Tucked away from the town center, Sophia’s beach guesthouse is a budget-friendly accommodation suitable for families and group of friends. This beachfront property is the best option if you wish to stay in El Nido town but not at the city center. The quiet location combined with good value for money puts this property on top of our list.
The property was built in 2016 so you can expect modern and sufficient facility. Currently, there are 12 rooms available which are spread across 2 floors. Some rooms offer sea views and some are located right at the beachfront. But what really separates Sophia’s from other properties in the area is the fact that it is a true bed and breakfast type accommodation. Most properties in Corong-corong beach offer bungalows and individual cottages for accommodation, much like the neighboring Last Frontier Beach Resort. With Sophia’s however, you will feel like you are really staying with a family.
The staff at Sophia’s are young, cheerful and friendly. This Filipino hospitality is felt throughout your stay but the staff need more training. In terms of amenities, don’t expect anything fancy. The facilities are relatively new but very basic.
The surrounding areas of the property are cleaned on a daily basis. They also clean the beachfront area. However, do not expect to have your rooms cleaned regularly as the property does not offer daily housekeeping. This means that your towels will not be changed and your toiletries will not be replenished.
The rooms are sufficiently equipped with basic comforts like AC, fan, mosquito nets, toilet and shower area and storage. You will not find any TV, fridge, in-room safe, and coffee and tea making facilities. The bed is big enough and comfortable but the room itself is not that spacious.
There is no pool in the property. There is a beach but the beach is not suitable for swimming because it is too shallow and there are a number of boats anchored in the area. However, there is a good beach easily accessible, just a short drive away from the property.
Corong-Corong beach is an excellent location in terms of access to the nearby El Nido islands and to the city center. Since it is on the beach, travel time to the more significant tourist spots take less time.
Sophia’s beach guesthouse is one of the cheapest accommodations you will find in El Nido. The facilities are decent and modern and the location is beachfront. You can actually get more for your money if you stay here than any other resort.
Sophia is perfect for families and groups with limited budget. Compared to the Last Frontier Resort which is also in the area, Sophia’s rooms can better accommodate big groups for a cheaper price. There is no bar and restaurant in the property but complimentary breakfast is served daily in the balcony overlooking the sea (for the guests on the second floor) and on the beachfront (for guests on the ground floor). Standard room amenities include: AC, towels, shower, breakfast, Wi-Fi and toiletries.
Since the property is only 2 years old, reviews are very few. There are only 25 reviews at the moment in TripAdvisor but the reviews are not spectacular. The score is 3.0 which is average. 20% of the reviewers said they had terrible experience and only 12% said the place is excellent. In Agoda.com, there are more reviewers at 138 and the overall score is 7.2. Finally, Sophia’s Facebook page has 22 reviews but the score is much better at 4.4 out of 5.
We believe some of the reasons why the score is a bit lower than normal are because some guests expected hotel kind of services and they were disappointed when they saw that the amenities are just basic. The daily housekeeping listed in Agoda.com is also not observed in the property as many guests complained about their rooms not being cleaned and the towels and toiletries not being changed and replenished.
Some guests also complained about the noise so the acoustics are not very good quality. Guests can hear the noise coming from upstairs and from outside. On the positive side, guests complimented the sunset views, the friendly staff, the very good breakfast, the cheap tours and the location.
What do guests love about Sophia’s beach guest house?
Some notable issues are:
If you are on a tight budget and traveling with a family or friends, we recommend Sophia’s wholeheartedly. But if you are on a honeymoon or in a romantic getaway, consider checking out the Last Frontier Beach Resort as it provides more intimate space for you and your partner.
The size is 15sqm and is equipped with a double bed. This room can accommodate 2 adults and possibly 2 more kids (0-6 years).
The size is similar to family room (20sqm) and is equipped with a king-sized bed. This room offers sea views and can accommodate 2 person only.
The size is 20sqm and is equipped with 2 doubled beds. This room can accommodate 4 adults and 2 kids (0-6 years).
