Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
LIHIM RESORTS in El Nido, Palawan reveals a unique tropical getaway, reconnecting mind, body and senses to the LUXURY IN SIMPLICITY. Unapologetically secluded and decidedly intimate, LIHIM is the discreet destination of choice for the discerning traveler. This luxury destination unravels a transformative and restorative travel experience. From healing sanctuaries tucked at the heart of the forest to impeccably bare seaside shores and starry nights on mountaintops, moments at LIHIM are eternally etched as among the most beloved memories. LIHIM treats every encounter and experience as a ritual. Sacred and purposeful, this distinct brand of hospitality permeates throughout every nook and cranny of this veiled paradise. Guests do not simply check-in at LIHIM, they meander deep in emerald tropical forests, and begin a soulful commune with nature—and ultimately, Luxury in Simplicity. Inspired by Philippine architecture, the property intertwines almost seamlessly with the natural landscape of the island’s tropical dense forests. Villas are built in the tradition of nipa huts, echoing the warmth and brand of hospitality distinct to the island. Each of the 16 villas at LIHIM are decidedly secluded to offer guests unparalleled privacy and quiet. Wellness, sustainability, planet and community all come together at LIHIM to create one unique tropical getaway. By reconnecting with the Luxury in Simplicity, guests ultimately return to one’s natural state of bliss. In this well-kept oasis, tucked in the depths of paradise’s last frontier, senses go on a journey where myth, magic and mystery come to life.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Boutique
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English, Filipino
Location
999 Sitio Caalan, El Nido, Palawan Island 5313 Philippines
Lihim Resorts, El Nido
4.7 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Nestled in a picturesque location, Lihim Resorts in El Nido offers guests stunning sunset views and a tranquil atmosphere, though some guests mention access challenges. The amenities, including luxurious accommodations and a variety of enjoyable activities, coupled with the resort's serene setting, have garnered acclaim.
While the service is often highlighted for its attentiveness and personalized touch, opinions on room conditions vary, with some citing cleanliness issues. Despite the praise for overall hygiene, the resort's value for money has been questioned by guests expecting more for the price.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Serene
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Top-notch
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We’ve been to El Nido several time and we usually stay in Pangulasian but this time around we tried Lihim Resorts.
We’re glad that we stayed in Lihim. Yes, it doesn’t have a beachfront like Pangulasian but we enjoyed our stay nevertheless. The resort had a good occupancy rate from what I could tell during breakfast but once you go back to your room, partake of the the various tour options - it felt like that my family and I were the only ones in the resort which was wonderful for us.
We stayed at the Duli Villa which is a one bedroom villa but with a private pool overlooking Bacuit Bay which was perfect. The villa was good for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids under 12) though showing the effects of weather but nevertheless works well for us. Having a full kitchen as well was great.
The villas are staged across the face of the mountain or hill that the resort sits on. We were lucky that the funicular was working on the back half of our stay so going up and down the resort was not an issue. If we need to walk, the walk down was enjoyable for the kids and gave my wife and I our “exercise of the day” but going back up we take one of the 4x4 pick up trucks from the resort to bring us close to our villa. But when the furnicular is working, it gets you up right to your villa and up and down the property.
We can’t say enough of the food - pretty much everything we tried was good. We enjoyed room service the same way we enjoyed eating at Henri’s overlooking Bacuit Bay which was the same view as well when we ordered room service.
We took the Festive Tour and had lunch at Hayag Beach and visited Cadlao Lagoon which are both “secret locations” that only Lihim guests have access to. Hayag was the best for us - very private beach, clear water, fine sand etc and we probably spent like 6+ hrs there on 2 separate occasions. Hayag is a must which is also where we had the lunch as well part of the Festive Tour package.
All the staff as well were very good and accommodating. Special mention to your butlers Jude and Ken, Jeswell who took us on the Festive Tour and helped our son enjoy the “waves” at Hayag, Jigo who drove the boats, Sheva who accompanied us to Cadlao. Thanks also to Ahmed the GM for being approachable and exhibits that personal touch and the chefs, cooks, waiters who were all hospitable.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Hayag is a must so is watching the sunset from Henri’s and enjoying the food and drinks the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spent four nights and three days at the Lihim Resort. My wife, daughter and I were the sole guest at the hotel after one other couple had just finished their stay. When we arrived, we had just missed the hurricane and enjoyed three days of perfect weather.
