Vellago Resort

Out of the six resorts I booked in Palawan during February of 2025, this remote, six-unit resort located on seven commandos beach was my very favorite. The Beach Villa has a level of excellence that I never dreamed of finding in a resort. The villa's decor has a personal touch of class with the feel of a luxurious home. Vellago was truly a welcoming and relaxing experience for my fiancée and I. The staff was over the top friendly, and treated us like royalty from the moment we approached the beach till the time we were leaving three days later. All of the food and drinks we had during our stay were delicious, and the presentation was exceptional (see my review on the Vellago restaurant & bar). The only way to get to this hidden gem is by transfer on the resort's personal motor boat that will pick you up at Corong Corong Beach. Be advised you will most likely need to wade knee-deep in the ocean to get to the boat. I would recommend you arrive wearing shorts, and if possible having water shoes handy. It's a very small price to pay for such a adventurous and lavish destination. My only regret in booking this resort is that we are now spoiled, and the rest of our trip did not compare to our three days at Vellago. If I get the chance I will definitely return.

I am writing to formally express our grave concerns regarding the major fire incident that occurred at Vellago Resort on the night of December 20, 2024, during our stay from December 17 to 21. The series of events has left us deeply distressed and we feel compelled to warn fellow travellers to be wary of this resort as their lack of empathy has been very obvious in the last few weeks . Our stay at Vellago Resort was meant to be a special occasion, as we were celebrating my friend Kirti’s birthday on December 21. Instead of a joyful and memorable experience, the incident turned into a nightmare, leaving us with lasting emotional scars. What should have been a day of celebration was marred by chaos, injury, and trauma, an experience we will sadly remember for all the wrong reasons. On the evening of December 20, while dining at their restaurant, a fire broke out in the storeroom where gasoline was stored . Our table was laid out just about 10 feet away which itself is a major lapse in safety measures. As the fire spread rapidly Despite our best efforts, alongside the staff, to control the fire, it became evident that critical safety measures were severely lacking. None of the fire extinguishers were operational, and it was clear that the staff had not received proper fire safety training or undergone fire drills. Given that Vellago is marketed as a high-end luxury resort, this lapse in safety is entirely unacceptable. During the chaos, my friend Kirti sustained a deep cut from broken glass while helping to control the situation, requiring immediate first aid. We were forced to evacuate the island in the middle of the night, pack hurriedly to protect our belongings, and stay in a basic hotel in El Nido—a stark contrast to the luxury experience we had paid for. Additionally, Kirti’s phone was destroyed in the fire when we all got busy trying to help the staff douse the flames. His phone contained essential official and personal data, resulting in significant inconvenience. This incident not only endangered our lives but also ruined what was meant to be a cherished memory. Instead of celebrating Kirti’s birthday, we were left shaken, injured, and dealing with the aftermath of negligence. To learn that a similar incident has occurred at this property in 2023 , only exacerbates our distress, highlighting a concerning pattern of safety lapses that has not been addressed. Instead of repeated reminders we are yet to receive our personal stuff that was left behind in our hurried packing . Not to mention the appalling refusal of the resort compensate my friend for his phone that got destroyed in the fire , by saying “we had not asked you to help our staff in dousing the fire”!! Please keep in mind that throughout this ordeal there were no fire fighters or any kind of external help reaching the island !

We’ve just had a fabulous 4 nights at Vellago. This is truly a special place - right on the water on an island off El Nido. Full waterfront views from the rooms. Meals served on the beach. The staff couldn’t be accommodating in making sure we had an exceptional stay. I highly recommend this resort!