Cebu Hotels

[Cbea20]

I stayed at Red Planet to be near the airport. The room was small, the place otherwise nice. I had no occasion to bring in a girl but I'm sure it would be no problem.

I'm staying in the Philippines almost a month and need to shave some cost on some of those days to that I can splurge on some others. The Red Planet is a significant discount from other hotels in the area. The online reviews are good. I know it's not going to impress any dates, but is it at least girl friendly?

[X Man]

Thanks for the report. I've stayed at Holiday Plaza and Diplomat, both on Ramos, and the new ABC hotel is in the middle of the two. Looking at the website, the rooms look small and simple. Was breakfast included and how was that?

http://abchotelcebu.com/main/

Its perfect for me, although not close to Ayala. But from the location on F. Ramos Street I can catch anytime a cab to Ayala for 70 Peso. And if I don't have a date-girl then its walking distance to the Mango Area.

The rate of 1450 P.S. Allow me savings for other activities. The girls like the room design, its new, everything works and you have direct acess to the lift without passing reception.

[Toronto]

In the past couple trips I tried mandarin, Elizabeth and big hotels. Elizabeth was recommended by WR and I can see why. Affordable rates, good size rooms, decent breakfast and easy walk to Ayala. I don't care about not having a pool but must say the wifi was poor. Mandarin was also affordable and easy walk to Ayala. I didn't find crossing the street to be all that difficult but if you do a short walk down to the crossing below the overpass makes it much easier. A lot of Chinese package tourists so breakfast is a zoo. BIG hotel is very convenient if meeting up with girls from areas such as mandaue and also laps lapu since Ayala is "so far" as they say. All I did was tell them to meet me at parkmall which is directly across the street so that I can wait in the hotel just as I do with Ayala meetings. You also have dining options at Times Square. The Chinese restaurant at Times Square is probably the best I had in Cebu. Rates were very reasonable but no pool. If you really need a pool you could pay day use rates at nearby westown lagoon.

[Pcpc1688]

I am a "close to Ayala" convert. Agree both Lex and Harolds are modern 4 star rooms at reasonable prices. Harolds Roof deck bar is one of my favourite restaurants. But I have to disagree with you. Their location is not desirable. Harolds is in the middle of nowhere. It is too far to walk to Ayala and there is nothing around there. Ok taxis are cheap but it is just inconvenient. The Best Western Lex has the strip of restaurants next door (including the Politics bar I have frequented regularly) and Capitol across the road but still for mall access it is totally inconvenient. If they were cheaper than the around Ayala hotels then I would say yeah sure forget their location disadvantage. But they are more expensive than the Ayala hotels like Quest, Elizabeth.
But maybe it depends on your mode of operation. If you have one dedicated girl staying with you then maybe Lex and Harolds are good options. But if you have multiple existing or prospective meetups (where you are going to meet them first time at a mall), then these hotels are not good options IMHO.

I've stayed at Harold's many times and walking too Ayala isn't that bad (10 minutes, 20 if your incredibly fat LOL) Its the heat in that 10-15 min walk that sucks as you arrive sweaty for sure. I like Mandarin and dislike Quest. Mandarin has big rooms and free breakfast, Quest dark rooms and charge US prices for their so-so breakfast. Harold's has better breakfast buffet that's free. LEX is nice with huge rooms and large baths but somewhat tired and can't really walk to Ayala without fear of getting killed by Jeepney or car and the exhaust from all the vehicles dam near kill me LOL.

I've stayed at Alpa Suites too but taxi too Ayala is slow and 80-100 p per ride. Ok rooms and cheap with a good breakfast buffet.

PC out.

PC out.

[Amadeuss]

http://abchotelcebu.com/main/

Its perfect for me, although not close to Ayala. But from the location on F. Ramos Street I can catch anytime a cab to Ayala for 70 Peso. And if I don't have a date-girl then its walking distance to the Mango Area.

The rate of 1450 P.S. Allow me savings for other activities. The girls like the room design, its new, everything works and you have direct acess to the lift without passing reception.

