Huni Lio in Lio Tourism Estate, El Nido, Palawan

CEBU, Philippines —  September may not be the usual time to go holidaying to one of our 7107 islands, because the weather is unpredictable and planes that ply to these neighboring islands from Cebu are the ones susceptible to cancellations due to its small size. When Ten Knots Development, Inc.(a subsidiary of Ayala Land, Inc) invited Cebu Media for a familiarization tour of their latest accommodation at the Lio Tourism Estate, we more than gladly took the offer.

We were booked a direct flight from Cebu to El Nido via Airswift also an Ayala-owned airline company. It was an hour and 20-minute smooth flight blessed with clear skies that welcomed us as we landed in the “Destination of the Year” by Asia CEO Awards. Upon arrival at the Lio Airport, passengers are welcomed by the relaxing views of lush forestry at the arrival area. Making it known to visitors that Ayala Land community in El Nido has been master-planned to be ecologically sustainable for decades to come beginning with the preservation of the natural surroundings around their modern developments. In fact, there are no structures higher than the coconut trees are built around the Lio Tourism Estate.

Our shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel was by e-jeep transfer which only took 10minutes.

Huni Lio is the latest bed and breakfast hotel to open in Lio Tourism Estate, Ayala Land’s 325-hectare tourism estate in Lio, El Nido Palawan, dubbed as “The Best Island in the World” according to a recent list in Conde Nast Traveller.

Of the 50-room accommodation, we were assigned a double room occupancy facing the Lio beach and sunset views of Bacuit Bay. And a welcome kit comprising of citronella mosquito repellent spray, sandalwood fan, woven native tote, L’occitane toileries, and shawl made from Palawan artisans.

“Huni offers good value for couples and groups seeking to better appreciate nature, to try out

new activities or to just relax,” according to Joey Bernardino, group director for sales and marketing of Ten Knots Development Corp. that developed the Huni Hotel brand. “Less than a five-minute drive from Lio airport, it is also a short stroll through Lio beach to the curated dining and retail options of Shops at Lio and the cultural offerings of the artists’ village Kalye Artisano, also within the estate.”

At the same time, it is highly accessible to El Nido town, the jump off point to island hopping to

Bacuit Bay’s iconic sights like the Big and Small Lagoon - the bay’s not-to-be-missed snorkeling sites; limestone caving; rock climbing; and other adventures. When energies have waned, Huni’s swimming pool and breezy lounging areas that make use of natural weaves and materials also offer guests the option to just laze at the hotel or to do less strenuous activities like volleyball, kayaking and paddle boarding at the beach.

For this short trip, the El Nido Yachting Club’s 50ft catamaran took us to the most visited tourist attraction the Big Lagoon. We were hosted by the owners themselves Paul, Cindy and Paco. Kayaking is a must in this lagoon they say and thus we obliged. The yacht is one of 3 fleets serving tourist depending on the number of passengers, a choice of different yacht size. A sumptuous lunch grilled beachside was served at Star Beach aptly named from its half star-shaped form of the island.  This privately-owned island by the El Nido Yachting Club is still very rustic replete of tourist crowd which made the island hopping experience all the more luxurious.

On our last day, we head to Lio’s Eco Trail hike which is a newly launched activity for guests at El Nido area. It is a 3.8km trail that reaches up to 82 meters or equivalent to climbing a 4-storey high building at the view deck area where one can see a portion of Lio Beach, and Bacuit Bay.

Another positive thing about going on a short vacation to El Nido in September is it is low season for hotels in general so low season rates are offered and huge plus is less crowd in popular tourist spots making that picture-taking composition perfect, easy and social media-worthy.

For bookings at Huni Lio, please visit their website at www.huniresorts.com or email them at [email protected]

Airwswift flies twice daily direct from Cebu to El Nido. You may check flight schedules at www.air-swift.com

El Nido Yachting Club inquiries can be accessed to their website at https://booking.philippineislandcruises.com/en