Nestled on a pristine beachfront, Shangri-La Mactan is a tropical retreat devoted to caring for its island home. Guided by our Triple S framework—Stay, Savour and Shine—we blend sustainability, community support and family-friendly luxury through responsible, internationally certified operations.
To reduce our carbon footprint, the resort uses solar-lit pathways and a 235 m2 typhoon-proof rooftop solar array. It generates around 65 MWh of clean energy each year and avoids more than 46,000 kg CO₂e – roughly the amount over 2,000 mature trees absorb annually.
We have also eliminated single-use plastic water bottles with a pioneering in-house bottling plant that supplies filtered water across the property. In addition, recycled water irrigates our gardens. Together, these measures help ensure your seaside escape is defined not only by comfort but also by care for the natural environment.
Freshness begins in our on-site hydroponic farm, where we grow lettuce, arugula and bok choi as part of our Rooted in Nature initiative. Managed by dedicated colleagues, this soil-free system uses nutrient-rich water to bring the freshest flavours to your table. With more than 3,000 seeds planted and around 200 kg harvested each year, the produce goes straight to our restaurants. The garden also hosts educational tours that promote ecological awareness, strengthen community engagement and connect guests to the source of their food while supporting sustainable agriculture.
To share Asian heritage with the world and savour a memorable experience, we also promote dragon boating in partnership with the Philippines Accessible Disability Services (PADS) Dragon Boat Team, the country’s first cross-disability dragon boat team. In 2025, we hosted a Dragon Boat Regatta and paddling classes, inviting participants to experience the thrill of teamwork and this much-loved cultural tradition.
Just off our beach lies a six-hectare marine sanctuary home to more than 160 species of fish, clams and coral. The reef was designated a marine protected area in 2006, and in 2007 we launched our Sanctuary (Care for Nature) programme to help conserve this important habitat.
Working with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute and local partners, we conduct regular reef assessments, transplant corals, and install fish houses that create shelter and feeding grounds for a wide range of marine life.
To date, we’ve transplanted over 400 coral fragments and deployed 80 fish houses. We also offer guided snorkelling to raise guest awareness and support community clean-ups after major storms. In 2024, we co-hosted a two-day workshop to prepare for coral-spawning enhancement in Cebu, and recent surveys show a healthy level of fish biomass – an encouraging sign for the reef’s recovery.
This long-term programme reflects our commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable tourism in Mactan, so guests can continue to enjoy its underwater world for years to come.