JAM-PACKED WEEKEND AT CEBU WHITE SANDS RESORTS AND SPA

by - 12:35 PM


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.


Photo by: Doi
Mactan Island Hopping



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.


Photo by: Doi
Resorts Amenities’ and Rooms

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)



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.


CEBU WHITE SANDS RESORT AND SPA
Maribago Beach, Mactan Island
6015 Philippines
(63 32) 268 9000, 495 2226
cebu@whitesands.com.ph

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2 comments

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I visit everyday a few blogs and sites to read articles, but this webpage gives
    feature based posts.

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