Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa is a world-class beachside property located in Mactan Island, Cebu.
Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa is a world-class beachside property located on Mactan Island, Cebu. It's as opulent as other Shangri-La properties around the Philippines but this is our favorite so far because of its breathtaking white cove that stretches out into crystalline waters. What we like most about Shangri-La Mactan is its kid and family-friendliness; the hotel has many amenities to ensure that children are comfortable and that they will have a wonderful time during their stay.
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| Beach benches |
Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa: A World-Class Family-Friendly Hideaway
Our first family getaway
Mactan Island in Cebu is a popular travel destination because of its breathtaking beaches, rich history, and world-class hotels and resorts. It has a lot to offer in terms of tourist spots, making it a popular destination for both Filipino and foreign travelers alike. If you are thinking of what to do in Mactan, whether day or at night, you will never run out of things to keep your itinerary full.
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| The hotel driveway |
For our Mactan trip, we were to spend a four-night staycation at the lovely Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. Khris and I were very excited since this is our first family trip.
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| A small port |
After all, Shangri-La is known for its luxurious hotels and resorts. Add to that the fact that Cebu is one of our favorite destinations, with its cosmopolitan vibe that is devoid of the clutter and harried pace of Metro Manila.
Our flight to Mactan
We were booked for an early flight via Cebu Pacific because we wanted to have time to explore Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa.
Upon our arrival at the Mactan International Airport, we saw one of the coasters of the hotel. We found out from the porter that it was arranged for one of the foreign guests. My sister-in-law and her husband tried their luck and asked the porter if we can hitch. Thankfully, we were allowed a ride but it was for a fee.
After around 30 minutes through regular traffic, we arrived at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa's lobby. It was as I had expected the hotel to be – spacious, impressive, and superb-looking. The lobby is a big open space which easily took in the cool sea breeze.
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| Chandelier and decorations |
After around 30 minutes through regular traffic, we arrived at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa's lobby. It was as I had expected the hotel to be – spacious, impressive, and superb-looking. The lobby is a big open space which easily took in the cool sea breeze.
There are also comfortable sofas near the front desk where guests can lounge around. Because of our early morning flight and the fresh air, I almost dozed off at my seat.
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| Elegant pieces at the lobby |
Check-in at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa
There were already many guests lined-up at the check-in counter by the time that we got there, even if it was early in the morning. Nonetheless, check-in was a breeze and we were handed our key cards as soon as we finished filling out the usual forms.
Our room
My sister-in-law booked an adjoining room for us. Our room was at the ninth level which gave us a good view of the sea from our window.
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| Our room |
As soon as we were inside, we immediately checked out the amenities. It had the standard large-screen LCD television, a study, telephone, mini bar, and a personal refrigerator. The bathroom had a sink, toilet, shower, bathtub, and all the toiletries to ensure that our stay is as comfortable as it can be.
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| Soap |
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| Toiletries |
Things to do in Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa
Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa is a large property, not just the hotel itself but the entire lot area. The gardens as spacious, with the greens intersected by concrete pathways. There are just so many things that you can do right inside the hotel.
To begin with, here are some of the things that you can see and do in Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa:
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| Manicured lawn |
To begin with, here are some of the things that you can see and do in Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa:
1. Explore the property
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| Taking a rest from all the walking |
This is what we did on our first day at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. We did a walking tour around the gardens, checked out the amenities, and observed the busy buzz of the hotel personnel preparing for events as well as evening activities.
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| Exploring the interior garden |
All that walking around through the property was enough to occupy our whole afternoon. Likewise, it familiarized us with the whole hotel so we would already know what to do and where to go in the subsequent days of our stay.
2. Swim in any of the hotel's inviting pools
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| Enjoying the swimming pool |
There are several swimming pools within the hotel grounds. If you do not feel like going to the beach, this is the best option to enjoy some sun and water. Kids, most especially, will love the children's pool that features a play area.
3. Take a dip on the beach
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| Enjoying the beach |
Probably one of the best features of at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa is its white sand cove. The sand is powdery fine, similar to that in Boracay. What's good about the beach is that it's not crowded plus there are no beachside bars to distract swimmers.
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| My sister-in-law and her family |
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| Fishes swimming |
In addition, the water is crystal-clear. You can actually fish swimming beside you. Throw a bit of sand into the water and the fish will flock around the bits of sand, thinking that it's food.
