General Information

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger]LOL

Still cant convince you GE about the merits of fish and chips, bangers and mash or even toad in the hole?

The Swiss Deli hot dogs are wonderful having tried them myself but sometimes I like to stray into more adventurous cuisine. And for those on a budget Nathan's is good value.[/QUOTE]
WR, we're going to Farfalla tonight for some moules marinière, carré d'agneau and a nice Bordeaux. I'll ask Célina if she can put some Nathan's hot dogs on the menu just for you when you're next here.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]WR, we're going to Farfalla tonight for some moules marinière, carré d'agneau and a nice Bordeaux. I'll ask Célina if she can put some Nathan's hot dogs on the menu just for you when you're next here.[/QUOTE]

We have those in the UK also, we just prefer to call them by a different name....roast rack of lamb and mussels in cream sauce!

[QUOTE=David_33]Sir Lancelot,

Unfortunately your excellent reports are hidden down the threads, so they probably get overlooked by a lot of forum members (myself included). I just asked Jackson to give you senior member status so that your reports won't continue to be delayed before they appear. I hope he acts on my suggestion. You also might consider paying the $19.95 so that you can send and receive PMs. I'm sure many members want to thank you for your reports but don't want to clutter up the threads.[/QUOTE]I'm glad you enjoyed my report and thanks for your suggestion to Jackson. I shall certainly look in to becoming a member too.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]WR, we're going to Farfalla tonight for some moules marinière, carré d'agneau and a nice Bordeaux. I'll ask Célina if she can put some Nathan's hot dogs on the menu just for you when you're next here.[/QUOTE]
LOL :)

I like variety as you are aware, but am happy with either....where is that ketchup bottle :p

Please say to Celina and hopefully next time am in Davao I will speak to her about increasing the variety on her menu :D

Back to Cebu...the Maya restaurant is excellent as is the one at the Shangri La though it is a long drive. Excellent lobster. At a recent outing with a good friend, my Cebu favourite over indulged (in good food, not me ...she does that later after dinner ;)) but was remarkably calm and composed when it was upchuck time. It was a though nothing had happened he said. But the food is excellent. You should try Maya when next in Cebu.

Also I liked Gustavian on the Terraces. The US guy who runs it is very pleasant, has a variety of wines and does good steak and fish courses.

Enjoy Farfalla GE

I was feeling like eating some Mexican food so went to Maya two days ago at the "Crossroads"...its OK, certainly much better than Moon in Ayala Mal. However, I found it somewhat overpriced. There are enough posts on hotels and restaurants to have a separate thread.

[QUOTE=Mortman]We have those in the UK also, we just prefer to call them by a different name....roast rack of lamb and mussels in cream sauce![/QUOTE]
Only cause some French chefs came across to open restaurants. This shouldn't be taken seriously, it's just part of an ongoing discussion with WR that starts every time we see each other.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]Only cause some French chefs came across to open restaurants. This shouldn't be taken seriously, it's just part of an ongoing discussion with WR that starts every time we see each other.[/QUOTE]

GE is correct. We like to wind eacch other up....well I like to lead it :D. We differ slightly on what we deem as cuisine...he just does not like ketchup with the mussels and lamb!! Basic difference :p

David_33: good point I have asked Jackson in the thread where you ask such questions, if others could as well maybe we will get as a hotels thread is certainly needed in the same vein as Manila and AC

Maya is a tad pricey for the city but is a nice change from the Terraces where I tend to eat most nights when in Cebu. Also I like Banana Leaf and Lemongrass, the latter does a excellent rice crepe dish and prices are very good and reasonable

[QUOTE=Red Kilt]Frimu - Be wary about basing your decisions on what you see from website photographs. Many times I have walked in to a hotel lobby and thought "this doesn't look anywhere near as good as it did on the internet". The same goes for what they will tell you too in their selling spiel.

Ask specific questions here on ISG about places if you need advice about whether hotels are good or not, remembering that we all have very different tastes.

I have stayed in many different Cebu hotels over the years. I would NOT ever stay in a room any more that is < 1500 php per night .

My main criticism is that the cheaper the room, the cheaper the quality bed you will get.
Most low-cost hotels have those awful single-thickness spring bases that make a helluva noise when you roll over, let alone the noise if you have some companion(s) wanting to jump around on it with you.
The bigger and better hotels have the double-base beds and they are much better value.[/QUOTE]

Well. I'm happy with Fuente Pension.
The disadvantages:
- The rooms are visually awful. They look like big bathrooms.
- You need earplugs to sleep as the aircon is noisy.

