Escape to Paradise: Hotel Elizabeth Cebu - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Elizabeth Cebu – My Chaotic, Wonderful, and Slightly Sneezy Adventure
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Hotel Elizabeth Cebu, and my brain is still a delicious, chaotic smoothie of sunshine, Cebuano smiles, and the faint scent of chlorine. "Dream Vacation Awaits!" they crowed, and well, some of it was a dream. Some of it was…let's just say, uniquely me.
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Accessibility & Getting There (The Initial Hurdles - and Some Silver Linings!)
Okay, so first things first: accessibility. Hotel Elizabeth Cebu, bless its heart, tries. There's an elevator, which is crucial. (Accessibility) But navigating the initial entry? Let's just say someone with a serious wheelchair situation might need a little help. (Wheelchair accessible – some areas are better than others) Some areas felt genuinely accessible, others… not so much. The staff, though? (Conveniences: Doorman) Phenomenal. They practically beamed at the prospect of assisting, which softened the rough edges.
Airport transfer was smooth, (Getting Around: Airport Transfer) which was a HUGE win after a ridiculously long flight. The hotel driver was a total pro, navigating the Cebu traffic with the grace of a seasoned matador. (Getting Around: Taxi service, Car park) Valet parking? Absolutely. (Getting Around: Valet parking)
Inside the Fortress of Bliss: Rooms, Internet, and Little Annoyances
My room…ah, my room. It was supposed to be perfect. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.) It looked perfect. Clean, spacious, with a view that genuinely made me go “Whoa”. (Room decorations, Couple's room, Non-smoking rooms) BUT… and there's ALWAYS a but, isn't there? My air conditioning, bless its little metallic soul, went on strike at precisely 3:00 AM. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning) Suddenly, I was a sweaty mess, wrestling with the blackout curtains. (Available in all rooms: Blackout curtains)
The Wi-Fi? (Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas) Mostly reliable, but occasionally, it decided to take a nap. Let's just say I spent a fair amount of time staring wistfully at the open window, contemplating the meaning of life (and the absence of a strong Wi-Fi signal). The LAN connection was useful in the moments when Wi-Fi took a break.
And the mini-bar? (Available in all rooms: Mini bar) Totally tempting. Don't judge me. I’m a sucker for a tiny can of coke after a long travel day. The Daily housekeeping was reliable and efficient. Cleanliness and Safety (Worrying Less and Relaxing More)
This is where Hotel Elizabeth Cebu really shines. (Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment) They took COVID precautions seriously, which gave me some peace of mind. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked, the whole shebang. Felt safe and sanitized. Room was immaculate, cleaned daily. (Available in all rooms: Daily housekeeping)
Diving Headfirst into Deliciousness (Food, Glorious Food!)
(Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant)
Oh. My. Gawd. The food. I'm still dreaming of the breakfast buffet. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Buffet in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast) A symphony of flavors, textures, and things I had never seen before. (What is this magical fruit?!) The Asian breakfast was particularly special, with the flavors I'd craved and the new ones I was eager to take a bite into. The Western options were also nice, but I went on an adventure to try Asian cuisine. The pool-side bar was a welcome addition.
The in-room dining was a godsend after a long day of exploring. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Room service [24-hour]) A late-night bowl of soup and a bottle of water? Pure bliss. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Soup in restaurant, Bottle of water) There was a coffee shop too!
The restaurants – well, let's just say my taste buds were on overdrive. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Restaurants, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, A la carte in restaurant) The international cuisine was top-notch. The desserts? Forget about it. I might have gained a few pounds, but every bite was worth it. I went on an adventure in the Vegetarian restaurant and I enjoyed it!
Leisure & Luxury: Spa Days, Poolside Lounging, and Me Time
(Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor])
Okay, this is where the magic truly happened. The spa. The Spa. Seriously, I could live there. (Things to do, ways to relax: Spa) The massage was sublime. I think I actually levitated off the table for a few minutes. The pool with a view? (Things to do, ways to relax: Pool with view) Picture it: turquoise water, sun dappling through palm trees, me, utterly and completely relaxed. Sigh. The sauna and steam room were amazing.
