Published date: January 9, 2025
Fantastic hotel with great location walking distance to Ayala Center Cebu! Countdown party included◎
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
I stayed for three nights during New Year's!
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There is no airport transfer from the hotel, so I called a taxi via Grab from the airport to the hotel (reference: 345 pesos, 30-40 minutes; the return trip was a bit more expensive at 530 pesos, possibly because it was New Year’s).
By the way... I read online that the ride-hailing app Grab can be registered in Japan, but card information can only be set up locally. I tried to register my card upon arrival, but it wouldn’t work no matter how many times I tried (another Japanese traveler on the same flight also mentioned the same issue).
After several attempts, I was blocked due to one card being flagged for fraud, so it might be better to use cash, rather than force card registration which could be a hassle.
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My room was on the 16th floor, so the view was really great!
It’s a relatively new hotel, very clean, and the cleaning was thorough.
They made my bed beautifully every day during my stay!
All the hotel staff were cheerful and charming people!
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I initially planned to stay without meals, but I heard there was going to be a countdown party at the end of the year, so I decided to join the dinner buffet and countdown party instead.
The dinner buffet had a variety of international foods, and I was very satisfied! The staff were considerate and we enjoyed conversations, even asking, “How do you say Happy New Year in Japanese?”
We also had a lottery, and only three people won, but my friend won, which made our New Year’s so happy!
As for the countdown party, because I don’t usually participate in clubs or parties, I found it a bit hard to get into the groove and ended up taking refuge in the adjacent gym space to work out a bit, but the countdown moment itself was amazing and everyone cheered together!
We could see the fireworks from a distance! (In the Philippines, it is believed that loud noises dispel evil spirits, so fireworks were shot off from various directions, and there were also firecracker-like sounds throughout the day.)
Experiences during the trip
The hotel is very convenient as there is a 7-Eleven right next door. One of Cebu's two major shopping malls, Ayala Center Cebu, is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It features high-end brand shops and has a slightly upscale feel.
There are several restaurants on each floor, but the fourth floor has a lot of options, so if you're looking to eat, head to the fourth floor for a variety of choices.
The other shopping mall, SM City Cebu, is also about a 10-minute taxi ride away. This one has a relatively cheaper impression overall! It might be better to buy souvenirs here.
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I visited the tourist spots in Cebu City: Fort San Pedro → Magellan's Cross → Basilica Minore del Santo Niño → Carbon Market → Cebu Heritage Monument (based on a travel guide). The taxi ride from the hotel to Fort San Pedro took about 15 minutes (155 pesos), and I walked from there.
Personally, I enjoyed Carbon Market the most as it felt the most cultural, but I think it's necessary to be more cautious there as it seems to be in a slummy area and has a lot of pickpockets.
I also recommend the cafe I've stopped by, Everyday Coffee and Tea, which was stylish! The indoors can be cold, and you cannot enter the church without sleeves, so it's good to carry a light jacket.
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I also participated in a tour to swim with the whale sharks. The whale sharks were incredibly cute, and I think you should definitely join if you go to Cebu!
They provide life jackets, but for some reason, my friend and I were asked to take ours off halfway, which was a bit scary (laughs). However, because of that, I sunk well and was able to get great video footage! (laughs)