Lagùn Hotel

A tropical gem, with rooftop infinity pool and all the attractions of El Nido on your doorstep

THE 37-ROOM LAGÙN 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.

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.

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. “Prepandemic, some 95% of our guests were foreign tourists, mainly from Europe and the US,” he said. These days, it’s mainly Filipino travelers.

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 Lagùn 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 as the locals call it, cliffs.

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.

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, 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 the bestselling sizzling sisig. And don’t miss the stone-baked Bulgogi pizza. 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, it’s an easy walk to the public market and transport links, to Corong Corong to view El Nido’s memorable sunsets, and a seven-minute walk to the beach at Bacuit Bay.