Discovery Samal is Nominated for Best Resort in the Philippines at DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027

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Three years after opening, Discovery Samal marks a new milestone shaped by Filipino hospitality, meaningful celebrations, and the stories of those who have made it their home away from home

Discovery Samal is proudly stepping onto the national stage as a nominee for Best Resort in the Philippines at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027 which marks an exciting milestone for the resort and a proud moment for the destination it calls home.

The nomination celebrates the experiences and connections Discovery Samal has created over the past three years. From family getaways and romantic escapes to corporate retreats and trips with friends, the resort has welcomed guests from different backgrounds to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories on the island.

The nomination not only recognizes the resort experience, but also showcases Samal Island as a world-class destination, where breathtaking surroundings, memorable experiences, and a distinctly Filipino warmth come together. It is a celebration of how far it has come and an invitation for more travelers to discover what makes this part of the Philippines truly special.

A Resort Built Around Gathering

The DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate outstanding travel and hospitality experiences as chosen by the readers of DestinAsian. Discovery Samal’s nomination under Best Resort in the Philippines gives guests, partners, Davaoeños, and supporters of the destination an opportunity to rally behind a resort that has made Samal its home.

Discovery Samal brings people together through warm Filipino hospitality and thoughtful service. From family holidays and weddings to celebrations and corporate events, the resort caters to a wide range of occasions. Its 1,000-capacity ballroom also makes it a key venue for MICE gatherings, strengthening Samal and the wider Davao region as a destination for both business and leisure.

The resort has also grown into a place for milestones and shared experiences. Couples can celebrate at the Chapel on the Hill or along the beachfront, while families can enjoy three expansive pools, the Sandbox kids’ play area, an arcade, and Samal Escape Spa. Just beyond the property, Samal Island’s clear waters invite guests to snorkel and discover the rich marine life that gives the destination its distinctive character.

Together, these moments tell the story behind its DestinAsian nomination not through a single attraction, but through the celebrations, connections, and memories created on its shores.

Cast Your Vote for Discovery Samal

Help bring this recognition home to Samal. As Discovery Samal competes for Best Resort in the Philippines at the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027, every vote is a chance to celebrate not only the resort, but also the warmth, beauty, and hospitality that make Samal and the Davao region truly special.

To vote:

• Visit the official DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards voting page at destinasian.com/survey/vote
• Go to the Best Resort in the Philippines category.
• Select Discovery Samal as your choice.
• Complete the required information and submit your vote.

Voting is open until October 20, 2026. Share the voting link with family, friends, and fellow travelers, and help bring greater recognition to Samal and the Davao region. Every vote celebrates the people, experiences, and warm hospitality that have shaped Discovery Samal over the years.

Celebrate Araw ng Davao with an Island Retreat at Discovery Samal

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Araw ng Davao is Davao City’s biggest annual celebration, an all-out festival month that turns the city into a moving showcase of culture, community, and hometown pride. It’s when streets come alive with parades, drumbeats, dance performances, pop-up bazaars, concerts, and food finds, and every corner feels like an invitation to join in. Whether you’re coming for the pageantry, the people, or the sheer energy of a city celebrating itself, Araw ng Davao is the kind of celebration that makes a quick flight to Mindanao feel more like a must-do trip than a maybe.

As Araw ng Davao fills the city with parades, performances, and community gatherings, Discovery Samal invites locals and visitors to keep the celebration going by the sea. Minutes away by boat, the resort offers seasonal room packages, festive dining, and easygoing activities that let you stretch the city’s high-energy festivities into a refreshing coastal break.

Island stays with easy summer comforts

For those looking to turn the celebration into a quick getaway, Discovery Samal is offering its Happy Summer Room Package, a simple way to extend the holiday into a laid-back island break. Designed for easy unwinding, the package pairs comfortable accommodations with resort perks that let guests slip into Samal’s slower pace.

Starting at P17,500 per night, the package includes daily breakfast for two at Morning Catch, plus added savings across the resort. Guests enjoy 15% off at food and beverage outlets, 10% off spa treatments and watersports activities, and seasonal inclusions such as a complimentary one-hour crystal kayak or paddle board session and a relaxing foot massage for two. The offer is available for booking until May 31, 2026, with stays from March 1 to June 15, 2026—ideal for travelers looking to cap off the city festivities with a short Samal retreat.

