Kathryn Bernardo recently opened a boutique hotel in El Nido alongside her business partners including fellow Kapamilya star Piolo Pascual.

In an interview with Star Magic Inside News, Kathryn shared that she has always been fond of El Nido.

“El Nido has always been special sa amin ng pamilya ko especially sa akin. The first time na nandito ako it was maybe five or ilang years ago and I fell in love with the place and eventually nung nakita ko ‘yung site ng El Nido na 'to, mas na-in love ako sa place. Kunwari may pupunta ako na friends dito sa Pilipinas, I would always recommend go to El Nido. You will have the best time. So parang home for me,” she said.

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Kathryn shared that she has always dreamed of building a boutique hotel.

“Every time they asked me sa interview, what do you want to do twenty or ten years from now, I would always say I want to have my own boutique hotel sa El Nido and then nangyari siya agad so nakaka-happy. Parati kasi meron sa aking, may happiness na nabibigay ‘pag related sa beach kasi it relaxes me, it recharges me as well, so di ko lang in-expect na ang bilis lahat ng nangyayari, nagugulat lang din ako actually,” she stated.

The actress also revealed why they named the boutique hotel Isla Amara.

“So may sinend sila na names, gusto namin Tagalog name and ‘yung tiningnan namin Amara, it means grace pala, and to love something, like that. Ganun ‘yung feel ng place full of grace, simple lang. It’s not too fancy and it is something na pwede mong puntahan, di ka masyadong mai-intimidate sa place, cozy with family and friends,” she stated.

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When asked what she wants the guests to take home with them after staying at Isla Amara, Kathryn replied, “Siguro kung gaano ko naging love ang El Nido, na every time na pupunta ako ng El Nido, may iba siyang vibe na naiiwan sa’yo, na mas ma-appreciate mo ‘yung environment na paano mo alagaan lahat and ‘yung pagiging simple siguro. Kaya ko gusto dito kasi parang sa probinsya ka kasi. Ako lumaki ako sa probinsya. Tapos lahat ng tao dito simple, hindi ka kailangan masyadong mag-ayos and then pantay-pantay kayo. So gusto ko ‘yung ganung vibe na one hour away from Manila pero iba na agad ‘yung feel mo.”

Kathryn relayed that they were able to purchase the property which they transformed into Isla Amara during the pandemic.

“So parang pandemic baby itong place and we just renovated it kasi nga two years na walang nakapunta sa lugar so sayang ang ganda ng location kaya tinake ko ‘yung opportunity to buy it,” she stated.

How supportive is her boyfriend Daniel Padilla with her business venture?

“Nung bago pa to i-renovate, he was with me actually nung vinisit namin ang place… I always ask for his opinions sabihin ko ano tingin mo mas okay ba dun ‘yung room, sa design and all? And sobrang supportive naman siya ever since and to make time for this event kahit may bagyo and alam kong busy lahat tapos binigyan niya ng isang araw, even my family and friends, it means a lot to me so ‘yun nakaka-happy na ‘pag mas lalong masaya ‘yung mga tao around you sa mga nangayayari sa’yo. I am just grateful to have them especially my mom,” Kathryn said.