Best of Cebu Food Part 2

Fine Dining Setting at Anzani

BEST MEDITERRANEAN in CEBU
Anzani

There is simply no competition.  A definite must try.  Enough said.

Anzani is in D'Address right beside Bellini at Nivel Hills, in Lahug Cebu.



FAVORITE BEEF IN CEBU
Olio

Somewhere at the Crossroads in Banilad is a less-popular (at least to tourists and short-term visitors to Cebu) fine dining place called Olio.  It is a 2-storey place just like many at Crossroads.

After frustrations from other Steakhouses in Cebu on the cut of their beef to their questionable definition of Rare and Medium Rare, Finally!  a steakhouse worth mentioning in Cebu.   We were obviously attracted to visit because of their Anniversary Buy-1-Take-1 Steak promo.   And we were just happy.

Major difference of the beef at Olio is that it is not masked.  No extra and  fake flavourings, you get the best beef plain and simple.

Olio is at the Crossroads in Banilad, Cebu City.   It is walking distance from the Cebu Golf Club and a few minutes away from BTC.


BEST PASTA in CEBU
Cafe Elysa

Hidden between the tourist spots in Parian and the barangay basketball courts is a gem of a restaurant in Cebu.   It is very difficult to find for a non-local, so finding it is a like a treasure.

Rather ironic that the Favorite Pasta in Cebu is not from an Italian Restaurant, but your opinion will change once you have tried the Pasta Bolognese with Basil and Grana Padano Cheese.  Consistent with all of the dishes at Cafe Elysa, the pasta is not greasy, seem simple, but exploding with lots of flavour.  And at less than 200Pesos a plate, this is a must try dish.

Another interesting pasta dish is the Bolognara Pasta at Cafe George.  The chef combined Bolognese and Carbonara sauce which conceptually could be trouble but actually blends really well.  For those who like their pasta sauces on the rich side, then this one is for you.  There is beef and tomato from Bolognese and Musrooms, Bacon and Cream from the Carbonara.  A pure delight.

Cafe Elysa is in Parian Cebu.  It is walking distance from the Cebu Heritage Park.
Cafe George is located in Banilad, right after Crossroads and before BTC.  You can also try Oh George, which is a restaurant-cafe on the Marina Exit side of Ayala.

Anzani in Cebu

A year living in Cebu, and I have not been back to Anzani Restaurant.  What usually happens is what happened.  Places that are close to where you live, you try to avoid.  You go very far to eat, drink coffee, or hang-out but seldom at the place near your house.

You see, Anzani is 2 minutes away from where I stay, as both are in the bottom part of the Busay Mountains.  Anzani is in D'Address together with Bellini and Belle Fleur.   Bellini is a fantastic bar, which I have visited maybe 20 times this year.  Belle Fleur is a fine coffee place, which I have been to also around 20 times.  But Anzani, the fine-dining Mediterranean place is often skipped.

Now that I am about to move to another place to stay, I suddenly realize I miss Anzani.   And I remember the one picture I have where I ordered some of the best-tasting Gnocchis I have ever had (outside Italy).

Definitely one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the island, and maybe the whole country.  Anzani is a must try.

Pink Treasure of Cebu - La Maison Rose

Along Gorordo Avenue is a pink gem.  Right beside the enormous Mormon Temple is an authentic French Restaurant called La Maison Rose, with the subtitle The Pinkhouse Restaurant.  It was our first time to be in a restaurant where the primary theme is a color.  So we were very excited.

The menu is in an iPad.   So really impressive, until we realized there were only 3 iPads available.  So ordering can mean waiting for the "menu" to be available.

Nevertheless, the menu is quite impressive.  I had to try a lot.  Knowing the chef is French, and the restaurant is beside Alliance Francaise I felt comforted that we will be savoring real French dishes (not just the names)

For starters, I was intrigued and ordered the Soup Trio.  And then the Foie Gras was beckoning so I ordered one as well.

This is the waiting area.  Obviously very pink.

Apart from Pink, the La Maison Rose also is Indochine inspired.  So the decors were Western European and Asian inspired.  Worked for me.

I was looking for the men's restroom and told it was outside the main hall of the restaurant.  I was uncomfortable to enter first, because well it was too daintily pink.  I had to ask again, if this was really the men's room.  Upon receiving confirmation went in and took pictures.

