December 2011 | Asia Travel Bug's Travel Blog

Mactan Cebu: Shangri-la Mactan Resort -The Beach and The Sea

What I like about Shangrila Mactan is that you can use of all non-motorized water sports for free. You can do fish feeding, snorkelling and kayaking. There is also a dive center if you want to do jet ski, parasail and sea walk for a fee. What keeps me back is that the sea surrounding the resort is thriving with lots of colorful fish!

The beach in Shangrila Mactan is not as fine as the White Beach in Boracay. The sand is powdery white but a bit coarse. However, the abundance of marine life well compensates for it. I've been to Boracay before and you need 20-30 minutes boat ride from White Beach to snorkel and do fish feeding. In Shangrila Mactan, you can see schools of fish right by the sea shore and for me this is simply the best part of the experience!

Mactan Cebu: Shangri-la Mactan Resort - The Garden and The Surroundings

The resort area of Shangrila Mactan is so gigantic that you cannot explore everything in a single day. The hotel was fully occupied at the time we stayed, yet we never brushed shoulders with other visitors.

Lawns are lush and well-manicured. Swimming pools are nice. I think there are 3 swimming pools, I lost count. There is always a place to sit and relax in the garden if you don't want to go to the beach.
These photos were taken when the hotel was at full occupancy. See, there is a huge space for everyone in Shangrila Mactan!

Mactan Cebu: Shangri-la Mactan Resort - Breakfast Buffet at Tides

I am a super fan of buffets and have tried almost all of the 5-star hotel buffets in Manila. The buffet spread in Tides, the main restaurant in Shangrila Mactan, could easily beat them all.

The breakfast is a feast and food quality is top notch. Buffet spread is a good mix of Asian, Filipino and American. You can order coffee latte or chocolate drink for free.
Be sure to get in the Tides Restaurant buffet area early as the restaurant may get pretty crowded between 9 am to 10 am. The good news is that Shangrila sometimes extends the breakfast buffet area to the adjacent restaurant Tea of Spring in order to control the crowd. You can also take the buffet breakfast in Acqua Restaurant in the Ocean Wing.

Tides Restaurant

Mactan Cebu: Shangri-la Mactan Resort - Panorama Suite

We booked a Premier Sea View room and got surprised when the front desk upgraded us to Panorama Suite for free! How cool is that. This 1 bedroom suite is huge, fancy and modern. It has a separate living room, an executive desk, a dining table, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with separate tub and shower, and a big balcony.

The view could have been lovelier had we been assigned to a higher floor. We got assigned to the second floor suite with sea views partially blocked by coconut trees. Oh well, I cannot complain, Shangrila has been extremely generous in upgrading our room to a USD800.00 suite for free. Thank you Shangrila! :)

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Shangrila Mactan Panorama Suite Living Room

The bedroom with 2 single beds. The size of their single bed is almost a double. 2 people can comfortably sleep in one single bed. The Panorama Suite has maximum occupancy of three according to their website.

The Walk-in Closet

The Big Balcony and The View

Lovely view to the sea.

The Bathroom with L'Occitane Toiletries

Double Sink and a Bathtub

Separate Shower

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The Minibar - Oh I wish this is an honor bar! I like the aroma of their premium teas.

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Palawan Honda Bay: Dos Palmas Dinner by the Pool and Fire Dancers

Due to good weather, tonight’s dinner was set-up by the pool area. The feeling of exclusivity sets in as only 20 guests remained. As usual, the dinner spread is excellent. To top wrap up our second night, fire dancers performed to all the guests’ delight.

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Palawan Day 1: Puerto Princessa Airport Arrival and Transit to Dos Palmas Palawan

Palawan Day 1: Dos Palmas Resort Arrival

Palawan Day 1: Dos Palmas - Our Room

Palawan Day 1: Dos Palmas Snorkelling near the Mangroves

Palawan Day 1: Dos Palmas Breathtaking Sunset and Dinner

Palawan Day 2: Dos Palmas Snorkelling at Helen’s Garden

Palawan Day 2: Lunch at Isla Puting Buhangin (White Sand Island)

Palawan Day 2: Dos Palmas Dinner by the Pool and Fire Dancers

Palawan Honda Bay: Dos Palmas Lunch at Isla Puting Buhangin (White Sand Island)

Our package includes a beach lunch buffet at Isla Puting Buhangin, a private island owned by Dos Palmas 30 minutes boat ride from the main resort. This small island is very beautiful with a long sandbar. Unfortunately, the tides were high at the time we went and the sandbar is only partly visible. Nevertheless, the island remains to be charming.

I salute the efforts of the staffs in bringing the food to the remote island. The buffet spread is cooked on the island itself and just like the food in the main dining area, food is really yummy. It feels so surreal dining by the beach, hearing the waves with the different shades of blue sea by your backdrop.

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