Splendid Stay at Crimson Resort and Spa Cebu

A few weeks prior to our flight, CS let me decide if I wanted to extend our stay in JPark Island Resort and Waterpark or transfer to another resort or hotel during our short trip to Cebu. I've always been fascinated by the photos from friends who have stayed in Crimson that's why I chose the latter and eventually booked a room at one of Mactan's premier resort.

Photo grabbed from Crimson's website

CS and I made sure that we arrive in Crimson just in time for check-in at 2PM so we don't have to wait much longer. Unfortunately, the room was still unavailable by the time we got in so after signing the forms, we headed to Azure Beach Club for some snacks with a few stops here and there to capture Crimson's elegant property. The lobby actually reminded me of Balesin with enough seats for everyone and tastefully decorated Filipino-themed rooms (see here for comparison).

Apart from being a beachfront property, Crimson Resort and Spa takes pride in its 3-tiered infinity pool with depths of 2-feet, 3-feet and 4-feet to give everyone, from kids to adults, a wonderful time to bask under the sun. The different shades of blue that extends to the ocean is a beautiful sight that welcomes guests and guarantees an enjoyable and fabulous stay in Crimson.

The resort offers complimentary use of Crimzone, a giant playhouse with plenty of toys that will surely give your kids a blast! There are also scheduled activities that kids can participate to such as story reading, educational games and challenges, and arts and crafts among many others.

Cebu has many great resorts but I think that we made the right choice of booking Crimson Resort for this trip. Just look at our amazing view from our table at Azure Beach Club! After placing our orders, we asked the staff to look after our table so we can go and check it out. A closer look at the chairs and my hunch was right, the outdoor furniture were indeed Dedon collections.

As I was on the verge of finishing my snacks, a staff approached us to inform CS and I that our room is now ready and the bags were already brought in by the resort staff. From Azure, we were led to our deluxe garden room, located just a mere 2-minute walk from the beach. The 44-sqm room is as beautiful in person as it is in photos! Everything from the king-size bed, the 40" LED television, elegant furniture and the spacious bathroom with a sunken tub that overlooks to a private pocket garden was just perfect and definitely exceeded our expectations.

As Crimson's private beach is open until 5PM only (for security reasons), CS and I hurriedly changed into our swimwear and headed to the waters. The time that we had left was spent snorkeling at the resort's protected marine life with so many colorful fishes even at shore. Other water activities such as parasailing, speedboat tours, jet ski and banana boat ride are also available for a fee.

The resort's location is a little isolated and quite far from the main road but they offer daily complimentary shuttle service to SM and Ayala Mall Cebu on schedule. As we were only staying in Crimson for 2 days, we agreed not to leave and just enjoy our vacation in this stunning resort. Filipinos are known all over the world for being hospitable but from what I've observed in my years of traveling, there are certain places in the country where discrimination is quite prevalent. What I love about Crimson Resort Cebu is that even if majority of guests are foreigners, I never felt that the staff's treatment has changed regardless of who they are serving or talking to. The same excellent and friendly service all the time everywhere we go. Everything else is just a bonus!

The quest for the best resort for me has ended as I have found my home in the Queen City of the South. Kudos to the wonderful team of Crimson Resort Cebu and I hope to be back again soon!

~o~o~o~

Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan

Seascapes Resort Town, Soong
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Tel.: (6332) 401-9999

Website: www.crimsonhotel.com/mactan

Cebu Food Finds: Yozakura Sushi Bar

I knew the minute that I saw the Japanese sign from across the road that a visit at Yozakura Sushi Bar would conclude our Cebu trip. Because really, who can resist delicious Japanese goodness? From JPark Island Resort, CS and I wandered for about 30 minutes looking for a unique local restaurant before we heading back near the resort as not one piqued our interest.

CS and I were seated in the zashiki style tables where you sit on pillows on the floor. It may seem uncomfortable to look at but the cubbyhole beneath the table gives you an option to sit in a regular position if you prefer that over seiza-style which is the traditional way of sitting in Japan.

What we ordered

Kaisen Don - Php500.00

I was looking forward to having seafood everyday during our Cebu vacation but it seemed like we were in the wrong place as majority of the restaurants cater Korean cuisine. The minute I saw Kaisen Don on the board, I realized that I'd still be able to have fresh seafood after all! I love that it has everything I want in one bowl with generous servings of uni, salmon and tuna.

Tempura Soba - Php300.00

It took a while before CS finally decided to order Tempura Soba, cold soba noodles with tempura and chopped scallions to add extra flavor and texture to a rather simple yet delicious dish.

After asking for the bill, the staff gave us complimentary slices of mango and watermelon to share. With its value for money menu, fresh ingredients and friendly service, we're happy that we ended up returning near JPark to have dinner at Yozakura. Cravings fulfilled!

~o~o~o~

Yozakura Sushi Bar

Shangs Island Town Center
M. L. Quezon National Highway, Mactan
Maribago, Cebu, Philippines

Tel.: (6332) 238-4850

Cebu Food Finds: Apgujeong Korean Restaurant

Cebu City has been a choice destination not only for our fellow Filipino tourists but from neighboring Asian countries as well. The arrival of Koreans in the country has opened doors for business opportunities to yield the demand while providing added options to the locals. Case in point, the throng of restaurants around Maribago in Cebu like Apgujeong Korean Restaurant.

We originally planned to have seafood on our first day in Cebu but the prices of crabs, lobsters and tiger prawns from the restaurants near JPark are just ridiculously jacked up! Would you believe that mangosteen in the area sells at Php800 per kilo?! We thought we were hearing it wrong but the vendors seemed to have made a pact to sell at the same expensive price, so much better to do your pasalubong shopping at the nearby supermarkets for the fair price.

On the table

We were still settling down while the staff was busy placing portions of banchan one after another on our table. Is it just me or the service in majority of Korean restaurants fastest than any other places out there? Hope all restaurants are like this, fast service with attentive staff. First to go was the spicy fish cakes that's been a favorite of us both, glad they replenish for free.

Spicy dilis

Kimchi

Macaroni salad

Spicy fish cake

Even if we did not order meat to grill, we were still given lettuce to wrap and garlic on the side.

Worrying that I won't like our main order, CS let me play it safe and ordered Bibimbap just in case I feel weird eating Hanbang Jokbal, a healthier alternative of our famous Crispy Pata but boiled and served cold. As most Pinoys are familiar with only the fried version of pig's feet, the Korean's mode of cooking came as a surprise and a happy one at that. In fact, I ate more than my share at the restaurant and even finished the left over that night at our room in JPark.

Dolsot Bibimbap - Php300.00

Never mind that its still not a dish for people on a diet but we simply couldn't resist how chewy and tasty each bite is. The most savory part is the batch attached to the bones, sinful but heavenly!

Hanbang Jokbal - Php700.00

Lunch was delicious and surprising, what a great start to a wonderful vacation!

~o~o~o~

Apgujeong Korean Restaurant

Shangs Island Town Center
M. L. Quezon National Highway, Mactan
Maribago, Cebu, Philippines

Tel.: (63906) 280-7236