January 29, 2013

The Perfect Place To Stay On Mactan Island – The Crimson Resort Cebu

The Crimson Resort Cebu

If you’re looking for the perfect luxury beach resort on Cebu’s Mactan Island, it has to be The Crimson Resort Cebu. With stunning Asian-inspired decor and manicured grounds it makes a great retreat after exploring The Philippines’ bustling second city.

After three weeks travelling around The Philippines I’m over the moon to reach Crimson Resort on Mactan Island, Cebu, where I’m looking forward to some indulgence, consisting of the dream combination of sand, sea, swimming, spa and sunbathing.

This stretch of Mactan Island, a short drive from Cebu’s main airport and around 20 minutes from the city proper is home to a smattering of 5 star properties and this has to be the pick of the bunch.

Villa at Crimson Resort, Cebu

The huge luxury villa I’m shown to on arrival comes complete with not only a private plunge pool, four-poster bed, and no fewer than three TVs but it also includes a welcome hand-washing ceremony on arrival, carried out by beautiful Filipino ladies wearing bright Crimson dresses.

Beautiful staff at Crimson Resort Cebu

The fact that the resort’s breakfast bakery section is overflowing with French-standard croissants, baguettes, cakes and muffins and is housed in an airy ceiling-fan-cooled pavilion a mere three-step-stumble from my villa is another big plus and come lunchtime and evening new goodies are brought out forming an overflowing buffet.

Time to hit the buffet (again)?

In addition to the main pavilion buffet restaurant you can eat alfresco at the Azure pool bar, or grab a snack from the small coffee shop if you’re on the move.

One thing you won’t tire of snacking on – and which is included in the complementary fruit basket – is the legendary Cebu mango, prized all over The Philippines for its delicate flavour. In fact bag loads of the dried fruit is taken home from the region as gifts.

Legendary Cebu mango, the sweetest mango I’ve ever tasted!

If you’re here to explore Cebu itself you will find it hard to leave the tranquility of the resort behind, but it’s worth the effort to walk the old walls of Fort San Pedro and visit Magellan’s Cross, the most historically significant spot in The Philippines where Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to come to these islands in 1521. If you happen to come in mid-January you can also soak up the atmosphere of Sinulog, one of the country’s biggest and most colourful festivals.

Magellan’s Cross, Cebu

Back at the hotel you can make use of facilities such as the gym, kids activity area or treat yourself at the onsite spa; housed in a large separate building it is a full-service affair – a refined and serene Asian-designed outpost with its own luxury pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, as well as highly-trained therapists who give the best hot stone massage you can imagine, as well as a thorough spa menu.

High Points

The design and decor of the resort, in particular the villas themselves, is pure serene luxury. The amenities are top notch and everything is comfortable and sink-into-it plush and the surroundings are a joy to spend time.

The hotel staff are super attentive and incredibly friendly, and they really go that extra mile for you. The hotel is also exceptionally well-run. Just because a hotel is a luxury property doesn’t guarantee things are done well but here everything is extremely efficient and smooth.

Low Points

The resort is in a quiet secluded part of the island away from the hustle and bustle of the city – ideal if you want to rest and chill out for a couple of days, but if you are looking for nightlife or accessibility this probably isn’t the place for you – it also makes getting a taxi difficult, you have to rely on the hotel’s own transportation.