The door is very French and very pink =)

We were talking and talking about work, about the decors, and about recent comic events at the office for a good 10 minutes....then our orders arrived.

This is the soup trio.  The leftmost is a Spinach & Ham Soup.  I used the spoon at first, but decided to try sipping from the glass itself.  The yellow middle is a Scallop Bacon Soup, one of my favorite dishes of the night.  The Red soup at the right most is Gazpacho.  My least favorite, but the heck I finished them all.

The pictures of the Foie Gras were not visually delightful.  The taste was OK.  Not bad, but not very good either - would not rave over it.

Main dish is the Truffle Pasta.  First bite was overwhelming.  The earthly flavor explodes right away.  I didn't think I could eat half the serving but ended up finishing the whole plate.

A friend order the French Lechon.  It was served with Mashed Potatoes and Carrots on the side.  Very interesting dish.

After the main course, I had to order the cheese platter.  The cheeses were fantastic, but the grapes were overriped.  And I didn't mind the salad that went with the platter. 

For dessert, I ordered their special espresso.  Which later I found out to be quite expensive at 125 pesos.  Taste was just OK.

But the biggest delight of the night was the very rich Chocolat Coulant.  It was everything you wanted in a cake - very moist, chocolatey but not sweet.  

For 1Soup, 1 Starter, 1 Pasta Entree, 1 Cheese Platter, and 1 Dessert I paid 1,500.  A little pricey for Cebu but just about right for the quality of food (not to mention ambience).

La Maison Rose at Gorordo St. Lahug, Cebu CIty is highly-recommended.   Just a tip - reserve ahead.  Friday is packed so we had to simmer at the table outside for 15 minutes, before we were transferred inside.

Technology Waves in Cebu

The passion for Technology is the same as my passion in connecting to people.  So, the past few weeks had been very busy in sharing Technology to faculty, students and practitioners in Cebu.

I spoke about Technology Trends and what we need to do to prepare for it.  I told them that the Cloud Computing people had been waiting has actually been there for quite a while.  I touched on PaaS, SaaS, Mobility and Analytics and how technology has been helping taking the world around us take a different shape.  I also challenged their students to invest time to understand what's happening around them.  Lastly, of course I highlighted that there is career in Technology.

The Technology Wave is in Cebu!

Computer Science and IT students and Faculty of Cebu Institute of Technology -University doing the Technology Wave

Engineering students and Faculty of University of San Carlos doing the Technology Wave

and last July 23, 350+ students, faculty and IT practitioners of Cebu gather at the Waterfront Hotel to be part of  the Technology Wave

And there was press coverage for the final event.


Press coverage:
http://mytechisland.com/2012/07/accenture-marks-technology-month-in-july.html
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=832759&publicationSubCategoryId=108
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2012/07/23/software-can-solve-world-s-problems-233596

Waterfront Hotel Lahug Cebu City, Cebu

4 months ago, the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City underwent a massive renovation.  So it looked something like this...

A few months after, the promise of a Grander lobby has been realized.  

The Waterfront Hotel and Casinos in Cebu City is one of the most popular hotels in the whole island.  Location is fantastic, less than 10minutes away from Ayala, 15 minutes away from SM, less than 20 minutes away from Downtown, and a literal 1-street cross away from IT Park.

Now with a grander lobby, can the Waterfront Hotel at Lahug challenge the more affluent hotels in the city? Let's break it down.

Facade, Lobby, Interior:   In 2008, I referred to the Waterfront Hotel as the Disneyland of all hotels in Cebu.  At night, the green and purple lights outline the palatial architecture of the building - imagine the palace in the animated movie Aladdin.  With the 2012 renovation, the Waterfront Hotel can challenge the Shangri-la Mactan and Imperial palace in terms of "regalness" of their Lobby.  I love when a promise of grandness from a hotel is realized.  So kudos to Waterfront for this.

Things to do:  Lots! There is a duty free store here, a decent gym, a nice pool, Uno - the buffet restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, an Italian restaurant, and a nice bar.  Plus not to mention the biggest casino in the whole of Cebu.   And the location of the hotel provides easy access to the major tourist, shopping and dining places.  Of course the hotel is in the city, so do not expect a beach here.  But everything else is here.  And I also fancy the bands that play at nights at the lobby.  Incredible voices from "upstairs"

Service: Hotel Service in Cebu is "above average" on the average.  And Waterfront is no exception.  I lived at the hotel for 34 days straight back in September.   And I really liked how polite the concierge was in reminding me that my company has not paid for my room yet =).  They do this very discretely.  But avoid the check-in rush hour.  And in Waterfront this is not 2pm, this is more of 5-7pm.  I think because many businessmen and office people fly to Cebu in the morning, go to work first and check-in after office hours.  The check-in queue could be incredibly long.

