By Priya Mehrotra · South & Southeast Asia Property Editor
Palawan — an archipelago province in the southwestern Philippines — has been called the world's best island by multiple international publications, a claim supported by the extraordinary quality of its marine environment: Tubbataha Reef (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the underground river at Puerto Princesa, and the 50+ islands and limestone cliffs of the El Nido archipelago combine to create a destination without ecological peer in Asia-Pacific. El Nido Resorts — four private island properties operated by Ayala Land Tourism — are the anchor of the destination's upscale visitor market.
Developer: Ayala Land Tourism Inc.
Ayala Land is one of the Philippines' largest real estate companies (PSE: ALI), with a market capitalisation exceeding PHP 300 billion (~$5 billion). The Ayala Group — the Zobel de Ayala family's conglomerate — has operated in the Philippines since 1834, making it one of the longest-established development companies in Southeast Asia. El Nido Resorts has been operated by the Ayala family since the 1970s, giving the property the deepest institutional roots of any Philippine resort.
The residence programme is structured differently from traditional hotel-residence products: buyers acquire fractional interests in the resort operations rather than specific physical units, allowing Ayala to maintain the careful ecological management that distinguishes El Nido Resorts from competitors. This structure has attracted buyers who prioritise marine conservation accountability alongside financial returns.
Ownership Structure and Pricing
- Club shares (entry level) — From $120,000 for annual priority access to a designated villa category across all four island properties.
- Founder membership — $280,000–$450,000 for the equivalent of a 2-week annual fixed allocation, with additional rental income participation.
- Private island fractional — $650,000–$1.2 million for island-exclusive access programmes in peak and shoulder seasons.
Philippines foreign ownership: Full freehold land ownership by foreign nationals is constitutionally prohibited in the Philippines. However, condominiums (up to 40% foreign ownership per building), long-term leasehold, and corporate structures (with Filipino majority partners) are available. Ayala's fractional programme sidesteps these constraints entirely — the buyer acquires a membership interest in a Philippine tourism company rather than direct real property rights.
Amenities and Destination Appeal
The four El Nido Resorts islands — Miniloc, Lagen, Pangulasian, and Apulit — each have distinct characters. Miniloc is the most celebrated for snorkelling (the Big and Small Lagoons are among the world's most photographed marine sites). Lagen is forest-immersed. Pangulasian offers the most beach. Apulit specialises in dive sites. Members can move between islands during their allocation periods, accessing a combined total of 10 beaches and 20 dive sites.
Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) — the Palawan gateway — receives direct flights from Manila, Cebu, and Singapore. El Nido's dedicated airstrip at Lio (Amanpulo and El Nido Resorts use it exclusively) is 25 minutes from the resort properties by speedboat. Direct charter services from Singapore and Hong Kong during peak season are available through the resort's charter programme.
Verdict: The Philippines' most ecologically credentialled resort ownership. Ayala's institutional backing and the destination's world-class marine environment create a compelling proposition for buyers who want a Southeast Asian island experience without Thai leasehold complexity.