The shores of Panglao now welcome a new name in luxury travel with the opening of South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection, a property that redefines design-led hospitality while staying rooted in Boholano culture and tradition.
Set along a pristine stretch of white sand framed by coconut groves and the crystalline waters of the Bohol Sea, the 188-room-and-suite beachfront resort blends sustainability with artisanal design and a deep respect for place. Just ten minutes from the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, and within reach of the Chocolate Hills and the island’s famed dive spots, South Palms offers guests a front-row seat to the island’s natural and cultural treasures.
A vision shaped by design and memory
The resort is the creation of an international team of architects and designers who drew inspiration from local craftsmanship and mythology. Interiors by Patricia Ho Douven feature reclaimed Boholano wood panels and banig headboards, while Phillip Pond layered dining spaces with native iconography and mosaic murals. Patrick Keane’s natural rattan pavilions and the bioclimatic structures designed by Chris Singer and Prasasti Chenchin make sure the resort fully embodies the pristine beauty of its tropical surroundings.
“Sirenna emerged from a rare alchemy where global design met the soul of Bohol. By listening to local voices and weaving in cultural memory, we shaped a hotel that feels both discovered and dreamed,” said Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks and lead consultant for the project.
Every space carries the spirit of Sirenna, the mythical sea guardian said to protect Panglao’s waters. Coral-inspired lobby forms, nightly oceanfront rituals, and the sacred banyan tree anchoring the property remind guests that nature and mythology remain the core of the experience.
Spaces of intimacy and discovery
Guest rooms are designed as sanctuaries of texture and tactility, with salvaged island wood, artisan-made rugs, and coconut wood furnishings creating an atmosphere of cultural intimacy. For deeper immersion, beachfront villas offer curated rituals and private sunset experiences, with handcrafted keepsakes that guests can take home as a piece of memory of Bohol.
The dining program celebrates local produce and traditional techniques. UMA, a relaxed beachfront seafood restaurant, highlights seasonal ingredients in a market-style setting, while the Sirenna Bar offers lambanog-infused cocktails framed by Panglao’s sunsets.
Wellness is also a key element to the resort’s identity. From herbal trails and hydroponic gardens to sunrise yoga and torch-lit evening ceremonies, every ritual is designed to connect guests with the rhythms of nature. Children, meanwhile, are also welcomed into Aya’s Jungle, a cultural and nature-inspired space for play and discovery, letting the young ones explore.
Celebrating tradition and community
South Palms’ signature “M Moment” honors the making of Asin Tibuok, a centuries-old salt-making tradition using coconut husks. Local artisans guide guests through the rare local practice to help them gain a deeper appreciation for heritage and craftsmanship unique to Bohol.
The resort also opens its doors to celebrations and gatherings, as venues ranging from the ocean-inspired Acqua Pavilion to the Marcela Ballroom and a sweeping beachfront lawn welcome visitors. But beyond hospitality, South Palms extends support to the Bohol Sunshine Home and Trinity Angels Care Home, affirming the resort’s commitment to community connection.
“South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection is redefining what lifestyle hotels mean in the Philippines. Every guest experience tells the authentic story of our island through traditional craftsmanship and time-honoured traditions woven into our design and programming,” said Danish Khan, General Manager of South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection.
A flagship destination for MGallery
South Palms joins Admiral Hotel Manila as the second MGallery property in the Philippines and its first resort in the Visayas, strengthening the brand’s dedication to cultural immersion and design-led storytelling.
With its layered architecture, love for sustainability, world-class hospitality, and connection to Boholano tradition, the resort sets a new benchmark for what luxury can mean in the Philippine islands. As it is more than a destination, it is also an invitation to discover how design, heritage, nature, and community can exist in harmony.
Guests who wish to be among the first to experience South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection can take advantage of the exclusive “Elite Access” offer, available for stays from August 8 to October 31, 2025.
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