Metro Cebu, surprisingly, is twice the size of Metro Manila in terms of area. The urban center of Cebu includes the cities of Carcar, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay, and Cebu City. While foreign tourists prefer the extreme ends of the province for outdoor activities, local tourists visiting Cebu for the first time usually stay in the metro to discover their Filipino roots. With that, a centrally-located accommodation in the heart of Metro Cebu is one of the things they searched for before the trip.
Good thing is, Bai Hotel Cebu, located in North Reclamation Area, already started to welcome guests in Cebu. Bai is one of the first Bisaya words I’ve learned when I moved to Cebu. It translates to buddy or brother, a conversational word typically used by guys in calling a friend. Taking the term to its brand, Bai Hotel Cebu indeed carries the challenge to provide a friendly service to its guests.
Cebu was my home province for almost three years and tons of Cebu tourist destinations were explored. I also had a few hotel staycations with friends and workmates on my stay. That’s why I was so excited when I found out, before I left the province a year ago, that an ongoing construction in Mandaue City will be the home of Bai Hotel Cebu.
The prime location of Bai Hotel Cebu is one of its advantages over the other hotels in Metro Cebu. The hotel is only around 15 minutes from Mactan Cebu International Airport. It’s also located in North Reclamation area, which is both accessible to Mactan Island for its beaches and Cebu City for the historical landmarks.
Apart from the excitement of trying out the hotel’s facilities, one of the things I looked forward to was visiting Parkmall, which is across the road. If you’re curious, my favorite Cebu Original Lechon Belly has 3 stores in Parkmall and I made sure to get a dib on the best Cebu Lechon belly before checking-in at the hotel.
Hotel Arrival
You can arrange an airport pick-up with the hotel or avail other airport transfers such as taxi, Grab, or the budget-friendly SM MyBus with a stop in Parkmall. Taking a drop-off at Parkmall will only mean an easy pedestrian cross to the hotel. The lobby of the hotel is ‘super grand’, as described by a friend who visited me at the hotel. Fixtures and lighting make the entire space elegant.
Standard check-in time is 3 PM but if the hotel wasn’t fully-booked, you can join the line of early groups for check-in. There were four counters if I remembered it right, but they still need few more due to the number of guests they need to cater during check-in and check-out times.
Bai Hotel Cebu Accommodations
Bai Hotel Cebu has several accommodation options from deluxe, premier, to executive rooms and suites. Each of these types has their own set of amenities that levels up as the room type goes up. Rooms can either have a single king-sized bed or two twin beds.
The hotel has a total of 668 guestrooms making it, as of writing, the biggest hotel outside of Metro Manila. I was billeted in a premier room equipped with a massive king-sized bed crowded with longer-than-usual pillows. A lounge chair and footstool extends the comforts that the room offers. A working desk will be an added point for business travelers.
For guests availing the executive rooms, privileges such as butler service, express check-in, access to their Executive Lounge on the 22nd floor, complimentary shoeshine and laundry for two items, and late checkout are only some of the free services offered.
Limitless Dining Options
What makes Bai Hotel Cebu another destination in Metro Cebu is its limitless gastronomic experience. Apart from the hotel’s in-house restaurants, there are few restaurants on the hotel’s ground level serving varied cuisines from special coffee and snacks, made-to-order sushi, and premium steaks.
Light snacks are available at Lobby Lounge situated next to the front desk on the ground level. The modern and stylish ambiance of the lounge is a perfect spot to retire after a tiring day of travel. If you want to expand the list of coffee options, take a short walk to Wallstreet Coffee + Bar for signature coffee selections and other fruit juices and smoothies as well as baked goodies freshly made daily.
In addition to Wallstreet Coffee + Bar are Ume for Japenese restaurant focusing on providing an authentic Japanese food experience prepared by their resident Japanese chef; and Marble + Grain for premium steaks that are sometimes on promo such as steak all-you-can for only PHP999.
Pool Bar will be a friend for guests lounging on the 21st floor of the hotel. The bar serves light snacks and fresh fruits drinks and shakes as well as cocktails, wines, and beers. The bar is open as early as 7 AM until 10 in the evening. Enjoy the sweeping view of Metro Cebu on the hotel’s outdoor bar, Twilight Roofdeck and Bar on the 23rd floor. As the day ends, enjoy their signature drinks and bar favorites.
Breakfast at Café Bai
Café Bai is Bai Hotel Cebu’s main restaurant. Buffet breakfast included on the room rates are usually availed here. The hotel is really true to their statement, the buffet is indeed massive and comparable to buffet restaurants in Cebu. You can surely spend four hours just having your breakfast at Café Bai. From English breakfast, Asian delights such as Japanese, Chinese, and to Filipino staples, you’ll be leaving the restaurant with your tummy full.
Facilities and Amenities
In addition to the tons of conveniences and services mentioned, other Bai Hotel Cebu facilities include a business center, technology-advanced fitness center with sauna booths, spa, the infinity pool on the 22nd floor, and the roof deck offering stunning views of the nearby cities.
The hotel also provides shuttle service to Parkmall, SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu but only two times a day. The first schedule is at 11 AM and the other one at 6 PM. Hoping they could add more schedules given the huge number of guestrooms available.
Lastly, what makes a stay in Bai Hotel Cebu remarkable is the ingenuity of the local hospitality. The Bai branding transcends to the way the hotel accommodates their guests, that everyone booking a room at the hotel will surely get a helpful and friendly service from the hotel’s staff and crew.
BAI HOTEL CEBU
Ouano Avenue cor. Seno Boulevard
North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City Cebu, Philippines
Mobile Numbers: 0917-625-8830 | 0999-229-5675
Email: info@baihotel.com.ph
Website: https://baihotels.com/
Disclosure: The blogger would like to thank Bai Hotel Cebu for accommodating him on his 3-day stay in Cebu.
