SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., is expanding into the premium leisure tourism market with the development of a new Shangri-La resort in Hamilo Coast, south of Manila.
SMHCC is partnering with Shangri-La Group to develop Shangri-La Santelmo Cove, a coastal resort slated to open in 2031.
The resort will feature about 40 villas and 50 rooms and suites, set within a protected cove known for its coral reefs, sea turtles and marine biodiversity.
The project marks SMHCC’s entry into the premium island resort segment as it expands its hospitality portfolio beyond city hotels and convention facilities into leisure destinations.
‘Shangri-La Santelmo Cove marks an important milestone in SM Hotels’ portfolio as we venture further into the island and leisure tourism landscape,’ SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy E. Angeles said.
Angeles said the partnership combines SMHCC’s experience in developing hospitality destinations in the Philippines with Shangri-La Group’s international experience in operating hotels and resorts.
‘For SM Hotels, this project represents more than the addition of a new property to our portfolio. It is an opportunity to help shape the next generation of Philippine leisure destinations,’ she said.
Shangri-La Group Chief Operating Officer Sunny Paw said the project would build on the hotel group’s more than two-decade presence in the Philippines, where it operates properties in Manila, Boracay and Cebu.
‘Shangri-La Santelmo Cove presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the Philippines’ natural and cultural treasures,’ Paw said.
The resort is expected to incorporate nature-focused design and sustainability measures, with the partners positioning the development as a destination that balances high-end hospitality with environmental stewardship.
For SMHCC, the project is also expected to support Hamilo Coast’s development as a leisure destination while creating long-term tourism value for the area.
‘We are proud to partner with Shangri-La in creating a resort that allows guests to experience the beauty of the Philippines in a way that is both exceptional and mindful of its surroundings,’ Angeles said.