[Wicked Roger]

I am a "close to Ayala" convert. Agree both Lex and Harolds are modern 4 star rooms at reasonable prices. Harolds Roof deck bar is one of my favourite restaurants. But I have to disagree with you. Their location is not desirable. Harolds is in the middle of nowhere. It is too far to walk to Ayala and there is nothing around there. Ok taxis are cheap but it is just inconvenient. The Best Western Lex has the strip of restaurants next door (including the Politics bar I have frequented regularly) and Capitol across the road but still for mall access it is totally inconvenient. If they were cheaper than the around Ayala hotels then I would say yeah sure forget their location disadvantage. But they are more expensive than the Ayala hotels like Quest, Elizabeth.
But maybe it depends on your mode of operation. If you have one dedicated girl staying with you then maybe Lex and Harolds are good options. But if you have multiple existing or prospective meetups (where you are going to meet them first time at a mall), then these hotels are not good options IMHO.

Am also an Ayala body and when Iw as not close to AYala in a condo further away I was not a happy monger LOL. I prefer Ayala over SM and liek the range of restos etc and my; office' is there.

Lex is nice, Harold's is OK for me but price is also important as is location. IF the later 2 were cheaper significantly than the Ayala location hotels I may be persuaded at the time but Ayala always draws me back.

Personal choice and I like the mall atmosphere and watching the eye candy etc.

Taxis are cheap but try and get one along Escario when you need one and sometimes (especially when its the the rainy season) you will get soaked first. So when that happens I would stay in Ayala and drink more coffee etc (one day the rain was so heavy I could not even walk across the road to the condo as it was a river so I stayed in the mall for 2 hours. Can't do that if stuck on Escario IMHO).

But we all have out choices and YMMV.

[Ms Account]

Is Ayala the center of your universe? Seems like many guys cannot stray too far from their comfort zone. Maybe it reminds you of home, eh? Have been steering people to the Lex or Harolds as they are fairly new and service is top notch.

I am a "close to Ayala" convert. Agree both Lex and Harolds are modern 4 star rooms at reasonable prices. Harolds Roof deck bar is one of my favourite restaurants. But I have to disagree with you. Their location is not desirable. Harolds is in the middle of nowhere. It is too far to walk to Ayala and there is nothing around there. Ok taxis are cheap but it is just inconvenient. The Best Western Lex has the strip of restaurants next door (including the Politics bar I have frequented regularly) and Capitol across the road but still for mall access it is totally inconvenient. If they were cheaper than the around Ayala hotels then I would say yeah sure forget their location disadvantage. But they are more expensive than the Ayala hotels like Quest, Elizabeth.
But maybe it depends on your mode of operation. If you have one dedicated girl staying with you then maybe Lex and Harolds are good options. But if you have multiple existing or prospective meetups (where you are going to meet them first time at a mall), then these hotels are not good options IMHO.

[Ms Account]

Any feedback on Golden Prince. 6 min walk to Ayala. Looks ok.

I used to stay here of and on a few years ago after they first opened their new wing. Originally they only had one wing. The building with one lift on the left looking at reception. They then opened a new bigger wing with two lifts right of reception. I have heard so many complaints of people staying in the old wing. I remember one American guy loudly complaining to reception there was no window in his room. So you need to book the new wing. Just checking bookings.com and their own direct website I am confused which room types is the new wing and which is the old wing. I can guarantee the deluxe room is the new wing which has one double and one single bed. I think the prince studio is the old wing and is a cheaper price but I can't be sure. I was shocked at the prices. I used to pay two to three years ago 2100 for the deluxe. I think the old wing was around 1850. Their own website is quoting 4100 for the deluxe room. Bookings.com is quoting 3000. At that price Elizabeth or Quest offer better value IMHO.

[NewImage]

During rush hours, it is difficult to walk to the Parklane as I was almost run over trying to cross the street. Not very fond of their service last time I stayed there either.

Is Ayala the center of your universe? Seems like many guys cannot stray too far from their comfort zone. Maybe it reminds you of home, eh?

Have been steering people to the Lex or Harolds as they are fairly new and service is top notch.

Any feedback on Golden Prince. 6 min walk to Ayala. Looks ok.

