The Funny Lion El Nido
El Nido Old Town, El Nido
Hotel in El Nido, Philippines
Book with PearlThe Read
Old Town Boutique Base
Why go
The Funny Lion El Nido is worth booking if the goal is a polished, lower-friction base for an El Nido celebration rather than a secluded private-island stay. Its Tablet Hotels Top 40 New Hotels #12 placement and MICHELIN Guide hotel selection give it credibility, while the easy booking profile makes it a practical alternative to harder resort-style options nearby.
About The Funny Lion El Nido
Is The Funny Lion El Nido worth booking? Yes, if the priority is a recognized hotel option in El Nido and its core profile matches what you need. The property is in El Nido, has a casual dress code, was named #12 on Tablet Hotels' Top 40 New Hotels list in 2025, is a MICHELIN Guide hotel selection for 2025.
For specific room types, dining, facilities, prices, or service format, check current hotel details before booking. The safest way to frame the decision is simple: book it for an El Nido stay where the hotel's recognition matters, compare carefully if particular on-property features are essential. Before deciding, you may also want to cross-shop Pangulasian, El Nido, Cauayan Island Resort, Lihim Resorts, El Nido, El Nido Resorts Lagen Island, or Banwa Private Island.
A better fit when the basics match your brief
The main reason to consider this hotel is its El Nido location, casual dress code, credible 2025 recognition. El Nido trips can vary widely, so this is strongest for travelers who want a recognized place to stay without assuming a specific restaurant, spa, pool, or activity program.
Keep expectations grounded. Check details such as wellness programming, dining, room categories, amenities directly before booking. If the trip depends on a specific facility or property experience, compare the relevant details with other options before committing. If the goal is an El Nido hotel with 2025 recognition, The Funny Lion El Nido remains a sensible candidate.
Who should book, who should cross-shop
Book this for an El Nido trip where the hotel needs to feel credible and current, but where the itinerary is not built around a specific on-property program. The casual dress code also suggests that guests do not need to plan around a formal hotel atmosphere.
Cross-shop if the trip depends on specific features or facilities. El Nido Resorts Lagen Island, Pangulasian, El Nido, Cauayan Island Resort, Lihim Resorts, El Nido, Banwa Private Island are relevant names to compare before making a final decision.
For planning, use broader El Nido research alongside current hotel information, especially if the stay is part of a longer route. The Funny Lion El Nido is easiest to justify when its 2025 recognition and El Nido location match the brief. If the hotel needs to be the trip's headline experience, compare the details of other options first.
Planning details
- Location
- Balinsasayaw Rd, El Nido, Palawan
- Website
- thefunnylion.com/el-nido-home
- Phone
- +63 2 8931 9999
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Funny Lion presents a boutique, designer-minded presence in El Nido's Old Town. At 49 rooms it deliberately sits between the town's budget guesthouses and the remote island resorts, offering a polished but compact hospitality experience that feels intentionally restorative. The writing frames the property as applying a retreat sensibility to an urban setting, so the atmosphere reads as quietly curated rather than resort-scale. Its placement on Balinsasayaw Road embeds the hotel in the neighborhood’s day-to-day life, blending town texture with a thoughtful, small-scale design and a relaxed, charming tone.
Best For
This hotel is best for travelers who want easy access to island-hopping departures and town amenities without committing to a remote, boat‑transfer resort. It suits people seeking Palawan’s limestone-karst scenery while remaining close to markets, restaurants and the main drag — ideal for weekend escapes, couples on a romantic getaway and families who value proximity and convenience. The property's boutique scale and wellness-minded framing also make it a strong choice for guests who prefer a restorative, town-center base rather than a fully sealed resort experience.
Stay Tips
When planning a stay, treat The Funny Lion as the urban alternative to El Nido’s island resorts: its advantage is proximity. The description emphasizes closeness to boat departure points for island-hopping tours and to town markets and restaurants, so booking here simplifies logistics for day trips and dining in Old Town. Note its intermediate scale — 49 rooms — which positions it above local guesthouses but below sprawling resorts; that balance matters if you prefer a boutique feel with easier access to town life rather than total seclusion.
Venue details
Ambiance
Relaxing and inviting with poolside seating, clever lighting in stylish rooms, and a peaceful atmosphere praised in guest reviews.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Amenities
About the Stay
- Rooms
- 50
- Check-in
- 14:00
- Check-out
- 12:00
- Property Style
- Boutique Hotel Blending Prestige and Fun in the Heart of El Nido Town.
- Design Style
- Contemporary with Locally Sourced Materials, Clever Lighting, and Breezy Balconies.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Lihim Resorts, El Nido, Notable alternative
- Cauayan Island Resort, Notable alternative
- El Nido Resorts Lagen Island, Notable alternative
- Pangulasian, El Nido, Notable alternative
- Banwa Private Island, Notable alternative
Hotel context
How It Compares
The Funny Lion El Nido is the pragmatic pick in this El Nido set: easier to book and better suited to travelers who want the town and island-hopping rhythm within reach. Lihim Resorts, El Nido is the stronger cross-shop if the brief is more resort-led and atmospheric, while Cauayan Island Resort makes more sense for guests who want the stay to feel more removed from the mainland pace.
For a special-occasion trip where the hotel should carry more of the experience, compare closely with El Nido Resorts Lagen Island and Pangulasian, El Nido. Those are better fits for travelers who want a resort-first stay, while The Funny Lion El Nido is easier to recommend when the itinerary includes time outside the property.
Banwa Private Island is not a like-for-like comparison; it belongs in the private-island splurge category. Choose it only if privacy and exclusivity are the point of the trip. For value for money and booking simplicity within El Nido itself, The Funny Lion El Nido is the more practical choice.
Explore El Nido
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Funny Lion El Nido guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Funny Lion El Nido
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Funny Lion El Nido | El Nido | Tablet Hotels Top 40 New Hotels 2025 · #122025 Michelin Selected Hotels |
| Lihim Resorts, El Nido | El Nido | No published awards |
| Cauayan Island Resort | El Nido | No published awards |
| El Nido Resorts Lagen Island | El Nido | 2026 Great Hotels of the World Collection2025 Robb Report The 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth · #31 |
| Pangulasian, El Nido | El Nido | No published awards |
| Banwa Private Island | Palawan | No published awards |
How The Funny Lion El Nido compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which room category is best at The Funny Lion El Nido?
Choose based on the room details shown at the time of booking. The main reasons to consider the property are its El Nido location, casual dress code, 2025 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection, #12 placement on Tablet Hotels' Top 40 New Hotels list in 2025.
How is the pool and spa at The Funny Lion El Nido?
If pool or spa facilities are important to the trip, confirm the current details directly with the hotel before booking rather than assuming a particular wellness or resort program.
Is The Funny Lion El Nido good for business travel?
It may work if you specifically need a recognized hotel in El Nido. If meetings, workspaces, or corporate services matter, confirm those details directly before booking.
When is the best time to book The Funny Lion El Nido?
Book when your El Nido dates are firm. The property has 2025 recognition from the MICHELIN Guide and Tablet Hotels.
Do loyalty programs work at The Funny Lion El Nido?
Choose the stay for its El Nido location and hotel recognition, check directly with the property or booking platform if points or status benefits matter.