Rooms:  Ugh!  The downfall of Waterfront.  All irony start and end here.  For the grandness of their lobby, the shabbiness of their rooms.  I particularly despise their room carpets.  It is the same as the Days Inn Hotel carpet in Tagaytay.  To put it mildly - gross!   I just hope they also have plans of renovating their rooms.   Next to the carpet, they can start with the beddings and the curtains.  They probably inspired the invention of different off-white colors like ecrue, mother-of-pearl...you know those that are supposed to be white but are not.  Next would be 100% renovation of their bathrooms.  This I can compare to airport restroom marble counters.  The money that they may have saved years ago will cost them a fortune to renovate.  Sorry, replace.  There is simply no hope to renovate the black and mildewed counters.

Price:  Very reasonable, probably the best 'value for money' hotel in the City of Cebu, especially with corporate rates.   They charge almost 50% less than Marriott and even Radisson.  So if you like spending more time outside your room, then definitely consider staying at Waterfront Hotel.

In Summary for Waterfront Hotel Lahug Cebu City:
Location:  9/10 stars
Things to do: 10/10 stars
Room: 2/10 stars
Service: 8/10 stars (I wish they had flat iron and ironing board in every room like Marriott)
Price: 9/10 stars

Cebu Boneless Lechon Belly

In the Philippines, each province and city claims they have the best lechon in the country.  Cebuanos and many non-Cebuanos alike are convinced that the best lechon is the Cebu Lechon.

At last night's episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, a new variety of the Cebu lechon has been focused on the limelight.  After the very famous CNT, Zubuchon, Ayer, and the Talisay lechon, here comes the Cebu Boneless Lechon Belly.

Right now, it is only available at the Parkmall in Mandaue, Cebu.  So we went last night fearing after the Jessica Soho feature, an avalanche of curious will add to the loyal lechon afficionados.  The line was long, but the regular Cebuanos simply stand in line for their turn.

The Cebu Boneless Lechon Belly was surprisingly not pricey.  It was sold at 115 pesos for 1/4 kilo for original, and 120 for the spicy variety.  Compared to Zubuchon or CNT which are priced at ~500/kilo, this is a really good deal.  They also have a budget meal with 100 grams of lechon belly for an affordable 60 pesos.

We ordered 1/4 of the original and 1/4 of the spicy. 

The Verdict:

Taste:  Definitely the best tasting lechon we have ever tried!   Very crispy skin but really tender meat.  Yes, to us, it is even better than Zubuchon or CNT.  Of course, it is 10x better than the regular lechon in Manila like Lydia'ss or Mila's.

The spicy variety had a good kick, but still preserved the lechon taste.  And actually helped reduce the "umay" (I've had enough) feeling.

Texture:  Too crispy maybe we then began to wonder if this was really roasted.  It felt that it was fried.

Price:  Jackpot! As this is almost 10% cheaper than the regular Cebu Lechons.  20% cheaper than the usual Manila lechon

Summary:  Exceptional taste.  Very good texture - crisp and tender combination that is really difficult to achieve in a lechon.  The only problem is that it is too greasy.  I wanted to eat more because the taste was simply fantastic.  But I cannot finish.  There was just oil all over.  So if you like your lechon sinfully delicious, then this definitely for you.  

Whether you are up for the grease or not, you still have to try this one of a kind lechon.   I have a feeling after all the hype and the features, prices will no longer be the same in a month's time.

Mantayupan Waterfalls in Barili, Cebu dries up

Pictures from the Mantayupan Falls not a full 2 months ago.  Interesting how Mother Nature can sometimes be a bitch. 

In one of the most devastating eco news this year, the once majestic Mantayupan Falls in Barili, Cebu has dried up.  A sinkhole has been found in Mantayupan last week.  A few days after, the Mantayupan Falls has completely dried up turning the once Tallest Waterfalls in Cebu as a sad-looking cliff.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/228773/sinkhole-drains-river-feeding-mantayupan-waterfalls

The Mantayupan Falls is a major source of livelihood in the whole community.  The water from the falls serve as irrigation to the predominantly farming community.  It also provides water to a good number of fish ponds around the area.

