Discovery Samal is Davao’s Exclusive Nominee for Best Resort in the Philippines at DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2027

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.

Discovery Samal Brings the Spirit of Kadayawan to the Island with Festive Dining and Local Flavors

As Kadayawan Festival fills the streets of Davao City with color, culture, and celebration, Discovery Samal marks the season with a collection of dining experiences inspired by Davao’s flavors, harvest, and festive spirit.

Guests can make an island escape part of their Kadayawan plans, whether that’s lingering over a regional feast, settling in for a barbecue dinner by the beach, or raising a glass to one of Davao’s most recognizable fruits. 

Your Next Great Meal is at Discovery Samal

Discovery Samal continues to redefine island escapes with its signature blend of warm hospitality, breathtaking coastal views, and unforgettable experiences. While its recent anniversary celebrated another milestone on Samal Island, the festivities didn't stop there. 

Guests now have even more reasons to make the trip, thanks to a lineup of dining experiences that are just as worthy of the journey. From leisurely breakfasts with ocean views and indulgent afternoon treats to sunset cocktails and thoughtfully curated themed dinners, Discovery Samal proves the best way to experience paradise is one delicious bite at a time.

Discovery Samal Marks Three Years of Meaningful Hospitality

Discovery Samal marks its third anniversary with a celebration that reflects the values that have shaped the resort since its opening: giving back to the community, honoring the people behind every guest experience, and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Mindanao. As the resort commemorates three years of meaningful milestones, it also looks ahead with renewed commitment to creating authentic experiences that connect guests to the heart of the island.

Giving Back to the Community

True to its belief that hospitality extends beyond welcoming guests, Discovery Samal began its anniversary celebrations by giving back to communities in need. In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the resort held a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative in Malapatan, Sarangani, supporting families through its Hot Meals on Hot Wheels program and donating clothes, linens, and other essential items. The initiative reflects Discovery Samal's enduring commitment to uplifting grassroots communities and creating a positive impact beyond the resort's shores.

Celebrate Every Milestone in Island Luxury at Discovery Samal

Some moments deserve more than a celebration; they deserve a destination. Set on the pristine shores of Samal Island, Discovery Samal invites guests to celebrate life's most meaningful milestones with its thoughtfully curated Celebrations Package, where breathtaking views, warm Filipino hospitality, and personalized service come together.

Be it a wedding, anniversary, milestone birthday, or baby shower, the resort offers an island destination designed for intimate gatherings, complemented by a Celebrations Package starting at PHP 3,800 per person with a minimum of 30 guests and inclusive of thoughtfully curated event essentials and dedicated planning support.

The Ultimate Father’s Day Island Escape Awaits at Discovery Samal

Just across the waters from Davao City lies a different pace of life. At Discovery Samal, Father's Day becomes an opportunity to reconnect over exceptional dining, breathtaking island views, and meaningful moments shared by the sea. This June, the resort invites families to celebrate Dad through a collection of thoughtfully curated culinary experiences designed to make the occasion truly special.

The journey itself is effortless, with complimentary boat transfers available from the Davao Welcome Center where guests can enjoy a smooth crossing to Samal Island, bypassing the usual barge queues and beginning their celebration the moment they step aboard.

Discovery Samal Is the Island Escape You Didn't Know You Needed

This Independence Day, celebrate the freedom to travel with a well-deserved island escape at Discovery Samal. For a limited time, travelers can take advantage of the resort's Independence Day Travel Sale and enjoy exclusive savings on stays in one of the Philippines' most breathtaking beachfront destinations. 

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Samal Island, guests can look forward to tranquil mornings by the sea, leisurely days spent by the beach or pool, and memorable culinary experiences that showcase the rich flavors of Mindanao and beyond. 

Your Independence Day Getaway Starts Here

For a limited time, guests can enjoy up to 30% savings on Discovery Samal's Best Available Rates through the Independence Day Travel Sale, with room rates starting at Php 14,000 net per night. Available for stays from June 4 to December 17, 2026, the offer gives travelers the flexibility to plan an island escape well beyond the holiday itself.

Get a Start on Forever at Discovery Samal

Discovery Samal is bringing together romance, inspiration, and wedding expertise with the launch of its first-ever bridal fair, From First Kiss to Forever Bliss. The three-day event connects engaged couples with trusted wedding suppliers, fashion designers, and event professionals, while showcasing the resort as one of the country’s premier destination wedding venues.

Taking place from June 12 to 14, 2026, the event gives couples the chance to explore wedding possibilities in an island setting and meet some of the region’s sought-after wedding industry partners. More than a showcase, From First Kiss to Forever Bliss reflects Discovery Samal’s support for local creatives, entrepreneurs, and wedding professionals who help bring unforgettable celebrations to life.

The Reset You Deserve is Waiting on the Shores of Samal

Leave the hustle behind this Labor Day and find your breath where the sky meets the sea as Discovery Samal welcomes you to trade your endless to-do list for the gentle lull of the waves and the quiet luxury of the island. 

Picture your long weekend unfolding without a single rush by starting your morning with a peaceful stroll along the shore, spending sun-drenched afternoons lounging by the water, and gathering for sunset dinners where the food is as incredible as the company.

With curated island adventures and effortless beach days all in one place, Discovery Samal takes care of every detail so you can simply settle in and stay present. 

Feel the Beat at Discovery Samal This Summer at Love Samal 2026

Ignite your summer at Discovery Samal as the coast comes alive with the electrifying energy of Love Samal 2026. Centered on May 2, the resort brings together an elevated beachfront celebration designed for guests looking to experience a vibrant island escape in a single, high-energy evening.

