A couple of weeks ago I received a text from my friend who was on vacation, “Want to come to Cebu?” Within in a few hours of her text I booked my flight and flew off the next day. If that wasn’t impulsive I don’t know what is.
Cebu City is only 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Manila by plane. Such a short trip I should really go to there more often. I was lucky to be billeted at Shangri-La Mactan. The last time I stayed there was more than a decade ago for a business convention.
This was the smile that greeted me when I entered the hotel. It was such a treat for me that I can only imagine the reaction of all the foreign tourists.
Everywhere I go around the hotel I was greeted with sincere smiles and greetings from the hotel staff. From these helpful ladies in blue at the lobby to the housekeeping staff and even the maintenance people, I was bombarded with smiles.
The hotel hasn’t changed much but I was happy that it was well maintained and didn’t look dated. My room was smaller than one at Shangri-La Boracay. The bed and pillows were really comfortable. The room air-con was really cold which I loved.
I heard that if you stay at the Ocean Wing the toiletries were L’ Occitane instead of the house brand shown here.
They had a really big and nice pool which was perfect for all ages.
After leaving my bags in the room I headed for the beach for my late lunch.
iced coffee P185
The chicken shawarma was surprisingly good as were the crisp fries.
Breeze chicken shawarma P475
This was my view while eating.
We spent most of our time at the observation deck.
I loved just chilling at the small hut. I get the view, sounds of the water and breezy wind without getting dark from the sun. Unbelievable but I got strong wifi signal all the way there.
Kids of all ages will never get bored here. I wasn’t surprised to see some kids who’d rather sit in front of a pc than go swimming.
I visited the Ocean Club lounge at the top level of the Ocean Wing hotel.
From the lounge you can see the Mövenpick Hotel.
That’s Mövenpick Hotel’s Ibiza Beach Club which I will feature soon.
From the top of the Ocean Wing I got this great picture of the resort.
Thank you Shangri-La for planting so many, many, many trees. As usual Shangri-La didn’t disappoint. As beautiful as the property was, it was their very well trained friendly staff that made my short stay very enjoyable.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa
Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, 6015, Philippines
telephone: (63 32) 231 0288
website
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Still my favorite in Mactan. Everything you said was true. The “Shangri-la” experience is always better.
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You left out mention of the buffet, which has possibly the best omelette I’ve ever had in my life! Worth noting if you stay in the ocean wing you have you own smaller buffet breakfast in the Italian restaurant downstairs which I preferred.I found my room in the ocean wing did look a bit dated, but the service is amazing, food is magic, and the snorkeling on the beach is some of the best I’ve done.
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Hi Paul, the breakfast buffet is for another post I clung Aqua. ;P
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If you want to swim you would be disappointed in Cebu’s beaches because they are naturally stony and with no fine and white sands. Shangrila and Plantation Bay are great places to stay, you can still get your sun and tan through its pools and the services are great, not one can beat them. Seafood is tops there and the chefs are just as professional and marvelous innovators. If you are on a honeymoon go to El Nido in Palawan or Daan Bantayan. You will surely enjoy your privacy in tropical beach settings far from the crowds. If you dive, Moalboal and Argao are good spots, they are Asia’s diving secrets. Cheers. Samsung galaxy note philippines is a amazing phone it is too fast and it plays hd videos so better and hd games it also support its battery backup is so good please u also buy this phone it is so good than htc or nokia.
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Seeing your photos makes me want to go back there 🙂 brings back good memories.
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Such a gigantic pool! I am hoping to visit there.http://www.swimnj.com
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