Cebu City was busy preparing for the upcoming Sinulog Festival and the International Eucharist Congress while I was scanning HotelQuickly app on my smartphone. Streets in downtown Cebu were clogged by buzzing vehicles with major roads closed to give way for the street dancers of the Sinulog sa Kabataan.
Checking the app at some random days gives this perk of availing overnight hotel stays in the city on discounted rates. On that instant, my dream of staying in Marco Polo Plaza Cebu was granted with an overnight rate of Php2971.88 on a Deluxe Room, including buffet breakfast.
Marco Polo Cebu has regular pick-up schedules in Cebu IT Park, Ayala Center Cebu, and SM City Cebu. From Ayala Terraces, I was rushing to the New Wing to catch the shuttle as the driver strictly follows the schedule as per the hotel staff I’ve talked to. The silver metallic van, that can only fit up to 6 people, means that they already let their guests experience comfort even if they’re beyond the premises of the hotel.
It was only one fifteen in the afternoon and we expected to wait in the lounge areas for our check-in time. We were surprised when they immediately accommodated us on the front desk and asked for our booking information. After about five minutes, we were on our way to our room. Room types of Marco Polo Cebu includes Deluxe, Grand Deluxe, Continental Club, and Suite (Deluxe, Premiere, and Specialty), each having both mountain and sea view. Deluxe rooms arise from 8-18th floors, 19-21st for the Grand Deluxe, while Continental Club and Suites on the upper floors.
We got a Deluxe Room Mountain View room that offers a scenic view of the mountain side of the city. I love the minimalism yet classy ambience of the room with the perfect mishmash of colors from the wall, bed, and curtains. It was a bright day that reminded us to enjoy the comforts of our room. Our room is equipped with 32” LCD cable television, voicemail and IDD phone, free Wi-Fi access, coffee and tea making facility, mini-bar, and in-room safe.
We found out later that when you’re staying in Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, you have the option to choose for your pillows. The pillow menu has five types: ortho, memory dew, neck support, dew elastic, and hypo-allergenic pillows in addition to the soft and plump feather pillows on default. Cool right? Bathroom has no tub but the shower has handheld and overhead spouts, of course with both hot and cold water available. Complete toilet amenities are available and hairdryer can be found inside the closet just in case you need one.
Most of my time in the hotel was spent watching TV shows of Food Network, reading a book, planning my travel for the year, and sleeping. The long bolster pillow is a great support during these activities. Once in a while, I try to stay on the mini-lounge of the room staring at our window that framed the community on that side of the city.
We managed to get out of the room around 7 in the evening to swim in the pool. Because the location of the hotel is already part of the highland, it was a bit cold. The pool area changes color every minute with the spotlights projected to the pool. There’s also a Jacuzzi on the upper level of their main pool. There’s no need to bring your bath towels as towels are being handed to guests upon arrival.
Aside from the plausible service, Marco Polo is also known for the exceptional food they serve. Marco Polo Plaza Cebu has four restaurants: Lobby Lounge, situated on the side of the expansive lobby, great for light meals, high tea, coffee and cocktails; BLU Bar and Grill, above thousand feet high, makes a place for superb entrees and dessert; El Viento by the pool for below zero beer, wines, and freshly baked pizza, and lastly, Café Marco, tagged as the best buffet in Cebu City for Filipino and Continental favorites.
Mind and body were already relaxed, thanks to the facilities. Next morning was intended for my tummy. Buffet breakfast in Café Marco runs from 6AM to 1030AM. It was one of the most generous breakfast buffets I’ve ever tried. If I’m right, the buffet spread on our stay had 5 stations: native breakfast, breakfast staples, salad and organic, cheese and cold cuts including Japanese rolls, and dessert corner.
For people who consider eggs as staples on their breakfast, they prepare four types: poached, quiche, sunny side up, scrambled, and omelet. The native breakfast section grants dried fish (danggit) and squid, noodles, stir-fried veggies, and dim-sum. The salad section also imposes healthy eating by offering organic salad and detoxification drinks. Sushi rolls were also impressive as they were actually simple, without the excessive fillings, yet the rolls were saporous. Don’t ever forget the dessert part; flaky, light, and buttery croissants, moist cup cakes, and soft waffles and pancakes.
Other facilities and services available for guests are business center, kids club, mobile and laptop on loan, transportation desk, medical clinic, tour and travel assistance, 24-hr room service, ATM, gym, and spa with sauna.
Time goes by really swiftly if you are being pampered. The overnight stay in Marco Polo Plaza Cebu was really short that definitely needs an extension. I’ll reserve it for another time though and probably wait for cheaper rates available on the HotelQuickly app. To enjoy hotel discounts, download the app and redeem my code ‘AABEL1’ to receive a one-time Php600 off for your first booking.
MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City
Telephone No.: +63 (32) 253 1111
Website: http://www.marcopoloplazacebu.com/
