Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Cebu: Moevenpick Hotel




Hotel Lobby






Ibiza Beach Club
Swimming Pool
Nightlife at Ibiza Beach Club

The famous icecream is nothing special it tasted like normal icecream.



Moevenpick Hotel Cebu is one of the top destinations here in the Philippines. I have been dreaming of going here over a year and luckily my cousins have invited me to stay here. I was excited to see this hotel and know what the hype is all about.

The design of the hotel, pool and amenities are very clean, cool and relaxing. The rooms of the hotel are average for a 4 star hotel and a bathroom with complete with toiletries.  The hotel has a man-made beach which has fine white sand. The food here is absurdly expensive. Wi-Fi in the hotel is free and available in all parts of the hotel.  The highlight of the Hotel is the Ibiza Beach Club which has white furniture and a Jacuzzi placed in the middle of the club. 

 I was quite disappointed because the service was really bad. I checked in at around 10 in the morning because our flight was very early. They told me than I cannot do an early check in; then they just asked for my cellphone number so that they can inform me when I can check in. They texted me at around 6 in the evening. Good thing is that I did a city tour of Cebu, or else I would have been pissed off,  if I just waited for my room.   I was also angry because we booked our room through the company website and told us that we had free breakfast but when we got to the hotel they told us that our room did not include free breakfast.  In fairness to the front desk, I was just happy because the Hotel had the fastest checkout I have ever stayed in. 

The hotel’s ambience is very relaxing.  Its amenities are nice but they must need to improve their service. The highlight of your stay will be the Ibiza Beach Club Nightlife. I recommend that you should just stay here for a maximum of 2 nights since the location is very far from Cebu City Center and there are few restaurant Choices in Mactan City. Overall our stay wasn’t perfect but we still had a good time. It could have been a lot better though. 

Travel Tips:
If you want to find peace and relaxation then this hotel is the perfect place for you but if you are the adventurous type, you may choose to stay for just overnight here or maximum of 2 nights and then stay at the city.
There are few choices of restaurants in Mactan City.
If you’re going to take a city tour I suggest you do it for a whole day since taxis are  quite expensive which can cost you up to P250 one way from Mactan to Cebu City Center. Mactan is quite far from Cebu City Center it will take you up to one hour travel time.
Double check the hotel if you can get a free breakfast.
Moevenpick Cebu has also a residential area. If you want to save more money, try renting out one of their apartments. It’s cheaper by 50% than the hotel price. You can still use their pool facilities and other amenities during your stay here.  
You can search available apartments at this app called AIRBNB, just type MACTAN, Cebu.
You must experience the nightlife at Ibiza Beach Club. Their performers are quite entertaining. Drinks here are quite expensive. You need to make a table reservation since tables here can get fully booked during Fridays and Saturdays.

Movenpick Hotel Cebu
Punta EnganoMactan Island 6015 Cebu Philippines
+63 32 492 7777
http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/asia/philippines/cebu/resort-cebu/overview/
Rates: P7,500-P11,000 per room  for an Overnight Stay
Day Trip: P850 per Adult 

*Moevenpick Residential Condominium Rates are from P4,000 to P9,000 per room per night
*All pictures were taken from my iphone sorry for the low quality. hehheheheh

3 Days/ 2 Nights Cebu Itinerary and Budget at Moevenpick Hotel Cebu
Day 1
Details
Cost
8:30
Depart Manila  Roundtrip Airfare Promo Fare
P2000
9:30
Arrive Cebu

10:30
Leave things in Hotel Lobby and Do an Early Check in (2 nights P7500/2 pax)
  7500
11:00
Go to Cebu City Center
Taxi (250/2)
    125
12:00
Lunch at  Rico’s Lechon, The Ridges, Mabolo, Cebu City
(250/2)
    125
13:00
Dessert at La Marea  Warm Brownie Cup
      80
14:00
City Tour of Magellan’s Cross, Sto. Nino Church
        8
17:00
Buy gifts (pasalubong)  at the Wet Market ex: dried mangoes, dangit, otap etc.
   300
19:00
Lunch at Larsian Barbecue (300/2)
    150
21:00
Enjoy Nightlife at Ibiza Beach Club
    300
Day 2


9:00
Enjoy Free Breakfast at Moevenpick Hotel

11:00
Sun Bathing at the Beach

15:00
Enjoy the Hotel’s Free Amenities

18:00
Dinner at Guiseppe  Pizeria and Sicilian Roast Mactan
Which is Walking Distance from the Hotel (1000/2)
    500
22:00
Party at Ibiza Beach Club
     300
Day 3


8:00
Breakfast at Hotel

10:00
Morning Swim

12:00
Check Out from the hotel

1:00
Go to Airport
     120
2:00
Depart Cebu

3:00
Arrive Manila


Total Cost per Person
P11,508
 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Ultimate Guide to Marinduque

I have been going to Marinduque every Christmas since I can remember. I have decided to create write up about my  Hometown Province, Marinduque. Some of my friends thought that Marinduque is located in Visayas, but actually it is in Luzon. Marinduque is  a place which is very close to my heart since my Father grew up here. I just want to make a guide from a local’s perspective. 
Things to Do in Marinduque

1.   Experience the Moriones Festival  which happens every Holy Week


2.       Enjoy the first class treatment  at Bellarocca  Island Resort and Spa



3.       Sun Bathing at Maniwaya Sand Bars


4.       Island Hopping at Natangco Island


5.       Pray at the Boac Cathedral
5.


6.       Explore the Island of Marinduque in one whole Day (ROUND MARINDUQUE)
See the towns of Boac, Mogpog, Santa Cruz, Torijjos, Buenavista, Gasan
6.   


