WATG & Wimberly Interiors Complete Lagen Island Resort, El Nido, Showcasing A New Benchmark for Preservation-First Luxury in the Philippines
- The reimagined resort offers a design approach that prioritizes regenerative tourism
- Traditional Filipino craftsmanship is present throughout, anchoring the architectural and interior narrative to its location
- Over six hectares, Lagen Island Resort, El Nido features waterfront villas, forest rooms, a sunset bar and a chapel
APRIL 15, 2026—WATG, a leader in integrated luxury hospitality design, has completed the final phase of its landmark renovation of Lagen Island Resort, El Nido, a 42-key private island retreat on the northwestern tip of Palawan in The Philippines.
Setting a new benchmark for eco-sanctuaries in South East Asia through a preservation-first approach, WATG collaborated with Filipino developer Ayala Land Hospitality to create Lagen Island Resort. The vision for the project is rooted in authentic local design narratives, and a deep immersion into the islands’ breathtaking topography—without compromising on luxury guest experience. Set across 6 hectares, the resort features a waterfront arrival building, 42 water villas and forest rooms, a spa, a sunset bar, a dive center, and a chapel. WATG’s multidisciplinary approach spanned advisory, architecture, and interiors by their design studio, Wimberly Interiors.
“Our revitalization of Lagen Island Resort was guided by the island’s extraordinary natural setting and the rich local craftsmanship and history. Our team developed a cohesive design narrative that both preserves and advances— preserving existing structures, enhancing the design with local materials and craft traditions, while advancing towards a more regenerative vision of hospitality.” - Chiara Calufetti-Lim, Principal & Studio Director of Architecture, WATG
Design as Preservation
Nestled amongst majestic limestone cliffs shaped by time, turquoise waters, and lush tropical rainforests, the resort has long served as a refuge for travelers seeking serenity and a deep connection with nature. WATG’s integrated design team embraced their role as ‘guardians of Lagen Island,’ through a multifaceted sustainable design approach that ensures the resort will remain integral to Lagen’s ecosystem for generations to come.
WATG’s preservation-first approach prioritized structural conservation. Nearly all the building structures of the former resort were retained, dramatically reducing environmental impact by removing the need for excessive demolition and reconstruction, while protecting biodiversity. WATG also explored innovative ways to ensure material reuse beyond structural conservation, which included integrating existing nara wood flooring, carefully repurposed into feature wall paneling.
Traditional Filipino Craftsmanship
Lagen Island Resort underscores WATG’s approach to regionally specific design, taking inspiration from locally sourced materials and Filipino heritage and craftsmanship, in particular, weaving and carving. In Palawan, weaving is a living testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the island’s tribes: for generations these techniques have been passed down, each with a unique story of heritage and tradition. Similarly, carving is a revered craft among local tribes, celebrated as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, telling stories of ancestry, mythology and tradition.
Exquisite weaving, carving patterns, and traditional motifs have been thoughtfully woven into WATG and Wimberly Interiors’ design vocabulary, celebrating and preserving the region’s timeless artistry through their integration across architectural elements, furniture, and textiles. Guests are welcomed into an arrival hall inspired by the region’s traditional Paraw boats, adorned with hand-carved wood and ceramic beadwork that echo the geometric rhythms of Sawali patterns. Within the rooms, intricate woven textures and finely crafted woodwork pay homage to the richness of Filipino craftsmanship. Architectural references to the traditional Filipino house, the bahay kubo, are also reinterpreted through wall treatments and partitions inspired by vernacular forms, while indigenous motifs from the Tagbanua, Tausug, and Maranao peoples subtly thread through the interiors, grounding the spaces in the cultural heritage of the Philippines.
“Our approach to the resort interiors is rooted in a deep reverence for the land and the traditions that have shaped it. Guided by a contemporary vision yet grounded in local design heritage, each space is imagined as a quiet dialogue between past and present. By weaving the work of local craftspeople into the fabric of the resort, every detail carries the imprint of place: stories told through texture, material, and artistry. The result is a luxurious space that feels intrinsically connected to its surroundings, where nature and design flow effortlessly together.” - Paolo De Simone, Creative Director of Wimberly Interiors
“We were proud to engage our network of local artisans, whose craftsmanship brought the vision to life with authentic Filipino artistry. The result is a harmonious blend of global expertise and local talent, an original creation that feels familiar, innovative, meaningful and deeply relevant.” - Paloma Urquijo Zobel De Ayala, Creative Director, Ayala Land Hospitality
Design for luxury immersion
The resort has been redeveloped to open up the architecture for increased integration with the local landscape, allowing guests a unique immersion to the local surroundings while honoring a sense of place as a form of luxury in itself. The resort features:
- Water Villas: Bringing guests closer to the sea, the Water Villas feature sunken lounge seating, staggered window openings and strategic screening to enhance privacy while amplifying the connection to the water. A neutral palette highlights the blues of the ocean.
