A new luxury coastal escape is taking shape in Hamilo Coast, south of Manila, as Shangri-La unveils plans for an exclusive seaside retreat that promises travelers a tranquil getaway surrounded by nature, away from the bustle of city life.
Hamilo Coast is set to welcome Shangri-La Santelmo Cove, a new resort development that promises a more intimate approach to tropical luxury, with private villas, upscale accommodations, and a setting surrounded by nature.
Scheduled to open in 2031, the resort will rise within a protected cove and feature approximately 40 villas and 50 rooms and suites, offering a relatively small-scale retreat compared with larger resort developments.
The property is a joint undertaking between SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., and the Shangri-La Group.
A Different Kind of Luxury Escape
As travelers increasingly look beyond conventional hotel stays, the appeal of secluded destinations lies in the opportunity to slow down, enjoy natural surroundings, and experience a greater sense of privacy.
Shangri-La Santelmo Cove is being developed with this kind of escape in mind.
Its planned collection of villas, rooms, and suites suggests an emphasis on a more intimate resort atmosphere, where the surrounding coastal environment is expected to play a central role in the guest experience.
For vacationers seeking a break from urban routines, the resort could eventually offer another option for an upscale coastal getaway without traveling far beyond the capital region.
While specific amenities, dining concepts, and recreational offerings have yet to be announced, the developers have identified nature-led luxury and responsible tourism as guiding principles behind the project.
Where Luxury Meets Nature
One of the central ideas behind Shangri-La Santelmo Cove is the possibility of creating an upscale destination while remaining mindful of its natural setting.
The project comes with an ambition to demonstrate how high-end hospitality and environmental responsibility can coexist, particularly in coastal destinations where development and conservation must be carefully balanced.
SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles described the resort as an important step in the company’s expansion into island and leisure tourism.
In a statement, Angeles said the development presents an opportunity to demonstrate how luxury and responsible tourism can thrive together.
Shangri-La Group chief operating officer Sunny Paw similarly emphasized the project’s nature-centered direction, describing it as a new chapter in the brand’s approach to sustainable luxury.
How these commitments will translate into the resort’s design, operations, and environmental practices remains to be seen as development progresses.
A New Addition to the Philippine Leisure Landscape
Beyond its appeal to future vacationers, Shangri-La Santelmo Cove reflects continued investment in the country’s premium leisure and resort market.
For SMHCC, the development represents an expansion beyond its existing hotel and convention portfolio, which includes properties such as Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, and Lanson Place Mall of Asia.
The company currently operates a portfolio of 10 hotel properties with more than 2,600 rooms, alongside convention and event facilities.
Its partnership with Shangri-La also brings together two established hospitality players, with the latter operating an international network of more than 100 hotels across over 75 destinations.
For Hamilo Coast, the planned development adds another high-end hospitality offering to its leisure destination landscape.
And for travelers already dreaming of their next seaside escape, Shangri-La Santelmo Cove offers something to look forward to, even if its anticipated opening remains several years away.
By 2031, the vision is for a coastal retreat where luxury is defined not simply by lavish accommodations, but also by privacy, natural surroundings, and the opportunity to slow down.
(MAIN PHOTO; Sunny Paw, Group Chief Operating Officer, Shangri-La Group; Elizabeth T. Sy, President, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC); Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee, SM Prime Holdings Inc.; and Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President, SMHCC. Standing (L-R): Neil Rumbaoa, VP-Business Development, SMHCC; Bryan Chen, Vice President, Investment & Asset Management, Shangri-La Group; John Rice, VP of Operations (SEAA), Shangri-La Group; and Sylvia Zheng, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Shangri-La Group, during the Shangri-La Santelmo Cove signing event.)