Why Shangri-La Mactan?
There are quite a number of world-shaking events happening, like the U.S. bombing of Syria, the standoff at the Korean peninsula, and the terrorist encounter in Bohol that should be the subject of an opinion piece. But in view of the Easter holidays and the coming summer vacations, I choose to write about a place which happens to be in Cebu. Early this month, Cebu was also in the news for garnering the second place as the friendliest island in the world poll with Palawan getting the top spot. Some of my readers also commented why I wrote about Balesin Island Resort in an earlier column, when there are more beautiful beach resorts in Cebu. I did, because I was recently in Balesin and had enough knowledge of the place. So, since I just spent a few days last week in Shangri-La Mactan and had stayed quite a number of days over many years in the place, I feel competent to write about one of my favorite vacation places.
There are many hotels and resorts in Mactan, but when Shangri-La was finished, it actually raised the bar for resort hotels in Cebu, in terms of size, amenities, facilities, luxuries, and services. It is a 13-hectare property in Punta Engaño facing the east. After the renovation and expansion, it has now 530 rooms and added more swimming pools and indoor and outdoor recreational areas. The room areas are from 34 sq m to 216 sq m, making the smallest rooms even bigger than some condominium units now available in Cebu. It is truly a 5-star hotel with 7 restaurants, function rooms, a ballroom and a world-class spa with world-class prices. Depending on which floor one is located, the sea is visible from the room windows, but the ocean view rooms are the most strategically located to watch the sunrise and the beaches. While there are Makati and Manila Entertainment City hotels that have more luxurious room appointments and amenities, Shangri-La Mactan resort meets the standard. But the one thing that makes Shangri-La Mactan stand above the rest is the service. I do not know how well the staff and employees are paid and their benefits, but in all the years I have spent time in the place, I have never experienced a friendlier service staff; from the guards, the receptionists, the room persons, the waiters, and the sports attendants. Filipinos in general and Cebuanos in particular are friendly people especially when treated well, and this is best exemplified by the Shangri-La employees.
I also gathered the info that among the Shangri-La Hotels all over the world, Shangri-La Mactan has the highest occupancy rate year-in and year-out, and probably quite profitable. I have been to Singapore Shangri-La, Makati/EDSA Shangri-La, and the Shangri-La Beach Hotel in Kota Kinabalu and they are all as I expected, but they are all a shade below Shangri-La Mactan in the totality.
The two other things that are going for Shangri-La Mactan are the 350 meters of white sand beach and the accessibility from the city. I've walked on finer/whiter sand on wider expanse in the Philippines and in other parts of the world, but the cove and the island fronting the Shangri-La Mactan beach gives you a feeling of safety and assurance especially when you have your children and grandchildren to look after. It is really quite a place to enjoy the bonding and the company of friends and relatives.
While not exactly for the budget traveler/vacationer, it is actually affordable for the Filipino middle class and many of our OFWs who deserve to enjoy their hard-earned money. They also have promo rates that are available at certain times of the year. So, when you and family deserve a treat it is "Why Shangri-La Mactan".
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