I might have spent a solid afternoon just… existing… in that pool. Reading, sipping a delicious drink, and letting my worries float away. (Things to do, ways to relax: Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]) Seriously, pure bliss.
The gym was there, (Things to do, ways to relax: Gym/fitness, Fitness center) I looked at it. I thought about it. Then I went back to the pool.
Services, Conveniences, and the Little Things That Matter
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)
The staff really go above and beyond. The concierge was a lifesaver, helping me navigate the city and find the best local delicacies. (Services and conveniences: Concierge) The fact that they had a small convenience store was super handy for picking up those little essentials (and, uh, maybe a few extra snacks). (Services and conveniences: Convenience store) Contactless check-in/out was very smooth. The elevator was very useful. (services and conveniences: Elevator)
For the Littlest Travelers (and Those Who Still Act Like Kids!)
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal I wasn't
Rotorua's HOTTEST Geyser Views? This Motel's a MUST-SEE!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Cebu adventure at Hotel Elizabeth! This isn't some perfectly curated Instagram feed, okay? This is real life, with all the bumps, stumbles, and delicious chaos.
The Cebu Chaos: A Hotel Elizabeth Honeymoon (Sort Of)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle (or, How I Almost Lost My Sanity Before Lunch)
8:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA): Okay, picture this. We're buzzing with excitement (and a healthy dose of jet lag). The air is thick with humidity and the promise of adventure. And then… the luggage carousel decides to play a cruel joke. Our bags? MIA. Vanished. Gone to the Bermuda Triangle of baggage handling. My partner, bless her heart, is trying to stay positive, but I'm already envisioning myself reduced to wearing my travel underwear for the entire trip.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: The Airport Tango: Filing a lost luggage report feels like wrestling an octopus. So many forms! So many questions! The airport staff, bless their hearts, are trying, but communication is a bit…challenging. I channel my inner zen master and…mostly fail.
10:00 AM - The Ride to Hotel Elizabeth: Finally, blessedly, we snag a taxi. The drive to the hotel is a sensory overload – vibrant colors, honking horns, and a million motorbikes weaving through traffic. The city feels alive, buzzing, and a little bit…wild.
11:00 AM - Check-in at Hotel Elizabeth: The lobby is elegant, a welcome oasis after the airport frenzy. We're greeted with smiles and a refreshing welcome drink that tastes like sunshine. Thank god for something that's going right! Our room is lovely, a little oasis of calm.
11:30 AM - The Luggage Update (or, More Waiting): Still no bags. My inner monologue? A constant stream of increasingly desperate internal screaming.
12:00 PM - Lunch at the Hotel's "The Piano Bar": Okay, time to eat. I'm still in a state of low-grade panic about the luggage, but the food is… outstanding. We order everything on the menu. We're talking lechon bellies and mango shakes. We try to relax, but every time the door opens, I jump.
1:00 PM - Room Exploration and Deep Breaths: Finally, some peace! The room is lovely, with a HUGE, comfy bed. I collapse and take a long, much-needed nap.
3:00 PM - First Impressions: Hotel Elizabeth is looking pretty good. The pool area? Gorgeous. The staff? Attentive and so helpful. But I will not relax until my luggage is found. I want my books! I want my sunscreen! I want my good underwear!
5:00 PM - The Luggage Revelation: Someone from the front desk calls to say the lost luggage finally arrived. The angels sing! The sun shines brighter! I might actually survive this day!
7:00 PM - Dinner at the Hotel's Restaurant (Again!): Celebration time! The food is still incredible, and we're finally starting to shed the pre-travel stress.
9:00 PM - Sleep, Glorious Sleep: I hit the pillow like a rock. Exhaustion, relief, and the lingering scent of mango. Cebu, you've been a wild one, but I think I'm starting to love you.
Day 2: Cebu City Exploration (and a Near-Death Experience with a Jeepney)
8:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel's Restaurant (Yet Again!): More amazing food. I'm starting to suspect the chefs are secretly magical. I have the eggs benedict and an extra serving of bacon.
