Summit Circle Cebu: Rebranding for the 21st century

Comfort and convenience. These are two of the most basic requirements a traveler would look for in a hotel. At Summit Circle Cebu, these two qualities are so easily found.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the historic Fuente Osmena Circle at the heart of Cebu city’s vibrant commercial district, the 210-room hotel and convention center sits right on top of the four-level shopping mall, Robinsons Place Cebu, which houses a variety of restaurants, retail and service establishments. Guests who wish to dine or shop no longer have to go out on the street since they have direct access to the mall through the hotel elevators. How convenient is that? And right across the hotel is the new Robinsons Cybergate Cebu.

Formerly known as Cebu Midtown Hotel, which has been servicing leisure and business travelers since the 1990s, the prime property of top developer Robinsons Land Corporation has undergone extensive renovation, in keeping with its progressive thrust. You immediately notice the lobby and reception area, which is brightly lit, spacious and uncluttered. “We removed the carpets and replaced them with tiles and wood flooring,” resident manager Mirro Reperuga noted. The special attention given to details is evident throughout the hotel.

A look to the future: In keeping with its progressive thrust, one immediately notices the lobby and reception area, which is brightly lit, spacious and uncluttered. “We removed the carpets and replaced them with tiles and wood flooring,” resident manager Mirro Reperuga noted.

The guest rooms come with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi connection, a flat-screen cable TV, personal refrigerator and individually-controlled air-conditioning unit. You can enjoy both hot and cold rain shower and handheld shower in your private bathroom. The safety handrail in the bath area to secure against accidental slips will surely be appreciated, not only by senior citizens. And at the end of the day, you are assured of a restful sleep in the most comfortable double or king-sized bed with 100-percent cotton sheets and duvet covers, complemented by chiropractic and hypoallergenic pillows. And as if all these creature comforts aren’t enough, the hotel also has in-house massage therapists on call 24/7. You can’t get more pampered than that.

While Summit Circle Cebu’s rebranding propels its image into the 21st century, it continues to build on a rich legacy of good service well known among its loyal guests. The largely Cebuano staff, a number of whom have been with the hotel for over a decade, offer the most courteous and friendly customer service.

Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast at C2 (Classic Cuisine) restaurant of The Cravings Group, one of the most successful food and service institutions in the country. Robinsons Land, which is also responsible for the success of Summit Ridge Tagaytay and gohotels.ph, has partnered with the Cravings Group. “Food and beverage service is key to any hotel’s operational efficiencies, and with our shared customer bases steadily growing over the years, we hope to see this partnership continue to be a perfect fit in the long term,” says Reperuga.

“I am the only ‘outsider’ here,” says Reperuga, whose last posting was with Holiday Inn Manila, before taking up his post at Summit Circle Cebu. He brings with him the international standards and global outlook he gained from his previous experience, which he is determined to bring to Summit Circle.

Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast at C2 (Classic Cuisine) restaurant of The Cravings Group, one of the most successful food and service institutions in the country. Robinsons Land, which is also responsible for the success of Summit Ridge Tagaytay and gohotels.ph, has partnered with the Cravings Group. “Food and beverage service is key to any hotel’s operational efficiencies, and with our shared customer bases steadily growing over the years, we hope to see this partnership continue to be a perfect fit in the long term,” says Reperuga.

C2 restaurants are well known for their continental cuisine as well as their refined versions of Pinoy comfort food. The breakfast buffet is available from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. You can also have your lunch and dinner at the restaurant, which is open until 11 p.m. Room service is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Summit Circle Cebu is also an ideal events and convention venue, with its well-appointed function rooms equipped with W-Fi Internet access and modern audio-visual facilities. The Fuente Osmena ballroom, which is perfect for grand celebrations, can be partitioned into five separate venues for more intimate gatherings.

If you want to just chill or hang out, there’s the swimming pool open area on the fifth floor where you can enjoy the cool evening breeze under a starlit night sky. Or, you can simply relax in the privacy of your own room and gaze at an unimpeded view through wide picture windows of the bustling city below or the rugged mountains in the distance.

Summit Circle Cebu is located just a stone’s throw away from the historic Fuente Osmena Circle at the heart of Cebu city’s vibrant commercial district, the 210-room hotel and convention center sits right on top of the four-level shopping mall, Robinsons Place Cebu, which houses a variety of restaurants, retail and service establishments. And right across the hotel is the new Robinsons Cybergate Cebu.

Whether it’s your first time or nth time in Cebu City, there’s always something for you to see and do. A quick tour of the city can take you to the traditional tourist spots such as the historic Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minor del Santo Nino nearby, as well as the storied Fort San Pedro. Then there are the heritage houses such as the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House in the old Chinese district in downtown Parian, as well as the Jesuit House, which was built in 1730.

The Heritage Monument in the original Plaza Parian was conceptualized by multi-awarded sculptor Eduardo Castrillo. The massive structure depicts significant events in Cebu’s history, from the heroic stand of native chieftain Lapu-Lapu who killed the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the conversion of Rajah Humabon and his followers to Christianity, to the canonization of the first Filipino saint, Pedro Calungsod.

The monument is just a short 10-minute ride from Fuente Osmena, not far from Summit Circle Cebu. Now, there’s one more place to add to your must-see list in the city. The Summit Circle Cebu is a rebranded hotel that lives up to its new name. It is located at the summit and within the circle of what matters in Cebu.

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Summit Circle Cebu is located at Fuente Osmena, Cebu City, Philippines; trunkline (6332) 239-3000; fax (6332) 239-3099.