Thursday, October 30, 2014

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Philippines



For the first 16 years of my life, Cebu, Philippines, to me, was the equivalent of family and vacation. 

Every summer, semestral break, and christmas, we would take an overnight ferry from my hometown, Cagayan de Oro, to get there. I never liked those ferries.. the beds, the pillows, the smell.. but waking up knowing we have docked in Cebu, and seeing my uncles happy to pick us up at the port, always made up for it.

We were often there to visit our grandparents, and play with our cousins. But then I went to college in Manila, and moved to Singapore. Family vacations changed. And I started flying to Cebu only for weddings and funerals.

15 years have passed. 

For promises I had to keep, I visited Cebu and stayed at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa with my colleagues in May 2014.

Beach at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Philippines

And realised what I have been missing..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

This very beautiful beach cove..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

On that big rock, a flight of stairs leads to spa beds and lounge chairs..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

There's a lot of fish just by the beach.. so snorkelling is really great!

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

The swimming pools and hotel grounds..
I was always at the balcony, and forgot to take pictures of the rooms.. but they're good :)

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Isn't that amazing? 
The sunset was actually on the other side of the sky, and it reflected on those clouds.

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Twilight..

Buko Bar, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Loved Ones.. At the Buko Bar..

Waves Bar, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Too happy dancing at the Waves Bar every night..
I forgot to take a picture of the place itself.. which was really nice.. by the beach.. sea breeze..

Sunrise, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Sunrise..
I just used my iPhone, and this picture seriously does not do any justice to the beauty of that morning..

Sunrise, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Breeze Bar, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Breeze Bar..

Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Beach, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

Sand almost as fine as sugar..

Beach, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

My favourite spot..

Beach, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

Comfortable beach beds.. 

Loved them even more at night.. to snooze and listen to the sound of the waves.. without getting sunburnt :p

Pavilion, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

The bridge to the Ocean Pavilion..

Pavilion, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

My dream wedding venue..
At this moment, they were setting up the Ocean Pavilion for a wedding ceremony..

Pavilion, Shangrila Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

The Altar..
I love it so much!!!

Since my own wedding did not happen here.. 
I would have to book this for my future children.. haha! :)

Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

The jetty..

Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

And me.. loving every part of this part of Cebu.. so much!!

Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

How can I not?! :)

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Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay, Cebu

Just a side note: When you are staying in Mactan..

Rent a car with a driver, make reservations, and go to Lantaw Native Restaurant in Busay. 
There are different Lantaw Restaurants, so make sure you are going to the one in Busay. 

Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay, Cebu

It's at least an hour away from Mactan, but this view of the whole Cebu City is totally worth it!

Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay, Cebu

They serve Filipino food that's really good! 
And whatever happens.. order the Tuna Belly! :)


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References:

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa - www.shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort/
Deluxe Room, Sea View, with Breakfast - May 2014 - SGD 360 per night
Lantaw Native Restaurant, Busay - +63 32 511 0379

4 comments:

  1. Where did you rent a car? can shangrila arrange this for you? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi, we rented from Shangrila. They can arrange it for you, and you can choose to have a driver as well. You just have to email them and tell them the schedule you want because there are different arrangements if you want just a few hours or if you need 24 hours :)

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    2. expecting to travel Cebu this month. expecting to see whale shark and enjoy there. Can 9 year old kid go near whale shark?

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    3. Hi, I am sorry, I am not sure. In Cebu, probably, yes, because the whale sharks are more tamed, as long as the kid is together with an adult at all times. If the kid can't go into the water with the whale shark, he/she can still watch it from the boat. Enjoy your trip! :)

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