Seafood feasts with Davao flavors and coastal flair

Discovery Samal is also offering a themed lunch buffet at Morning Catch, serving up ocean-fresh seafood prepared with local flavors and a distinct sense of Davao pride. Inspired by the energy of coastal markets and regional culinary traditions, the spread is guided by the day’s catch from local fishermen, vibrant produce, and time-tested cooking techniques—moving from beloved seafood classics to bold, creative takes on coastal specialties. Every plate celebrates the character of the surrounding waters, capturing the richness and unmistakable taste of Davao’s culinary heritage.

The buffet is served from 11 am to 3 pm every weekend in March, priced at P2,600 net per person. The rate includes round-trip boat transfers from the Davao Welcome Center, making it easy for guests to travel seamlessly from the city to Samal Island for the dining experience.

Seaside moments with sun, sea, and slow island time

A visit to Discovery Samal during Araw ng Davao opens the door to a range of leisurely pursuits shaped by the island’s natural setting. Guests may begin the day with a quiet walk along the shore or spend the afternoon swimming in the pool while looking out over the gulf. Others may choose to relax by the beach, paddle across the calm waters, or settle into a shaded corner of the resort with the sound of the waves nearby. Time on the island tends to unfold at a gentler pace. The bustle of the city fades into the background, replaced by wide horizons and open sea air.

A city celebration that flows into island calm

Araw ng Davao honors the heritage and resilience of the city. Discovery Samal offers a fitting continuation of that celebration, inviting guests to cross the water and experience a different side of the region’s charm.

From festive dining to seaside relaxation, the resort presents a simple invitation to celebrate the city first, then escape to the island where the spirit of the occasion lingers a little longer. For inquiries and reservations, email reservations@discoverysamal.com or call +63 84 308 2998.

 

Go on a Sleigh Ride of Flavours and Experience the “12 Days of Christmas” at The Bistro at Discovery Samal

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Discovery Samal is kicking off the holiday season in style at The Bistro with a night designed to ignite the spirit of celebration. The Bistro: A Taste of the Holidays invites guests on a delicious journey through a playful tasting menu inspired by the nostalgia of a classic Christmas carol where each dish tells its own tale, blending creativity and festive flair to set the tone for a season of warmth, wonder, and culinary delight.

Guests start with A Partridge in a Pear Tree, tender and succulent quail nestled on caramelized leeks, rounded out by pear purée and sage-chestnut glaze. A whisper of prosciutto crisp and a rose-hued tuile give it a soft sparkle on the plate. Two Turtle Doves follows with smoked duck roulade resting against a lemon blini, brightened by cherry reduction and a delicate tuile that seems almost too fragile to touch.

Moving deeper into the sequence, Three French Hens draws from the richness of French cooking: sous vide chicken, truffle-touched potato foam, and red wine sauce that clings to the fork. A crisp chicken garnish and a golden egg yolk gel turn it into a tiny display of indulgence. Four Calling Birds shifts the tone again with ostrich confit beneath a golden craquelin crust, softened by chicken liver mousse and accented with poached quail egg and shards of filo that crackle gently.

The midpoint arrives with Five Golden Rings, a shimmering spread of cured salmon, citrus, and prawn tartare arranged under a thin mango tuile, the plate glowing with bright, celebratory hues. Six Geese a-Laying leans into luxury with a foie gras brûlée paired with sautéed wild mushrooms and a crown of caviar, softened by edible flowers and another rose tuile that quietly ties it to earlier dishes.

Dessert drifts in early with Seven Swans a-Swimming, where white mousse meets strawberry-mango compote and a dark chocolate swan perched above caviar tones of black, red, and white. It’s more whimsical than sweet, though it manages to be both. Eight Maids a-Milking keeps the playful notes going with yogurt mousse, milk foam, and Earl Grey tea caviar, topped with crisp chocolate that adds a subtle snap.

As the evening builds, Nine Ladies Dancing puts together herb-baked salmon under a crisp dome, surrounded by beetroot and herb foams, pea shoots, and a dandelion flower that adds a tiny flourish of movement. Ten Lords a-Leaping offers the boldest moment of the night with grilled ostrich, lamb, and A3 wagyu, each dressed with a sesame rub that leaves a warm depth lingering on the palate.

The last two dishes return to sweetness. Eleven Pipers Piping presents churros with hazelnut cream, chocolate ganache, mint, gold flakes, and red velvet crumbs, dusted with cinnamon sugar that clings to the fingertips. Finally, Twelve Drummers Drumming closes the journey with duck croquette tucked into baked sweet dough, enriched with foie gras and tartufata cream, then finished with gold dust and edible flowers.