On July 16, the city government and the city has found a quick but temporary situation.  They diverted the water from another source to the falls.  So water now falls at Mantayupan.  For how long, that is the uncertain part.

The Mantayupan Falls aside from the source of livelihood is a popular tourist spot, mostly among the locals.  People swim on the body of water found at the foot of the falls.   Pictures of the falls used as backdrop is staple when one visits the area.

Movenpick Cebu will undergo Renovation

Movenpick Resorts and Hotel in Mactan is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Cebu.  The guests here are more international than say Shangri-la Mactan or Imperial Palace.  This is probably because of the Movenpick brand which is recognized in Europe.  So here you would see Koreans of course, and Japanese, Chinese but also Spanish, French and tourists from Mediterranean countries.

Formerly Hilton Hotel, Movenpick is shutting down its operations starting July 15 due to scheduled renovations.  It is scheduled to re-open in time for the Christmas season on December 15, 2012.

I have mixed feelings about Movenpick Hotel.  Hotel rooms are nice, but I feel that the lobby and the swimming area feels crowded.  I do not get a relaxing feeling whenever I am here.  Oddly, big as the area may be, one could get a feeling of too little personal space.  There are so many unnecessary decorations present and the layout did not seem to maximize the shape of the floor area.  You have a feeling of being cramped yet you see there is a vast space, I know it is ironic.  un-Zen.

There are so many things to be liked at Movenpick though.  This includes their eye-catching pink jeepneys, and their food.  So many will be quite happy about the renovations.

Good Luck Movenpick.

Best of Cebu Food

part 1

Cebu is synonymous to affordable and delicious food.  For where else can you get a 100 peso plate of Baked Scallops in an airconditioned restaurant in a Philippine City?

But Best as a term can be problematic as food and taste is highly subjective, so let's say these are our favorite places to eat in Cebu.

FAVORITE RIBS IN CEBU
Surfin Ribs

image from facebook/surfinribs

 Frustratingly, Casa Verde wavered and the quality of their ribs have started to decline.  We went to their branch at Ayala and at IT Park, and were consistently underwhelmed.  Suddenly, their ribs start to lack flavor and the cuts of the ribs seemed not correctly done.

At the same time, news came out of this new ribs place.  It costs 149 pesos for a full-slab, compared to 208 for Casa Verde.  We just had to try and was really pleased.  Their ribs is very tasty, and meaty.  So at less than 150 pesos, this has to be the most practical slab of ribs one could get.  Another thing we like is that they have the Spicy Ribs variety.  It is moderately spiced, so no need to worry if you want to try but are afraid of spicy.  Their claws, and buffalo wings are also good.

The 2 downsides are 1) the place is not airconditioned.  So going there lunch time would require you to bring a towel 2) not straight forward to go there.  It is along Escario's one-way street.  Very close to Parklane Hotel, but you would have to go around the block if you are bringing a car.  In the vicinity are several spas, and it is the place along Escario where cars are double or even triple parked.  One time, we waited 45 minutes just to get a table.  Go there early (6pm or even before for dinner)

BEST SCALLOPS in CEBU
Kuya J's

Chikaan's and Golden Cowrie's are good, but consider Kuya J's scallops the best.  It seems fresher, more succulent not to mention very generous with the butter.  And at 128 pesos a plate, it becomes the most affordable too.  Only Tsibooom's is cheaper, but this one is just a class above everyone else's.

Incidentally, Kuya J is along Orchid Street, in Capitol right across the very popular STK Ta Bai.  Enjoy STK's ambience but visit the Scallops at Kuya J's.

BEST SANDWICH in CEBU
Dolce

Getting a good sandwich could very tough in Cebu.  In Cebu just like in the whole Philippines, rice is a staple food.  So it will be easier to get an exotic dish (goat, snails, etc) than a good sandwich.  We like the simple sandwiches prepared while you wait at Kate's (Beside Rustans at the Basement of Ayala).  The Turkey Ham sandwich at the Metro Deli is nice, but you have to get it with the Mayo as the sandwiches are already prepared.  Having the mayo removed is an ordeal it seems.

