THE LIND HOTELS is expanding into Palawan with a 91-key resort in Coron scheduled to open in early 2027.

The Lind Coron will mark the company's entry into Palawan and will be built on the site of its first property acquisition, made more than a decade ago, before the opening of its flagship Boracay resort.

"We have always believed in pioneering rather than following. Coron offers a rare combination of natural beauty and untapped potential. Our goal is not only to be part of its growth, but to help shape its future by bringing a new standard of hospitality to the destination," The Lind Hotels Chief Operating Officer Pierre Henrichs said in a statement sent to BusinessWorld on Thursday last week.

The move reflects a broader trend of Philippine hoteliers and developers looking beyond the country's most established destinations such as Boracay and Cebu toward emerging island markets, where land costs are lower and visitor numbers have been growing. Coron, part of the Calamian island group in northern Palawan, has gained prominence among divers and international travelers in recent years, though its accommodation supply remains smaller than that of more mature resort hubs.

According to the company, development of the Palawan property had previously been deferred in favor of Boracay, which it considered a more established tourism market where it could build an operational base before pursuing its original expansion plan.

The low-density development will feature 91 accommodations comprising standard rooms and private villas. The villas will be equipped with individual dipping pools and dedicated villa hosts, the company said.

The resort will also feature food and beverage outlets in a main house beside an infinity pool. It will house The Spa Wellness Coron, marking the wellness brand's expansion into Palawan.

In addition, The Lind Coron will have an onsite dive center operated by an industry pioneer, taking advantage of its proximity to World War II shipwreck dive sites, the company said. Coron Bay is known for several Japanese wartime wrecks sunk in 1944, which have made it one of the Philippines' best-known wreck-diving areas.

For the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) market, the resort will offer multiple indoor and outdoor event venues. Its main indoor venue, The Gallery, will have a maximum capacity of 200 guests and feature sea views. Outdoor and elevated venues will include an event area called The Cove and a roof deck located at the property's highest point.

"We aim to create a resort that belongs in its setting rather than competes with it. We want guests to experience the beauty, authenticity and adventure of Coron while enjoying the hospitality and service they have come to associate with The Lind Hotels," Mr. Henrichs added.

Once completed, The Lind Coron will join The Lind Boracay in the company's hospitality portfolio. The Lind Boracay opened in 2015 along Station 1 in Boracay, Aklan, and currently has 118 rooms. — Juliana Chloe A. Gonzales