Montebello:

Montebello is an enchanting picturesque villa sitting on a five-hectare hacienda. The hotel reflects the richness and charm of Cebu's Hispanic heritage. It is situated close enough to the city so one can conduct/transact businesses there with convenience. But it is distant enough, to be able have a "more quiet world and with nature".

Montebello Villa Hotel is walking distance from a shopping mall, a commercial complex, cinemas, and banks and a few minutes away from a golf course and casino. An easy access to the Mactan Cebu International Airport , Montebello is also near the most-talked-about beaches of historic Mactan Island.

Recently, Mr. Gerard Guilatco, its assistant general manager, gave us a tour around their newly renovated, fully furnished rooms at the Superior Deluxe wing. Other facilities such as the Deluxe rooms, Executive and Family suites, Presidential suite and the Honeymoon cottage are already tastefully furnished, fully airconditioned with amenities that meet international standards. Everything afforded to make one's stay. "Comfortable and memorable. I had doses of those. I was here four years ago for a marketing seminar and it feels so good to be back. I've never been more comfortable before, during and after a seminar anywhere else other than in Montebello," I told him to open the interview.

"Thank you," he replied. "It would be an honor for us to be of service to you and your company again. What you might have felt here is that homey ambiance experience that we have been noted for in a span of 35 years, us being the only garden hotel in Cebu. There's the atmosphere here where Filipino culture and Spanish influences blend in harmony with modern facilities," he said.

I mentioned to him I love the wings of Montebello. That's what I liked most about my stay there during the seminar. I don't have to travel up and down to and from my room and the conference room. And because I love old houses - ancestral houses like those in Carcar - there was that nostalgic feeling, recalling that two-day stay there four years ago.

"Yes, this looks like one ancient house, patterned after villas in Spain. Of Spanish flare. But we are not that archaic at all. In fact, few of our rooms have already wireless fiber connections. This is in response to the demand of businessmen-guests," Guilatco shared.

"Lemme check this summer family package you're offering," I said as I picked up brochures and flyers on the reception counter.

He shuffled a heap of flyers and pointed out: Bakasyon sa Cebu is a summer package that entices families to stay from April 1 to May 31 for only P5,499 in a deluxe room inclusive of the 12 percent tax and 10 percent service charge."

"Any extras or compliments of the house?" I inquired.

"Of course, once the pack of vacationers come, they get welcome drinks. Then, they are offered daily newspapers in their rooms. There's a daily breakfast for two adults and two children 12 years old and below. The package comes with free use of any of the two swimming pools here, fishing for the children at the lagoon and a 10 percent discount on services for laundry, massage, business center and badminton. If they won't avail of this package, we still allow their children to fish at the lagoon because we breed tilapias there, but we charge P50 per catch," he added.

"I like the lagoon area. I love the cat-tails there. Reminds me of Great Expectations- Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Bancroft," I said, adoring the Montebello lagoon.

Guilatco smiled and continued, "It's nestled on a tropical landscaped garden with the Bridge of Love across the waters. The water lily-strewn lagoon is our joy and pride. It has always been a favorite setting for fairytale or themed wedding receptions."

"We have also hosted corporate cocktails and conventions. During the 12th ASEAN Summit, we were prepared for the so-called spillover because we can accommodate 500 guests here. It didn't happen though, but we were very prepared because we would have wanted them to know that we are the only garden hotel in Cebu," he said.

"Oh, yes the garden. We had our Mighty at 80 party for our top advertisers here in 1999. And it was this garden of yours that earned admiration from most of our visitors with that karitela and African vines," I went nostalgic again.

"Guests can always enjoy a leisurely walk under the tall, shady trees; watch fish swimming at the lagoon, allow flowers to delight them as these bloom under the sunshine. Tickles the poetic heart in everyone. It is part of our corporate goal to make people fall in love with nature," he said.

"Dining," Guilatco further pointed out, "is an experience to be cherished here at Montebello. There's a wide choice of native favorites, as well as international cuisine. And then we have the sugba-sugba near The Poolside Restaurant."

He added, "also, our customer service. It's very personalized. Ang gusto sa mga clients namo labi na kadtong regular is the treatment of the entire house to them. Family gyud kuno. Warm and hospitable and dili daw kalimot ang mga staff sa names. Mora'g dugay nang kaila nila, like knowing somebody from the same neighborhood." (Photos by Ferdinand Edralin)