Over the years, it has become obvious to us that a lot of people still struggle when it comes to choosing the right location for their project. They spend months looking for properties and never land on one that feels just right. Choosing a place to buy or build a property can be the most important decision so it’s very important you make sure you choose it correctly. At Howmuch does it cost to build a resort in philippines we guarantee our customers that they’ll find what they’re looking for. Our team is committed to providing absolutely reliable advice, helping you make all the right decisions along the way and doing everything we can so you get the results you want.
If you have time, then read all the way down � I�ll , how much does building a resort cost, how much will it cost to build a resort, outline a detailed resort building and protection plan. There are four phases to building a great resort and protecting your investment.
📝 Cost Factors of building a resort in philippines
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Size |
|
| Budget |
|
| Facilities |
|
| Existing Structures |
|
- Location: Beachfront (Boracay/Palawan) more expensive than inland (Cebu/Bohol).
- Size & amenities: Pools, restaurants, infrastructure add significant costs.
- Permits & land: Land acquisition, licensing, environmental clearances matter.
- Build quality: Design, finishes, mechanical systems drive final cost.
Cost per Room Estimates
The cost to build a resort depends on a lot of factors, including the location of your property, size and amenities you want. The average price of building a resort ranges from $25 million to $300 million, but if you want something more extravagant, that price can go up significantly.
For example, the world’s most expensive resorts are located in Dubai and they cost around $1 billion each. If you want to build a luxury resort that costs less than $50 million, there are plenty of options available in popular areas such as Panglao Island in Bohol or Boracay Island in Aklan.
The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to build your dream resort. The best places for building resorts are Boracay Island (Aklan), Panglao Island (Bohol), Bantayan Island (Cebu) and Siargao Island (Surigao del Norte). Each island has its own advantages and disadvantages so make sure that you do your research before making any decisions.
- A small villa-type resort typically costs around ₱180K (~USD 3.3K) per room so far in ongoing builds.
- Typical budgets:
- ₱20M–₱100M ($360K–$1.8M) for basic 20-room hotels
- ₱200M+ ($3.6M+) for full-featured resorts with restaurants and activities .
📏 2. Cost Per Square Meter
- Mid-range hotel construction: about ₱25,000/m² (~USD 460/m²)
- E.g., a 210 m² guesthouse costs ~₱5.25M (~USD 95K)
🏨 3. Comparison to Hotel/Resort Benchmarks
- Global data shows resorts cost $300–550/ft² (~USD 3,230–5,900/m²) .
- That translates to approx ₱160,000–₱300,000/m², aligning with local mid-range builds when converted.
💡 If you have a specific project in mind:
Tell me about:
- Target room count & average room size
- Location (beachfront, city, rural)
- Desired amenities (pool, F&B, spa, etc.)
I can refine your estimate with local benchmarks!
🧮Summary Table
| Resort Type | Approx. Cost per Room | Cost per m² | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small villa-style | ₱180K / ~$3.3K | ~₱25,000/m² | ₱7.5M (~$135K) for ~5 rooms |
| Basic 20-room resort | ₱1M–₱5M / $18K–$90K | — | ₱20M–₱100M ($360K–$1.8M) |
| Full-featured resort | ₱10M+ per room? | ₱160K–₱300K/m² | ₱200M+ ($3.6M+) |
| Integrated mega resort | — | — | $1–2B+ per 800–1,000 rooms |
How much does building a resort cost?
The cost of building a resort depends on the location and size. One of the most important factors is whether you are building an all-inclusive or a timeshare resort.
All-inclusive resorts are more expensive than timeshares because they have more amenities and services that can be charged to guests. However, if you are building a timeshare resort, there are other costs that need to be taken into account.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort, expect to spend at least $100 million for the land alone. You will also need to pay for construction materials and labor, plus miscellaneous costs such as landscaping and other amenities. The total cost of building an all-inclusive resort will be between $300 million and $400 million.
Building a timeshare resort is significantly cheaper than building an all-inclusive resort because it doesn’t require as many amenities or services such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that can be charged to guests. Timeshares tend to focus on providing accommodation only so when you buy into one you will own part of the land and share facilities like pools with other owners
The answer to this question is highly dependent on the size and location of your resort. If you want to build a small, low-cost resort, it could be as low as $100,000. On the other hand, if you want to build a 5 star resort with hundreds of rooms and amenities, it could be closer to $1 billion.
Building costs vary by region as well. In some countries in Asia where labor costs are lower, it may cost less than $100,000 to build a small resort. In other parts of Asia where labor costs are higher (such as Japan), it might cost more like $500,000 or more.
If you’re looking for an investment property in Asia that can earn passive income for you while providing guests with great vacation experiences at an affordable price point (i.e., not $1 billion), then we would recommend Thailand or Vietnam as good options for starting out with your business venture.
🏗️ High-End Integrated Resorts
- Mega resorts like Solaire built in Manila cost $1.2 billion for 800+ rooms
- Okada Manila cost around ¥250 billion (~USD 2.3B) for 993 rooms .
If you are considering building a resort, it is important to understand the cost of construction. The initial costs of building a resort are high, but they can be recouped in short order if you have a good plan and the right resources.
Building a resort takes a lot of time and money, so it is important to have a solid business plan before starting any construction. It is also important to hire professionals who have experience in this area of work.
The cost of building a resort depends on many factors, including location, size, materials used and design elements. A quick internet search will reveal plenty of examples for you to peruse at your leisure.
The most important thing is that you hire professionals who know what they are doing when it comes to building resorts. This way you can make sure that everything is done properly and safely, which is essential when dealing with people’s lives and safety.
The cost of building a resort can vary widely, depending on the size of your project and what amenities you want to include. Here’s an overview of what it may cost to build a small-scale resort.
Costs to Build a Resort
The cost of building a resort varies depending on the size of your project and what amenities you want to include. Here’s an overview of what it may cost to build a small-scale resort:
Resort Size: A small-scale resort can consist of anywhere from six units to as many as fifty units, but most average around 20 cabins or rooms.
Resort Amenities: A small-scale resort may offer basic facilities like restrooms, laundry facilities and swimming pools — but more luxurious amenities like conference rooms, fitness centers and restaurants will increase costs significantly.
The cost to build a resort depends on several factors, including the size of the property, what amenities you want and where you want it built.
The average cost to build a small resort is $5 million to $40 million. If you want to build something bigger, you can expect to pay more than $40 million.
The average cost per room ranges from $120,000 to $400,000. This number reflects the cost of building the interior of each room and its amenities such as lighting, furniture and plumbing fixtures but not landscaping or building exteriors (i.e., no balconies or porches).
It’s important to know exactly what you want when designing your own resort because this will help determine how much it will cost you in terms of materials and labor. You’ll also want to consider any special features or upgrades that could increase the final price tag — like adding restaurants or spas — as well as any special requirements for zoning approvals or permits from local government agencies such as fire departments or building departments
✅ Final Takeaway
- Budget stays (~₱5–20M): small villas or 5–20 room guesthouses.
- Mid-range resorts (~₱100–200M): 20–50 rooms with basic amenities.
- Luxury resorts (₱200M+): upscale design, multiple facilities.
- Integrated mega-resorts (₱50B+): multi-billion peso projects.