El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island

Stilted cottages built directly over the water, thatched bungalows notched into the cliffside, and about fifty rooms total on a small forested island in Bacuit Bay. This is a resort in the quieter, more stripped-back sense of the word. Floors and walls run to native wood and bamboo, sliding doors open onto private patios, and the infinity pool faces a white sand beach calm enough for snorkeling. Windsurfing, hiking, and lagoon boating are all on offer, though the palm-shaded chaise longue makes a compelling counterargument.

One honor, in evidence: