido, Palawan
This is more than just a place to sleep, prepare to be amazed.
Introduction
I put my fork down, savouring the last mouthful of smoky fish salad I had just devoured in record time. Jake’s staring off into the distance. A crumb sits precariously balanced on the edge of his lip; all that remains of the Chorizo burger that arrived a few minutes ago. It doesn’t matter how many times I tap the screen on the phone, the time hasn’t changed. Has it not even been a minute yet? Lifting my head I see two dusty green eyes, gold flecks twinkling with amusement. The tapping below the table abruptly stops; he calls me thumper when I get restless. I let out an embarrassed laugh — patience is not my virtue.
So I focus on the view because it’s easy to get lost in that. Limestone cliffs jut out across the open sea, dotting my vision with green in every direction. White powdery sand and azure waters that dance with the rays of the intense Philippines sun. This is the most beautiful scene I’ve ever witnessed and maybe ever will.
Prior to this trip I would have thought you need to be stupidly rich and famous to enjoy views like this. Apparently all you need to do is take a very affordable trip to the Philippines. Forget the Maldives, let’s just keep coming back here. I turn to Jake to tell him, but he speaks first. Our hosts are headed down to meet us now. I can barely contain my excitement. We pay up and walk onto the beach.
She introduces herself as Fanny, the rest of the three men that have come along as her father-in-law and two staff to help carry our backpacks. We do the awkward British thing and politely decline their help and then quickly give in because some airflow on my back would be a welcome relief. For the 100th time I regret over-packing for this trip. The sun is intense and the sand is warm between my toes. Fanny explains the history of the area to us as we walk along the beach that I now know is called Maremegmeg, the same as the famous beach club where we just had our lunch. We haven’t walked very far but are already turning off down a sandy path into the jungle. My curiosity peaks.
Out of the jungle strides a man who throws open his arms and warmly introduces himself as Bobby, her husband and our co-host. I’m starting to think they’re probably around the same age as us and that if we lived in the same place we’d probably be friends.
As we make conversation, we pass a small clearing with a basketball hoop and I turn to smile at Jake, knowing he’s thinking about all the times he’s been mistaken for a basketball player in the Philippines. Filipinos are passionate about the sport; so much that you find rudimentary basketball hoops in the jungle.
We pass a raised wooden path being built. Further down is the base of a staircase that zigs and zags its way up the side of a hill to a building that takes my breath away. It’s peaking out above the trees. Bobby explains that progress is still being made on the second and third rooms below ours but promises we won’t be disturbed. He also tells us about the adjacent building. An equally beautiful but now empty space that was once a famous restaurant. Today it seems the only patrons are the colourful birds that fly in and out of the open windows. There’s wildlife all around us. Birds zipping past our heads and butterflies dancing around peculiar flowers. I love this place already.
About the room
The room that we booked is at the very top peaking out above the jungle and is called the Amelia Room; named after their first born daughter. It was the first of three rooms to be built at Colibris Corner. The next, being hand crafted at the time but now completely finished, is called the Sage room.
We climbed the stairs all the way up to what was going to be our room, panting as we got closer.
But the breath truly left our lungs when we reached our balcony. You won’t believe the view when you see it either.
The Amelia room has an open feeling, not only because of the vaulted A-frame ceiling but importantly because of the wooden framed glass doors that line the room on two sides giving you unbelievable views in each direction. These doors open onto a balcony with the best view in El Nido. You can see Helicopter island directly from the room!
Tip: Get up early to watch the sunrise over the islands with your morning coffee and stay in one evening to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. Nature will you give you an unforgettable show. El Nido gave us the most epic sunsets of all our travels.
In the Amelia room, you feel immersed in the jungle and yet you’re surrounded by chic boho luxury. Bobby and Fanny can tell you about the entire design process, the pieces they lovingly hand-picked and why. The reclaimed herringbone flooring, the handcrafted pieces of furniture that are scattered thoughtfully throughout the room. It’s carefully curated to make you feel warm and at ease.
I think I’ll always be drawn to places like Colibris Corner. It’s rare to find palm fringed beaches with accommodation options that aren’t encroaching on the sea and polluting the natural environment. Often you have to sacrifice one for the other. Not here though.
They’re not forcing themselves on the shore. A luxury beachfront property that sits back from the beach, allowing nature to stay where it belongs; they exist within it, not on it.
Everything about this space was consciously designed with the surrounding nature in mind. Not only do you have to walk from the beach and through the jungle to get there but once you do, you’ll find yourself nestled just above the canopy with dreamlike sea-views.
You can sense the love that went into designing the space. Each unique piece of furniture, hand-crafted and carefully curated. Bobby and Fanny are always on-hand to help you should you need anything.
I have a soft spot for small luxury stays for this exact reason.
They put their whole heart into giving you the best experience possible.
So if you’re looking for somewhere that’s more than just a place to sleep but rather somewhere for magic moments that will leave a mark on your heart, look no further than Colibris Corner in El Nido, Palawan.
