ACROSS El Nido and Makati: Four Phl hotels earn Michelin keys



FAIRMONT Makati Presidential Suite.
Luxury in the Philippines takes many forms. It can mean waking to the sound of the sea in Palawan, retreating to a private island surrounded by turquoise waters, or settling into an elegant suite in the heart of Makati.
Four properties from the Ayala Land Hospitality portfolio now have another distinction in common: recognition from the Michelin Guide.
In its 2026 hotel selection, the Michelin Guide awarded Two Michelin Keys to Lagen Island and Raffles Makati, making them the only Philippine properties to receive the distinction. Pangulasian Island and Fairmont Makati each received One Michelin Key.
Together, the four properties reflect the breadth of the country’s luxury hospitality landscape, spanning secluded island resorts and sophisticated city hotels while offering distinctly different interpretations of Filipino hospitality.
“We are deeply honored to have four of our properties recognized by the Michelin Guide. It is a meaningful affirmation of the teams behind these hotels and island resorts, and the care they put into every guest experience,” said Gustavo Morales, chief operating officer of Ayala Land Hospitality.
He added that the recognition is particularly meaningful because of the variety of experiences represented across the portfolio, from the company’s Palawan resorts to its Makati properties. Each hotel and resort, he said, has its own character and sense of place while sharing a commitment to thoughtful, distinctly Filipino hospitality.
Where nature takes center stage
In El Nido, Lagen Island has emerged from a year-long transformation with a renewed vision for the eco-sanctuary experience. The resort brings together indigenous craftsmanship and coastal architecture while remaining closely connected to its natural surroundings.
Its guiding ethos, “Where nature guides, connections blossom,” captures the resort’s emphasis on creating spaces where the landscape is as integral to the experience as the accommodations themselves.
Across Bacuit Bay, Pangulasian Island offers a different expression of island luxury. Known as the “Island of the Sun,” the One-Key property centers on privacy, oceanfront living, and the slower pace of life that comes with being surrounded by the sea.
The two Palawan properties offer contrasting experiences, but both place a strong emphasis on their relationship with the environment — one through a nature-led sanctuary, the other through the intimacy of private-island living.
A different kind of luxury in Makati
The experience shifts from tropical landscapes to the urban energy of Metro Manila at Raffles Makati.
The Two-Key property takes an intimate approach to city luxury, with an all-suite format complemented by butler service and an emphasis on local art. Its setting in Makati places guests at the center of one of the country’s major business and lifestyle districts while maintaining the sense of privacy associated with the Raffles experience.
Nearby, Fairmont Makati brings its own interpretation of contemporary five-star hospitality. The One-Key hotel combines spacious accommodations with high-end dining and wellness facilities, offering a polished urban retreat within the city.
From Palawan’s islands to Makati’s skyline, the four Michelin Key properties demonstrate the range of experiences available to today’s luxury traveler in the Philippines. Rather than following a single definition of luxury, they offer four distinct ways to experience the country — from immersive island escapes to refined city stays.