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

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.

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. 

A Kadayawan Feast at The Bistro

From August 10 to 16, The Bistro presents its Kadayawan Special, a five-course set meal built around Davao's local ingredients and culinary heritage. The menu offers guests a quieter way to experience the festival through food — one that brings regional flavors to the table before, after, or in between the celebrations in the city.

Priced at Php 3,500 net per person, the Kadayawan Special is served from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm and includes round-trip boat transfers between the Davao Welcome Center and Discovery Samal. 

Flavors of Kadayawan at Morning Catch

On August 16, Morning Catch will host “Flavors of Kadayawan: A Feast of Davao’s Bounty”, a festival-themed lunch buffet celebrating the produce and flavors associated with the region’s abundant harvest.

The buffet runs from 11 am to 3 pm and is priced at Php 2,600 net per person, inclusive of round-trip boat transfers from the Davao Welcome Center to Discovery Samal. 

Beachfront Kadayawan Evenings at Haribar Lounge

Haribar Lounge puts the celebrated fruit in the spotlight with its Kadayawan Concoction, available throughout August in cocktail and alcohol-free versions. The Durian Breeze Cocktail, priced at Php 500 net per glass, offers a spirited take on the local favorite, while the Durian Paradise Mocktail is available at Php 300 net per glass. 

As a little extra for locals, Mindanao residents can enjoy the Glamping Buffet Dinner at Haribar Lounge for Php 2,700 net per person every Saturday in August. Locals can claim more savings upon presentation of a valid ID with a Mindanao address.

Make an Island Escape Part of the Celebration

Discovery Samal is extending the celebration across more of its dining venues with a 15% discount on à la carte food and beverage orders for Mindanao residents until August 31. The offer is available for dine-in orders at Morning Catch, Haribar Lounge, and The Bistro.

Reservations are recommended for the resort’s Kadayawan dining experiences, with booking or payment required for select offers. For reservations and further information, visit www.discoverysamal.com, email fb@discoverysamal.com, or call +63 84 308 2998.

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.

Designed for Meaningful Gatherings

Every celebration at Discovery Samal begins with a journey across the water. Guests arrive by catamaran before stepping into an island setting where the pace slows and every moment feels more intentional. The resort's collection of celebration spaces allows every occasion to take on its own character, from romantic chapel ceremonies and seaside receptions to sophisticated ballroom events, poolside festivities, and intimate private dining experiences.

The Celebrations Package brings together the essentials needed for a worry-free event, including round-trip catamaran transfers, exclusive venue use for five hours, a choice of Western, Asian, or Filipino buffet, one round of beverages, a standard sound system with microphone, and banquet essentials. Couples who envision a chapel ceremony or a seaside exchange of vows may enhance their celebration through dedicated ceremony venues, floral styling, and personalized event arrangements, allowing every occasion to reflect their own story.

Yet the celebration doesn't end when the program does. Guests can extend the experience by unwinding in Discovery Samal's well-appointed accommodations, indulging in spa and wellness treatments, enjoying the resort's signature dining experiences, exploring island activities, or simply gathering for quiet conversations as the sun sets over the water. It is these moments in between that often become the most cherished memories.

Personalized Celebrations by the Sea

No two celebrations are alike, and Discovery Samal embraces that philosophy through personalized event experiences shaped around every host's vision. From curated floral arrangements and specialty dining concepts to grazing tables, carving stations, dessert spreads, mobile bars, coffee stations, and photobooths, every detail can be tailored to create an atmosphere that feels uniquely personal.

For larger celebrations, the resort also accommodates elaborate productions with professional lighting and sound systems, LED walls, and other technical requirements, ensuring milestone occasions of every scale are executed with the same level of care and attention. Behind every event is Discovery Samal's banquet specialists, culinary team, and dedicated event professionals, whose thoughtful service transforms beautiful settings into meaningful celebrations. 

 

Milestones deserve a destination that makes every moment memorable. To learn more about Discovery Samal's Celebrations Package, visit www.discoverysamal.com, email reservations@discoverysamal.com, or call +63 84 308 2998. 

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.

Each stay includes daily breakfast for two at Morning Catch, where guests can begin their mornings with a leisurely meal overlooking the resort's scenic surroundings. The journey to the island is made seamless through round-trip land transfers from Davao International Airport to the Davao Welcome Center, paired with round-trip boat transfers to and from the resort.

The experience extends beyond the room. Guests can enjoy 10% savings at Discovery Samal's food and beverage outlets, indulge in rejuvenating treatments at Samal Escape Spa with 10% off, or add a sense of adventure to their stay through discounted watersports activities. Complimentary access to the swimming pool, beach facilities, and WiFi ensures every moment is spent enjoying the best of island living.

My Discovery Elite Members receive an exclusive additional Php 1,000 discount on top of the promotional room rates, with early access to the sale from June 4 to 17, 2026. The public booking period runs from June 11 to 17, 2026.

More Than a Holiday

Independence Day often inspires thoughts of national pride and shared history. It can also serve as a reminder to create space for meaningful experiences, whether that's spending time with loved ones, exploring new destinations, or simply taking a well-earned break.

At Discovery Samal, the celebration takes shape through moments both big and small, a sunrise over the water, an afternoon spent by the shore, a leisurely meal with family, or the quiet luxury of having nowhere else to be. Long after the holiday has passed, those are often the memories that remain.

For inquiries and reservations, visit www.discoverysamal.com, email reservations@discoverysamal.com, or call +63 84 308 2998.