Back in April, we tried this new restaurant at Nivel Hills.  Their specialty - sandwiches, burgers, and quiche. Dolce's Sandwiches allow you to mix and match with their available bread, cheese, and meat.  So you create your own sandwich.  Our favorite is Turkey Bacon with Gruyere cheese on Ciabatta.  Since the sandwich is grilled while you wait, the melting cheese compliments the meat and the bread really well.  Oh, and their condiments are served in a nice 3-d "W-shaped" container.  So you put your own relish, mustard, catsup or mayo.

And their sandwich is 150 pesos.  A little pricey, yes for a sandwich but the place's ambience is quite impressive.  Simple white decor amidst the Nivel Hills overseeing Busay makes dining a pleasant experience.

Dolce is in D'Address right beside Bellini at Nivel Hills, in Lahug Cebu.

Runner-up with be the semi-private restaurant at Dove street.  At 150 pesos, you get a salad, a sandwich and a dessert.  Food is good.  The only downside, quite difficult to find.  It is inside a subdivision, so you need a god map or googlemaps.

Commentary on Pedophilia

I heard about several cases of pedophilia in Cebu.  Of course, this is a taboo topic, something you don't discuss freely.  And I actually did not understand its magnitude.  Or how widely widespread it was...  until I saw it.

One time, my friend and I were swimming at one of the nicer resorts in Mactan.  We were in the secured beach area (that space in front of the resort that is cordoned off screaming exclusivity?).  Then from nowhere (maybe from a boat in the middle of the sea, or maybe a neighboring village) a young girl (maybe 13 or 14) approached a sunbathing male foreigner (maybe 50 or 55 years old).  From afar, I do not understand what they were talking about.  And it did not register what might be happening.

After a few minutes, I realized what might be happening.  So, I discreetly swam towards them.  I wanted to listen to what they were talking about. By this time, I was already very bothered.  I still cannot get a good understanding of what they are talking about, but I did hear the male foreigner said "my wife would not like that", and he was really making sure the girl knows that he is not interested.  So I swam away.

A few minutes later, the girl was still there and was continuing her one-sided conversation with the foreigner.  At this point I was terribly bothered.  So I called my friend and told her together we swim towards the foreigner with the intent of shooing the girl away.  And we did.  Not even 5 meters from her, she swam away.

By this time, I never really had a full understanding of the scene.  And I did not ask the foreigner if she knew who the girl was and what they were talking about.  But up to now I am still bothered.

A day after, we were having coffee at a popular coffee chain in Mandaue.  A male foreigner, probably 60 or 65 was alone having his coffee.  From nowhere, 2 teenage boys sneakly joined his table.  They were not doing anything, but it seems they were really trying to get the attention of the foreigner.  They stayed there for a good 5 minutes, attempting to get the man to notice them.  A few minutes later, they left leaving a piece of paper with what seems to be phone numbers on them.

Again, I could not verify for sure.  I did not know if these were really phone numbers, or addresses, or contact information. 

But I sure was severely bothered.  Could it be that children are offering themselves to foreigners?  I hope pedophilia stops in the Philippines especially in Cebu.  What can we do collectively to put a stop to this?

Whale Sharks at Oslob, Cebu

Last October 2011, the otherwise idyllic and sleepy town of Oslob, Cebu was visited by its biggest guests.  And it has changed the lifestyle of the city ever since.

Oslob, Cebu, 2 hours away from Cebu City is a 4th Class Municipality, with a population of just over 20,000.  These days, maybe they get 2 times more visitors than that every week!

According to the resort owners, around 12 Whale Sharks or Butandings have been seen in the Oslob waters.  So, all of a sudden, the city that people usually just pass by going to Sumilon (the Island you see in the picture below) or to the neighboring Negros Islands has been transformed to a major tourist destination.

When we went there last Saturday, there were more than 100 tourists in that one resort.  While there were guests from Cebu, others like us were from Manila.  There was a group of tourists from the US. 

It costs 300 pesos to see the whale sharks or Butandings.  You board a banca, together with 5 other people and then whale watch.  Now you realize that Oslob is a really nice location.  The island you see below is actually the Island of Siquijor.  On the right is the Glamping island resort, Sumilon.  Further east is the grand island of Negros.  Of course you notice all of this now.

This was a few minutes after noon. So tourists brave the high sun to get a closer look at the Gentle Giant.

