Frendz Hostel El Nido

We stayed here for 5 nights. The location was really good however the room we got was really run down and not how we thought it was going to be. We got a beach front room for 3 people, but in all honesty if you want a private room just get the normal ones in the hostel as we saw them when we were there and they were very newly refurbished, new air con and modern. Also, another thing to note is that the beach front rooms and the actual dorms are completely different building which we didn’t realise so just take note of that as the restaurant, pool and bars are in a different building if you’re staying beachfront. The food wasn’t great at all, you’re better off to just walk down the strip and find a nice cafe for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I thought it was overpriced for what you get compared to the food elsewhere. The staff were not welcoming at all and seemed really rude, this was a big difference from coming from the outpost hostel in coron as they were so chatty and lovely. The staff wouldn’t even say hello to you or look you in the eye when ordering, just seemed like they didn’t care you were there. Also, my sister stayed in the dorms in the main building, and there was no where to lock your whole backpack. There’s a place to lock a bag but it’s not big enough to lock your whole rucksack. As a result of this, one of her friends who was also staying in that dorm had 8000 pesos stolen out of her bag and my sister had her bag opened and things stolen out of it. Also my sisters locker to put her bag in wouldn’t actually shut, meaning that she couldn’t lock anything away at all, passport, money valuables etc… Overall, it’s a very social hostel but the pool area wasn’t that great either, there were only 4 sunbeds and during our stay we didn’t even bother using the pool as it didn’t look great. My sister really enjoyed her stay in the dorms, but as for me and my boyfriend in the private room we didn’t so much. However perfect location!

Private rooms are not worth the money (€37 a night) to be honest. Extremely small and outdated. A/C is loud and the room isn’t well isolated. You can hear everything that’s happening outside very clearly, such as the guard talking to his colleagues through the walky talky at night just outside your door. Too few loungebeds by the pool, which is also in a different building so you don’t really feel like a part of the hostel. Staff is friendly and activities are fun but I would be able to enjoy both staying in a cheaper accommodation and just joining the activities.

Great hostel in El Nido. If you're looking for a social hostel in El Nido then do not miss out on this hostel. They put on activities and welcome drinks every evening up on the rooftop bar area which is a great way to meet other travellers. The bar closes at around 9 pm and everyone moves to the lobby until 11pm which is great if you want to want to have a bit of a decent night sleep without blaring music in the background. The hostel is just off the Hama walking street which has lots of restaurants/bars and shops.

There are some things I truly appreciated about this hostel, but also several aspects that left me disappointed. Positives: - The staff, especially those working at the restaurant, are very kind and welcoming. - The common areas, particularly the rooftop, are definitely a highlight. - The food is decent, not outstanding, but good enough to eat on site. - They accept all types of card payments, which is a real plus in El Nido. - The DJ deserves a special mention, he was excellent and really set the vibe. - Bathrooms and shared toilets are kept clean and well maintained. Negatives: - The private rooms are extremely basic and poorly decorated, they feel more like prison cells, which is disappointing given the price point (50€ for a hostel) - Noise is a big issue. This is the party hostel of El Nido, so expect loud music until around midnight, not just on weekends but even on weeknights. - The tour operator affiliated with the hostel (Haqqy) was by far the least competent I’ve seen in El Nido, really inefficient. Overall, this feels more like a nightclub with beds than a well-run hostel. Hard to believe it’s considered one of the “best hostels in the Philippines.”

Great location, bar and rooftop pool with a sea view. Rooms are a bit small, however they are clear and aircon is decent. Very social atmosphere and it seems like the whole town does pre drinks here. They have welcome drinks where it’s very easy to meet people

We have just spent 6 nights here from Friday to Thursday. We stayed at the Beachfront part which has its own separate reception. ||Nothing will compare to walking through the entrance and down to the rooms, we stayed in a premier room with a verandah. You are hit by the most amazing view and the sea is 20 feet from your door. ||Bare in mind, it's still a hostel and although the rooms are a little more than what you would pay to stay in the hostel area it still attracts the younger end. We had absolutely no issues, and from around 10pm the beach access gate is locked and a security guard sits at reception and enables access through the front. ||We paid around £35 a night which for the location is cheap as the equivalent at a proper hotel was around £150 a night. ||It's a little run down and could do with a lick of paint but it was very clean, the shower is basic but does the job at the end of the day. ||Our only complaint and it cannot really be considered one due to the location. The sand, you are on the beach and have to walk through it to get to your room. There is no physical way at present to rid your feet of sand before entering the room. A door mat or water bucket to dunk wouldn't go a miss as our room floor quickly filled with it which in turn led to a sandy bed. The air con is slightly louder than anywhere else I've been but we both had perfectly good nights of sleep with it on the highest setting.||The bed was huge, I'm 6'7" and my wife 5'10" and we both had ample space. If you are happy with a less modern room with a few age related quirks I'd highly recommend Frendz Beachfront. Book through their website as it's cheaper then through specific sites.

I recently visited the Philippines and did some island hopping during my stay. I stayed in a few hostels along the way, and unfortunately, Frendz El Nido was the worst of them. I typically don’t choose hostels, but my travel brethren loves hunting for accommodation deals, so I went along with it. The hostel felt overcrowded, especially in the general check-in area, which also serves as the in-house eatery called HUB El Nido. The sleeping quarters were crowded as well, something you expect at a hostel, but they didn’t offer anything special to offset that or make the stay feel worthwhile. This place is lively with entertainment and music so if you're looking for quiet go elsewhere. Another thing to note: cash is king in the Philippines. At the HUB El Nido restaurant, paying by credit card incurs a service fee if the total amount is below a certain threshold. I learned this the hard way when I bought a coffee and a small treat and got hit with a 4% charge. It’s not a lot, but it’s still something to be aware of. The breakfast was also underwhelming, nothing particularly tasty and the price wasn’t great either. Food in the Philippines is usually inexpensive, but the hostel charges more, apparently for the convenience of eating on-site. The experience wasn’t terrible, but it offered little to appreciate. The place markets itself as a 1-star establishment, and the service matched that! Basic and nothing more. Expecting 5-star quality was naïve, as they barely delivered the minimum. It’s a two-star experience at best, and mine won’t be joining their positive reviews.

Loved our stay at this hostel! Definitely a social hostel and great to make friends. They have different activities each night at the roof top. Rooms are nice and clean, each with their own ensuite and air conditioning. Great location and price.