The first thing that greets visitors is the sound — not the thunder of waves, but their quiet dialogue with the shore, soft and steady, moving at an unhurried pace. When bare feet finally sink into the pristine sand of Panglao, it’s obvious what they told the DAILY TRIBUNE, “Luxury is experience. It’s the story.”
And at South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao — MGallery Collection, that story begins before check-in.
This freshly opened seaside retreat resembles a chapter from a living mythology. The Bohol Sea spreads out in sparkling blue, framed by a curtain of coconut trees. Just 10 minutes from Bohol-Panglao International Airport and adjacent to natural wonders such as the Chocolate Hills, world-class dive locations, and the Philippine tarsier’s forest home, the resort seems both connected to the island’s heart and blissfully removed from its speed.
Sirenna, the fabled sea guardian claimed to guard these waters, is the resort’s silent mother. Her presence can be felt in the lobby’s coral-like curves, nightly beachfront ceremonies, and the shade of a sacred banyan tree at the property’s heart.
Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks and lead consultant for the project, captures it perfectly: “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.”
Rooms of stories
Every area has an apparent story. Guest rooms have walls made of recycled Boholano wood, taken from abandoned island homes and put into a mosaic of memories. Handwoven banig headboards, coconut wood furnishings, and artisan-made rugs infuse each room with warmth and craftsmanship.
Guests in the eight beachfront villas can enhance their experience with private sunset picnics and turn-down rituals that leave behind artisanal keepsakes — a piece of the island to take home.
Flavors of Panglao
Dining at UMA, the resort’s relaxing beachside seafood restaurant, celebrates both freshness and tradition. Grilled fish, tropical fruits, and the perfume of lemongrass permeate the air.
As the sun sets, guests head to Sirenna Bar for lambanog-infused cocktails and island legends. Phillip Pond’s mosaic murals and native iconography add a distinctive, local feel to any dining environment.
Days that flow like water
Time passes slowly here. Mornings might start with yoga at the water’s edge, while afternoons could be spent meandering through herbal paths or exploring the resort’s hydroponic gardens. Evenings turn into a peaceful show, with torch-lit rites and firelit drumming rituals that appear to emerge from the sand. Younger guests embark on their own experiences at Aya’s Jungle, a nature-inspired kids’ club bursting with creative discovery.
Salt that holds the sea
A memorable experience at the resort is the M Moment, which honors Asin Tibuok, Bohol’s unique, smoky, egg-shaped sea salt. The centuries-old method is shown to visitors, which includes soaking coconut husks in seawater and molding the finished, aromatic salt ball. It turns into a sensory link to the island’s history rather than just a cooking ingredient.
Heart for community
Every event venue seems like a stage for moments that will never be forgotten, from the Acqua Pavilion’s flowing curves to the Marcela Ballroom’s indigenous beauty and the open beachside lawn illuminated by stars. Because hospitality here starts at home, the resort’s dedication to the community goes beyond appearances. Through donations, shared meals, and visits, it supports Trinity Angels Care Home and Bohol Sunshine Home.
As MGallery’s first resort in the Visayas, joining the Admiral Hotel Manila, South Palms blends design, culture, and storytelling into every corner.
Here, luxury isn’t just what is seen. It’s what is remembered. Because even after the final wave kisses the shore and the footsteps erase, the sea of Bohol remembers.