At a glance:

Diwatu Villas El Nido offers 7 eco-friendly villas accommodating 2 to 9 guests. Perfect for both short and long-term stays, the property is deeply committed to sustainability and green practices.

What it actually is: Luxury villas that may make you feel like you are in Bali.

What it is not: A full-service resort with common amenities.

Time of year: Winter

Room Type: 1 bedroom earthen pool villa

Scores:

Hotel Design: 82 – Diwatu Villas feels less like a traditional hotel and more like a private townhouse community. The spacious, multi-guest villas feature convenient front-of-unit parking.

Location: 82 – Diwatu Villas is located about a 10–15 minute tuk-tuk ride from both El Nido town and Lio Beach; it is more or less in the middle! The property is situated in a smaller, local residential area with not much around other than a small sari-sari shop. You can walk to a coffee shop within about 15 minutes. You can order food to be delivered, and they provide menus for restaurants that offer this service.

Sleep: 95 – The bed was very comfortable, and we are still dreaming of being there in those plush linens; the mattress had the perfect balance between firm and soft. The only downside was hearing the roosters at very inconvenient hours, which is to be expected.

Service: 80 – This is a minimal-service property, but the front desk staff were pleasant and friendly. Most of our interactions were with the security staff, who were exceptionally friendly and helpful when getting us tuk-tuks.

Room Design: 95 – The villa delivers an undeniable “wow” factor, seamlessly blending Tulum- and Bali-inspired design with modern conveniences. Its striking open-air living concept features a sophisticated mix of raw concrete and natural wood elements, all accented by atmospheric, funky purple lighting. The dining and living areas open up directly to the pool and outdoor lounge, blending the indoors and outdoors seamlessly. Outside, there is a decent-sized pool that is partially covered, accompanied by lounge chairs, an umbrella, and an outdoor shower. The room offers lots of privacy, though you may hear your neighbors’ music.

Room Amenities: 95 – The villa features a variety of amenities for guest comfort, including a fully equipped kitchen with an oven/stove combination, a large refrigerator, a filtered water tap, and a large dining table setup. Additionally, the unit is equipped with Bluetooth speakers, a large shower, and standard hotel toiletries. Upon arrival, a welcome selection is provided, featuring fresh fruit, a bag of rice, coffee pods, and breakfast items in the fridge like yogurt and eggs. The fridge is also stocked with drinks, including sparkling water, regular water, two beers, and juice.

Hotel Amenities: 80 – This villa property features an estate chicken coop where guests can feed the chickens and collect fresh eggs on a first-come, first-served basis. It includes a small gym with weights that can be reserved for private use, as well as a small river area for tilapia fishing. The front desk and security staff are available to assist with arranging tuk-tuks and receiving food or other deliveries. Daily housekeeping is offered.

Vibe: 85 – Suburbia meets jungle pool villa vibes, in a good way.

Cleanliness/Maintenance: 95 – As this villa property is still very new, things were in great shape. Housekeeping was impeccable! Despite having the kitchen and living room completely outside with no protection, it did not appear to attract birds or other wildlife that would cause damage.

Value / Extras & Perks: 80 – Not applicable, but having a few items in the fridge and the fresh fruit was appreciated and a nice touch!

OVERALL: 86.9

Would we stay again? YES