There exists an intrepid explorer in each of us — eager to unravel something new or embark on something unique, audacious, magical and even life changing.
Recently, I was regaled by the Mövenpick experience in the Queen City of the South where the opulent and luxurious also embraces what is precious and sublime.
The Mediterranean-inspired Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu recently had a grand relaunch of its brand-new rooms, out-of-the-box dining concepts and the chic Ibiza Beach Club. The hotel’s gracious owner Manny Osmeña and hotel general manager Knuth Kiefer personally welcomed guests like Sharon Cuneta and her husband Senator Kiko Pangilinan, KC Concepcion, Tim Yap, Grace Lee and the hosts of the evening, Anthony and Maricel Pangilinan. Mövenpick Cebu’s entire dedicated staff welcomed guests as it unveiled its much-awaited, stunning P500 million transformation.
The sumptuous scent of the finest coffee brewed from the towering Venus coffee machine by Victoria Arduino beckons as you step into the hotel lobby. An attraction in itself, the machine is skillfully handcrafted with pure copper by master artisans and metal sculptors in the quaint village of Macerata in Southeastern Italy. The Venus is the same coffee machine used in the Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI, and premier tourist destinations like the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge, L’Opera and Caffe Greco. Also found in the lobby is The Forum, an elegant yet refreshing lounge featuring hard-to-find Cognac brands such as Hennessy Richard, old Macallan single-malt whiskey, and function areas, including all other public areas and the garden, are equipped with Bose audio systems.
As I gracefully sank into the comfortable custom-made seats, the stark-white, Ferrari-branded parasails hanging from the ceiling, and noticed the posh room toiletries by House of Chopard, I could imagine that this was simply a prelude to more amazing things that would inevitably unfold.
The sun was beginning to set as I strolled around the hotel, excitedly anticipating the evening’s grand launch. As I gaped in awe at the expansive and exquisite all-white Mediterranean lobby with exteriors in hints of tropical hues like turquoise, aqua and apple-green cushions, I saw the vivacious and talented sisters Ivy and Cynthia Almario meticulously fixing up the touches for the evening’s launch. The moment I saw them, I knew in my heart that the only thing I could expect from the Mövenpick Cebu is sublime beauty, sophistication and synergy that the best functional design can offer. The dynamic sisters have always been a great source of inspiration for my siblings and me — not just because of what they do, but how they do it as well.
“My desire is for them to keep returning for more and more of the Mövenpick experience,†said the gregarious raconteur Manny Osmeña, whose passion for detail and excellence is simply infectious. He gave my newfound friend Em Guevara and me an ocular inspection and explained the impressive and cutting-edge developments in the fabulous seaside property. The 244 upscale rooms and suites had been remodeled to feature the white and aqua-hued themes very much like Santorini in Greece. The Presidential Suite, at the hotel’s top floor, will give guests a 180-degree view of the picturesque Hilutungan Channel. Meanwhile, the Ibiza Loft Suite will provide you with a two-level, three-bedroom space with a 120-degree sea view and the ideal venue for your parties.
“People know me to be a perfectionist, but tonight, with the incessant rain and uncontrollable weather, I realize that the good Lord has humbled me. The past week of sunshine allowed us this opportunity to have our launch on this significant day,†declared Manny at the recent grand relaunch of his hotel the Mövenpick Cebu.
Manny is passion personified. His insatiable penchant for the most illustrious epicurean experiences is simply admirable. The gracious wine connoisseur of Manny O. fame is the prime mover behind his Mövenpick Hotel in Cebu, where Swiss bliss reigns supreme and the Ibiza lifestyle of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean sublimely invites one and all to its hip and happening shores. “When excellence becomes a habit, this lifestyle becomes the rule rather than the exception,†Manny said.
The Mövenpick Hotel in Cebu is reputed to utilize more rosewood and merbau than any other hotel in Southeast Asia. As guests walked on the very stylish rosewood decking floors replete with three million stainless steel screws, our hearts skipped a beat as we walked our way to the piéce-de-rèsistance of the property, the Ibiza Beach Club that is simply a different world.
As in-house celebrity DJ Toni M said of the Martin Audio outfitted lounge, “Every night in Ibiza Beach Club will be epic… a celebration of life, dance and music.†He hails from the ultimate party hot spot: Ibiza, Spain. Among the list of top super clubs he has played in are the world-renowned Nikki Beach in Marbella, El Divino and Puro Beach Club in Ibiza and OHM in Spain.
Manny passionately shared that you could also get even more out of your Mövenpick life with the Ibiza Beach Club package for two. The special treatment that hotel’s guests are already expected to receive will be elevated notches higher. They will be chauffeured from the Cebu airport to the Mövenpick Hotel aboard a chic Porsche Cayenne.
There, privilege after privilege awaits you such as the beach club’s own line of Ibiza resort wear and lifestyle gifts, a complimentary bottle of whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, or two bottles of internationally-awarded Manny O wines will also be ready for your arrival. After breakfast, you can avail of your choice of two activities per person per day such as a two-hour spa treatment, an introductory dive in Mövenpick’s own marine sanctuary, or a 2 1/2-hour tour of the islands with a picnic basket for you and your guest. Cooking and tasting classes give you a rare look into the secret behind the hotel’s signature dishes, and an afternoon Mixology class will let you try your hand at creating the perfect cocktail.
The package options start with a minimum of two days, and also come with a roster of activities such as yoga, pilates, and Aqua Aerobics, as well as 30-percent discount on the Garden Cabanas and all food and beverages.
The chefs at the Sails, the Mövenpick’s all-day dining restaurant with themed buffets that flow into the main lobby and the al fresco area, were dedicated to serving the freshest salads; they will even gamely toss it for you after you have chosen your greens, condiments like eggs, carrots, olives, bacon and more. The burrito bowl allows you to choose your meat — chicken, pork or beef — then top it with your favorite Mexican condiments like cheese, salsa and guacamole. The do-it-yourself pizza replete with soft crust of your choice included anchovies, cheese, salami, tomatoes, and anything one’s heart could desire. Executive chef Johnny Rodriguez, part-Spanish and part-Mexican, successfully prepared flavorful food with soul and character and robust flavors. Having recently come from L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, a hotel frequented by Hollywood’s well-heeled, Rodriguez’s culinary skills were also honed at Caesar’s Palace in one of America’s favorite cities for food, Las Vegas.
For that added touch of Swiss Bliss, try the Mövenpick ice cream that comes in Caramelita, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate and maple walnut flavors.
As the weather cleared and rains stopped, prominent Cebuanos clad in their resort luxe wear savored the party fever at the Ibiza Beach Club that invaded the tropical isle. The architectural solution chosen to enhance this place is interwoven with its beauty and magic. A land blessed by the sun and inspired by the natural colors that accompany these mis-en-scènes. Mövenpick’s Cebu’s pearl of great prize, Ibiza Beach Club, is bathed by the same splendid waters and a divine stretch of coast that opens up before the visitor’s eyes, winding romantically with the ocean views. Inspiring us with changing visions as the sun rises and sets characteristic of the “path of the Gods,†one need not travel far to Ibiza, Mallorca, Mallaga and the Amalfi Coast — they are right here on our shores.
For now, let me rest my exploration and savor “Barefoot Elegance†here at the Mövenpick Hotel Cebu. It is a precious, unique and exhillarating gem-of-a-destination that ought to be experienced. Once you step into this luxurious paradise, I assure you will find no reason to leave.
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For more information, log on to www.movenpick-hotels.com/cebu or e-mail hotel.cebu@movenpick.com.
E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.