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

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.

NAIA Terminal 1 - Worst Airport in the World?

When the website www.sleepinginairports.net and Frommers called NAIA Terminal 1 as the 2nd World's Worst Airport, it seems only government officials are complaining.  Pinoys usually do not publicly say something bad about their country nor its countrymen.  But they know.  They know that NAIA Terminal 1 is really really bad, what they are not sure is if it is one of the world's worst.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/01/19/frommers-10-worst-airport-terminals-in-world/

I had been at Terminal 1 twice in 2011 and twice more this year.  The sad part, it is not getting any better.  Arrivals are huge burdens, but departure is a nightmare.  I hope they do something about this, because Terminal 1 might just become #1 next year, since they are not doing anything about it.

What can be done to improve the Terminal 1 experience?

1)  The NAIA Terminal 1 is too small.  It can no longer accommodate the volume of people traffic, especially in the early mornings when there are 2 flights to the US, 4 flights to Asia and 3 flights to the middle east.  So the queue is just unbelievably long.  Can't we use Terminal 3 for some of the Regional flights to lessen volume?

2) Too many questions at the check-in counter.  What they had been asking since 1990, they are still doing up to now.  Who packed your bags? Did you receive gifts from unknown persons?  Where were these bags since you packed them last night?  Come on!  If these are FAA required then why are these questions not asked at check-in counters in the US or in Singapore or even in Malaysia?

3) The restrooms need serious overhaul.  They are old, dirty and not functioning.  As the terminal is more than 25 years old, the comfort rooms are becoming similar to restrooms in bus terminals.  Actually, even the restrooms at Terminal 2 are slowly becoming like Terminal's 1.  I don't think we invested in high-quality products that can withstand the times.  The counters are getting blacker and blacker and are starting to fall-off.

4) My nephew narrated their family's ordeal when they went home to the Philippines last Christmas.  He was with his wife and then 1-year old kid.  Terminal 1 is a nightmare for single travelers, I could only imagine how uncomfortable it is for families with small children, with more bags and not to mention the stroller.

5) Upon arrival, the Immigration Lines are unbelievably long.  After a 24-hour flight from the US, the last thing you want to do is to stand in line for 20-30 minutes.  They know the schedule of the flights.  For one, I know that there are 2 flights from the US arriving every night, together with 3-4 Asian flights and a couple from the Middle East.  Can they double or triple the number of Immigration officers at night?

The slogan it's more fun in the Philippines is getting traction worldwide.  Over the weekend, Luzon and Cebu were listed in the Top 10 of the World's Best Islands in the highly-prestigious Conde Naste Travel Survey.  But the first and last impressions on a country is formed at the airport terminals. Let us please do something about this.

(One of the) World's Best Airlines

Alaska Airlines is a great airline.  Maybe one of the best in the world, and definitely the best US-based airline.  Over 20+ years of travels and have fortunately been to more than 50 airlines.  My regret, why didn't I consider Alaska Airlines before.

This June, I flew from San Francisco to Anchorage, Alaska.  Delta does not have a flight that will allow me to get to my connecting flight, so they tapped their partner airline.


The ground staff of Alaska Airlines at the San Francisco Airport are the nicest people I have ever met.  Very willing to accommodate me and my 3 oversized-luggages.  Highly-efficient, highly-trained and true professionals.  I admire people whose love for their work show on how they deal with customers.

They serve Starbucks coffee even at the economy class section.

I have flown with Delta/Northwest for more than a decade and they always give me the crappiest seat.  First time to fly at Alaska and I am at Seat 6a!  According to experts, this is the best seat on the plane.

I usually get the aisle seat, unless the window seat is 6a.  I was treated to a nice view en route from SanFo to Anchorage, Alaska.

Thank you Alaska Airlines and I promise to be a customer again when I get back to the US.

Best Seat in the Plane

I ride the plane around 50 times a year.  This year being in Cebu, I had taken almost 200 flights from October 2011-June 2012.  Sheer math, and I had spend more than 2 months in the airport and on the plane in the past 8 months.

Seats are not that important for me.  As long as I give me an aisle seat, I am usually fine.  The worst seat was 32B in a Manila-Cebu flight courtesy of Cebu Pacific.  This was during the PAL strike, so not only did I pay 7,000 for the round-trip but got the worst possible seat - last row middle seat, behind the comfort rooms.

The best seats in the plane are of course the First Class or Business Class seats.  In my opinion, any First Class seat beat the best economy seat.  So no debate there.  But the question is,  what is the best economy seat in the plane?

Skyscanner.com survey 1,000 people and confirmed that a "best seat" exists.  And it is 6a!  Of course aircrafts vary and so does seat configuration.  But on a standard aircraft, an astounding 46% of passengers selected 6a as their favorite "perfect" seat.

