How to spend 48 hours at the revamped Lagen Island Resort in El Nido, Palawan

Yet, the architecture is only half the story. The true brilliance of the improved resort lies in its customer journey, which has been rigorously mapped out to ensure a frictionless experience. “Nature is the protagonist, not the resort,” notes Zobel de Ayala. “We want guests to spend less time thinking about logistics and more time immersed in the beauty of Palawan.”

Gustavo Morales, chief operating officer of Ayala Land Hospitality, echoes this intentionality. “The moment a guest steps off the boat and onto Lagen, we want them to feel something that is increasingly rare in modern travel—a complete and immediate release,” he shares. “Not just from the noise of daily life, but from the need to perform, to plan, to be anywhere other than exactly where they are.”

To match the spectacular surroundings, the service is elevated yet grounded. “Our team is trained to read each guest not as a booking profile, but as an individual with a particular reason for being there,” Morales adds. “Service that matches the environment means service that is present without being intrusive, warm without being performative”.

Read also: Tatler Best 10: the best hotels in the Philippines 2026

For those looking to experience this seamless blend of nature and hospitality, here is how to spend an unforgettable 48 hours on Lagen Island Resort.

A warm island welcome

The journey begins with a scenic boat transfer across Bacuit Bay, arriving at Lagen Island Resort by mid-afternoon. Guests are immediately enveloped by the island's tranquillity and the genuine warmth of the El Nido Resorts family.

Artisan immersive workshop

After settling into a beautifully appointed Water Villa or Forest Room, the afternoon invites cultural connection. A Traditional Weaving Class offers a hands-on experience guided by local artisans, providing insight into time-honoured techniques and the rich stories woven into each piece.

Sunset and sundowners

As the golden hour approaches, guests can head to the Beach Club for cocktail hour, a perfect moment to pause and take in the lush surroundings and to witness the vivid Palawan sunset.

Celestial tales

The evening sky over Palawan is a canvas of cosmic wonder. At Bea’s Cove, an intimate lagoon near the Water Villas, guests can peer through telescopic lenses to marvel at El Nido’s majestic night sky.

Outdoor cinema

The night concludes at the Cliff Rock with a Filipino Movie Night. Set against the tranquil backdrop of towering rocks, guests can savour popcorn and enjoy an open-air cinematic experience under the stars, featuring classic films such as Badjao (1957). This gives guests the chance to appreciate history and culture through local films.

Breakfast with a view

Go for an early walk and have breakfast at the Clubhouse Restaurant, where you can have your usual favourites such as freshly baked croissants and eggs cooked the way you want them, or other specialities like the Wellness Breakfast (avocado toast) and Asian noodles prepared by the half-Filipino, half-Vietnamese Ric Ramos, executive chef of El Nido Resorts.

Into the blue

Following breakfast at the al fresco Clubhouse Restaurant, dedicate the morning to a sea exploration tour. The itinerary includes kayaking through the iconic cerulean waters of the Big Lagoon, followed by a visit to the award-winning Entalula Beach—recently recognised as the Best Beach in the World. The adventure rounds out with a snorkelling session at Pangulasian Island’s vibrant house reef, teeming with colourful marine life. Return to Lagen for a relaxed lunch at The Beach Club, a venue that serves light bites and handcrafted drinks with stunning views of the bay. Their selection of pizzas from the wood-fire oven is perfect with a glass of Aperol Spritz.

If you’re not an early riser, you can still enjoy the beauty of Bacuit Bay by joining the complimentary tour to Snake Island, which has a nice shifting sandbar. Afterwards, explore the historic Cudugnon and Cathedral Caves and end with a sumptuous feast amid lush forest and clear waters. This tour usually leaves the resort after lunch.

The wellness sanctuary

The afternoon shifts focus on holistic restoration at the Lagen Wellness Sanctuary, a two-level haven designed for total rejuvenation. Begin with a Hydrotherapy Wellness Experience, rotating through the steam room, sauna and heated and cold plunge pools to reset the body. Follow the hydrotherapy with an aromatherapeutic ESPA Hot Stone Massage. Tailored to unravel persistent muscular tightness, this treatment utilises pure essential oils to relieve stress, recharge the spirit, and leave the mind and body profoundly relaxed.

Garden cave dinner

As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy sundowners at the Cliff Rock before transitioning to a breathtaking private dining experience by the executive chef Ric Ramos. Dinner can be arranged to be served at the Garden Cave, weather permitting, where bespoke culinary creations meet the dramatic, enchanting setting of Palawan’s natural limestone architecture.

Dawn discoveries

For early risers, a tranquil birdwatching session offers a rare chance to witness resident and migratory birds thriving in Lagen’s pristine forest sanctuary.

After breakfast at the Clubhouse Restaurant, guests can partake in the Local Incense Making workshop, usually held at the island’s chapel. This mindful introduction to Filipino traditions allows visitors to craft natural incense using locally inspired, heritage-rooted ingredients.

Conclude your Lagen experience with an elegant Closing Reminds and Intentions ritual. Guests are invited to reflect on their journey, set heartfelt intentions and partake in a symbolic offering to the ocean—a beautiful, meaningful gesture of gratitude and connection with nature. Following lunch, guests check out and enjoy a seamless boat transfer back to Lio.

While 48 hours provides a perfect taste of Lagen’s magic, a longer stay opens the door to deeper explorations across El Nido. A mere five-minute drive from the Lio Airport sits Lio Estate, Ayala Land’s 320-hectare sustainable development that perfectly balances progress with preservation. Here, visitors will find Kalye Artisano, a vibrant Filipino cultural hub. It is the ideal place to shop for sustainably-made accessories, savour local culinary specialities and join live craft workshops. Reflecting on this creative community, Zobel de Ayala shares, “To me, Lio isn’t just a destination. It’s a conversation between nature and community, between creativity and consciousness.”

For those drawn to the water, El Nido boasts over 20 breathtaking dive sites, catering to everyone from novices to PADI-certified experts. Guests can also engage in eco-experiences like mangrove planting, which helps protect shorelines and nurture marine life, or the exhilarating Manta Tow adventure, offering a safe, up-close view of vibrant corals while supporting reef monitoring efforts.

For the ultimate indulgence, Lagen’s Pearl Odyssey full-day experience whisks guests away via private helicopter from Lio to Flower Island, where visitors can explore Jewelmer’s renowned pearl farm, dive into the vibrant Coral Garden, and soar back over the turquoise waters, taking in the majestic archipelago from above the clouds.

Ultimately, a journey to the reimagined Lagen Island Resort is far more than a luxurious escape; it is a rare invitation to pause breathe, and be genuinely held by the natural world.

NOW READ

5 unspoiled beaches in the Philippines for a romantic getaway

How TAO Philippines empowers local communities through sustainable tourism

The cultural wanderer’s guide to Batanes