4. Spend a quiet afternoon by the beach and watch the sunset
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| Strolling along the beach |
If you want to take a break from all the swimming and water activities, you can spend a quiet afternoon at the beach under the shade of an umbrella.
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| Beach essentials |
5. Have a great night out at the bar
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| Dusk signals the start of the nightlife at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa |
If you love night outs, then head over to Cowrie Cove Bar, located right in the garden. Order a nice drink and enjoy the live music curated by a guest DJ every night. You will also be treated to a show as bartenders show off their skills.
6. Visit the open-air chapel
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| The open-air chapel |
7. Book a relaxing spa session at Chi, The Spa
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| Entering the gardens of Chi, The Spa |
If you want a relaxing treatment for your aching muscles, then book a satisfying wellness session at Chi, The Spa.
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| Inside Chi, The Spa |
8. Sleep all you want
What's stopping you from sleeping? You are on vacation, anyway, so take advantage of the opportunity to recharge yourself. You do not always have to be up and about and on the move to be able to say that you had a worthwhile vacation. Sleep is the ultimate relaxation.
Dining at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa
There are several dining options at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa so you do not need to go outside to eat. Nevertheless, if you do want to go outside the hotel and try other restaurants, you might not find one within the immediate vicinity of the hotel. You can get a cab to take you to a well-known restaurant around the area or take the hotel's shuttle bus to Cebu City where there are more restaurant options.
Anyway, these are the options that we tried at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa:
Acqua Restaurant
We ate most of our meals at Acqua Restaurant. The interiors of the restaurant are bright and spacious, and the tables and seats were comfortable.
We tried Acqua Restaurant's sinigang na baboy and crispy pata. The sinigang na baboy is a huge bowl of steaming broth with vegetables and chunks of pork.
The hot soup looked really tempting but, on my first sip I was taken aback because it was too sour, like jaw-numbing sour. I like my sinigang sour but it should still have the right balance of saltiness and spice. Anyway, I just added a dash of salt to my soup and that did the trick well.
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| Crispy pata |
We tried Acqua Restaurant's sinigang na baboy and crispy pata. The sinigang na baboy is a huge bowl of steaming broth with vegetables and chunks of pork.
The hot soup looked really tempting but, on my first sip I was taken aback because it was too sour, like jaw-numbing sour. I like my sinigang sour but it should still have the right balance of saltiness and spice. Anyway, I just added a dash of salt to my soup and that did the trick well.
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| A steaming bowl of sinigang na baboy at Acqua Restaurant |
The crispy pata is another story though. Clichéd as it may sound, but it was sinfully good! The pork skin was crispy and it had the right level of saltiness. The meat was tender and went well with the spicy vinegar dipping sauce.
We also tried the Greek and Caesar Salads, and the seafood pasta. The Caesar Salad was good; the vegetables are fresh, crisp, and just lightly dressed but it was intensely flavorful. It had chunks of feta cheese which lent a salty-creamy taste to the salad.
We also tried the Greek and Caesar Salads, and the seafood pasta. The Caesar Salad was good; the vegetables are fresh, crisp, and just lightly dressed but it was intensely flavorful. It had chunks of feta cheese which lent a salty-creamy taste to the salad.
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| Interesting caricature of famous personalities hanging on the wall |
The seafood pasta, on the other hand, was extremely satisfying. It had generous helpings of seafood slices swimming in copious amounts of red sauce.
The restaurant's staff were also very gracious. When we had lunch here, our orders came late, so the restaurant crew said that we can get dessert from the buffet area. I loaded a huge plate with chunks of fresh fruit and I got myself scoops of ube and vanilla ice cream with all the delicious toppings.
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| Taking a walk after our meal |
In general, service was good and fast. The staff was very accommodating of our requests. However, since this is a hotel restaurant, expect the food to be pricey.
Tea of Spring
Our family had dinner at Tea of Spring during our second night at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa. As the name suggests, Tea of Spring offers oriental cuisine in its menu.
The interiors are reminiscent of well-known Chinese restaurants in Manila, with red lanterns hung throughout the place. The tables are big – perfect for any family gathering or celebrations. As can be expected, hot tea is served free and overflowing.
The interiors are reminiscent of well-known Chinese restaurants in Manila, with red lanterns hung throughout the place. The tables are big – perfect for any family gathering or celebrations. As can be expected, hot tea is served free and overflowing.
