Lagen - El Nido Resorts

Set on a six-hectare private island in Palawan's Bacuit Bay, Lagen Island Resort reopened in January 2026 after a 12-month transformation by WATG and Wimberly Interiors. The new property is intentionally smaller, just 42 keys split between Water Villas perched above a calm lagoon and Forest Rooms and Suites tucked against towering limestone cliffs. Reclaimed nara wood, woven rattan, and locally crafted ceramics carry through the interiors, giving the resort a quiet, deeply Filipino sense of place. As a family beach resort in the Philippines, Lagen suits parents who want a genuine island escape without sacrificing comfort, and it works particularly well for families ready to trade pool decks for snorkeling, kayaking, and island-hopping in one of Southeast Asia's most cinematic seascapes.

For families, the appeal is logistical as much as scenic. The resort is reachable only by boat, which removes day-trippers and creates a contained world where children can roam between the beach, the pool, and the forest trail without the usual parental headcounts. A kids activity center handles arts and crafts, coconut-hat making, films, and games, while complimentary non-motorized water sports including kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and Hobie Cat sailing keep older children and teenagers occupied. Guided eco-tours to nearby caves and the famed Big and Small Lagoons run daily, and free boat transfers connect Lagen to sister resort Miniloc and to private beach clubs on Entalula and Dibuluan islands, giving families an easy way to break up longer stays. Dining is centered on the reimagined Clubhouse restaurant with sea views and the Boat House lounge beneath the cliffs, with private dining on beaches and sandbars available for milestone occasions. Babysitting is on offer for younger children, and an on-site nurse adds reassurance for parents traveling far from home. With direct beach access from most rooms and an outdoor pool steps from the sand, the rhythm here is unhurried, nature-led, and refreshingly free of fuss.