Insider Spotlight
South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao–MGallery Collection has unveiled Lola’s Sanctuary, marking the opening of Bohol’s first international luxury resort spa.
The sanctuary draws deeply from Filipino ancestral wellness practices, blending them with contemporary design and mindful hospitality to create an experience rooted in place and cultural memory.
Why it matters
As wellness tourism continues to grow, travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that feel authentic rather than generic.
Lola’s Sanctuary reflects a broader shift among high-end resorts toward cultural immersion, where local knowledge, ingredients, and rituals shape the guest experience rather than imported spa concepts.
At Lola’s Sanctuary, wellness is framed as a connection to land, community, and nature. Treatments incorporate botanicals cultivated at South Farm, located one kilometer from the resort, and techniques inspired by generations of Filipino healers.
The spa’s philosophy emphasizes balance, simplicity, and respect for the rhythms of island life.
“With Lola’s Sanctuary, we wanted to preserve Bohol’s ancestral healing traditions while presenting them through a refined, contemporary lens. From the use of Asin Tibuok to our farm-sourced botanicals, every detail reflects a genuine connection to the island’s enduring wisdom,” Danish Khan, general manager of South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao–MGallery Collection, said in a press release on Dec. 12, 2025.
At the heart of the experienceCentral to the spa’s offering is Hilod Dalisay, a body-purifying ritual inspired by ancient Filipino cleansing practices.
The signature treatment features Asin Tibuok, a rare, handcrafted salt produced in Bohol using a tradition passed down for more than four centuries. Combined with lemongrass and virgin coconut oil, the ritual is designed to restore clarity and calm through slow, deliberate movements.
Guests can also engage with the cultural story behind the salt through the resort’s MGallery “M Moment,” where visitors observe the traditional salt-making process alongside local artisans, reinforcing the link between wellness and heritage.
Designed as a sanctuary
Arrival begins at Lola’s Kitchen, an open-air reception surrounded by pandan, fruit trees, and medicinal plants.
Beyond the treatment rooms, the spa experience extends to beach yoga, mindfulness walks, and personalized fitness sessions, echoing Bohol’s unhurried pace and respect for nature.
The opening of Lola’s Sanctuary completes South Palms Panglao’s debut as the island’s first international resort, positioning wellness, culture, and design as inseparable elements of the destination. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