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| Family shot outside Tea of Spring after dinner |
We ordered yang chow fried rice, braised minced beef wit h bean curd sauce, stewed pork ribs, fried chicken for the children, chicken noodle soup, and vegetable and seafood omelet.
I first tried the stewed pork ribs – it was tender enough but there was nothing splendid about the taste. The braised minced beef was also tender. It had a well-balanced sweet-salty taste but, nonetheless, also ordinary.
What I enjoyed most was the chicken noodle soup and the omelet. The egg noodles were very firm and tasted rich. The warm soup that was bursting with flavor was a good complement to the rich noodles. This dish had huge slices of shitake mushrooms and fresh Chinese lettuce. As for the omelet, well, you can never go wrong with any fried dish with egg.
One thing I discovered during that night was what my sister-in-law called “extraordinary sauce” or XO sauce. We really did not know what it was made of. It looked like the usual chili-garlic sauce in siomai joints but it tasted “funky” at first but it made any dish, whether meat or soup, really delicious.
I really would not consider it as a superb dinner, but it was, all in all, satisfying. Service was good and fast. What's more, the food was more affordable at Tea of Spring as compared to Acqua Restaurant.
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| A small bridge in the garden |
What I enjoyed most was the chicken noodle soup and the omelet. The egg noodles were very firm and tasted rich. The warm soup that was bursting with flavor was a good complement to the rich noodles. This dish had huge slices of shitake mushrooms and fresh Chinese lettuce. As for the omelet, well, you can never go wrong with any fried dish with egg.
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| A wall décor of sea urchin shells |
One thing I discovered during that night was what my sister-in-law called “extraordinary sauce” or XO sauce. We really did not know what it was made of. It looked like the usual chili-garlic sauce in siomai joints but it tasted “funky” at first but it made any dish, whether meat or soup, really delicious.
I really would not consider it as a superb dinner, but it was, all in all, satisfying. Service was good and fast. What's more, the food was more affordable at Tea of Spring as compared to Acqua Restaurant.
Room Service
We tried Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa's room service on our last day at the hotel. After spending the morning at the beach, we ordered fried chicken and pancit before returning to our room. We wanted a quick and light meal since we were still full from our breakfast.
However, when we returned to our room, we were surprised to discover a wonderful spread of Cebu Lechon and a big bowl of puso waiting for us. This delicious feast was a complimentary meal courtesy of the hotel.
For those who are not familiar, puso is rice encased in woven coconut leaves and then steamed or boiled. This is how Cebuanos typically cook and consume their rice. It is usually sold in roadside stalls or eateries and commonly eaten with meats and sauces without the use of utensils.
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| Cebu Lechon and puso courtesy of the hotel staff |
For those who are not familiar, puso is rice encased in woven coconut leaves and then steamed or boiled. This is how Cebuanos typically cook and consume their rice. It is usually sold in roadside stalls or eateries and commonly eaten with meats and sauces without the use of utensils.
On the other hand, Cebu lechon (whole roasted pig) is a mouthwatering dish that the province is also famous for. The cooking method is similar to that of other lechon varieties in the Philippines – whole pig is skewered on a bamboo pole and slowly roasted over hot coals or firewood.
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| Crunchy fried noodles via room service |
What sets Cebu Lechon apart is that is that the meat and skin are generously seasoned with herbs, spices and salt, infusing a rich flavor to the dish. Most Cebuanos would tell you that you do not need a sauce to go with it and it’s true. The flavorful meat and crunchy skin can be eaten without having to dip it in a sauce.
I first tasted Cebu lechon at Waterfront Hotel in Lahug during one of our corporate events some years ago and I immediately fell in love with it. For me, a trip to Cebu is not complete without having a bite of Cebu lechon.
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| Fried chicken |
Our Cebu lechon came with a vinegar dipping sauce with slices of red onions and red chilies. It was my first time to try dipping Cebu lechon in vinegar and I must say it was very good. The spicy vinegar provided balance by cutting the richness of the meat.
Lobby Lounge
We did not really try the food at Lobby Lounge but Khris and I had coffee here one night. What stands out in the Lobby Lounge is the ambiance.
The cool sea breeze, the music, the easy chatter and busy buzz of the people coming and going all the more emphasized the feeling that we were on a holiday.
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| Hot coffee |
The cool sea breeze, the music, the easy chatter and busy buzz of the people coming and going all the more emphasized the feeling that we were on a holiday.
