My job as a travel writer brings me to destinations
where superlatives are sometimes just not enough. Among those is a recent work
trip to Cebu Island – specifically in Mactan and Cebu City – where I was schooled
on the luxury lifestyle: a life where a
single serving of sinigang costs P600,
a nightly stay can easily shave P100,000 off your wallet, and the casino is so
huge it feels like Disneyland.
where superlatives are sometimes just not enough. Among those is a recent work
trip to Cebu Island – specifically in Mactan and Cebu City – where I was schooled
on the luxury lifestyle: a life where a
single serving of sinigang costs P600,
a nightly stay can easily shave P100,000 off your wallet, and the casino is so
huge it feels like Disneyland.
These are hotels that are so darn lavish, my jaw
dropped and my heart stopped every single time we visited for photoshoots and
meetings. For five days.
dropped and my heart stopped every single time we visited for photoshoots and
meetings. For five days.
(And though the budgetarian in me shivered while reading their price lists, my brief fling with Cebu’s luxury outfits made me thrilled about the other side of the Queen City of the South, that I ended up surfing Traveloka for budget-friendly flights to Cebu. Because, you know, no hidden charges.)
Let me take you on an Epicurean journey to Cebu’s most
luxurious stays.
luxurious stays.
Movenpick Hotel Mactan
Island Cebu
Previously known as Cebu Hilton Hotel, Movenpick Hotel
Mactan Island Cebu is now among the most coveted resort destinations in Mactan
Island, thanks to some serious remodeling by top interior designers Manny Samson, Fred
and Butch Valdes, and Cynthia and Ivy Almario – the design duo behind other
grandiose hotels like Midas in Pasay.
Mactan Island Cebu is now among the most coveted resort destinations in Mactan
Island, thanks to some serious remodeling by top interior designers Manny Samson, Fred
and Butch Valdes, and Cynthia and Ivy Almario – the design duo behind other
grandiose hotels like Midas in Pasay.
Only 15 minutes from Mactan Airport, this 5-star
Mediterranean-themed luxury resort in Punta Engaño features 245 ultra-modern rooms and suites with
bathtubs, minibars, and private balconies or lanais fronting the beach or the
pool. Ranging from 33 square meters to a whopping 224 square meters, the rooms start
at P8,000 a night to as high as – wait for it – P110,000+ (Loft and
Presidential Suite).
Mediterranean-themed luxury resort in Punta Engaño features 245 ultra-modern rooms and suites with
bathtubs, minibars, and private balconies or lanais fronting the beach or the
pool. Ranging from 33 square meters to a whopping 224 square meters, the rooms start
at P8,000 a night to as high as – wait for it – P110,000+ (Loft and
Presidential Suite).
The reason for the hefty price tag? Aside from
impeccable service and the hotel’s prime beachfront location in Mactan, guests
are treated to a slew of unique amenities – from a luxury health club and spa
to a private marine sanctuary beside the famous Ibiza, one of four in-house
themed restaurants. A seaside loft for 8 to 10 – the Ibiza
Loft – can be rented overnight too.
impeccable service and the hotel’s prime beachfront location in Mactan, guests
are treated to a slew of unique amenities – from a luxury health club and spa
to a private marine sanctuary beside the famous Ibiza, one of four in-house
themed restaurants. A seaside loft for 8 to 10 – the Ibiza
Loft – can be rented overnight too.
Ibiza rests at the edge of Movenpick’s marina, evoking the
vibrant atmosphere of Spain’s party mecca. Bespoke cocktails are best enjoyed
here at sunset, while enjoying live entertainment or resident deejay picks. If
you want a quieter ambience, there’s Sails on the main building serving world
fare, buffet-style.
vibrant atmosphere of Spain’s party mecca. Bespoke cocktails are best enjoyed
here at sunset, while enjoying live entertainment or resident deejay picks. If
you want a quieter ambience, there’s Sails on the main building serving world
fare, buffet-style.
Be Resort Mactan
Be Resort may be the cheapest of Mactan hotels on this
list, but it certainly does not feel that way. Youthful, hip, and laidback,
this Mactan Island resort offers beachfront rooms that let guests Be what they want to be: Be Classy, Be
Cool, and Be Chic.
list, but it certainly does not feel that way. Youthful, hip, and laidback,
this Mactan Island resort offers beachfront rooms that let guests Be what they want to be: Be Classy, Be
Cool, and Be Chic.
Lined with fun splashes of pastels and contemporary
decors, all rooms are equipped with chiropractor-approved mattresses,
fridges, en suite bathrooms, cable TVs, and a spanking hot view of the sea.
decors, all rooms are equipped with chiropractor-approved mattresses,
fridges, en suite bathrooms, cable TVs, and a spanking hot view of the sea.
Be Resort is a hit among vacationing families and it’s
not hard to see why. The rooms (which start from P4,500+) offer sufficient
space for work and play. There’s a leisure room with a pool table and kids’
toys from the garden across the infinity pool. The beach is also among the
calmest and widest I’ve seen in Mactan, perfectly suitable for children. It’s
just a five-minute drive of family destinations like Mactan Shrine.
not hard to see why. The rooms (which start from P4,500+) offer sufficient
space for work and play. There’s a leisure room with a pool table and kids’
toys from the garden across the infinity pool. The beach is also among the
calmest and widest I’ve seen in Mactan, perfectly suitable for children. It’s
just a five-minute drive of family destinations like Mactan Shrine.