Wow!  take a closer and the camera actually captured the fins of the butanding.  In Dongsol, Sorsogon you really have to go further away from the beach (or sa laot) to get a closer look at the whale sharks.  Not here in Oslob.  The Butandings swim about 200 meters away from the shore!  So those on the beach can actually see them

Here is another glimpse of the Whale Shark.  This is our lucky day. 

I am delighted to report that, no you cannot  touch the whale shark.  And you have to wear the life vest all the time.  According to the resort owner, the Philippine Coast Guard has issued a warning about stricter implementation of policies.  This was brought about by unruly behaviors of tourists right after the Butandings were discovered in October 2011.

Until when the Whale Sharks stay in Oslob, no one really knows.  But until the Gentle Giants guests are there, I hope the resort owners and the tourists continue to abide by the rules.  I hope tourists continue to come, and the Whale Sharks stay in Oslob, Cebu.

2nd Oldest Church - St Michael Archangel Argao, Cebu

The 2nd oldest church in Cebu is the St. Michael the Archangel Church in Argao, Cebu(May 17, 1734).  Mga 1.5 hours ito mula sa Cebu City.  Ang oldest church sa Pilipinas ay ang Sto. Nino Basilica sa Cebu City(April 28, 1565).  Obvious namang asa Cebu ang mga pinakamatandang simbahan sa Pilipinas, e di ba dito nga dinaos ang unang misa.  At andito nga ang unang krus. 

Eto ang Saint Michael the Archangel Church sa Cebu, isang Baroque-Rococo church.

Beaches in Cebu

Pag sinabing tourist spot na more fun in the Philippines, malamang beach yan.  At pag sinabing beach sa Pilipinas automatic na ang Boracay o kaya Palawan.  Pero bakit hindi subukan ang mga beaches ng Cebu.  Mas mura, at sobrang ganda rin.  May sarili pang attitude.

Pag punta ng Cebu, pinupuntahan ang Magellan's Cross, Lapu-Lapu Monument Santo Nino Basilica, at syempre ang tindahan ng lechon at mangga.  Subukang isama ang Cebu beaches sa itinerary, and be surprised.  Eto ginawa namin kanina.

Of course, sobrang ganda ng Shangri-la Mactan.  At sumisikat ang allegedly 7-Star Hotel na Imperial Palace.  If you have the money, you obviously should consider the two hotels.  Ang presyo kasi sa Shangri-la ay between 12,5000 hanggang 16,000 para sa isang gabi.  Sa Imperial Palace halos ganun din, kaso sobrang strikto sa Imperial Palace at meron akong hindi magandang feeling ng racism dun para sa mga Pilipino, which is really weird.  Shangri-la is Very OK if you have the money.  Imperial Palace, if you can take being treated like a second class citizen in your own country, and you have the money, puwede niyong i-consider.

Kung naghahanap ng hotels na magaganda at makakatipid, bakit hindi subukan


Crimson Resorts and Spa
Seascapes Resort Town, Mactan Island Cebu
De Luxe Room = P6,500

Panalo ang entrance ng small but terrible resort na ito

Resort-like feeling dito sa Crimson.  Not even half the size of Shang or Imperial.

be resorts

Punta Engano Road

Mactan Island Cebu

Standard Room (Be Cool) = 6,372 nett

 white, simple, but elegant view from the reception

Movenpick Hotel

Punta Engano Road

Mactan Island Cebu
De Luxe Room  = 9,000 (no available brochure, sinabi lang sa reception)

the man-made bridge to the harbor let's you see the tallest hotels in the isand

maski galit ang ulap at ang mga suot ng foreigner guests, payapa naman ang magandang view

Maribago Bluewater

Buyong Maribago Mactan Islang Cebu

Deluxe Room = 7.000 nett

very tranquil resort.  tahimik pero masaya.

beach within a beach

daming families dahil parang ang daming magagawa dito sa Maribago

During our whole afternoon Hotel Hopping this afternoon, we were able to visit 6 resort hotels, and here is our ranking of the Best Mactan Cebu Hotels (based on impression, price, service, ganda ng hotel).

1) Crimson

2) Maribago

3) Shangri-la

4) Be

5) Movenpick

6) Porto Fino 

Last - Imperial Palace.  If you are a non-Filipino, maybe you will enjoy.  If you are Filipino and can afford, then definitely Shangri-la.  Otherwise, try other resort hotels.