Frendz Hostel El Nido

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

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.

I had an amazing stay at Frendz in El Nido! The atmosphere is great, lively yet relaxed, and the whole place is incredibly clean. A special thank you to Monie and Rebecca at the reception, they are truly kind, welcoming, and attentive. They made the experience even better. Highly recommend this place!

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.

Perfect location for our family! It is peaceful and the view is stunning. There is a lot of food options nearby and the meet up place for tours is near as well. The rooms are clean and they accommodated all of our requests. All of the staffs are very friendly and welcoming too! We enjoyed our stay here at Frendz beachfront 💖

A fantastic place to stay for a reasonable price. Included in that price were all the amenities we might have required, in a clean and comfortable room. The hostels location was absolutely optimal. The staff are all very friendly and clearly care about the quality of your stay. Would certainly recommend, and will be returning.

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.”

One of the Best Hostels I've Ever Stayed In! I was traveling solo, but the second I arrived at Frendz Hostel El Nido, I felt like I was part of a big, welcoming family. Making friends was effortless — the staff, bartenders, and even the resident DJ were super friendly and down to earth. Whether you're into parties or just want to kick back and chill, the vibe here is absolutely perfect. The social atmosphere is amazing without ever feeling forced. Nights start with good music, great drinks, and even better conversations — and often end with unforgettable memories. The location is also super convenient. Had an incredible vacation, and Frendz played a huge part in making that happen. 100% recommend to any solo traveler or anyone looking to have a good time in El Nido. Will definitely be coming back!