JAM-PACKED WEEKEND AT CEBU WHITE SANDS RESORTS AND SPA
One of the disadvantages of being in the corporate world is the fact that free time is a luxury and should definitely be well-spent. Blame it on airline seat sales that one weekend haphazardly lead my travel buddies and I to another favorite destination of mine - Cebu City.
I was the last one to arrive
at Cebu as I do have to work even on Saturdays. I only have a Sunday to
spare. We were fortunate though to have
been booked for accommodations at Cebu White Sands Resorts and Spa for this
weekend, offering the much-needed relaxation albeit with time constraints.
A quality sleep nap,
luxurious stay, gastronomic treat, island hopping adventure and a massage
treatment were the highlights of this short stay in Cebu not to mention the
bond we spent with Cebu-based friends in the travel blogging world I
surprisingly entered.
It was around 10 in the
evening when I arrived at Cebu and I was told the following day was arranged by
the hotel for an island hopping adventure.
With a videoke and drinking
session to ensue after my arrival, I had a few hours left to sleep and
rejuvenate for the next days’ activity. Do I even care? Life is short as I
continuously remind myself.
Cebu White Sands Resorts and
Spa is situated at Mactan Island, and a 15-minute drive from the Mactan
International Airport. Given its
location, it is but fitting that I get to experience what Mactan, Cebu has to
offer – island hopping adventure it is.
The island hopping adventure
commenced after we had our breakfast at Patio Gavino, one of the three
restaurants of the hotel. The buffet spread is composed of Filipino and Western
cuisine choices. It is situated beside
the pool providing a panoramic landscape for the first meal of the day.
After I sampled a few for
breakfast, I immediately went back to my room and extended my sleep while
waiting for everyone to finish their breakfast and be ready for the island
hopping adventure.
Mactan Island Hopping
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| Photo by: Doi |
There were three
destinations for the island hop. A
snorkeling activity was engaged by my friends at Gilutungan Marine Sanctuary –
the first stop, while I had a deep slumber on one side of the outrigger boat
with a heavy snore.
Islas Tres Rosas was the venue for our lunch. This is privately-owned
by the owner of Cebu White Sands Resorts and Spa. Seafood produce and grilled liempo were among our choices. We were likewise joined by the owner of the
resort, his friends and family, the island being their rendezvous for a usual
weekend getaway. The island gives us a
glimpse of the neighboring small towns of Bohol.
 |
| Photo by: Doi |
Last destination for the
island hopping tour was somewhere near the Olango Island. They say the area is named Sta. Rosa. We were docked in the middle of the
ocean. I had a few bottles of beer while
my friends swim again…
There is a portion of the
Mactan sea which has clear emerald green and shallow waters complemented by
loud party music as the outrigger boats of varied visitors were docked. But we only passed by it. Too bad.
The service of the hotel is truly commendable that even at the outrigger boats they offer refreshments and beer. The private boat is spacious and huge that one can even hold a party at the sea. I was personally amazed of the mini-toilet it has.
Resorts Amenities’ and Rooms
The service of the hotel is truly commendable that even at the outrigger boats they offer refreshments and beer. The private boat is spacious and huge that one can even hold a party at the sea. I was personally amazed of the mini-toilet it has.
 |
| Photo by: Doi |
Returning back, I had the
chance to roam around the vicinity and loitered at one of the less-crowded
pools of the hotel, the courtyard. The
Courtyard Wing displays an integration of Philippine furniture collected all
over the country and a number of Japanese koi ponds. I am reminded of Balinese architecture for
this side of the hotel.
Beside the courtyard is the
Heritage Wing. These rooms all have private balconies where the available rooms
during the hotels' first years of operation are. Reminiscent of traditional Filipino homes,
the rooms have maintained its wooden floors and bamboo walls, thus the name
Heritage.
We were booked at the 7th
floor of the Mabuhay Wing. It houses
contemporary Filipino-inspired rooms offering a good vantage of the vast
property of the hotel and the whole of the Mactan area including the coastline. It is further the only high-rise structure of
the resort. At the rooftop is a bar as well, where I wasn't able to experience dining since I was late to arrive yet the view it offers and the interior design itself is truly pleasing to the senses.
A deluxe room with a pool view was our transient abode. The room has two queen-sized beds that comes with a private balcony. It is further equipped with complimentary bottled water, coffee and tea amenities, safety deposit box, telephones and 32” flat screen TV with cable connection. All rooms are fully air-conditioned. The group stayed at our room for a yet another movie (and a few drinks) session (click to check other room types and rates)
A deluxe room with a pool view was our transient abode. The room has two queen-sized beds that comes with a private balcony. It is further equipped with complimentary bottled water, coffee and tea amenities, safety deposit box, telephones and 32” flat screen TV with cable connection. All rooms are fully air-conditioned. The group stayed at our room for a yet another movie (and a few drinks) session (click to check other room types and rates)
I really had a comfortable
and quality sleep during my stay at the resort.
Despite the early call time for the next days’ flight, leaving a maximum
of three hours for sleep, I am glad the softness of the pillow and the bed
mattress literally provided comfort.
Anahata Spa
I was snoring loud when I
had the massage treatment. That is what
my friend told me and there must be no other reason for the same but the gentle
soothe over my body caused by the long, gliding strokes and stretches of the
therapist.
The movement of the
therapists appears synchronized with the music emanating within the room. The highly distinctive Anahata Signature
massage was the name of the treatment.
It is a sensual Swedish-inspired massage. Whatever that is, I was truly relaxed.
The Anahata Spa uses 100%
all-natural ingredients. Aside from the
signature massage, it offers natural beauty facials, healing bath rituals and
body treatments.
After the relaxing massage,
we then have to move towards the city center for further exploration.
The predicaments of exhaustion for a jam-packed weekend vanished as I recall the memories and time spent at Cebu City.
The predicaments of exhaustion for a jam-packed weekend vanished as I recall the memories and time spent at Cebu City.
CEBU WHITE SANDS RESORT AND SPA
Maribago Beach, Mactan
Island
6015 Philippines
(63 32) 268 9000, 495 2226
cebu@whitesands.com.ph
2 comments
i'm sorry to tell you this..you have a lot of travels but in all of it (your pictures) you have not incite me to go there. i dont know why. i have cross on your blog because of ada wilkinson's blog. compare to ada's site, her is simple and she had a good pictures though she is not that good in english, i dont like the way she narrate stories in her blog. but her pictures incite me to travel. sorry to inform you about this. i just hope you capture a good photo that incite viewers to travel.
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