Apart
from proximity to the Mactan International Airport, Mandaue night life and a
few distance to Cebu City proper, there are surprises that await when one makes
a choice to stay at Bai Hotel of Cebu City.
The
flight attendants, sojourners and transients are a common sight at the
reception area of this luxury hotel. I
remember my first long-haul trip to San Francisco, USA as soon as we arrived at
Cebu City on one weekend. Last
Christmas, I had an almost 24-hour layover in San Francisco bound for Calgary,
Canada, and on queue for check-in on one luxury hotel near the airport, I was
joined by pilots and flight attendants, who will likewise spend the night at
the said city. That was some sort of a deja vu for me, as I, together with my
friends, lined-up to check in Bai-Hotel, which is likewise a few meters from
the Mactan Airport. At that moment, I
know my weekend in Cebu will be all about relaxation and pampering. A transient stay at its best.
Since
we checked-in late and almost past midnight due to delayed flights from Manila,
we tried to inquire if an in-house restaurant is still open to satisfy our
hunger. Fortunately, we were directed to
the Twilight Roofdeck Lounge + Bar
and we were accommodated to the last minute.
TWILIGHT ROOFDECK
LOUNGE + BAR
Our
first night was not the first encounter and experience of the roofdeck lounge,
we came back for our last night as well.
The modern outdoor terrace is
spacious enough to accommodate a number of guests without prying into the
privacy of adjacent tables. The al
fresco dining experience offers bar chow, cocktails, draft beers and wines.
And
the meals itself are gastronomically appealing and delectable. It is also
becoming one of the popular go-to place for a nightlife at Cebu.
THE
ROOMS
We were assigned to a Deluxe Twin Bed on duration of
stay at Bai Hotel. The room is equipped
with all the basics and comes with a chiller, electronic safe and electric iron
with ironing road. The same is likewise
available on other room types.
Because we are all internet-dependent, it is good that
the hotel is able to provide complimentary daily wifi with Internet Protocol
Televisions (IPTV) offering an unbeatable choice of live channels. Comfort and
security are ensured thru a world-class access control system.
We can actually lounge and rest the whole day at our
rooms if not for the other equally promising amenities the hotel has to offer.
RESTAURANTS
The Bai Hotel may have pampered us so much that one
can actually no longer go out of the hotel for a meal. Your all-day meal is covered by the varied
in-house restaurants of the hotel, specializing on different cuisines and
offerings. They are all unique in every
aspect.
UME JAPANESE
CUISINE
Situated at the ground floor and near the reception
area of the hotel, we had our lunch served for the first day at the Japanese
restaurant named Ume. With a modern chic
ambiance, the restaurant provides a generous serving of traditional Japanese
cuisine featuring made-to-order sushi, soba, rice bowls and a la carte yakitori,
sashimi and other dishes.
In a quite unique concept of presentation, the
servings are prepared by a Japanese chef.
Note however that the restaurant is closed every Monday. Operating hours are from 11:30AM to 2:30 PM
for lunch and 6:00PM to 10:00PM for dinner.
It is actually one of the best Japanese restaurants I
have tried in the country, not only in Cebu City.
MARBLE +
GRAIN STEAKHOUSE
Adjacent to the Japanese restaurant is the
steakhouse. This fine dining restaurant
named Marble + Grain Steakhouse is easy to love. For duration of stay at the hotel, we were
always full and appetites properly satisfied.
I am actually not sure, if it was just a promo during our stay, but
steak comes in unlimited serving. And
with this unlimited request for serving of steaks, we indeed gained pounds
while in Cebu City for the weekends.
Marble + Grain Steakhouse serves the finest
custom-aged USDA prime beef, which comes with an excellent wine selection and
the given extraordinary hospitality service.
Apart from the steaks, the restaurant’s menu includes seafood, lamb,
pork and poultry dishes.
EXECUTIVE
CLUB LOUNGE
The Executive Club Lounge is actually exclusive to
guests of the Executive Club Floor, situated at the 22nd Floor of
the hotel. We were fortunate to have
been given the opportunity to have our breakfast served at the Executive Club
Lounge.
The Executive Club Lounge serves complimentary
buffet-style breakfast, light refreshments, afternoon, tea, cocktails and
beers. The lounge is actually perfect
for business meetings and for a more intimate dining experience when you stay
as a group.
We actually enjoyed the exclusivity as this weekend
getaway served as a reunion as well for our good friends who I travelled with
to Indonesia for the #TripofWonders
tourism campaign.
The curiosity to either try the Pool Bar or stay at
the comforts of our rooms for a rest was a dilemma we had. But after sunset, we gave in for a quick dip
at the hotel’s pool alongside the Pool Bar.
Situated at the 21st Floor of the hotel, more than the light
to heavy snacks, fresh drinks, draft beers, cocktails and wines, floating while
gazing at the stars and the city skyline is what the Pool Bar wants the guests
to experience.
SIDE
TRIPS WHILE AT BAI HOTEL
Bai Hotel, as a business hotel, is a perfect location
for side trips as well while in Mandaue.
Though not within the city center, the hotel is accessible to equally
appealing landmarks of Cebu, perfect for a weekend getaway.
And in our case, we got to celebrate the birthday of
one of our friends in one of Cebu’s best night clubs, dine at my favorite Cebu’s
Original Lechon Belly and stroll at a now famed mausoleum in the province.
TEMPLE OF
LEAH
With the assistance of Bai Hotel, transport to the
Temple of Leah was easy. The Temple of
Leah is now a famous landmark in Cebu, with guests coming for a photo shoot and
have a glimpse of Roman-inspired architecture.
Because the temple is situated on a high elevation, it
has a good vantage of Cebu skyline as well.
CEBU’S
ORIGINAL LECHON BELLY
A taste of Lechon
Cebu is one of the must dining experience when in the province. Fortunately, my favorite Cebu’s OriginalLechon Belly has a branch at the Parkmall, just across Bai Hotel. And so we tried their spicy and original
lechon belly on a hefty serving.
OQTAGON
The Bai Hotel is a partner establishment of Oqtagon. We were told that we just have to present the
keycards and there is no door charge.
We noticed that the patrons are mostly Koreans. It really is one of the best night clubs of
Cebu with world-class interiors and sophisticated built-in sound system. We went there almost exhausted but curious to
try the nightlife and planned to leave the club early. But as soon as we were inside, we were seated
on one of the VIP tables and began to enjoy the sounds and the booze. We celebrated the birthday of one of our
friends, Ruth, and it was courtesy of Bai Hotel. The hotel indeed knows how to treat their
guests on a five-star personalized hospitality service.
RECOMMENDATION
Bai Hotel is an ideal accommodation for large groups –
on vacation with friends, family and for an official business travel. With the traffic congestion now slowly
building-up in Cebu, especially in downtown area and if visiting with time
constraints, it would be best to stay at Bai Hotel.
While at Bai Hotel, you get the 100% Cebuano
hospitality and comforts of a five-star service. This is seeking an authentic local experience,
without compromising the vision to serve savvy business and leisure travelers.
BAI HOTEL
A1 Ouano Avenue, Mandaue City
(032) 342 8888
