Hotel Review: Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu PH

Maayong Buntag!

We had an early flight down to the Queen City of the South so it was a relief that Shangri-La Mactan had our room available when we arrived at the resort around 9AM. First impression? Warm, efficient, and genuine. I instantly knew right there and then that it was going to be an awesome long weekend and after our 4-day stay, I was proven right!

The resort was impressive boasting a 350-meter private white sand beach, swimming pools, an eco trail, a 6-hole golf park, an indoor playground and adventure zone, and several dining spots scattered within the vicinity catering to any cuisine you may fancy.

Our 34sqm ocean wing premier room in blended traditional and contemporary theme was equally impressive with its private balcony overlooking the gardens, the pool and the ocean. Room amenities include a king-sized bed with 220-threadcount linens and a pillow menu, waffle robes, beach slippers, a cable TV, coffee and tea making facilities, a bath tub, and Shangri-La toiletries.

The view I wish I had the luxury of walking up to on a daily basis.

A weekly activity sheet was provided in the room which was helpful in planning your day especially with an active toddler who wants to do everything all at the same time! My daughter had a blast in the guitar painting activity in between climbing and sliding at the Adventure Zone.

 

During her naps were our perfect time to dine in peace so room service was the most convenient way to go and I was surprised that the menu was not exuberantly overpriced as we were expecting. Case in point, this Classic Burger with Fries at Php780 was tasty, juicy, and huge and can easily feed 2 hungry and exhausted parents of an endlessly energetic child.

Guests staying at the Ocean Wing have the option to take their buffet breakfast at either Tides (main dining restaurant) or Acqua (poolside restaurant at Ocean Wing). We dined at Tides the first morning we were there and it was full and chaotic so we opted to dine at Acqua the next time and for the duration of our stay. It offered limited breakfast menu but we didn't have to wait for a table nor we were in a hurry to get food since the staff were quick to refill the buffet.

Pros: Amazing beachfront view, world-class service, well-appointed and maintained rooms and facilities, delicious and wide variety of food options, loads of activities for kids, and overall good vibes of the resort staff from the guards, housekeeping, concierge, and restaurant servers.

Cons: Nothing as we had an amazing stay at Shangri-La Mactan and we can't wait to go back!

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Shangri-La Mactan

Garden Level, Shangri-La Mactan

Punta Engano Road, Cebu City, Philippines

Tel.: (6332) 231-0888

Website: www.shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort

Kandaya Resort: Kusina Restaurant & Bar

It has always been a dilemma for me on where to dine whenever CS and I go on vacation and stay in a boutique hotel or resort in an isolated location. That was exactly what my friends and I were faced with when went on a short vacation in Kandaya Resort.

Kusina Restaurant & Bar, which offers a stunning view of the ocean, is the only dining spot in the resort so guests really have no other option if you're craving for a different cuisine aside from a limited variety of Asian and Western food. We were only staying for a weekend but for guests staying for a minimum of 2 nights, I believe you'd be able to try everything off the menu.

We left Mandarin Plaza Hotel after breakfast and didn't bother stopping halfway to the resort for lunch. So imagine arriving at Kandaya just before 2PM and had to wait another 40 minutes before our orders started arriving one by one. I understand that it was already beyond lunch time but service was really slow, not only during that instance but throughout our stay.

 

Price range of our orders were between Php300 to Php500 per order but good enough for sharing.

What we ordered

Chicken Adobo

Lechon Kawali

Seafood Sinigang

Complimentary breakfast had a limited but well thought out selection of classic Pinoy favorites.

Salad

Cheese and Dried Fruits

Cold Cuts

Smoked Salmon

Homemade Banana Jam

Homemade Grape Jam

Pan Au Chocolat

Pork Tocino and Bacon

Corned Beef and Meatloaf

Dried Fish and Daing na Bangus

Pork and Chicken Sausage

Cereals

Fresh Fruit Juice

My breakfast plate

What stood out for me was the Smoked Salmon and Daing na Bangus, which was best enjoyed with piping hot rice. As we were in Cebu, I was expecting to see Danggit on the buffet table but unfortunately, they were not serving it that day. From what I understand, they do change the menu everyday for the sake of the guests staying for more than a night.

Smoked Salmon with Capers

Daing na Bangus

While I like my eggs cooked Sunny Side Up, Eggs Benedict is still my top choice so I approached the staff at the open kitchen to ask if they can prepare one for me. He obviously was not sure but I appreciated him asking the head chef if they can accommodate my request and luckily, the chef approved! Not only did he prepared an Eggs Benedict, he added Salmon in it too.

Salmon Eggs Benedict

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Kandaya Resort

Agujo, Daanbantayan

Cebu, Philippines

Tel.: (6332) 260-6006

Website: http://kandayaresort.com