PICO de Loro Country Club swimming pool. EDGE LAT

Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas, enchants visitors with its natural beauty tucked under dense foliage.

Developer Costa del Hamilo Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, has envisioned it as a select leisure destination and coastal residence.

At Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, the first development of the 13 coves of Hamilo Coast, the security won’t let you in unless you a have a reservation at the hotel or own a condo unit in its community. As in any exclusive club, visitors must be endorsed by members.

Still, Pico de Loro is always crowded on weekends.

It consists of condominiums and club facilities that are managed by Costa del Hamilo, while the hotel, Pico Sands, is run by SM Hotels and Conventions Inc.

“These two entities require different profit and loss financial statements. Majority of the shares belong to Costa del Hamilo, the owners of the land and the estate management company,” says August Samala, general manager for the beach and country club and the residences.

“The hotel is a locator in Pico de Loro. We have to coexist with the country club so guests can enjoy the facilities. Otherwise, Pico Sands will be just a regular hotel,” adds Magdalena Garcia, general manager of Pico Sands Hotel.

Both Samala and Garcia used to work for another luxury hotel brand.

“We both were exposed to a certain level of training and know the guest expectations. The standards are in our system. They can’t be shaken off,” says Garcia.

Samala and Garcia have worked their way up the ranks, accumulating a lot of experience that they can share with SM Group as it forays into tourism and hospitality.

PICO de Loro Country Club. EDGE LAT