Cebu City is the capital of Cebu and the second largest and most significant metropolitan center in the Philippines. The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, making it a center of art and culture. It is affectionately known as the “Queen City of the South.” There is a wide range of Cebu Hotels and Resorts that cater to tourist and business travelers, and is usually the jumping off point to other Cebu Island hotel destinations. For foreign tourists, it is often considered the best mix of modern city convenience with tropical island lifestyle.
The province of Cebu boasts a wide array of tourist spots that tick the list of even the most particular lover of the great outdoors. From white sandy beaches and quaint islands to crystalline waterfalls, diving spots, jagged hilltops to go along with numerous charming heritage towns—Cebu province seems to have it all.
From its capital city of Cebu that burst with character, history and mouth-watering local cuisines and where the annual revelry of Sinulog Festival is held, one can spend additional unforgettable days exploring the picturesque countryside of this island province and come home with a sundry set of wonderful memories.
Of course, it is important to compliment your perfect holiday in Cebu province by finding a charming, stylish, and lavish home-away-from-home place to sleep, relax, and clear your mind. To give you an idea of where to stay, here are the best hotels and resorts in the island province of Cebu:
In the Philippines get your head underwater to really enjoy things. Cebu resorts review and fun guide with some child-friendly hotels, Bohol romantic escape, top dive resorts, and sharks.
Fifteen minutes south is the town of Badian, the jump-off point for the wonderfully idyllic Badian Island Wellness Resort. A quick speedboat ride takes guests across to a small island with an inviting fringe of powder-white sand. From the moment you step onto the wooden jetty, you are in another world. Occupying eight hectares of landscaped garden, the resort spreads up a low hillside with suites, several with balconies and hammocks, looking over azure seas. Rooms are pleasant with wooden floors and thatch roofs. The welcome includes generous sprinklings of flower petals – on the bed, on the table, on the chairs, in the bath, everywhere…
Some of the best views to be had are from the bathtub. Rooms have a CD player (CDs are available from the library) but no TV (there is one in the clubhouse). But you can stay connected with the free in-room WiFi. There are coffee and tea-making facilities and a minibar. Laundering a shirt is a steal. Bring all your laundry along. An attractive feature here is the Badian Natural SPA with thalasso, offering massages, facials and other treatments. The one-hour “Island Paradise Massage” combining Indian Ayurvedic, Chinese and Thai techniques is US$75. The resort offers a freshwater swimming pool and extensive dive and watersports facilities. The Badian Dive Center follows PADI standards and offers a “discover scuba diving program”. Dives in the area range from beginner (Coral Gardens) to experienced (Sunken Island between Cebu and Negros). Also check out their specialty courses including night diving, underwater navigation and underwater photography classes. There are as many as 15 dive locations within a half hour boatride from Badian Island Resort.
Although the lockdown has been lifted in most places in the Philippines, protocols for health and safety are still in place. In the “new normal”, wearing a face mask is a must, and if you’ll go to public places like malls, grocery stores or ride public transportation, a face shield is required too.
Operations of establishments are regulated too, including hotels, resorts and other accommodations. Following the Department of Tourism Administrative Order No. 2020-002, accommodation establishments must secure a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO). The EO also sets the guideline for the operations and protocols to be followed for the health and safety of guests and personnel.
In this post, we’re sharing with you the list of hotels and resorts in Cebu City and Mactan Island with a CAO or provisional CAO from the Department of Tourism. Note that we’re only covering those categorized as hotels and resorts (excluding Mabuhay Accommodations such as hostels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, and tourist inns) in Cebu City proper and Mactan Island (excluding properties in other parts of the tri-city area and Cebu province).