Confirmation from skycanner.com's survey

If you want to see the best seat depends on airline configuration, you can visit seat.expert.com
www.seatexpert.com


Related articles about the best seat in the plane are here:
http://www.skyscanner.net/news/articles/2012/04/012444-skyscanner-reveals-the-perfect-seat.html

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/04/27/best-seat-on-plane-is-row-is-6a/

Mixed Emotions about Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu

I purchased a voucher last October 2011 for a 50% discount at an overnight stay at Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu.  I called their reservations last week to book a room over the weekend.

Spoke to a lady who said there was no available room for the price I paid for, if I wanted the give me an Executive room where I need to add 2,500 pesos.  Tempting, but I said I will have to think about it.  I did not want to pay extra because I felt it would defeat the purpose of the discounted voucher.

Not an hour after, I called reservations again.  Lo and behold, they now have available rooms.  According to the new lady I am talking to, there are several available rooms.  I made sure I booked a room first (Father's Day so could be hectic), then lodged my complaint.  Left my mobile number with them and said I will wait for an explanation.  I have not received a call from Shangri-la.  Maybe, miraculously rooms suddenly became available within 40 minutes.

But will be objective in reviewing the overnight experience.

Cleanliness and attention to detail, Shangri-la has consistently mastered.  Even their ash trays are classy.

Their lobby decor for June is elegantly simple.

The Seaview rooms are very simple.  And remember to close the veranda door, I mean really really close it.  Otherwise, the aircon will not work.  Part of their sustainability program.

The simplicity of the rooms are contrasted by the majesty of the CHI spa.  Simply, one of the most luxurious spas in the Philippines.  Balinese-inspired, there is certain feeling of serenity and of course   class.

Main entrance of CHI spa.  Really luxurious.

I learned that Shang-Mactan has a promo for BPO companies for the month of June.  Garden view rooms are available at 6,000 a night, compared to the usual 9,000.  Probably explains why there is unusually many Pinoys at the place.  Hey, Pinoys are practical.  

Surprised to see more than 30% of breakfast goers at Tides are Pinoys.  Usually it is just us, or maybe just ourselves and another table.

The verdict?

RESERVATIONS:  Very bad.  See post above.  If you pay around 15,000pesos for a room, you also expect that pre-arrival services are at least consistent.  I hate the feeling that I am being cheated because I am using a voucher

HOTEL SERVICE:  On the contrary, once you get to the hotel, the service is exceptional.  Hotel staff are polite but friendly.  The complimentary mango juice is a quite tasty for a welcome drink.

Unlike in Imperial Hotel, where I feel everyone is suspecting whether I am a checked-in guest or not, Shangri-la manages to implement this with respect to the guest.  And we appreciated this.

ROOM:  Just OK.  I was really expecting to see something more fancy especially with the price.  But it is OK.  Room is clean, albeit small.  Bathroom amenities are also OK.  Nothing spectacular and nothing stands out.

SPA:  The best!  Definitely one of, if not the best spas in the Philippines.  

BEACH:  Just OK.  A lot of area for improvement but I cannot fully attribute this to Shangri-la.  A beach is a beach.  Maybe their location is bad, or maybe the beach situation has deteriorated over the years beyond their control.  Don't get me wrong, the beach sand area is really good.  But the ocean floor near the beach front leaves too much to be desired.  Too much little corals, and too much stones.  Again, I can't blame the resort for this.  It is what it is.  In the grand raffle of beaches , maybe Shang just got the last pick.  Maybe karma from bad reservation service =).

FOOD:  Tides has to be the worst Shangri-la buffet place in the Philippines.  Breakfast food is too greasy and selection is very limited.  My first breakfast at Tides was in May 2009, and was really surprised to see a lot of people getting apples or mangoes  I thought maybe they just eat healthy.  Until I tasted their sausages, bacon and tocino.  I did not manage to finish the food and starting getting apples and mangoes for myself.  

If breakfast at Circles is a perfect 10.  And at Heat maybe a 6 or a 7.  At Tides, I would score it a 3.  You pay 1,000pesos ++ for that food, come on.  As I was looking at my food I got reminded of our breakfast food at Holiday Inn.  But hey, Holiday Inn charges 250 pesos, so in the end (I could not believe I am saying this)...Holiday Inn is better than Tides at Shangri-la Mactan.  

I often complain about the exorbitant price of breakfast at Marriott Hotel Manila which is closer to 2,000 than 1,000.  But at least, food there is good.  

