The new beachfront hotel in El Nido

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(BusinessMirror)

ROOMS with intimate views of paradise that are also kind to the pocket are now offered by the recently launched 50-room Huni bed and breakfast hotel at Lio Tourism Estate. Globally acclaimed for its natural beauty, the Ayala Land community in El Nido has been master planned to remain ecologically sustainable for decades to come beginning with the design of its beachfront hotels.

Named after the Filipino word meaning “hum of the sea,” the sprawling Huni hotel features simple contemporary architectural lines and buildings with no more than two stories to keep the visitor’s attention on the turquoise waters of Bacuit Bay and Lio’s pristine 4.5 kilometers of ivory beach. Huni’s spacious air-conditioned rooms from 34 to 54 square meters further make use of full-length glass doors that emphasize the restful surroundings. The hotel has further dispensed with sachets and single-use plastics in its rooms and main dining facility in line with measures to remain respectful of the environment.

“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 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.

Bernardino explained that over the long-term, the Huni brand will be available in other Ayala Land tourism estates and communities. “We established the brand to make new tourism areas accessible to a broader market that appreciates value.”

The resort brand will also stand for consistent and customer-focused service, qualities that are associated with the Ayala Land name. “Wherever a Huni property is found, guests can be assured of a relaxing vacation. We envision that in the future, guests will be in the habit of booking a Huni room each time they want to explore an Ayala Land destination.”

Huni Lio is accessible through direct flights to Lio airport from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Puerto Princesa via AirSwift. It can also be reached by land by van service from Palawan’s biggest airport at Puerto Princesa and San Vicente, Palawan. The van ride from Puerto Princesa to Lio, Beach is an estimated six hours while the ride from San Vicente to Lio Beach is around three hours.

El Nido and all its attractions, including those at Lio, are collectively considered the last frontier, according to Bernardino. “As world populations grow, putting nature-based destinations at greater risk, we also expect more visitors to [come to] our piece of paradise,” he said. Huni is an excellent reason to visit Lio and all the other attractions of El Nido sooner than later.