The Shangri-La Mactan Provides Something for Everyone
I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort in Cebu, Philippines. This resort truly has something for every type of travel personality. Foodie's, spa lovers, pool & beach goers, adventurers and those who just want to feel extra special, will all feel at home at the Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu. This property has something to satisfy everyone and I have compiled a few of my favorite parts about my stay.
Views
The views from every point of the resort are absolutely stunning. The pools are gorgeous, the landscapes are beautiful and of course the ocean views from many of the rooms are stunning. You are able to watch a sunrise or sunset from just about anyplace on the resort property, and it will certainly be a memorable experience. Everywhere you look, it's breathtaking.
Hospitality
The staff at a property and overall hospitality will make or break your stay at a hotel or resort. The staff at the Shangri-La bends over backwards to ensure their guests feel special. A large part of the charm when visiting the Philippines is how incredibly happy the Filipino people are, and their eagerness to please their guests. I experienced this time and time again. After seeing how beautiful the sunrises were, I wanted to go parasailing at the ungodly hour of 5:30am. I mentioned this to the general manager of the resort and he immediately said that he would find a way to make it happen. Not only did the staff make it happen, but they had also arranged for me to be shuttled to and from the dock and they all did so with pleasure (and were even thoughtful enough to bring me a bottle of water for the way back). The devil is in the details and it's the details that make a stay an exceptional experience. The courtesy and thoughtfulness of the Shangri-La staff provided me with a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the most incredible sunrise that I have ever seen.
The Spa
This spa is without a doubt one of the most relaxing and enjoyable places I have ever been. It was everything that every spa should want to be. The Chi Spa leaves no stone unturned. I opted for a Hilot massage which is a type of massage local to the area that includes a milk bath for your feet and scrub, coconut oil and warm banana leaves to relieve stress. This massage was not only incredible, but it was incredibly enjoyable from start to finish. Walking up to the Chi spa is already a relaxing experience with a winding sidewalk and perfectly manicured landscape, then when you step inside the entire place whispers zen and the relaxation begins as you are instantly offered warm tea. The Chi Spa was unlike any other spa that I have ever experienced, pure perfection.
Outdoor Activities
The amount of activities at the resort is absolutely endless. Aside from the standard choices of the beach and pool, the Shangri-La Mactan has a variety of outdoor activities and water sports. The resort provides parasailing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding just to name a few.
Additionally, there are dozens of nearby day trips such as swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob and visiting the island of Bohol.
Easily Accessible
With Philippine Airlines' new nonstop flight from LAX to Cebu, reaching Cebu and the Shangri-La Mactan from the U.S. has never been easier. Additionally, Philippine Airlines has nonstop flights to Cebu from many domestic airports. Cebu is in the center of the Philippines, therefore it also makes an excellent jumping off point to almost any of the other 7,107 islands in the country.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip.
Mabuhay!