7 minute read
Lagun Hotel,El Nido
Soak in the sun and view at the hotel rooftop deck
LAGÙN HOTEL
A tropical gem, with rooftop infinity pool and all the attractions of El Nido on your doorstep
COVER STORY
The 37-room Lagun Hotel, facing Bacuit Bay, opened in 2018 in the increasingly popular beach town of El Nido, the jump-off point to 45 islands and islets in the beautiful Bacuit Bay archipelago.
Hotel owner Richmond Bicol said that back in 2013 when he first thought of opening a hotel, the choices in town were either to go for a small, basic inn or break the bank with a luxury stay. There was nothing in between. “We thought that if we were looking for something better than basic that is also affordable, then tourists must feel the same way,” Richmond said.
Lagùn Hotel proved an attractive option. “Pre-pandemic, some 95% of our guests were foreign tourists, mainly from Europe and the US,” he said. These days, post lockdown, it’s mainly Filipino travelers.
Set in the heart of town, Lagùn is an ideal location for those seeking modern amenities and a convenient location for island hopping trips, nightlife on the island, and varied choices of restaurants and bars — all just a few minutes’ walk away.
Like the majority of hotels in El Nido, Lagùn closed its doors for two years during the pandemic and reopened in March this year, following the reopening of Philippine tourism. It’s been a slow, but steady recovery for the destination.
TripAdvisor ranks the hotel as one of its best value for money resorts in El Nido. The draws are its great location and its rooftop infinity pool with a view of El Nido’s iconic limestone karst, or taraw cliffs as the locals call it.
Rooftop infinity pool
From affordable deluxe rooms to premier lofts, the design of the hotel is inspired by local weaving and basketry patterns, as well as the nests of swiftlets, which are indigenous to El Nido. This can be seen in the hallways and the spacious and well-appointed and individually-designed rooms. The best room in the house is the Premier room with a balcony facing the cliffs. There’s the Fiesta Room with its bold patterns; the soothing underwater tones of the Coral Room; and the tropical hues of the Peacock Room, bright like the animal it’s named after.
Premier room
Rooms have airconditioning, fan, cable TV, and Wi-fi. There are 20 deluxe rooms, two deluxe lofts, one premier room, 10 premier rooms with balcony, two premier lofts and two premier suites. The premier lofts are most spacious at about 42 sqm, with deluxe the smallest at 26 sqm but still a good size.
Amenities include infinity pool, rooftop bar and spa service. The five-storey Lagùn has an airconditioned restaurant on the upper ground level, an infinity pool and bar on the rooftop, a spa room, and a multi-function room that can accommodate up to 30. There is a spa room, but an in-room spa service is also available upon request.
What’s on the menu?
Habi Restaurant
Habi, which means to weave, is Lagùn’s in-house restaurant, and is on the first floor. Try delicious native Filipino dishes, from crispy pata (pig’s knuckle), kaldereta (a popular local stew), and sizzling sisig — a tasty mixture of tender meat from a pig’s face and belly with chicken liver, all seasoned with calamansi, onions, and chili peppers. The sisig, cooked by the chef in front of you and served sizzling hot, is a bestseller.
Sizzling squid
Don’t miss the stone-baked Bulgogi pizza, a Korean inspired pizza loaded with colorful vegetables. Fish sinigang is a delivious Filipino sour and savory soup with coconut and lemongrass.
Fruit shakes are a favorite. Choose from mango shake, watermelon and fresh buko (coconut). All the ingredients are sourced from El Nido and nearby Puerto Princesa.
Lunch and dinner with soup, a main course, and dessert start from a good-value Php700.
What’s on the doorstep?
Lagùn faces Bacuit Bay, putting it right at the heart of things when it comes to discovering El Nido town and exploring the islands and outlets of the archipelago.
From the hotel, turn left to get to public market and transport links. Corong Corong is also the best place to view El Nido’s memorable sunsets, as well somewhere to hang out with a sundowner and dinner at its bars and restaurants.
Turn right to get to the local shops, restaurants, and bars. Outside the hotel are motorbikes and tricycles to get you to various tourist sites in town, so if you don’t feel like walking you don’t have to.
The beach at Bacuit Bay is a seven-minute walk. Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls is 20 minutes away, and the “canopy walk” from atop the limestone cliffs is three minutes away. Along the beach you won’t lack for boat and bike rentals. It’s best to get your hotel to recommend boat rentals and tour operators before setting off. If you intend to go on an El Nido boat tour (a group tour starts from Php1,200 per person) with stops at Small Lagoon or Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Cudugnon Cave and Snake Island (where you can buy fresh coconut), wake up early and aim to get to your first stop at 7am, before the day’s main groups descend. The island tours tend to be a pick and mix thing, with three standard routes, so if there’s anywhere in particular you want to go, ask ahead.
You can join a group tour or hire a boat for your own private tour, which gives you more control over where you go and how long you say there. (For more on El Nido Tours, visit www.wearejuan-elnido.com, www. hayahayadventures.com.)
There is ample parking space at Lagùn for guests coming by car from Puerto Princesa. Some fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa — it’s generally cheaper than flying direct from Manila to El Nido — and rent a car for the four-hour drive. Airconditioned vans or buses take about six hours.
Travel north of El Nido and explore the virgin beaches few tourists see. The 2-km-long Duli Beach (www.dulibeach.com), to the northwest of El Nido town, is known for its surfing and laidback charm. To the northeast, in an area called Linapacan, there are beaches and islands that are off the beaten track see few visitors.
Bicol and his staff at Lagùn can offer advice and help with reservations. Stay for a week or two and you’ll have enough time to fall in love with El Nido — and discover the tropical islands and beaches around it that people rarely see.
How much?
From September to December 15, 2022, the hotel is offering a 30% discount off rack rates. Discounted rates start from Php5,600 a night with breakfast and airport transfer from Lio Airport. The premier room with balcony is now at Php6,300, from Php9,000, with breakfast and airport transfer from Lio.
Lagùn Hotel, Balinsasayaw Road, Brgy. Maligaya, El Nido, Palawan. www.lagunhotel.com. Tel: +63 917 156 1507
BOOK NOW
Book direct on www. lagunhotel.com, and apply INFLTLAGUN voucher code before checkout to get an additional 10% off the discounted rate, for a total savings of 37% off the rack rate.