9:00 AM - First Stop: The Basilica del Santo Niño: This place is stunning, a riot of color and religious artifacts. It’s a complete assault on your senses in the best way possible. The atmosphere is thick with devotion, the chants echoing in the high-ceilinged room. I even light a candle, praying for world peace and maybe, just maybe, a successful negotiation for a better phone plan.
10:30 AM - Magellan's Cross & Fort San Pedro: More history! The cross is beautiful (and heavily guarded), and the fort provides a fascinating glimpse into the past. We pose for photos and try to absorb as much historical information as possible, despite the heat.
12:00 PM - The Catastrophe & The Jeepney Adventure: Okay, I've never been on a jeepney before. It's the iconic Filipino mode of transport. We flag one down, squeeze in with the other passengers, and…hold on tight, because the ride is wild. The driver is a master of weaving through traffic, a force of nature with a steering wheel. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once. I'm fairly certain we narrowly avoided several collisions. I'M NOT SURE HOW WE SURVIVED.
1:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Eatery: We stumble upon a tiny, bustling "carinderia" (local eatery) and order adobo and rice. The food is simple, delicious, and ridiculously cheap. We're surrounded by locals, and it feels like a genuine slice of life.
2:00 PM - The Sto. Nino Church - Revisit: We were there earlier, but we re-visited it because we were mesmerized by the Basilica del Santo Niño. And to find my inner peace, again.
4:00 PM - Back to Hotel Elizabeth: Pool Time and Post-Jeepney Trauma Therapy: The pool feels like paradise after the heat of the city. We lie by the water, sip cocktails, and try to recover from our Jeepney experience. The adrenaline is still pumping!
7:00 PM - Dinner and a Drink: We have dinner in the hotel and try to talk about how happy the day we had experienced.
Day 3: Relaxation and Recharging
9:00 AM - Late Breakfast: We sleep in, take our time with breakfast, and just revel in the fact that we can choose to do nothing.
10:00 AM - Spa Time: Hotel Elizabeth offers good spa services. We both book massages because we need a little TLC.
12:00 PM - Relaxation by the pool: We have cocktails around the pool while enjoying the sun and the feeling of being alive and free.
2:00 PM - Late Lunch: The food is still delicious, and we keep eating a lot.
4:00 PM - Souvenir Shopping: We go out to the local shops to begin finding souvenirs to take home to our families and friends.
7:00 PM - Dinner: We have a nice dinner. The food is amazing and the day has been amazing.
Day 4: Departure - Until next time!
8:00 AM - Last Breakfast: Sad to leave this place, but we are ready for home.
10:00 AM - Check-out and Farewell: Everything went well.
11:00 AM - MCIA Airport: We are ready to leave the Hotel Elizabeth and head to the airport.
1:00 PM: Goodbye Cebu! Until next time.
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Elizabeth Cebu - OMG, You're Actually Thinking About It? (Frequently Asked Questions... with a Side of Crazy)
Okay, Real Talk: Is Hotel Elizabeth ACTUALLY in Paradise? (And Is It Worth My Precious Vacation Days?)
Alright, let's get real. "Paradise" is a strong word, right? But honestly? Hotel Elizabeth gets PRETTY darn close. It's in Cebu City, NOT, say, on a deserted white-sand beach. (You'll need to island hop for THAT. More on that later, trust me.) But for a city hotel experience? It's legit. Lush gardens, that gorgeous pool (I'll get into the *pool* later…), the whole vibe just whispers "relax."
Worth your vacation days? Depends on what you're looking for. If you’re craving hardcore beach bliss *immediately*, maybe not. But if you need a comfy, classy base camp to explore Cebu, with seriously good food (hello, room service!), and a chance to actually SLEEP in peace and quiet? YES. A thousand times, yes. My last trip? I was a stressed-out mess. Flying in, battling traffic...the usual travel horrors. Then I walked into Hotel Elizabeth, and BAM. Instant chill. Like, I could *hear* my shoulders relaxing. It’s THAT good.
My first time? Ugh. Okay, confession: I almost messed up my booking. Reserved the wrong dates! Panicked scramble to fix it, which was my bad. Thankfully, the staff were angels and sorted it out. Lesson learned: triple-check your dates, kids. It was a huge relief after all that travel stress, but honestly, I'm still a terrible planner, lol.