- Forest Rooms: Set amid ancient trees, the Forest Rooms frame sweeping sea views and lush green backdrops. New entry sequences—Forest Entry for upper-level units and Garden Entry for lower-level units—enhance privacy while integrating rehabilitated greenery. Timber tones and deep greens create a seamless dialogue with the surrounding landscape.
- Arrival & Social Spaces: A reimagined Arrival Hall doubles as a vibrant dining destination. Low-profile furniture and an open layout maximize views of the surrounding cliffs and seascape, while rich emerald greens and earthy tones root the space in its natural context, seamlessly transitioning from a lounge to an evening cocktail setting.
- Clubhouse: A sensory and visual ode to Filipino culture and cuisine, the redesigned Clubhouse embraces alfresco charm with a darker, grounding palette. The feature bar counter, inspired by Palawan’s terracotta pottery, showcases intricate weaving techniques.
- Sunset Bar: A beachfront pavilion mirrors the Pangko boat’s graceful lines, offering uninterrupted sunset views. The vibrant material palette reflects the warm hues of dusk, while woven details in the furniture and bar fascia celebrate Palawan’s artisanal heritage.
- Spa: Immersed within the forest, the spa is designed as a sanctuary, seamlessly integrated with existing trees and cliffs. Elevated pathways preserve the forest floor, allowing it to thrive underneath.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Camron Global
Liam Johnson (Director, Communications)
Grace Englefield (Senior Account Director)
watg@camronglobal.com
About WATG and Wimberly Interiors
Founded in 1945, WATG is one of the world’s leading design firms specializing in hospitality, entertainment and gaming, urban and mixed-use, branded residential, renovation and repurposing, and multifamily residential design. They are widely recognized within the industry, garnering accolades and features in prominent publications and awards programs such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Hospitality Design magazine, AHEAD, Gold Key Awards, and the World Architecture Festival (WAF). WATG’s interior design firm, Wimberly Interiors, launched in 2008 and is consistently ranked among the Top 20 in Interior Design magazine's Hospitality Giants survey.
Since George “Pete” Wimberly founded the firm in Honolulu in 1945, WATG has grown to offer integrated design services, including Advisory, Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interiors, for urban, tourism, and resort destinations. WATG and Wimberly Interiors operate offices in Honolulu, Tustin (California), Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlantic City, New York, London, Singapore, and Shanghai. They are best known for creating internationally acclaimed destinations in more than 170 countries across six continents. WATG’s projects are celebrated not only for their timeless design and strong sense of place but also for their proven bottom-line success.
Over the decades, WATG and Wimberly Interiors have designed more than 500 built projects on behalf of distinguished clients and brands, including Accor, Aspen Hospitality, Belmond, Blackstone Group, China Jinmao Group, China Merchant, Chimelong, Emaar, Four Seasons, Hilton Worldwide, Huafa Group, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, intu Properties, JLL, Kempinski, Keppel Land, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Marassi, Marriott International, MGM Resorts International, Minor Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, New Century Tourism Group, RCD Hotels, R.D. Olson Development, The Red Sea Development Company, Rosewood Hotel Group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Suning, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Learn more at watg.com and watg.com/wimberly.
About Ayala Land Hospitality
Ayala Land Hospitality (ALH) is the hospitality arm of Ayala Land Inc., a leading and trusted name in diversified real estate developments. With a portfolio that blends innovation and world-class partnerships, Ayala Land Hospitality offers a distinct collection of properties that celebrate Filipino warmth, thoughtful design, and sustainable development.
Its homegrown brand, Seda Hotels, redefines urban hospitality with contemporary comfort and seamless service in key business districts and emerging destinations nationwide. In Palawan, El Nido Resorts stands as a pioneer of sustainable tourism, offering immersive island escapes that honor both nature and local culture.
Guided by its commitment to sustainability, heritage, and authentic Filipino service, Ayala Land Hospitality continues to shape the country’s hospitality landscape, delivering meaningful experiences that resonate locally and globally.
