Marina Garden offer rooms for every budget: deluxe rooms for those who can’t live without aircon or hot showers, connecting rooms for families and barkadas who can’t fit in one room, huts made of nipa for those who prefer the rustic setting and townside rooms for those who prefer a more contemporary accommodation without breaking the bank. On the beach, Marina has four (evil) lounge chairs for their guest’s use, and several more inside the fenced area (still fronting the beach). There are also hammocks if you want to really relax under the shade of the coconut trees.
Marina has a quaint cafe in the beach that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals at their restaurant aren’t cheap, but they’re not too expensive either. Breakfast sets usually go for Php 120, while lunch and dinner meals start at Php 140. Do order the salt and pepper squid. It’s goooood.
Aside from the perfect beachfront, Marina is also strategically located in the center of town. El Nido town is small to begin with, but you don’t have to walk far from Marina for cheap meals, souvenir shops, sari-sari stores, pharmacy, tourism office, and a Catholic church.
Gail, Marc and I booked Room number 1, their deluxe room. The room comes with hot and cold shower, cable tv, aircon, and a space in their veranda. The room comes with 2 single beds, and just have enough room for one extra matress (on the floor). The beds are comfortable and comes with one fluffy pillow each. There’s also a closet (with hangers and a couple of drawers) for your clothes, and a dresser for your toiletries.
The ensuite toilet and bath is also rather small, but it’s a comfortable enough fit for one. At least my knees aren’t touching the wall when I sit in the toilet. Water pressure is pretty weak, but the toilet flushes without a hitch, so it’s all good. One tiny problem is that the bathroom window doesn’t open properly, so there’s no proper ventilation inside the toilet.
Marina Garden Beach Resort is a Wi-fi zone. There’s wireless internet in almost all parts of the resort. We can surf the internet from the comfort of our beds, or out on the beach, facing the beautiful blue waters of El Nido bay. Okay, now I remember why I booked with Marina.
All in all, I am quite satisfied with my stay here. Php 3,426 for 4 nights, 4 breakfasts, countless hours spent relaxing on their (evil) lounge chairs, and one spectacular view. I’d say it’s a great value. If and when I go back to El Nido, I’m definitely staying at Marina Garden Beach Resort again.
Marina Garden Beach Resort
Quezon Road (Formerly Calle Hama), El Nido, Palawan
www.mgelnido.com
marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com
+639176247722 / +639088843711