The Bistro’s holiday experience, shaped through these twelve small stories, turns the familiar song into something you can taste. For guests looking for a holiday outing that feels a little more intimate than the season usually allows, The Bistro: A Taste of the Holidays is priced at Php 4,800 net per person and is available this December 24, 2025.

For more information, email fb@discoverysamal.com or call +63 084 308 2998.

Millennial Resorts Achieve the First and Prestigious EDGE Certification for Resort Hospitality in the Philippines

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Strengthening its Commitment to Environmental Sustainability in Batangas

Millennial Resorts achieved the very first EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certification for a resort hospitality project in the country, with its Crusoe Cabins at CaSoBe in Calatagan, Batangas. The EDGE Certification was awarded by Philippine Green Building Initiative, Inc. (PGBI) which recognized Crusoe Cabins for its eco-efficient design that result in reduction of 34% in energy, 57% in water and 65% in embodied energy in materials compared to local base case.

“We are truly proud of this recognition of Millennial Resorts as the first recipient of the highly-coveted EDGE Certification for a resort project in the Philippines. We share this honor with our relentless team who make it possible for us to put into action Landco’s long-term commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability in premium property developments for more than 30 years across the country,” said Erickson Y. Manzano, President and CEO of both Landco Pacific Corporation and Millennial Resorts Corporation (MRC).

“Being eco-conscious is ingrained in both Landco and MRC’s DNAs. We do it, first and foremost, because it is the right thing to do. Millennial Resorts’ EDGE Certification complements our over-all sustainability program at our latest Leisure Tourism Estates in Batangas – 15-hectare CaSoBe and 24-hectare Club Laiya, both of which are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Registered and incorporate water recycling, permeable pedestrian tree-lined walkways, and scenic bike lanes around the beachside properties to further reduce our carbon footprints,” he added.

“Millennial Resorts team is grateful for this certification which shows our responsibility to the environment as we preserve the resort lifestyle and the uniqueness of the beach destination of Batangas. This inspires us to continue to find new ways to minimize our impact on the environment and respect the local community,” stated Patrick C. Gregorio, Senior Consultant for Hospitality, Landco and MRC.

The EDGE Certification demonstrates the leadership and advocacy of Landco and its sister hospitality group, Millennial Resorts in green building design with the use of EDGE software.

“Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) has always championed the integration of sustainability into our business strategy and value creation. We are proud that under the MVP Group, Landco and Millennial Resorts attained the EDGE certification to create a lasting positive impact to the environment and community. This achievement is a concrete example of our holistic and all-inclusive approach to sustainability.,” remarked Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance, Sustainability and Risk Officer, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (MPIC).

EDGE, an innovation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is an international green building standard, rating system and certification available in 160 countries. EDGE brings about solutions to reduce the use of energy, water and embodied energy in materials.

“Sustainable tourism plays a critical role in achieving a green recovery and I’m proud to see resort properties in the Philippines adopting globally-recognized sustainability standards, which will hopefully encourage other industry players to do the same”, said Jean-Marc Arbogast, IFC Country Manager for the Philippines.

Millennial Resorts undertake sustainability initiatives in line with MPIC’s commitment to help achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; and strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

“Utility savings are not the only reward for a resort’s green credentials, as studies indicate that guests are more loyal to a property, with a commitment to protecting the environment and preserving natural resources,” shared Engr. Leandro A. Conti, PGBI Chairman and President.

“We hope that this EDGE Certification will encourage others to build green resort properties, in the Philippines and in other countries. Only by working together can we create an ecosystem where sustainable resorts are no longer the exception but the norm,” he noted.

Millennial Resorts feature unique resort accommodations: Crusoe Cabins at CaSoBe and Costa Azalea and Cocoons at CaSoBe and Club Laiya; and leisure facilities: Laiya Beach Club at Club Laiya and Aquaria Water Park with a three-story giant slide at CaSoBe and Costa Azalea. Its soon to be launched exciting new facilities are: Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, Canopy and The Isle -- venues for events, and Colony, a beachside co-working space. Costa Azalea is located in Samal Island, Davao.

Landco Pacific Corp. is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.  For more information about Landco and its Millennial Resorts and Leisure Tourism Estates Club Laiya and CaSoBe, visit https://www.landco.ph/ or FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation.