An Elegant Stay In Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu

"Relaxation is a way out to a busy and overworked body and mind"

My Bestfriend in elementary days spent her two-weeks vacation here in Philippines. She worked for more than 12 hours a day in her job that really get her busy. She could skip meals and just drink a lot of strong coffee and could only remember to eat her breakfast, lunch and dinner in one meal..that's when she get off from the office. She could have get physically weak and ill before she made her decision to finally pause and take a big break from work. 

She never been here in the Philippines for over 2 decades from the time they migrated to the U.S. Finally, She flew half the globe to find rest and chose the Philippines for it. For long time she did not visit the Philippines, she honestly don't have the idea how to live here anymore. She doubted at first if she could have made her decision right to spend a "relaxing" vacation here or might got stressed a lot because of the negative news she heard over when she was still in the U.S. We brought her to MOA on her first day as soon we picked up her from the airport, she find it good though.

CEBU is known as the "Queen City of the South". On her third day, we fly out to Cebu from Manila to have a more relaxing vacation. And Oh! This is also to celebrate our friendship since this is our 'first times' to be together again (after 2 decades), to fly together, to be in Cebu together and to relax together :)

The View of Movenpick from the swimming pool area

She picked and booked the hotel Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu through internet even her cousin suggested the much bigger hotel near  Mövenpick, she find this 5-star hotel suited for a traveler like her who longs for the serenity and not crowded place for stay to get really relaxed. Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu was formerly known as the Hilton Hotel is nestled at the Southern part of Cebu in the Island of Mactan. A 20-25 minutes drive from Mactan Airport. We were welcomed by the hotel attendants with "Good afternoon, Welcome to Mövenpick" address. They get our luggage out of the car and entertained us well as they arrange our hotel room. They welcome us with complimentary freshly fruits concoction which is very refreshing.

We got in to our room which is Deluxe Ocean Front, a room with overlooking the ocean views from the private balcony. A 32 sq.m airconditioned room that has two single beds is equipped with modern technology 42" LED TV. An elegant bathroom with separate shower and tub, provided with cabinets, hair dryer and iron :) 

Overlooking Beautiful Views from our room

Comfy beds

I can say that many hotels in Cebu are more competitive when it comes to facilities, but boasting the Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu with their excellent service and hospitality. They deal with their guests to really feel at home away from home. They are very polite and make sure that their guest had a good stay at the hotel. They would greet you with their sweet smiles anywhere and everywhere when you crossed within the hotel. My friend find the hotel in American style. From the interiors with modern style to their foods--it's more of an American! We both loved the place, very calm or maybe we just arrived at the hotel on off-peak season. 

The Lobby

The Beach and the Ibiza Bar

Wine Cellar @Ibiza Bar

Cheers BFFs!

They have the small white sand beach, i think it was man made though and it is rocky enough to hurt your feet so make sure to wear slippers when walking at the water. The open beach is open from 7AM to 6PM. 

Overlooking the White Sand Beach

There is also a swimming pool to dip in if you find the sea water too salty for you, it is open from 7 AM to 8 PM. 

The Swimming Pool Area

Relaxing at the pool area with refreshing Coconut juice and Green Mango Shake!

They have the activities area where we enjoyed playing billiards while listening to music. The activity area is closed by 9 PM.

At the activity area palying billiard

The hotel has weeknights show at Ibiza Bar from 8 PM - 9 PM. It is located at the beach area, glamoured with blue and pink lights. We have enjoyed the Latin show on our first night and the Retro themed show on our 2nd night of our stay which was also the Ladies' Night!  

Weeknights Show 

Ibiza Beach Club Bar

Ladies with the Performers on a Retro Night Show!

Ladies are privileged to get two free ladies drinks on Wednesday as Ladies' Night!. Performers were really really good in entertaining the guests that they could dance and sing as well. I think Cebuanos are gifted when it comes to singing.

Ladies' Night @Ibiza Bar

After the Ladies' Night gimik with the ladies

Cocktail Drinks

Cheers! To a lifetime friendships!

We really had a good stay at the hotel, with good service, good surroundings, good food (Lami Uy!) and good people. 

Green Mango Shake and Bacon wrapped Asparagus

Our Lunch-- Onion Rings/Wrapped Angus Beef/Beef Caldereta/Rice

But one thing we did not enjoy is the driving of a chauffeur taking us for City tour. He might driving for a public vehicles without caring that his passengers are tourists. The hotel did not even informed us that we may encounter heavy traffic at the City. If they informed the guest about it, maybe my friend and I would probably just stay inside the hotel or maybe do other activities like island hopping in Olango that we could enjoy more than the heavy traffic in the City. I believe that things happened for reasons. Maybe that was allowed for us to inform the management on what happened to us, NOT for complain but to suggest on things for improvement of service--the drivers which are consignors should be given a training since they carry the name of  Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu. Whatever they do, it reflects on the hotel. 

The management were really good that they offer us a complimentary breakfast on our last day and a free shuttle service and took us to the airport for free. 

Our Last stay of vacation having sumptuous complimentary breakfast

The Hotel Manager even talked to us personally before we leave and apologized on experiences that caused us bad on our stay at the hotel. They also give us tokens for us to remember the good people and good experiences out of our stay in Mövenpick. That was really appreciated by me and my friend-- we never expected that they would give extra effort and time to have our last minute stay and experienced very memorable. 

Our Hotel room 

One relaxing morning at Movenpick

One last Picture before our Good byes to Movenpick! 

Enjoyed vacation at Movenpick

I thank God for giving me a very special friend who treasured our friendship even being separated for long years. This vacation in Cebu is my ever luxurious experience of vacation. I thank God for renewing our friendship and hoping that we could be together on more journeys of our friendship. We both appreciate how God created things wonderfully.