Love Samal is Discovery Samal’s signature fusion event where live music meets curated dining and immersive experiences, all set against a stunning coastal backdrop. From sunset to late night, the celebration unfolds seamlessly, capturing the rhythm of the season through sound, flavor, and atmosphere.

Set just a short boat ride from Davao City, Love Samal offers a quick shift from the city’s pace into something more open and celebratory. Guests can arrive in time for dinner, settle into the evening’s entertainment, and stay through the night as the energy builds toward its after-party finale.

Discovery Samal Invites Travelers to Dive Into a Sun-Drenched Summer of Beachside Fun, Island Flavors, and Tropical Escape

Discovery Samal is making summer feel more irresistible than ever with a vibrant collection of dining and leisure experiences that capture the warmth, color, and carefree spirit of island living. Set against the stunning shores of Samal, the resort invites guests to step into a happy summer of tropical indulgence, where sun-filled days unfold into flavorful discoveries, sunset socials, and laid-back moments designed to linger. 

Guests can savor a lineup of refreshing treats, including Samal mango ice cream, Davao durian ice cream, ube ice cream, summer samalamig, and fresh fruit offerings, each adding a bright, flavorful layer to the Discovery Samal summer experience. 

GEMs for Tomorrow: Nurturing Young Minds with Discovery Samal

Discovery Samal has long recognized its people as “Samal GEMs,” a name drawn from the values of being genuine, enthusiastic, and memorable. These GEMs are known for shaping the guest experience, extending their role beyond the resort through community initiatives and engagement programs. With GEMs for Tomorrow, Discovery Samal brings that same spirit into a focused effort that supports young learners and strengthens ties with surrounding communities.

Discovery Samal launched its 2026 GEMs for Tomorrow program on February 28, 2026, through an outreach in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok District, where the team connected with local children by distributing school supplies, serving meals prepared by its chefs, and initiating a longer-term education-focused effort.

GEMs for Tomorrow forms part of Discovery Samal’s broader CSR direction, centered on building meaningful relationships within grassroots communities through education. The program focuses on underserved sectors, with children as primary beneficiaries, marking a more active step toward sustained engagement with the community.

A More Meaningful Holy Week Awaits at Discovery Samal

Holy Week offers a rare pause from the usual rhythm of daily life. It is a time for reflection, rest, and meaningful moments with loved ones. At Discovery Samal, the season unfolds by the sea, where calm surroundings and open spaces create a peaceful setting for both quiet retreat and Easter celebration. Tucked along Samal’s coastline, the resort becomes a natural place to slow down, whether through quiet mornings, restful stays, or shared experiences that bring families together over the long break.

Celebrate Araw ng Davao with an Island Retreat at Discovery Samal

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. 

From Sea to Table the Asian Way at Morning Catch

Morning Catch, Discovery Samal’s seafood destination, turns the island’s best catch into the kind of meal that’s worth the trip from Davao. Here, today’s locally sourced fish, prawns, crabs, and shellfish take the spotlight, cooked exactly how you like -  grilled, fried, or gently steamed - and finished with bright, familiar Asian flavors of ginger, soy, chili, citrus, and fragrant aromatics.

Come for the catch-of-the-day and stay for the seaside setting, an easy, sunlit lunch that stretches into the afternoon, or a shoreline dinner that feels like a mini escape. If you’re craving seafood that tastes like it just left the ocean, Morning Catch is your best reason to travel to Samal Island. 

Ring in the Year of the Fire Horse with Luck and Leisure by the Sea

Discovery Samal ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse with auspicious Chinese New Year celebrations by the sea, inviting guests to welcome the season with luck, prosperity, and togetherness in a relaxed island setting. Starting February 17, 2026, guests can enjoy lion dances, fortune telling, and Chinese New Year–inspired feasts ideal for families, groups, and holidaymakers seeking a refreshing alternative to the usual city festivities.

With the ocean breeze, tropical surroundings, and vibrant red accents throughout the resort, the celebration offers a rare mix of traditional Lunar energy and island calm, a meaningful way to start the year on a positive, hopeful note.

Moments Made for Love at Discovery Samal

This February, Discovery Samal invites couples to celebrate “Moments Made for Love”, a distinctly island-romantic escape featuring curated dining experiences, sunset cocktails, live music, and vibrant buffets set against Samal Island’s tropical beauty. Centered on shared moments under open skies and softly lit coastal views, the resort’s Valentine offerings are designed for effortless connection.

Romantic Dinners and Sunset Pairings

Discovery Samal’s Valentine celebrations begin on February 13 and 14 at Morning Catch and Haribar Lounge, where guests can enjoy dinner priced at Php 3,500 net per person from 6 pm to 9 pm. These evenings feature a generous spread of buffet selections complemented by live music, creating a dining experience shaped around flavor and atmosphere. 

A Long Weekend of Leisure Awaits at Discovery Samal

Discovery Samal welcomes guests to a signature long-weekend experience by the sea

Discovery Samal invites guests to celebrate the upcoming long weekend from December 6 to December 8 with an itinerary designed to refresh the spirit, energize the body, and immerse guests in the signature warmth and hospitality of Samal Island. Blending adventure, wellness, family experiences, and indulgent dining, the resort offers a long-weekend escape filled with memorable moments across its beach, pool, activity hubs, and expansive grounds.

Celebrate a Bright and Flavorful Christmas at Discovery Samal

Discovery Samal welcomes the most wonderful time of the year with Lumina: Glimmers of an Enchanted Christmas, a celebration that brings people together through festive flavors, heartfelt gatherings, and the joy of sharing meals with loved ones.

Flavors that Light Up Christmas

At Discovery Samal, the holidays are best spent around the table where families and friends gather to laugh, reminisce, and savor the season’s most comforting dishes. 

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

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.