Why haven’t I heard of Samal Island before? It has all the superlatives one would want for a tropical getaway, such as “the largest resort city in the Philippines,” and one of the few spots in this archipelago that hardly encounter any typhoons, which makes it a perfect destination any time of the year.

Plus, Samal Island, just two kilometers in Davao del Norte from Davao City in Davao del Sur, is home to white, sandy beaches, the protected marine reserve called Vanishing Island at Sanipaan Marine Park that’s lush with mangroves, the Hagimit Falls, which is both charming and magnificent, still barely touched by modern commerce, and lots of options for the splekunker in need of an adrenaline fix, such as the caves of Balete and Mangongawong, as well as the underwater tunnel-like Baga Cave.

It was only lately, a few months after Discovery Samal opened, that I realized that Samal Island, other than a mere location for a premium resort, is a destination all its own, although, of course, unless we are in the mood for backpacking, a good hotel in paradise is a must.

Under the Discovery Hospitality Corporation, Discovery Samal is a new jewel on the crown that is Samal Island. Massive at six hectares, the luxury resort is built around the natural magnificence of the island, many of its parts a front-row view of the expanse and undulations of the DavaoGulf, where sea cows and whale sharks, along with at least 10 species of toothed whales and dolphins, including sperm whales, are seen quite often.

With the opening of Discovery Samal, the Discovery Group brings what has been known as “Service that’s All Heart,” a signature brand of hospitality and service with which Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan have made a mark for themselves, to Mindanao for the first time. 

The sprawling resort, nestled on a rolling terrain of luxuriant greenery, starting from the coast to the hills, is an enclave of 153 villas and suites, plus 10 detached villas with one, two, or three bedrooms each, and the Grand Signature Suite. Whether suite or villa, space is the ultimate luxury in every accommodation, filled only with the best of creature comforts, Wifi included, as well as either windows or balconies through which nature plays a part in the design, the lighting, and the space configuration. It’s a sprawling property, but there are golf carts 24/7 to bring guests where they please, although there are also foot paths that encourage a pleasant, invigorating walk.

Davao is seafood country. Because it is rich with natural resources, with 11 recognized ethnoliguistic groups, from the Lumads, such as the Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, and Matigsalug peoples, to the Moros, such as Maranao, Iranun, Tausug and the Maguindanaon, making the most of these resources with their own distinct culinary techniques and traditions, Dabaweño cuisine, beyond its iconic dishes, is rich and diverse. No wonder Discovery Samal also offers carefully curated dining experiences at its many restaurants, including the seafood specialty restaurant Morning Catch, the all-day dining outlet Shoreline that serves a wide range of cuisines, from local to international, as well as breakfast, the cocktail bar Haribar Lounge, the Garden City Café with a freshly brewed selection of local coffee and snacks on its menu, and the soon-to-open The Bistro that will specialize in steaks and grilled meats.

Even for the not-so-adventurous, Discovery Samal has so much to offer. There is enough to do at the resort, the best of which is nothing at all, but if that’s not enough, there is a huge game room with billiards and table tennis, as well as board games. There’s also a videoke room and the Sand Box, a play area for kids when they have had enough of sun, sea, and sand.

But out there, beyond the perimeters of the resort, on the gulf, and beyond, even grander experiences are just a hop away or a boat ride away on an island hopping tour. I’ve mentioned the Vanishing Island, the caves, the Hagimit Waterfalls, but there’s a lot more. CoralGardens on Talicud Island boasts of colorful marine life and astounding coral reef formations. Nearby is the Giant Clam Sanctuary, in which you may see clams the size of a small car. There’s also Sabang Cliff for the thrillseekers, from which, anywhere from four meters up to 12 meters, to dive into the water. And then there is the Monfort Bat Cave, which holds the Guinness World Record for housing throughout recorded history the largest colony of Rousette fruit bats, about 2.3 million of them, covering at any time about 75 percent of the ceilings and walls of the 75-meter-long cave on SamalIsland. It’s an awe-inspiring natural wonder of great ecological significance, helping scientists figure out better ways for wildlife conservation. 

I did many of those activities, some of which I did in no more than six hours on an island-hopping tour, but I could be happy just sitting on the sand with a whisky sour on hand and the sun on my face. I’m no fan of durian, the fruit most associated with Davao, but I am crazy over marang, which is also abundant there.

Oh and I think I sleep better in Samal.

www.davaosamal.com