Shangri-La Mactan Cebu - lap of luxury

For a quick 4-day getaway, R. and I decided to go back to Cebu. This time, he didn't have any client meetings. It was purely vacay.

Shangri-La Mactan is definitely becoming our favorite local resort - and we can't wait to go back! If you want a resort that will seat you on the lap of luxury - diz iz really iz it!

Top 10 things I love about Shangri-La Mactan:

1. It has everything! 2 pools, beach front, water sports, golf course, a 15-hectare spa village, restaurants and bars.

2. Marine sanctuary - within 3 feet of water, schools of fish are already swimming with you. We went kayaking to feed the fish. It was a great adventure!

3. Cheap(er) water sports - jet ski was only 2k per 30 minutes and 3k for an hour if you book early. It costs P4,500 for 30 minutes in Bora! Kayak and snorkel gears were even lent to the guests for free.

4. Seafood buffet at the Cowrie Cove - gigantic lobster, tiger prawns and crabs. Never mind the cholesterol!

5. Great, great, great customer service - all their staff were very attentive, the cleaning guy even left us thank-you notes for giving him tips, discounts given when you answer their customer service survey and good 'ol fashion sincerity and sensitivity to customer needs.

6. Chi Spa - with Tibetan rituals. I loved the massage although R. didn't find it spectacular-spectacular. He still prefers Mandarin. I loved the Tibetan stuff that I bought from there - including the Tibetan drilbu bells, massage oil and relaxing pillow. Mahal nga lang. Our treatment cost a whopping 15k. Thought bubble: hellur, meron bang gintong naka-mix sa massage oil?

7. The ambience - cozy, relaxing, peaceful. You will really, absolutely feel on vacay mode.

8. Timezone - they have Timezone inside! We had so much fun killing the Pinball arcade game. R. and I took turns playing until the wee hours of the night. Actually, I think the Pinball killed us. We felt our fingers got bruised a day after we got back to Manila and HK.

9. No lamok - at all! I swear! There were no mosquitoes in the resort! Ang galing! We didn't have to wear our anti-mosquito patches.

10. Gym - yes. It's really complete. They have a gym large enough to be a commercial one. If water sports and swimming are not enough to burn those extra calories, then pound the treadmill.

I can't believe I fended off Shang Mactan for a long time. Now we can't wait to go back. There's no comparison among Cebu, Boracay and Palawan since the three are in different categories. I'm probably gushing and raving because I didn't expect Shangri-La Mactan to carry the service that Shang is reputed to have globally.

Admittedly, it was a pleasant surprise.

Thank you, R. for the trip.

Aylavet!

My turn for the late V-day getaway. =)