From being picked up and transported via personal private transportation provided by Lihim, we were greeted by the wonderful and most hospitable staff. The resort was impeccable and beautifully manicured.
Everyone from the round the clock personal valet service (Ann & Ching), food preparers, servers, masseuse and activities coordinators were extremely dedicated and accommodating to any and all of our needs. We were Pampered and Spoiled.😊
The booked island excursion and activities we selected, to include: the private island beach and kayaking made for an awesome time spent.
While both times at the private island beach and during our day spent kayaking, the Lihim arranged an exquisite hot lunch consisting of BBQ Chicken, Seafood, fresh fruits and cold drinks. All of the staff assigned at the private beach island were wonderful.
On our last night at the Lihim Resort we had our dinner at the Henri rooftop restaurant. The decoration was stylish and impressive, but nothing in comparison to views from atop which was breathtaking and captivating.
We had a wonderful time during our stay at the Lihim Resort. It has brought us many memories that we will always cherish. We will return.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Definitely bring some mosquito repellent.
Also be prepared to hear the distinct sound of the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Miranda, General Manager at Lihim Resorts, El Nido
Responded Sep 24, 2024
Dear J8428HYvicm, We thank you for your time to share your wonderful memories with us. My heart is filled knowing that our team here at Lihim Resort was able to provide you with a service that exceeded your expectations. This kind of feedback from our valued guest, just like you, truly motivates us to do better and keep the quality and level of our service. I will surely pass along your appreciation to our Butlers Anne and Ching, together with the rest of the team that made your stay memorable. And this will definitely brighten up their day. Once again, we thank you for choosing Lihim Resort as your home away from home. We are excited to welcome you back at the property.
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Our family recently enjoyed a fantastic vacation in El Nido, and we decided to spice things up with a stay at Lihim resorts. We chose to stay in the Manlag suite, a fantastic choice that was conveniently close to the pool and spa. They assign you a personal butler who stays in touch with you through WhatsApp, making your stay truly special.. What makes Lihim even more special are the people who work there. Neil and Ener(Butler) in particular, provided exceptional hospitality throughout our stay. They were always available 24 hrs ready to assist us whenever we needed anything. It's this kind of personal touch that made us feel like part of the Lihim family. Thanks ENER and NEIL you were outstanding 😄👍 The resort has some of the best lounges. Your visit will be incomplete if you won’t visit Henri’s it’s one of our favorite due to its breathtaking view and excellent service. The staff at Henri’s were very friendly, and my kids thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them. They engaged with them exceptionally well. We also had an amazing day at Cadlao Lagoon(personal lagoon), where we enjoyed personalized snorkeling and kayaking experiences. The kids had a blast in the personalized lagoon with a friendly guide Mark. Speaking of the spa, I have to give a special shoutout to Chai, the spa therapist. Her techniques were truly amazing and added a new level of relaxation to my stay. I tried the hilot spa, and it was incredibly refreshing. Another great aspect of our stay was the efficient transport services to El Nido city from Lihim resorts. You get a private speed boat under some minimal cost with no waiting involved which made our trip even more convenient and enjoyable. The Gana restaurant deserves special recognition for its exceptional customization of food based on individual preferences. As a vegetarian, I was impressed when the chef personally provided me with tailored options that consistently exceeded my expectations. I must also acknowledge the outstanding work of the manager, Mr. Ahmed, who efficiently oversees the restaurant's operations and maintains the property to a high standard. We decided to leave a few lounges unvisited this time, as we plan to explore them on our next visit. If you're seeking a relaxing getaway with top-notch service and beautiful amenities, I wholeheartedly recommend Lihim resorts. It's a place where personalized experiences truly shine, and you'll leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Kudos to the entire team, and we look forward to returning soon!