[Buko Max]

I don't know the Quest Hotel, but I did stay at the Parklane a couple of months ago and had no issues at all. Walking back to the hotel from Ayala was dead simple, and your statement that it's difficult to walk off the property mystifies me.

During rush hours, it is difficult to walk to the Parklane as I was almost run over trying to cross the street. Not very fond of their service last time I stayed there either.

All close to Ayala, all very walkable and IMHO easy to get to Ayala so price etc decides for many.

Is Ayala the center of your universe? Seems like many guys cannot stray too far from their comfort zone. Maybe it reminds you of home, eh?

Have been steering people to the Lex or Harolds as they are fairly new and service is top notch.

[Col Law]

Myself I find the place inside raintree mall to be the best rates, you can tell by the amount of Phil's there. A queue inside most hours but dealt with expediently Shouild add it is a cash place, not TC or cards should be my place I go

The Ayala changer I always use for all currencies. Is a small place but worth the trek. After the escalator turn left and walk past Western Union and it it there on the left.

For pesos I go to the one on the ground floor near the information booth. Both good rates IMHO.

Should be titled my place i go

[Ms Account]

Considering between 2. Seems Quest is best, Parklane cheaper.

Any deal breakers here? Opinions please.

I have not stayed at Parklane for a long time where the room was a bit run down but it seems from recent reports there has been renovations. The reason I would always choose Quest is internet speed. Maybe not important for you. But getting a reliable greater than 7/8 MB / s connection is required by a trading software I use extensively. Quest have installed Rise as their ISP. Rise is a new internet provider for commercial buildings only (although they are starting on residential buildings). I usually get 20-40 mb / s at the Quest. Very intelligently they have installed the routers in every second room (above the bed. So not sure whether that is good for the health) not in the hallway. So even if your room does not have a router you only have one concrete wall to the router. In hotels that have routers in the hall way quite often I have to stand at the room door to get connection. I have also purchased Globe pocket wifi. At best I get 7 MB / s but most often I only get 1 Mb / s. So I am still dependent on the hotel's internet. Most of the other hotels around Ayala are atrocious internet including Elizabeth, Golden Prince. Don't know about Red Planet. Just another evaluation perspective that may not be a driver for you.

[Dg8787]

I'm staying in the Philippines almost a month and need to shave some cost on some of those days to that I can splurge on some others. The Red Planet is a significant discount from other hotels in the area. The online reviews are good. I know it's not going to impress any dates, but is it at least girl friendly?

Red planet is still impressive to 99% of the girls. Take the time to go visit their homes. Most will like the cr in red planet as the shower is better than the other higher priced hotels. Also RP has bum blaster while other hotels don't. RP elevator by passes the lobby too for more privacy.

The only thing missing is the "free buffet" built in to the other hotel prices. Some girls like the buffet and others don't. Others don't like to be seen with foreigners in public.

The only thing really missing is a swimming pool. Other than that RP has better direct access to Ayala Mall without getting killed!

Btw, book it on travel advisor as it is cheaper than their member rates.

[LifeIsABeach]

I'm staying in the Philippines almost a month and need to shave some cost on some of those days to that I can splurge on some others. The Red Planet is a significant discount from other hotels in the area. The online reviews are good. I know it's not going to impress any dates, but is it at least girl friendly?

I stayed at a Chinese hotel in the same area at some discounted rates. When I got there, I found that it was in their very old building, many things not working, old tube tv etc. Not what I expected. I made a fuss as pictures do not show that online. The Manager upgraded me to the new wing and a really nice room.

I suggest, you make clear with them what you are getting. If it is what I got, pay more.

[GoodEnough]

Would not stay in either property! Traffic is hellacious in that area during rush hours. Parklane is an island onto itself and difficult to walk off the property. The pool area is nice with the bar but purchases and incidentals at the hotel all come with a 25% VAT / service fee. Quest is not a good value for the money as you will find out. Seems like many guys don't like to stray too far from Ayala Mall.

I don't know the Quest Hotel, but I did stay at the Parklane a couple of months ago and had no issues at all. Walking back to the hotel from Ayala was dead simple, and your statement that it's difficult to walk off the property mystifies me.

GE.