7.       Buy Pasalubong at Rejano’s Bakery. Home of the Famous Arrowroot Cookies




Where  to Eat in Marinduque?

1.       Café Mamita
Must Try: Bulalo, Bulalo Steak, Grilled Tanigue, LechonKawali, Grilled Squid and Barbeque
Price Range:P100 to P300 per person
Location: 1st Floor, Boac Hotel
1.        Barbarosa Pub
Must Try: Pizza and Sausages
Price Range: P150 to P400 per person
Location: Gasan, Marinduque
3.       Crispy PataniKa Ambo
Must try: Crispy Pata
Price Range: P300 to P400
Location: Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
4.       Cely’s Kitchenette
Must Try: Bopis
Price Range:P100-200
Location: Boac, Marinduque

Where to Stay in Marinduque?
1.       Bellarocca Island  Resort and Spa

This is  the only 6 star  resort  in the Philippines which is very similar to the islands of Santorini in Greece. Amenities include a 9 hole golf course, Jacuzzis, seaside pools , a spa and private villas. This is perfect for high profile individuals who want privacy from the real world.

     The Boac Hotel
If you’re looking for Hotel which is located in the City Center this will be the perfect place for you. This hotel is strategically located near the tourist attractions, like the museum, the Boac Cathedral, the Plaza and the tourism office. There are also many restaurants and ATM located near the hotel.  The food in hotel is quite good which serves authentic Filipino Cuisinie. They also have a gift shop which sells the Famous Arrowroot Cookies by Rejano’s Bakery. The Boac Hotel is very affordable which is convenient for families, solo travelers, tourists and businessmen. They also have Free Breakfast for 2 and WIFI.
I3. Beach Club Cagpo Hostel 
 I think this place is perfect for people who like to soul search and have a great time. This place is perfect for friends who want to bond and for people who like to do some food tripping. They have affordable rooms for P1,500 which can fit 4 people. They also serve Italian and American food.  
 


What to Buy in Marinduque?

Arrowroot Cookies at  Rejano’s Bakery      
Taste the tasty Urarocookies which isMarinduque’s pride.  
Price Range: P35 to 125  
Location: Brgy. Lipa,  Sta. Cruz, Marinduque                                                                                   
Try also their  Pandesal, Bonete, Lakas and Banana Chips





How to get to Marinduque?
BY AIR Unfortunately Zest Air has cancelled their flights from Manila to Marinduque since the airport is being constructed
BY SEA. There are daily trips from Lucena, Quezon to Mogpog, Marinduque.
There are two type of boats that goes to Marinduque the Fast Craft which will take you 2 hours and the roll on roll off (RORO) which will take you about 2.5 hours to 4 hours. Montegro Shipping Lines and Star Horse offers theses modes of transportation.
BY LAND.
There are two ways to go to Marinduque one is to drive by yourself to Lucena, Quezon via Star Toll way and bring your car to the roll on roll off. It’s advisable to bring your own car since it’s hard to commute in Marinduque. There are jeeps and tricycles are the only available mode of transportation via Commute.
An easier way to ride the JAC Liner Bus from Cubao to Marinduque. This will take you directly to Marinduque since the Bus transfers to the RORO and it will take to Mogpog, Marinduque.  




Marinduque Boat Schedule
Lucena-Balanacan
Balanacan-Lucena
4:00 AM
12:00 NN
8:00 AM
4:00 PM
Lucena-Cawit
Cawit-Lucena
12:00 MN
4:00 PM
12:00 NN
8:00 PM
FAST CRAFT
Lucena-Balanacan
Balanacan-Lucena
2:00 AM
10:00 AM
6:00 AM
2:00 PM
For Reservations Please Call:
Lucena:(042) 3737084 /09258891169
Marinduque: 0915-9945518/ 09178922336
09493221284/ 09331691399
 
                                                                                                
2 Days /1 Night Marinduque Itinerary
Day 1

1:00 AM
Depart Manila Via Private Van/ Door to Door/ Jac Liner
5:00 AM
Arrive Dalahican Pier (Lucena, Quezon)
6:00 AM
Depart Dalahican Pier Via RORO or Fast Craft
9:00 AM
Arrive Marinduque
10:00 AM
Check in at Boac Hotel
12:00
Hire a Van for a ROUND MARINDUQUE TOUR
8:00 AM
Dinner at Boac
Day 2

7:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM
Experience the Maniwaya Sand Bars
12:00
Lunch
3:00 PM
Pack up things
4:00 PM
Check Out Hotel
5:00 PM
Depart Marinduque
11:30 PM
Arrive Manila



For More Information

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa 
Barangay - Tungib - Lipata, Municipality of Buenavista Province of Marinduque, Philippines
Telephone:  +63 2 817 7290; +63 2 310 9931
Email:info@bellaroccaresorts.com
Website: www.bellaroccaresorts.com
Rates: $400 to $5000 (USD)

The Boac Hotel  
 Address:Brgy. San Miguel, Boac,Marinduque     
 Rates: P1,200- P2,200 per room per night        
Tel: (042)3321121