The beds however are o.k. and not noisy. Just ask for a double bed instead of a twin bed.

Well, there you go. I eat at Lemon Grass at least once every time I go to Cebu. I also like the Thai place at SM. Greenwich is my fast food first choice. The only thing I like about Jollibee is that the big bee is a good photo op.

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger]snip...
Also I like Banana Leaf and Lemongrass, the latter does a excellent rice crepe dish and prices are very good and reasonable[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Frimu]Well. I'm happy with Fuente Pension.
The disadvantages:
- The rooms are visually awful. They look like big bathrooms.
- You need earplugs to sleep as the aircon is noisy.

The beds however are o.k. and not noisy. Just ask for a double bed instead of a twin bed.[/QUOTE]

I think you supported my argument that when you play very low prices then you get pretty ordinary rooms and usually low cost janitors, bellboys, receptionists too.
As WR and others have stated on this thread - there are some fantastic deals around right now in Cebu.
I had a sudden urgent trip to Cebu sprung on me on Thursday, Oct 7. Two nights- return on Saturday. I checked out Hotels.com and Waterfront Hotel (in the city) had a special promo. I called them; asked to be connected to marketing manager and got a fantastic room; non-smoking; huge king-size bed for $60/night. That's an amazing price for a 4-5 star hotel, with great breakfast included and a fantastic pool area.
Another brand new hotel called "Elizabeth" is 50% regular rate at present on a soft opening. It looks fantastic, and is closer to Ayala Mall than Parklane.

I don't know why anyone would pay 1500php for a place described by Frimu when for 2500 php you can have a 4 star hotel. Just my opinion of course.

No WR - I never had time for any peachy desserts or in fact ANY desserts whilst there this trip as I am saving myself for your next visit.
However, whilst in Waterfront I did ask about extra guests and the guard said no worries if I had booked a double room. However, once I got chatting to the guard he relaxed and told me all sorts of stuff. How they usually ask for a girl's ID if they recognise her as a bar girl, mainly from the way she is dressed.

Maybe we overlook an interesting fact when we are mongering for just a few days / weeks at a time. The guard told me that they get to easily recognize the regular high rotation high demand bar girls as they see them several times each week. He said there are some girls that are barfined every night of the week and the guards in the hotels around the city get to recognise them as they come in quite often with different guests from time to time.

He told me one top girl from "Temptations" goes only with mongers staying at either Waterfront or Marriott and can usually get a punter for the night staying at either of these hotels so they see her often LOL.

I don't know why anyone would pay 1500php for a place described by Frimu when for 2500 php you can have a 4 star hotel. Just my opinion of course.

Like you say only opinion, why would anyone pay 33 dollars a day more,to sleep I do not know all the basic services and no frills, clean well staffed good safe box .

"The girls LOVE to be serenaded."

I could be cynical and say that they are probably happier listening to some guy play the guitar and sing than have him pumping away on top of them. But you are probably right.

How nice is the hotel? Its only $25 a night so i'm not expecting 5 star but i would like hot water, a digital safe, aircon, clean sheets, etc. Anybody have any info if they are GF? I've heard a comment in the negative and would like confirmation before I make my reservation.

I'm very interested in these restaurant discussions. I barely know Cebu, but will have to go there fairly frequently from now on since we've initiated some major activites in the area. I have no idea (aside from what I've read here, about the ranges of choice, cuisines and prices available. If there's anyone out ther in ISG-land who has done a restaurant review post, I cannot find it and I would appreciate a reposting if possible. WR and I are good friends, and I trust his tastes (impeccable) in everything, with the single exception of food. He has a bangers and mash fixation.

GE

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]I'm very interested in these restaurant discussions. I barely know Cebu, but will have to go there fairly frequently from now on since we've initiated some major activites in the area. I have no idea (aside from what I've read here, about the ranges of choice, cuisines and prices available. If there's anyone out ther in ISG-land who has done a restaurant review post, I cannot find it and I would appreciate a reposting if possible. WR and I are good friends, and I trust his tastes (impeccable) in everything, with the single exception of food. He has a bangers and mash fixation.

GE[/QUOTE]

here is one good site that reviews restaurant's and other activities in Cebu

[url]www.ycebu.com[/url]