Vellago Resort

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 !

Be very careful booking this place. It is only accessible by boat so if the weather is bad the trip will be cancelled, as happened to us. We did not cancel the booking the resort did and they do not give a refund citing our insurance should pay for it which, of course, it wouldnt. Insurance only pays for alternative travel arrangements not the original booking. I understand the weather is not their fault either but we did not get to use any of the facilities and they simply refuse any sort of refund. I wasnt expecting the whole amount but this is an expensive resort so my advice is stick to somewhere accessible!

Where to even begin. The Vellago was the most memorable and amazing place we have ever been to. From the initial boat pick up to the drop off when you leave, these amazing people will make your stay a fairytale. The villas are pristine, have everything you need, decorated beautifully with views of the water that will leave you breathless. Waking up there was priceless. But it is the people who will win your heart. Warm, genuine smiles followed by real conversations. They make you feel beyond special and the service was 5 star. Daisy with her bubbly, warm personality filled with love always made us happy to see her. She assisted us leaving with the airline going out of her way to do so. Herwin, genuine, caring with dedication like no other. We became friends during our 7 days looking forward to every interaction. Would bring our delicious fruit and fresh juice each morning and every night ensured we had a perfect, romantic dinner. Everything in-between we needed was provided promptly and perfectly. They make you feel like part of the Vellago family. We did the island hopping tour with Ernie and Marlon. One of the best days of our lives. They were laid back and so much fun while remaining professional and very knowledgable about each location. The snorkeling on this tour was unbelievable. Highly recommend! The food at Vellago was always fresh and yummy. Every meal (and we eat a lot) was delicious. We also booked massages. The ladies came to our villa and gave us the perfect massage based on our individual needs. Not sure what else I can say except BOOK NOW you will not forget this place and I guarantee you will want to go back sooner than later. ❤️