El Nido Stay | Qi Palawan: Secluded, Romantic and Luxurious Escape

Night at Qi Palawan Cool easterly winds blew toward us at the desolate San Fernando beach in Sibaltan, El Nido like a comforting afternoon...

Night at Qi Palawan

Cool easterly winds blew toward us at the desolate San Fernando beach in Sibaltan, El Nido like a comforting afternoon embrace to what relatively has been a humid summer day. Only a few resort guests from Qi Palawan were at the beach, mostly couples situated spaced apart on some lounge chairs or standing intently. Enjoying intimate moments together while staring into the blue horizon, waiting for the moonrise. And slowly, a wondrous globe pierced through the horizon, the moon looked bigger and closer to Earth in all its golden glow. The moment was inexplicably both fast and slow as we watched in wonder. We always talk about sunsets and sunrises, but moonrises and moonsets remains an underrated beauty. Much like secluded places, like this resort, Qi Palawan, found in the far-flung corner of Northeast El Nido, away from the tourist town proper, exclusivity and closeness to nature can be found.

Moonrise at San Fernando beach

Seclusion in San Fernando

It is not for everyone I say. Qi Palawan is a special place only for those looking to escape the touristy crowd of El Nido town. It takes at least an hour drive from poblacion (town) on a mixed of dust and paved road to the east coast San Fernando, Sibaltan to reach Qi Palawan. There were parts when I feel I’m out of nowhere but being lost in a place where there’s little development is part of the allure of this resort. One we reached the end of the road, a beautiful manicured garden, an airy restaurant and bar, a scenic and uncrowded beach, luxurious cottages, a nice looking pool and warm greetings from the staff welcomed my arrival.

Bedroom overlooking the garden

Luxurious Cottages and Facilities

Only seven cottages but each of these native style cottages are premium in design and facilities. Qi Palawan is a member of Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) assuring sustainable tourism by using native materials like bamboos and cogon roofs to minimise environmental carbon footprint. The cottages are spacious, beds king-sized. Separate rooms for the toilet and an outdoor shower. In the room they have a small table and chair which is always a plus for me so I have space to work. At the time of writing, cable TV is not yet available but they have a library of movies from a USB guest can borrow and plugin in the room LED TV for some entertainment. There’s airconditioning in the room as well but I did find the use of native materials already making the room feel fresh and breathable. My cottage is also one of a couple which has provisions for PWDs (person with disabilities). A ramp at the back of the cottage for wheel chair and toilet with support handles. WiFi is available as each cottage have its own pocket WiFi but internet signal is spotty and hard to come by in this area of El Nido. I find early mornings the best time to access the internet.

Upon arriving, staff would immediately advise guest of what to they need to know about the resort. One main problem facing guest on undeveloped beaches are the presence of Sand Flies which can leave really itchy and nasty bite marks. While its not fool proof solution, the resort provides a complimentary citronella oil guest can use to minimize bites from these mites.

Their restaurant and bar offers European and Filipino dishes, mostly in large servings, more than a Filipino can handle. I really enjoyed their home-made chips they serve to munch on while waiting for the main meal. I have tried a number of their Filipino offerings and they were really flavorful. The seafood pasta was rich in seafood ingredients and plenty. Bread for snacks were still a lot for single serving.

The cottage where I stayed

Large 50sqm rooms, high ceiling and made from native materials

Separate toilet and outdoor shower

Outdoor shower

Making use of eco-friendly products

Each cottage have a lanai-type area overlooking the garden and beach

Kiteboarding, activities and summary on the next page…

Kiteboarding at San Fernando beach

Kiteboarding, Yoga and More

Yes, the laid-back ambiance of Qi Palawan really appeals to honeymooners a lot. It’s one of the most romantic escapes couples can escape to in El Nido. With cottages amply spaced apart for the utmost privacy, and a private balcony facing the sea where couples can have intimate time together. But it is not to say it doesn’t appeal to sports enthusiast as well. Owners Bettina and her husband’s first love is kiteboarding and the conditions of the wind and the beach here is ideal for the sport especially during Amihan (northeast winds) season from November to May. Qi Palawan has the necessary gear for the sport from different sizes of the kites and also trained staff to assist guest. Multi-day courses are available if one wants to learn kiteboarding.

The owner, Bettina is also a yoga practicioner, Qi Palawan has an open air studio for yoga and anyone can joir her morning sessions.

Island hopping at the east coast of El Nido has a different relaxed feel than the popular Bacuit Bay side. Yes it doesn’t have the dramatic limestones littering the west, but it offers unparalleled underwater marine life and islands with pristine white sand beaches South of Linapacan Islands. Best thing about it, is there’s not other tourist to fight a spot for, guest can play castaways and stay for hours at islands like Magransing and Mausonoan Islands and enjoy its clear waters.

Inland tours are also available to guest like a cultural tour to the nearby village of Sibaltan proper or the booking the Island Hopping on the west side of El Nido.

Open-air dining area

Summary

Isolation is not such a bad thing if one can stay in garden resort as beautiful as Qi Palawan. It is luxurious yes and one has to pay a bit premium for a stay but its understandable considering the maintenance and the supplies they need to bring in the resort to keep its operation going. Electricity is generator powered since Sibaltan doesn’t have electricity yet. What I do like is how the resort has helped the community especially in giving livelihood to the locals. Most of the staff are from the nearby villages and their coffee, which is quite good are actually sourced locally from a nearby coffee farm. Just a small trivia, locals know the resort as “Q-I” but its actually pronounced as “chi” which is a Chinese concept for life energy that circulates around us and Qi Palawan is the perfect place to stay to balance and properly align those life energy.

Qi Palawan
San Fernando, El Nido, Philippines 5314
web: www.qipalawan.com
fb: /qipalawan

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Let Qi Palawan show you the pristine beauty of the east side islands

Morning at San Fernando beach

Qi Palawan makes their own bread

Star gazing is a favorite activity with little light pollution in the area