The Pool! Tell Me EVERYTHING About the Pool!! (Because, Priorities)
THE POOL. Okay, buckle up, because I'm obsessed. (And yes, I've been known to spend entire afternoons just *existing* by the pool. Judge all you want.)
Firstly, it's gorgeous. Think turquoise water, surrounded by lush greenery. Palm trees swaying. You know the drill. It's the *perfect* temperature. Always. Seriously, I think they have a pool wizard. And the STAFF at the pool? Unbelievable. Constantly checking on you, bringing you fresh towels, offering ice water... I once chipped a nail (the horror!) and a server *immediately* offered me a bandage. Little things, man. Little things!
The Worst Thing About The Pool: Getting out. Seriously. It’s that comfortable. I wanted to be a permanent fixture. I had to drag myself away for dinner. I'm not exaggerating. I felt like a mermaid being forced back on land. It's a very real problem.
Pro tip: Get there early to snag a sunbed. They get snapped up fast. And bring a good book (or two!). You'll be there a while.
The Rooms: Cozy or Cramped? (Because, My Luggage Needs Space)
Okay, the rooms are lovely. Not palatial, mind you, but definitely comfortable. They're well-appointed, clean, and have that lovely, slightly-sterile-but-still-pleasant hotel smell. (You know the one.)
Space? Varies. The standard rooms are fine for solo travelers or couples who don't mind getting cozy. If you have a ton of luggage (which, let's be honest, I ALWAYS do), or are traveling with kids, upgrade to a suite. Trust me. More space makes a BIG difference. I once stayed in a standard room and had to practically *climb* over my suitcase to get to the bathroom. Note to self: pack lighter next time... HA! Yeah right.
The bathrooms! Good water pressure, which matters! And the toiletries they provide? Nice quality. You can skip some of your own stuff.
Annoying thing: The aircon sometimes gets a bit loud and it can be really cold. I ended up sleeping under two blankets one night because I couldn’t figure out how to adjust it. Oops.
Overall: Perfect for sleeping, showering, and escaping the Cebu heat after a long day of sightseeing! And let's be honest, you'll be spending most of your time by the pool, anyway.
Food, Glorious Food! What's the Vibe Like? And Should I Pack Snacks?
The food is GREAT. Seriously. Restaurant and Room Service is a definite win. Breakfast is included, and it's a decent spread. Lots of options, plus fresh fruit. I, personally, am a sucker for a good omelet and their omelets? *Chef's kiss*
Dinner? The restaurant has a nice atmosphere. Their Filipino dishes are excellent. My favorite? The *Sinigang*! OMG. I still dream about it. You’ll see a lot of locals there as well, which is a good sign (and a great way to try new things). (Don’t be afraid to try something you never heard of, just ask!).
Lunch by the pool? Absolutely! They have a menu with plenty of choices. Burgers, sandwiches, salads... It’s all delicious and super convenient. And the drinks are good and strong!
Snacks? You're in the Philippines. Snack everywhere! You can get snacks easily from little stores or the nearby mall. Pack a few favorites just in case, but you definitely won't starve. Plus, the hotel has a mini-bar in the room. Yes, some snacks are a bit pricey, but the convenience is worth it! I once got a craving for Pringles at 2 am. Thank GOD for that mini-bar.
Location, Location, Location! How Easy Is It to Get Around?
Hotel Elizabeth is pretty well-situated. It's not right in the heart of the hustle and bustle, which is a plus. It's a bit away from the crazy traffic. But, you're easily accessible to everything.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services? Readily available and cheap. Just be prepared for traffic, especially during rush hour. Give yourself extra time. I once missed a flight because of traffic. (Again, lesson learned. Leave. Earlier.)
Things nearby? A mall is a short drive away, which is great for shopping or catching a movie. There are also restaurants and bars nearby. It's easy to explore the city without getting completely overwhelmed. Walking around at night? I'd say it feels pretty safe, but always be aware of your surroundings, like everywhere!
Island-hopping? You'll need a taxi or arranged transport to get to the port(s) for that (Mactan Island). More on that down below...