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here of Feb 13-16 at a 2 bedroom premium villa- Sibultan perched high in the forest landscape. Our villa reachable by stairs , funicular , or shuttle car. The funicular is not functioning when we arrived. ( apparently, it's not functioning for awhile now) so we hiked up and down the stairs everyday which is a good exercise :) It just would be nice if the funicular is an option specially when you are tired. The rooms are spacious and clean and the outdoor shower and tub is serene specially when Cynthia, our butler, prepared a nice hot tub decorated with petals after we arrived from one of our excursions. Cynthia and Kerrine was phenomenal in asking us what we needed from offering to unpack our luggage to organizing our excursions , our meals at the veranda, nightly treats at our villa, as well as the Valentine dinner for our group of 7. While the hotel premises and location are wonderful, it needs more tweaking. The stairs to go up the villa is the well maintained. The rope handles are broken and not safe. It needs rebuilding to a more sturdier stairs and needs to be re constructed and re -tiled/painted. There are also a lot of junk stuff laying around near mechanical equipments on villa and the landscape is not well manicured or maintained. Our villa has plunge pool but it's not working. It's empty and needs work. How can they not take care of this specially we planned this vacation in Dec? Our bathroom fixture valve also not working. There's no cold water running. Clearly, they don't have maintenance checking on hotel maintenance on a daily basis. Breakfast choices need more work. There's not much available. Running out of mangoes, yoghurt etc all the time. The wonderful part is our excursion with Benson and Sedrick. We had lunch at Hayag Beach club . Own private island to ourselves. We were supposed to go to Cadlao but it was cancelled since they closed it for filming. A disappointment! So we went to Hayag again for lunch. Fortunately, we were able to go to the famous Big lagoon.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Make sure call if funicular is working or your plunge pool working in your villa.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nestled in nature, LIHIM (meaning secret in Tagalog) is the perfect tranquil getaway for true relaxation. A Hidden paradise - you can’t see the villas when you are passing by on a boat, which makes it all the more exclusive & luxurious. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with exceptional service and warm hospitality from all the staff. As each group of guests are assigned to a round the clock butler, we always felt cared for and had everything we needed at all times.
We were very drawn to this resort as we watched several YouTube videos about this unique location and the special exclusive experiences to guests of this resort. We booked a trip to Cadlao Lagoon, where LIHIM owns their own private lounge and go to have lunch there as well. The food cooked by the staff was amazing and our guide Benson was very accommodating. We also did another trip to Hayag for relaxing, snorkeling and kayaking led by Benson as well. We loved that it was private (with other guests) which made the experience more comfortable.
We did 2 massages at Panari Spa, which were both amazing experiences and the best way to end a day of activities. We also loved that we had priority access to Henri’s to experience the most beautiful sunset view of El Nido and have cocktails & dinner after wards.
Our Filipino food cravings were 100% satisfied at Gana’s - we loved that there were options for both FIlipino & western food for breakfast and a great Filipino menu for regular dining as well. The food was delicious and unforgettable!
The main issue we had was due to the Funicular being closed for repair during our entire stay, we had to walk up and down a lot of stairs to our villa, I have knee issues which was difficult to do every time but we had a car to pick us up at the top of the stairs to take us wherever we needed to go. We had a kitchen attached to our villa but there were no pans or proper kitchenware to heat up our leftovers from dinner - we had to borrow pans from Gana’s (hopefully didn’t trouble them too much!) but they ensured we had what we requested.
As there was basically half a day between our check out time and flight time, we loved that they had a lounge for us to rest, keep our luggage and charge our devices. Special thanks to our butlers Ellie, Mars, Hannah for making sure we were taken care of and always greeted every morning at breakfast!
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Angie Magsino, General Manager at Lihim Resorts, El Nido
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear fellyjelly, Thank you for your feedback. It’s great to know that you had a relaxing and pleasant stay at Lihim Resorts. Our team aims to create a memorable experience for each guest, and your review reassures us that we are doing well. We hope to welcome you back to our beautiful resort in El Nido soon. Warm regards, Angie Magsino Operations Manager, Lihim Resorts
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Recently my husband and I travelled for our anniversary and we were very fortunate to have Mark look after us. He was amazing, he would not leave us alone (in the best way possible!). He made sure we were always attended to, helping us organise tours, dinners, drinks and surprises. The room was always clean and overall I’d give him a 10/10. Thanks Mark!
