Cebu City Hotel Reviews

Cebu City was a two day stop in our month long vacation to the Philippines. Since we have have spent a week in Boracay we thought two days would be enough to go shopping and visit some of the tourist spots. We went shopping at a couple of malls, Ayala Center and SM where the prices are really good compared to back home. The public market was of interest to us specially for the fruits, mangoes, mangosteen, etc and dried fish. We rented a van which was recommended by the hotel staff which took us to the Magellan''s Cross, St. Nino church, the fort and to the Otap factory where they also sell dried mangoes. We plan to visit the Philippines again and next time we will spent more time in Cebu, tow days we found out is not enough.

Cebu is very good for backpackers. You can visit "Carbon Market", a traditional philppine market, not far from Magellan Cross. Cebu people are very friendly. It''s very convenient to take jeepney around the city. Jeepney fare is about 6 to 8 pesos depending on distance.

- Is very convinient in the airport upon arrival - Do not miss the local Market Opom in Lapu Lapu; very colorful, warm hospitality...) - Should try the local FRUIT and local specialty: BBQ Chicken and Willy''s Lechon (BBQ Pig) IT''S GREAT! Q: How to find the good place for take away? A: Follow the crow of local people and advise from the local people, then surely you will find the right place satisfying either your visual & your stomach need.

I was there to research retirement options. Realtors provided transportation. Traffic is congested and I don''t recommend renting a car, unless you like high risk activities.

Very reasonably priced taxis and jeepneys available to malls, and internet cafe just next door. Cebu much nicer than Manila in ALL respects. Can call US consulate for medical/dental links-for great quality services at low costs.

The Lami-ah is a nice seafood restaurant nearby with a cultural show at 8 pm. They offer free transfer to the restaurant and back to the hotel. Reservation is recommended. Transportation can be annoying since most taxi drivers refuse to use their meter.

Island hopping tour is very nice, including snorkeling. Olango bird sanctuary was out of season, the season is October to March. Restaurants in Lapu Lapu are very good for fish dishes. The taxis provided by the hotel are very expensive, better hire one outside.

Cebu is a great place for a family holiday (I just would not stay at the White Sands). Our kids enjoyed the beach, water sports and touring. We took a tour of Cebu City, which was fun. Being Easter Week, we had the opportunity to see a couple of the Good Friday Processions which were interesting and an excellent example of the local culture. I recommend the Green House Seafood Restaurant on Mactan Island--a market restaurant where you pick out live sea critters and have them cooked to you liking. Very fresh and tasty! The restaurant was clean, the food excellent and the hosts and waitstaff were friendly and helpful. A very kid-friendly restaurant as well.

Recommend "Joe''s Chicken" as a good authentic Filipino eating place.

Having a wonderful cousin who provided us a vehicle made our stay in Cebu enjoyable. If she''s not available, taxicabs are affordable and are air-conditioned!!! SM City has very nice resort wear, can''t find it in Manila. If you just want relaxation or time with your family or loved one/s, secluding yourself in a resort is the best way to go!! Prior to touching anything in your room, check the list that you''re supposed to have in your room and make a note as to what''s missing, any missing item/s will be charged to you whether you''re about to check out or gone already.

It is much cheaper to hire a taxi to take you on a Cebu City tour (US$30 for an entire van) than to go through a travel agent (US$25/person). Make sure you ask the driver to take you to a restaurant on Mactan Island at the fish market, where you get to select fresh lobsters, squid, fish, prawns, and other shell fish and have them cooked-to-order. Also, arrange for an all-day boating/snorkeling/island hopping tour through Tropical Island Adventures (on Buyong Beach). They will take you to the best snorkeling and diving spots around Cebu. A barbecue lunch is prepared for you on board. Cost is about $25/person, including food/drinks and snorkeling gear.

Cebu is easy getting around in by taxi. Taxi''s are plentiful and inexpensive fare. I mostly went to the SM mall and the ayala mall. Visited the Catherdal on the feast of St. Nina. Enjoyed the Ft. San Pedro tour too.

We found Cebu to be a great place for shopping, the taxi drivers were polite and honest. We were in Cebu during the Sinulog Festival. Cebu was very crowded and at times it was almost impossible to get a taxi and even when we did, it took hours to get anywhere, shopping at both Ayala and SM centres was great and good value for money, food is still good value in Cebu, and there is still places where you can get seafood smorgasboard for p130, exchange rates were good for the Aussie dollar, and some of the best rates were at the currency exchange in the centre of Ayala shopping centre, all in all a wonderful trip.

We used the Nissan Car rental outfit in hotel lobby to book two driving tours of Cebu which let us see all of the tourist spots. Bring small change as most places visited required a small parking fee of between P5 to P20. Drivers are professional and full of info as well as great assistance in taking pictures for us. To get around Cebu, use taxis. All that we used had working meters and rides to various spots were: Ayala Center: P60; SM Cebu: P110; Fuente Osmena: P115; Airport: under P150. Get out of the hotel and experience some of the great restaurants Cebu has to offer. We walked about 20 minutes from our hotel and found some unbelievable barbecue spots and Filipino restaurants. If you plan to stay in the hotel, the restaurants are great as well but you do pay "hotel prices".

Bohol is worth a visit and if you don''t mind friendly riverside basic try the Nuts Huts. Chocolate Hills are worth the trip. Also went to Boracay ...it''s a bit in your face commercial but the beaches are huge and not crowded and the Red Coconut Hotel is OK. There is no road only a footpath between the hotels/shops/etc so no traffic except pedestrians and the odd bicycle. You need to fly to this destination and expect to get wet to thigh level as the last leg is by boat.

I took the Scuba Diving Open Water Certification course and enjoyed it very much. We went Scuba Diving in three different area and it was nice. We went to Bohol and saw the small monkeys, a cave and an hanging bridge. We also went shopping to the SM mall and to the other mall in Cebu.

10 minutes by taxi to Waterfront City casino - one can visit in T-shirt and shorts. Nice place to spend a few hours there - uncrowded, with live band from 9pm. If you like to dance or enjoy great band performance, visit Slabadu at Mandaue City, just 15 minutes by taxi. Less than 300 pesos for 2 beers inclusive cover charge. Current 7-piece band is Southside - great talent with wide repertoire. For dinner, try Seafood City - just pick fresh uncooked stuff and they cook to your preference. Visit Shoemart for shopping.

Cebu is an interesting city which if one makes the effort can be a good place for seeing local attractions. Places I visited were, the Island in the sky resort, which is about 25km outside the city in the mountains. It is a good place for picnics with great views. Also there are the Tubod springs resort 15 km south of the city which has swimming pools and leisure areas. Also there are some pleasing beaches to go to particularly at the Vista Mar resort on Mactan island.

We visited Bohol which was about a one and a half hour boat ride from cebu. And we visited some water falls that was about 4 hour drive from the hotel. Both were very beautiful and well worth the travel to get there. I had a very nice stay and would recommend the hotel to anyone.

If you have the chance to go out to see the nightlife of Cebu, try to stop and eat at a restaurant called "Mr. A''s". It is located up a windy road at the top of a hill and offers a spectacular view of the city at night! It even has a disco dance floor for those of you who like to shake it. It is very popular so just ask for directions or take a taxi.