Lagen island raises the bar in Filipino luxury travel.
Hidden in the emerald waters of Palawan’s Bacuit Bay, Lagen Island has always been a place where time slows down. But this September 2025, the beloved retreat begins a new story — one that goes beyond beauty and into meaning.
Lagen is unveiling private island accommodations artfully framed by lush tropical forests, towering limestone cliffs, and the mesmerizing turquoise sea. Guided by a vision of quiet luxury rooted in cultural artistry and heritage, the redesign thoughtfully curates its accommodations into 42 Forest Rooms and Water Villas. Each space seamlessly blends contemporary elegance with profound cultural narratives, restoring more of the island’s natural beauty and inviting guests into a renewed eco-sanctuary where connection and discovery thrive.
Every detail of Lagen tells a beautifully woven story honoring Filipino tradition. Guests are welcomed into an arrival hall inspired by the iconic paraw sailing boats, adorned with hand-carved wood and ceramic beadwork crafted by local artisans.
“The new era of Lagen is designed to be rooted in authenticity,” shares Paloma Urquijo Zobel de Ayala, Creative Director of Ayala Land Hospitality. “Local artisans from across the archipelago have answered the call to bring Lagen reimagined to life; where enduring traditional craftsmanship outweighs easy ornamentation, every surface presents us with an opportunity to celebrate the rich Filipino aesthetic and cultural heritage,”
Within the room’s interiors, intricate weaves and fine woodwork pay homage to masterful Filipino craftsmanship while design elements draw from indigenous patterns, giving every corner meaningful connection and a deep sense of place.
The transformation is brought to life through a multidisciplinary collaboration between WATG, Wimberly Interiors Studio, Henning Larsen, and Ayala Land Hospitality’s Creative Team. Together, they have created more than a redesign: the new Lagen stands as a benchmark in story-led evolution, one that embraces heritage, sustainability, and community.
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Beyond its architecture and interiors, the spirit of Lagen lives in purposeful partnerships with artisans from across the archipelago:
• Artisano Kabalan, clay brickmakers from Olongapo whose work reflects a blend of Filipino, indigenous, and American influences
• Create Industrial Corp, wood carvers from Cavite, fusing Filipino, Spanish, and indigenous artistic expression
• NiñoFranco’s Wilson Limon, Jenny Mann, T’boli Weavers, and Gemma James Medel and the Marabatuan Indigenous People Weavers Association, whose patterns and artful weaves bring soulful depth to contemporary spaces
The suites and villas themselves are sanctuaries of understated elegance. Each features a main bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, ensuite bathroom with double vanity, freestanding bathtub, and dedicated outdoor spaces, sunken lounges that draw water villa guests closer to the sea, and balconies in Forest Rooms and Suites revealing breathtaking coastal vistas.
Architectural nods to the traditional bahay kubo meet intricate wall designs and partitions inspired by the Batak tribe’s Giyangganan weaving pattern, while indigenous motifs of the Tagbanua, Tausug, and Maranao people subtly weave throughout its interiors.
Complementing the island’s immersive story are thoughtfully designed spaces: a state-of-the-art Dive Centre, Marine & Biodiversity Conservation Center, and a two-level sanctuary for holistic wellness. Here, guests can unwind in a spa garden, yoga studio, healing pool, or private treatment rooms, each space echoing the island’s quiet elegance.
For over two decades, Ayala Land Hospitality has championed conservation and responsible development in Palawan. With Lagen’s transformation, the brand redefines Filipino hospitality: an invitation to experience heritage, artistry, and nature in perfect harmony — and to witness firsthand why Filipino design rightfully belongs on the world stage.
Whether you’re returning to Lagen or discovering it for the first time, the island promises a sanctuary where beauty is preserved, stories are shared, and every stay becomes part of the island’s legacy.
For more information on Lagen offers and exclusives, visit elnidoresorts.com or like and follow Lagen on facebook.com/elnidoresorts and @elnidoresorts and @lagen.elnido on Instagram.
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