In summary, Reservations and food at Tides are really really bad at Shangri-la Mactan.  Beach is forgettable, again not totally blaming the resort for it.  Rooms are OK, could be better.  Everything else though is exceptionally well.  That includes the cafe at the lobby, where the show band is also good.

Will I come back there again?  Probably not very soon.  Especially now that I heard Crimson Hotel in Mactan is having a sale - 5,000 a night.  That I will have to try. 

Las Vegas Character

Ahhh Las Vegas, either you love it or completely despise it.  There are very few big cities in the world that has this polarizing effect.

It is difficult to describe Las Vegas without oxymorons.  It is crass but sophisticated.  Dirty but immaculately clean.  Dark but bright.  There had been very few cities in the world that managed to keep its persona over the years.  Las Vegas is one of them.

Slot Machines inviting right after the passenger gets off the plane

In contrast to the old and not so tidy airport, a stretch limo awaits a VIP guest

There is character with the imitation of the Statue of Liberty at New York New York Casino

100x smaller, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Casino towers the Las Vegas Strip

The authentic sophistication of the famed Bellagio fountain show on a man-made fake lake 

Even nights and mornings are manufactured at Ceasar's Palace Hotel 

H&M turns up the volume here in Las Vegas

Disneyland for the Gamblers - Harrah's Las Vegas

And then you have culture like the LOVE Cirque de Soleil

The ceiling centerpiece at Bellagio

Pinoy Products in the US

I was in the US West Coast last month, and was delighted to see a strong Pinoy community.  We were in Vallejo, so already had an inkling that Pinoys abound there.  It was validated when we went downtown Vallejo and saw the signs ourselves.

Max's Fried Chicken Meal for $14.99

Chowking was also there.

Not surprised to see their famous Halo-Halo, costing 4bucks.

Sister company Red Ribbon was also there.  With their cakes priced like a US-cake, but of course

And of course, the Bee has to be there.

The menu looks the same as that of Manila's with the glaring exception of this Chickenjoy Popcorn, available outside the Philippines.   And by the way the Jollibee gravy is called "World Famous Gravy".  

It felt a little strange to see very familiar Pinoy products but with Dollar tags.  Like these famous chips for example, priced at 4 for 3$.  Of course expensive, but not that expensive compared to local(US) chips.

Confirmed! The infamous Pinoy Coconut Juice has strong following in the Western Hemisphere

Cupp Keyk and Skyflakes must bridge the homesickness of Pinoys in the US

Pacquiao Bradley Fight: The Aftermath

Are we just bitter losers?  24-hours passed and most are still questioning the decision of the judges.  I am not a big fan of the new Pacquiao - the one that incorrectly spews bible quotes regardless of context and question.  But I do believe he won the fight.  Yes!  I am also one of the most.

The numbers speak for themselves.  Judging is subjective but it should have been a little more objective if they rely on the stat cards.  Number of punches thrown and landed are counted for a reason.  So when the audience saw the Final Punchstats, that only made them furious.  For it was not even close, as you can see below.

Adding fuel to the fire, new Champion Bradley attended the press conference in a wheel chair!  So when was the last time such a thing happened.

In fairness to Bradley, he was quick, strong, bullish and he gave a good fight.  In my opinion, the match was close, but not that close.  I thought it was going to be 115-113, 115-113, 115-113, all in favor of Pacquiao.  That's how I saw it.

It is not only the Pinoys who are vocal about the results of the fight.  Many took it out on Facebook and especially on Twitter.

Here are some tweets that's gaining popularity in the internet.  First is from boxing correspondent and ringside interviewer Mario Lopez,  then from former boxing champ Oscar dela Hoya, next is from a popular Pinoy twitter FaceBuko trying humor to offset, and lastly by ESPN boxing Analyst, Nigel Collins.

Mario Lopez

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@MarioLopezExtra

I'm so disgusted. The JUDGES need to be drug tested! What fight were they watching?! I called the international broadcast and was on the...

9 Jun 12

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Mario Lopez

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@MarioLopezExtra

...apron and Pacquiao simply outclassed him. Wasn't even close in my eyes... Unbelievable. So disappointed in my sport. Boxing is killing me

9 Jun 12

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Video Replay embed only from YouTube:

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   Bradley should have given the belt and announce victory to paquiao right after the decision.

   
   

   Oscar De La Hoya

   
   

   a day ago

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1. BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Drilon, hiniling ang SALN ng dalawang judges na pumabor kay Bradley. Maaari raw silang i-impeach. #PacBradley #PacShet

   
   

   facebuko.com

   
   

   a day ago

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Nigel Collins@ESPNFNF

A tragic night for Pacquiao and boxing. It was perhaps the worse dec. I've ever seen. Anybody who thinks it was incompetence is a fool.  

10 Jun 12

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