The Island Explorer

I've been declaring that the best resort in Mactan is Shangrila, and yet, I have never written about it. And I'm frustrated that after looking through all my pictures, I don't have much on Shangrila. This recent visit with my family was the only stuff I have. For some reason, when I'm in Shangrila Mactan, I forget about my camera. Goes to show that when I'm in Shang Mactan, I really get to have a vacation. There are several reasons why I love Shang Mactan. One is of course the setting. The resort is sprawling with gardens, coconut trees and even a forest. There are outdoor lounges everywhere, facing the gardens, facing the sea. I also love its beach. Though it is already "enhanced" and manicured, the beach feels very natural. This makes it the best beach in Mactan next to Maribago Blue Water. The beach get so many beachcombers though, all wanting to spend an entire day on its sands. It is also the best swimming beach in Mactan, as the waters are clear and ...

The Imperial Palace is a relatively new resort in Mactan, Cebu. Opened in 2008, it has been touted as a true Shangrila opponent. I've been here a couple of times already, so let me share to you what it looks like. Like Shangrila Mactan, the place is also sprawling. It looks brighter probably because it is still new. Imperial Palace is owned by the Koreans, and has other locations in Fukukoa in Japan and in Seoul, South Korea. Did Imperial Palace live up to their name? Does it look like a palace? With its marble floors and gigantic pillars, it does feel like one, but I find something off with the over-all design. It strives to have an outdoor feel, with a lot of open spaces and views from the lobby. And since it is owned by Koreans, the clientele is composed of Koreans, mostly on a honeymoon, who are dressed in matching attire. As you go out of the main building, you will feel the grandess of the resort. The pool is huge, and located at the heart of the resort. I think they lacked t...

I first visited Crimson when it wasn't opened yet. I passed by Cebu for a meeting and decided to hold it in a resort in Mactan. I was intrigued by some road signs that had the logo of Crimson. We eventually found the resort, but was disappointed to see that it was still closed. We were given a quick tour of the resort instead. After that tour, I made it a point to stay for a night there, when it opens. And so I did. In fact, I have stayed here twice already since it opened in July 2010. The first one was another attempt to dine after a flight from Davao. I was so tired after that day, that I decided to check in the resort. This wonderful room greeted me. As my daughter said, it's the best room she has stayed in. Though driven by excitement, I knew what she meant. The rooms were well-appointed and beautifully designed. The bed was heavenly. The bathroom opened up to the entire room. The next morning, we had breakfast in their main restaurant, Saffron. They didn't have buffet...

I have so many backlog reports on Cebu, and am gonna try to start writing with this restaurant. Tucked in a corner of a small road in Mactan, Cebu, you really wouldn't notice the place, even though the outside has a lot of lights. You would think that MB's Tavern Restaurant and European Deli Shop is more of a beer joint, than a place that serves some nice comfort food. MB's Tavern has a simple menu, some of which include German dishes (I am assuming the owner is German). But people go here for the pizza...worth P230 only for 14 inches and good by the way (I was worried it would taste like Greenwich, but they were so generous with mozzarella cheese). But the highlight was this...something they call Pizza Sketti. Pizza Sketti is not pizza at all, but spaghetti baked on huge flat claypot. The claypot resembles the crust of a pizza as you can see. This dish was P245, big enough for 6 to 8 people. We were four that night, and we couldn't even finish half of the dish. And it ...