On a recent trip to the Phillipines, my husband and I were very fortunate to have Aerelle attend to us. She was fantastic and I highly recommend her services! Aerelle really helped make our anniversary special. By being there for every step of the way making the stay go as smooth as possible. She helped with dinner and drinks, keeping the room sparkling clean and she was really helpful giving us insight to different local tours. 10/10 would recommend.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeffrey Miranda, General Manager at Lihim Resorts, El Nido
Responded Sep 30, 2024
Dear B1679GNemilya, Thank you for your thoughtful review. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Lihim Resorts. Your positive remarks about Mark & Aerelle mean a lot to us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back soon. Best regards, Jeffrey Miranda General Manager, Lihim Resorts
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The location offers a great view during the sunset, access was a little tricky because the road was not in good condition, but they arranged transportation for us, with no reservations. the food was very good, with generous portions, we got the chicken and the steak and lobster, both were delicious. Richard was an excellent server, he was very attentive.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Angie Magsino, General Manager at Lihim Resorts, El Nido
Responded Feb 6, 2025
Dear Sightseer35995680879, Thank you for your kind review. We are glad to hear that you had a memorable stay at Lihim Resorts. Your comments about our services and our people especially, F&B Richard are very much appreciated. Our team works hard to ensure our guests have a great experience, and it’s nice to know we succeeded. We look forward to welcoming you back to our piece of paradise in El Nido. Warm regards, Angie Magsino Officer in Charge, Lihim Resorts
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we had a wonderful time in Lihim. the view is beautiful, the staff are extremely friendly and efficient. the butler service with Ener an Angelo were perfect! thank you! the spa was very good, beyond our expectation, we had a great time with the tenni coach Jun and the boat captain and tour guide. the place is a hidden gem. we stayed at a 2 bedrooms villa, the view is magnificent. price wise it is a bit on the high side for the stay and activities but we understand. the downsides are -- no direct access to the beach, needs to take car service to get to the el nido town and the road condition is pretty bad. the food choices in house gets a bit tired after a couple days. nevertheless it was a wonderful experience. ONE Thing I would like to point out for anyone who plan to travel to El Nido is AIRSWIFT. you will need to have a contingency plan if flight is canceled; you most likely will not be able to jump on the next flight or any flights the next day as it is normally fully booked and they won’t be able to provide seats for you. the staff are nice but there are not much they can do as the company policy is just leave you there and you will need to find your own way back to MNL or wherever you wanted to go. the most viable option was to take a car service to Puerto Princesa which is 6 hrs away by car thru hills and road condition is not good to say the least. When flight is cancelled the level of inconveniences (scrambling to book cars, flights, hotels with minimal internet services; the WAIT) the extra cost ( for 3 of us was over USD 1.1K; one way flight from Princesa to MNL, extra hotel night,car service etc.) is something you need to be mindful about.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:be mindful of AIRSWIFT. when their flights is cancel and your are in el nido; it will be a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Angie Magsino, General Manager at Lihim Resorts, El Nido
Responded Feb 6, 2025
Dear Culture67704398187, We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. We’re pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Lihim Resorts. Your compliments on your experience are valued by our entire team. And your comments on the few mentioned will be considered to better improve our services. We look forward to your next visit and providing you with another great experience. Warm regards, Angie Magsino Officer in Charge, Lihim Resorts
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Excellent resort with a beautiful view of the sea and nearby islands. The villas are well-made and full of different amenities that made our stay very comfortable. The butlers and staff were all very attentive and courteous. Food was also pretty good and the servings weren’t too small, which made meals satisfying.
Some small cons of the visit were encountered though: (1)The outside of the villas are pretty dark so it is a bit dangerous to walk at night. (2) The location is also pretty remote from the town (20mins via car, 5mins via speed oat) and transportation isn’t cheap, so better plan your town trips in advance.
Otherwise, the whole theme of being in a rainforest was very unique and I very much enjoyed it. I look forward to another visit to this secret paradise.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Come in breakfast early to avoid the breakfast rush and enjoy the morning sea
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had a great stay in this resort. The staff always kind and ready to help with all and any need. There was a butler during the day and other during the night. I lost a tiny earring in the bathroom and the housekeepers were able to find it for me. Great breakfast. A car always ready to take me either to the restaurant on the top of the hill or to the city. I booked boat tours everyday and they took me to wonderful places where I had lunch in the two hotel’s private islands. The gym was also very good as the massages at the spa. Made my trip to Pallawan even more special.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Angie Magsino, General Manager at Lihim Resorts, El Nido
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Ana Carolina R, Thank you for your kind review. We are glad to hear that you had a memorable stay at Lihim Resorts. Your comments about our people and services are very much appreciated. Our team works hard to ensure our guests have a great experience, and it’s nice to know we succeeded. We look forward to welcoming you back to our piece of paradise in El Nido. Warm regards, Angie Magsino Operations Manager, Lihim Resorts
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We actually just booked our excursions directly with the hotel. The boat came to their floating pier. It’s much more expensive that the other islands, but you pay for convenience. The butler will
Make the reservations for you.
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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