On the southern coast of Panglao Island, where the shore glows pale against the Bohol Sea, South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection opens as a quiet invitation to rediscover the island through family, culture, and connection.

As Panglao’s first international luxury resort, its 188 rooms and suites bring a sense of ease and familiarity, reinterpreting barefoot luxury not as extravagance but as a story shared across generations.

Culture runs through every corner of the property, beginning with Sirenna—the mythical sea guardian said to protect Panglao’s shores—whose spirit anchors the resort’s identity. Her tale unfolds each evening during the Sunset Ritual, a moment of music, light, and storytelling that honors Bohol’s coastal heritage.

Beyond the beach, families can spend the day at South Farm, an interactive experience that reveals the island’s roots in agriculture and sustainability. Children learn to plant and harvest, meet farm animals, and explore the Coco Shed House, where the coconut is celebrated as the island’s “tree of life.”

The resort’s signature “M Moment” brings guests closer to Boholano tradition through Asin Tibuok, a rare sea salt painstakingly crafted by local artisans. Participants witness its slow creation and keep a salt crystal as a memento of this vanishing craft. Inside the villas, design details and bedtime stories inspired by Visayan deities echo these traditions, weaving mythology into the fabric of family stays.

For those who wish to see more of the island, curated experiences take guests beyond the resort’s borders. A full-day itinerary might include the rolling Chocolate Hills, encounters with tarsiers in their sanctuary, a Loboc River cruise accompanied by music and local fare, and visits to Baclayon Church and the Blood Compact Shrine. Each stop is guided by local experts whose stories turn landmarks into living history. Out at sea, the adventures continue with snorkeling and diving on Panglao’s vibrant reefs, island-hopping to Balicasag and Pamilacan, dolphin sightings at dawn, and picnic lunches on quiet, untouched sands.

Wellness, too, finds its grounding in place and tradition. Lola’s Sanctuary, the resort’s spa, sits amid lush gardens and herbal patches where Boholano healing practices meet modern wellness. Treatments use herbs grown on-site and local ingredients like coconut oil, lemongrass, and Asin Tibuok.

The open-air lounge, Lola’s Kitchen, offers herbal teas and detox juices and occasionally hosts discussions on traditional healing. For gentler moments, guests can join the Mindful Walk—a guided meditation along the resort’s gardens and coastal trails that encourages quiet reflection.

Every part of South Palms seems designed with families in mind. At Aya Kids Club, cultural play takes center stage: sungka boards, art sessions, and a tarsier-inspired outdoor playhouse bring local heritage to life through fun and creativity. On the water, the resort’s calm shoreline makes room for simple pleasures—canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or gliding across the lagoon on a bamboo raft.

When the day ends, families gather around food. UMA serves modern Filipino cuisine, including the playful “build your own boodle fight,” while Manja focuses on comforting classics such as rotisserie jaffles and brick-oven pizzas. By sunset, Sirenna, the Mediterranean-tiki beach bar, draws guests to its terraced seating and fire pit for relaxed, feet-in-the-sand dining.

The resort also lends itself naturally to celebration. With its coastal scenery and organic-modern design, it offers intimate and expansive venues alike—the Acqua Pavilion for smaller gatherings, the Marcela Ballroom for larger ones, and a sweeping beachfront lawn perfect for weddings and reunions.

“South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection is a place where families create and share their own stories—through Boholano traditions, wellness rituals, and adventures on land and sea,” said Danish Khan, the resort’s general manager.

To be among the first to experience this retreat, guests may book the “Elite Access” offer, valid for stays until October 31, 2025. The package includes ₱3,000 in resort credit for dining and leisure, with additional benefits for ALL and Accor Plus members. Reservations are available via email, at +63 038 507 0010, or online.