Looking for an accommodation in El Nido, Palawan? Then you have come to the right place! Check out this review of Sea Cocoon Hotel, the best mid-scale hotel in El Nido.
Last November, I had the pleasure of catching a “bug” while traveling in Palawan. On our way to El Nido from Puerto Prinsesa, I didn’t expect my body ache would turn in to fever, so I prepared myself for the worst. The last thing on my mind was traveling while sick (first time this happened since I started traveling in 2012). I needed to get better quickly, or find something to help me make it through the 9-day trip.
If you’re planning a trip to Palawan, be sure to check out my detailed El Nido Itinerary. It’s packed with recommendations for must-see spots, hidden gems, and tips to make the most of your adventure in this tropical paradise!
Arrival in El Nido, Palawan
Thank God my friend and I decided to book with Sea Cocoon Hotel, the best mid-scale hotel in El Nido according to TripAdvisor reviews. It was an incredible experience from the moment we arrived early from Puerto Prinsesa. The receptionist greeted us with a smile on his face and informed us that the room will be ready at 2 PM.
About Sea Cocoon Hotel
Consistently voted as TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awardee since 2017, Sea Cocoon Hotel features 27 air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. The amenities include a poolside lounge/dining area, 24-hour electricity and water (El Nido still suffers from frequent power outages), a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel is located in Calle Real, just 5-minute walk from the beach and the seaside backpacker street. If you are looking for a quiet place to stay in El Nido but don’t want to miss out on action, you need to look no further than Sea Cocoon Hotel.
Standard Twin Room – Our Home Away from Home
Located to the left upon entry was our room’s adequately sized bathroom. It contained a toilet and walk-in shower stocked with toiletries. About 2 big towels and 2 small towels were provided inside it. Stainless steel rainfall shower head, bidet and hair dryer are also installed inside, which were my absolute favorite features. Heading into the rest of the room there’s the twin bed with memory foam over spring mattress, air-conditioning unit, two bedside lamps, a table with a chairs, a dresser, and a flatscreen TV. Plenty of power outlets are available next to the beds and the TV.
*Standard Twin Room rate is from 4,000 pesos with complimentary breakfast for two. Rates depend on the season so it may fluctuate from time to time.
For three nights during our stay in Sea Cocoon Hotel, I slept like a baby in that comfortable bed. I guess memory foam is really great for the body as I was able to recover from my ailment in just 24 hours. Also, I would like mention the pillows which have great thickness and size. I usually get neck pain if the pillows are not of high quality. I’m not sure though if it was memory foam too.
The View from our Private Balcony
Curious to know what the view looks like from the balcony? Here you go! Sea Cocoon Hotel isn’t located in the seaside, but the views of the towering limestone cliffs will make up for it. Our room directly faces El Nido Elementary School and to the right is the iconic Taraw Cliff. The other side of the hotel faces the ocean and the backpacker street.
Complimentary Buffet-style Breakfast
I found the complimentary buffet-style breakfast of Sea Cocoon Hotel to be one of the highlights during our stay. The buffet table has Filipino and Asian food options as well as continental. There were eggs, butter, home-made jam, honey, cheese, oatmeal, seasonal fruits, bacon, sausage, and Greek yogurt, which you can pair with coffee, milk, fruit juice, or tea. It wasn’t luxurious but a buffet-style breakfast in El Nido is considered a luxury already. I enjoyed the breakfast as it was tasty and incredibly filling.
Overall Experience
Having visited El Nido a few times I thought I never needed to stay in a hotel because I won’t be staying in the room most of the time. A simple room in a simple guesthouse with shared bathroom would be fine. Staying in this hotel proved to be the best decision. I’d highly recommend staying at Sea Cocoon Hotel. Everything was great from the rooms to the staff. For three days, this was such a memorable experience.
What I love about Sea Cocoon Hotel
- memory foam over spring mattress
- large window with blinds for privacy
- private balcony
- electronic room safe
- ensuite toilet and bath with hot and cold showers
- a small pool perfect for a quick swim
- a spacious airy poolside lounge/dining area
- spacious and quiet room
- plenty of power outlets
What I think could be improved by Sea Cocoon Hotel
- On-site Restaurant – Although there are lots of dining options in El Nido, an on-site restaurant should be a great addition to the hotel. This is for those times when you’re comfortable and cozy in the hotel lounge and you just want to indulge with delicious food without having to leave the hotel premise.
- A small rug inside the room – Just because I hate getting out of bed and stepping onto a cold floor.
Travel Notes
Hotel Contact Information
Sea Cocoon Hotel
Address: Calle Real, Barangay Buena Suerte, El Nido, 5313 Palawan
Official Website: https://seacocoon.com
Facebook Page: @seacocoonhotel
Email address: info@seacocoon.com
Check-in: 2:00 PM
Check out: 12:00 PM
How to book a room at Sea Cocoon Hotel
You may book a room thru Sea Cocoon Hotel’s website. You may also check Booking.com, which offers one of the widest selections of accommodation within the Philippines and worldwide. Please note, rates fluctuate depending on season.
How about you? Have you stayed in Sea Cocoon Hotel in El Nido? Or are you planning a trip to El Nido soon? Let’s chat down below!
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