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| A magnificent view of the beach |
How to book a room at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa
If you are interested to book a room at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, you may use the link below to get the best price:
If you want to find out their latest promos and offers, you may get in touch with them through the following contact information:
Contact number: (63 32) 231 0288
E-mail: mac@shangri-la.com
Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa is located at Punta Engano Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu 6015 Philippines
Credit cards are honored at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa
This post may contain affiliate links, including those from Amazon Associates, which means that if you book or purchase anything through one of those links, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you. All opinions are ours and we only promote products that we use.
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It's beautiful. Looks like an amazing place to visit one day.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys had a wonderful time there with beautiful view and delicious dishes! Would love to visit that place someday with the family.
ReplyDeleteWow, that hotel so beautiful and clean. Cebu is such a good place to visit.
ReplyDeleteit looks like a really great place to stay!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an amazing resort and the noodles look divine! Jealous, I want to visit :D
ReplyDeletedefinitely sounds like a wonderful place to visit and relax!! love the pics..
ReplyDeleteThe open air chapel is a nicer idea. Those shells are cool looking too.
ReplyDeleteI could go for a nice long getaway there. It looks like an amazing place.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful place to visit! So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful hotel .looks so clean.Thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful view of the ocean! This looks like a great place to have a romantic giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis is the nice thing about the Philippines- it's all islands, so there is water and beaches everywhere!
ReplyDeleteShangri-La is an amazing hotel and resort brand. I would love to visit their location in Mactan!
ReplyDeleteI really hope I can visit Cebu soon. It's one of the best places to be at during summer. I heard they have a tennis court in Shangri-La Mactan!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! The food looks so amazing and the water is so clear. I cannot wait to travel.
ReplyDeleteWow, this place looks beautiful. The food looks amazing and the water is so clear! I cannot wait to travel again.
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous resort! I could sit on that beach and relax for days. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Shangri-La! It looks like such a gorgeous place to visit.
ReplyDeleteThe trip seems so enjoyable and that's a luxurious property. Great pics of family moments.
ReplyDeleteThose beaches look so beautiful. I love a good location for a family vacation.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post especially since the Philippines are way up high on my bucket list. I need to see these waters with my own eyes :-)
ReplyDeleteBeen eyeing to see this place before as I read many good reviews about it. Hopefully I can experience staying here too in the future when I went back to Cebu. - Anosa Malanga
ReplyDeleteGreat article, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe Shangri-La's Mactan Resort in Cebu looks so gorgeous! The close proximity to the beach is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHhhhmmmm....I'd like to Visit the open-air chapel! It's a first of a kind, for me!
ReplyDeleteThat resort looks so beautiful. I could definitely use a solid week there to recharge.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how beautiful that resort is! As soon as things open back up, I want to take my girls there. We could use a getaway.
ReplyDeleteI want to visit Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa! It looks so nice! It looks so relaxing!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a nice relaxing vacation! I'd love to swim in crystal clear water, the ocean closest to me is basically brown water yuck. I'm curious of how I'd do with the fish swimming around me though, it would probably freak me out if they touched me while I'm trying to relax haha
ReplyDeleteShangri-La hotels are always a good choice when traveling. This one in Mactan looks really nice! I wish we could go and travel soon. I'd be adding Mactan to our travel wish list.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such an amazing place to be able to see in-person! I can't wait until everyone is fully vaccinated and we can all start to travel again.
ReplyDeleteAng ganda din dito
ReplyDeleteLagi ito dinadayo ng maraming tao /turista at babalik balikan pa sa sobrang ganda
NAPKACLASSY NG RESORT AT TLAGANG MAGEENJOY KA TLGA DITO ❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteWow, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa sounds absolutely incredible! The description of the white cove and crystalline waters is enough to transport me into a state of relaxation. It's great to hear that the resort is not only opulent but also incredibly family-friendly.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how important it is for parents to find a place where their children can be comfortable and have a wonderful time, and it seems like Shangri-La Mactan has thought of everything. From the dedicated kids' club to the wide range of activities and amenities for children, it's clear that the resort goes above and beyond to cater to families.
Wow. Very nice location. I like the fish and the chandelier is awesome
ReplyDeleteThe place looks absolutely amazing and would love to visit there with the family someday. Hope you guys had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a place that my family and especially the kids will so much enjoy. I will surely consider this place the next time we go to Cebu.
ReplyDelete