A new kind of island escape

There is something about leaving the city for the coast that makes even a short escape feel special. The scenery changes, the pace slows and suddenly, having nowhere to rush to feels like a luxury of its own.

SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) and Shangri-La Group are taking that feeling further with Shangri-La Santelmo Cove, a new coastal resort planned for Hamilo Coast, south of Manila.

Set to open in 2031, the resort will sit within a protected cove and is planned to feature approximately 40 villas and 50 rooms and suites. The collaboration marks SMHCC’s move further into premium island tourism while expanding its growing hospitality portfolio across the Philippines.

But Santelmo Cove is not simply about adding another resort to the map. It reflects a growing appreciation for leisure that allows guests to experience a destination while still enjoying the comforts and service associated with luxury hospitality.

“Shangri-La Santelmo Cove marks an important milestone in SM Hotels’ portfolio as we venture further into the island and leisure tourism landscape,” said SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy E. Angeles. “We look forward to developing a destination that… also demonstrates how luxury and responsible tourism can thrive alongside one another.”

That balance is central to the project. With its protected coastal setting, Santelmo Cove is being developed around the idea of sustainable, nature-led luxury, allowing the landscape to remain an important part of the experience.

Shangri-La Group Chief Operating Officer Sunny Paw described the project as a new chapter in sustainable, nature-led luxury, one that reflects both the spirit of the destination and the values of the brand.

It is a natural direction for a country where some of the most memorable holidays are shaped by the beauty outside the hotel room.

For SMHCC, the partnership also represents an opportunity to help define what the next generation of Philippine leisure destinations can look like. Its portfolio already spans hotels, resorts and convention properties in key destinations, and Santelmo Cove brings the group deeper into the island escape.

The appeal is easy to imagine: a beautiful coastal setting, thoughtful hospitality and enough space to simply enjoy the moment.

Sometimes, the most elevated leisure experience is not about having more to do. It is about having the freedom to slow down, take in the surroundings and enjoy where you are.

With Shangri-La Santelmo Cove, SM Hotels and Shangri-La Group are creating another reason to discover the Philippine coast, while showing that luxury and respect for nature can comfortably share the same view.