Accor continues expansion in the Philippines with the signing of the country’s first MGallery Resort

Press Release

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES – Accor, the region’s largest international hotel operator, has continued its rapid expansion in the Philippines with the signing of South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery, a locally-inspired five-star resort on the idyllic island of Panglao that will introduce this emerging destination’s unique heritage and community values to visitors from all around the world. The resort joins a strong pipeline of 16 committed projects across the country, and will become the first resort-style property MGallery in the Philippines.

Scheduled to open its doors in 2024, the 188-key South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery will be nestled within 6.4-hectare of expansive grounds, surrounded by palm trees and overlooking the powder-soft sands of Panglao’s South coast. Throughout their stay in this tropical paradise, travellers will be able to soak up the stunning scenery and explore the island’s cultural charms and natural wonders, including snorkelling and scuba diving in the turquoise seas.

When guests are not exploring the island or neighbouring Bohol, they will be able to dine at a choice of four restaurants, cool off in the swimming pool, grab refreshments at the pool bar, work out in a well-equipped fitness centre, or enjoy soothing therapies at the spa. A ballroom and meeting rooms will also present compelling opportunities for original, out-of-town corporate events and dream weddings. Everything for guests to create their own stories, stories that stay.

South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is being developed by Alturas Group of Companies (AGC) with support from Bill Barnett, Managing Director of Asian hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks. AGC is a family-run business with a deep emotional connection to Bohol and Panglao. The resort will weave the timeless tales of family and folklore into every aspect of the guest experience. Using a pioneering ‘adaptive reuse’ design approach, the project will embrace the history of the destination by reusing materials from village dwellings in every room. These materials include wooden walls and objects that tell the story of local artisans. This inspiring concept is perfectly aligned with the values of MGallery, Accor’s one-of-a-kind global collection of hotels where captivating stories are lived and shared.

“South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is an exceptional resort that adds another outstanding destination to our expanding presence in Southeast Asia, joining our flourishing collection of memorable hotels and resorts full of character and charm. Panglao is an island paradise that promises the perfect blend of soft, sandy beaches,
sparkling seas and rich cultural heritage, encouraging more globally-minded travellers to experience its pleasures, and connecting them to the delights of the local neighbourhoods. The opening of Bohol-Panglao International Airport in 2018 has allowed this exotic island to usher in an exciting new era of travel and tourism, and we are delighted to be at the forefront of this trend. We look forward to working with our partners at AGC to bring this exciting, locally inspired project to life,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems.

South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery will be surrounded by extensive leisure and MICE facilities courtesy of Panglao Shores, AGC’s brand-new lifestyle destination that will feature a retail mall, residential and hotels, night market, live performance areas, restaurants, bars and gardens. Developed from the ground up with sustainability as its guiding light and in consultation with local artisans, vendors, farmers and fishing communities, the future-forward development is designed to benefit the island for many generations to come.

“AGC is a family company that was born in Bohol and cares deeply about this destination. By coming together with Accor, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, we are proud to enhance the quality of hospitality on the island by blending world-class facilities and international standards with the genuine local charm and authentic cultural heritage of Bohol, which is based on shared community values. In combination with Panglao Shores, our destination-defining lifestyle development, we hope to build a bright future for the people of Panglao,” commented Hope Uy, Managing Director of Panglao Shores.

South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is located less than 10 minutes drive from Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which offers direct flights to and from Manila and other cities in the Philippines, with the potential for international flights in future.

Accor is the leading international hotel operator in the Philippines with ten hotels, resorts and branded residences currently operating and a committed pipeline of 16 hotels scheduled to open within the next five years. South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is the second MGallery branded property in the Philippines, joining the Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery.

For more information about Accor, please visit group.accor.com.