The most charming of the resort’s facilities for me
though, are their futuristic sunbeds, which afford one an unparalleled view of
the island without getting baked under the sun.
though, are their futuristic sunbeds, which afford one an unparalleled view of
the island without getting baked under the sun.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort
and Spa Cebu
Also straddling the coastal Punta Engaño road, Shangri-La’s
Mactan Resort & Spa Cebu is a 5-star holiday resort with a lush tropical
vibe. The whole resort encompasses 13 hectares of land and over 500 rooms,
making it one of Cebu’s largest resorts.
Mactan Resort & Spa Cebu is a 5-star holiday resort with a lush tropical
vibe. The whole resort encompasses 13 hectares of land and over 500 rooms,
making it one of Cebu’s largest resorts.
Shangri-La hosts two wings: the Main Wing, which
features tasteful, native-themed rooms; and the Ocean Wing, home to elegant
beach-themed rooms with private sea-fronting balconies. Set in masterfully
landscaped gardens, this wing offers guests enhanced privacy and close access
to the beach. Guests occupying Ocean Wing rooms enjoy exclusive privileges,
including a private pool and access to the Ocean Club Lounge, where a personal
club concierge and Guest Relations Officer are at their disposal. In both
wings, accommodations average at P15,000.
features tasteful, native-themed rooms; and the Ocean Wing, home to elegant
beach-themed rooms with private sea-fronting balconies. Set in masterfully
landscaped gardens, this wing offers guests enhanced privacy and close access
to the beach. Guests occupying Ocean Wing rooms enjoy exclusive privileges,
including a private pool and access to the Ocean Club Lounge, where a personal
club concierge and Guest Relations Officer are at their disposal. In both
wings, accommodations average at P15,000.
As a full-service resort, Shangri La’s Mactan is fully
equipped with a health club, a 6-hole golf course, two
outdoor pools, and a man-made beach cove. For children, there are three
kid-dedicated zones including one for toddler play, an adventure zone with a multi-level
indoor playground, and the E-Zone entertainment center, where they can grab a
bite and play video arcades and soccer.
equipped with a health club, a 6-hole golf course, two
outdoor pools, and a man-made beach cove. For children, there are three
kid-dedicated zones including one for toddler play, an adventure zone with a multi-level
indoor playground, and the E-Zone entertainment center, where they can grab a
bite and play video arcades and soccer.
For foodies though,the main highlight of a Shangri-La
Mactan stay are the mind-boggling options for indulgent fare in its seven restaurants,
each with its own specialty. Cowrie Cove serves family cuisine. Acqua is for
Italian dishes, while Tea of Spring whips up Oriental favorites. Tides offers
al-fresco dining, though the menu is a bit limited during the afternoon. Light
snacks and cocktails can be enjoyed at Buko Bar and the Lobby Lounge.
Mactan stay are the mind-boggling options for indulgent fare in its seven restaurants,
each with its own specialty. Cowrie Cove serves family cuisine. Acqua is for
Italian dishes, while Tea of Spring whips up Oriental favorites. Tides offers
al-fresco dining, though the menu is a bit limited during the afternoon. Light
snacks and cocktails can be enjoyed at Buko Bar and the Lobby Lounge.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
If you’re looking for a lavish but
affordable stay that’s near Cebu City’s industrial and commercial centers, Waterfront
Cebu City Hotel and Casino is an excellent option. This multi-awarded 4-star installment
lies just a few minutes away from Ayala Center, SM Cebu, and Cebu IT Park (free
shuttle service is available to these places), making it a good base for
business travelers. Housing a duty-free shop, boutiques, and one of the biggest
casinos and convention halls in the country, it seamlessly combines business
and leisure.
affordable stay that’s near Cebu City’s industrial and commercial centers, Waterfront
Cebu City Hotel and Casino is an excellent option. This multi-awarded 4-star installment
lies just a few minutes away from Ayala Center, SM Cebu, and Cebu IT Park (free
shuttle service is available to these places), making it a good base for
business travelers. Housing a duty-free shop, boutiques, and one of the biggest
casinos and convention halls in the country, it seamlessly combines business
and leisure.
Rooms are priced at P4,000 and up, all
fitted with minibars, cable TVs, and free WiFi. Apart from an outdoor pool, a
fitness center, a FOREX center, a salon, and 11 dining facilities (Yes, you
read that right. 11.), guests can also indulge in 24-hour room service and
in-room massages.
fitted with minibars, cable TVs, and free WiFi. Apart from an outdoor pool, a
fitness center, a FOREX center, a salon, and 11 dining facilities (Yes, you
read that right. 11.), guests can also indulge in 24-hour room service and
in-room massages.
If you have the budget for it, book a
room at the Ambassador Floor and be spoiled with complimentary privileges such
as butler service, suit pressing, shoe shine services, buffet
breakfast, and all-day beverages, plus express check-in and check-out.
room at the Ambassador Floor and be spoiled with complimentary privileges such
as butler service, suit pressing, shoe shine services, buffet
breakfast, and all-day beverages, plus express check-in and check-out.
Have you stayed in these luxury resorts? How was your experience?
