Fun times in Cebu's only garden hotel

MANILA, Philippines -  Montebello Villa Hotel is a mainstay of Cebu City. One cannot go around the city without mentioning this hotel. Since the 70s, it has backed up its popularity with excellent service. No wonder it has withstood the test of time.

One more reason is its ability to go with the march of time. Just recently, it renovated its 150 rooms — standard, superior, deluxe, and suites. They now sport a cozier, more modern feel complete with Wi-Fi.

Of course, those familiar with Montebello know that its garden is a must-see attraction. Open-air weddings, receptions, and corporate events are being held in the tropical landscaped garden and lagoon.

“The garden is indeed the focal point,” says Dexter Bandala, Montebello’s business process development manager. “That is why even our function rooms are being connected to the garden. We want our guests to enjoy its view because it is relaxing.”

“Montebello is not your typical hotel. It is laid-back, without the rush of the regular structured hotel. If you go out of the hotel to do business and come back, you’d feel like you’re in a different world,” he says.

Bandala also shares that they are maximizing the relaxed ambience. He even mentions the comfortable cabana dinners happening in the venue.

Two nearby pools play host to numerous function as well. There is a poolside bar that lets guests kick back and enjoy their favorite cocktails.

Montebello offers themed parties there, too. Collectively dubbed “Themes of the Times,” these parties have garden, fiesta sa nayon, and anime themes. For the garden-themed dinner, there are cocktails with canapés, a saxophone player, live band entertainment, cabanas, and a Euro-Asia dinner buffet.

The fiesta theme features festive traditional props and decors, a live band, a cultural presentation, and Filipino buffet dinner. For the more adventurous, kids and kids-at-heart will have a ball with the anime-themed dinner. Aside from the anime set-up, the entertainment is provided by a live band, a hip-hop dance group, and a dance sport. Interestingly enough, the menu takes on an Asian night market theme, complete with Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese/Indian, Thai, and Malay/Indonesian food stalls.

“Whatever party you have in mind, you can count on us to make it fun, hassle-free, and memorable,” Bandala says. “Even on weekdays, we do food-themed dinners. Thursdays we do pasta night. You make your own pasta dish.”

Indeed, for a hotel already considered an institution in the business, Montebello has kept both the excitement of modern life and the old-world charm in perfect harmony.

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Montebello Villa Hotel is located in Banilad, Cebu City. For more information, call (6332) 231-3681, e-mail at info@montebellovillahotel.com or log on to www.montebellovillahotel.com.