admin 9 June 2009 4 Star Accommodations 498 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

$97 – $682

The Marcopolo is the proud home of Cebu’s main German Beer October fest celebration – that strangely serves the Philippines own San Miguel beer during the festival…go figure! The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is run by Hong Kong’s Marco Polo Group, is located in Nivel Hills overlooking Cebu City and Mactan Island. The hotel was formerly the Cebu Plaza Hotel and until it was recently renovated; it sat dormant for a few years, until the receiving bank stepped in with some cash-to-splash; well sort of… Now with a lashing of paint and some major interior changes, the hotel is once again breathing new life. Standard rooms – which of course the hotel calls by some fancy other name – is priced (32 sq/mtrs) at $97 per night, the Junior Suite (48 sq/mtrs) at $132 per night and the Presidential Suite (144sq/mtrs) is $682 per night. All 329 guest rooms and suites are equipped with wireless broadband Internet access at a very expensive ($38 per day), basic bathrooms, in-room safe, and cable TV.

The hotel’s pool is in a great setting and boasts one of the best views over the city. Perfect to end a hectic day. There is only 1 restaurant in the hotel. Which tries to serve something for everyone via the standard hotel buffet offering. We found the prices reasonable and the food good for what you pay.

There are positives and negatives to the location. Whilst the view is great – half way up the mountain – keep in mind that the location is not close to outside restaurants, stores, tourist spots or the downtown area. All will require you to use taxis and spend lots of time being frustrated in hectic traffic. The beaches of Mactan Island are also quite a trek at 45 mins – 1+ hour away. As a result, the location may prove a little frustrating to some: especially those that come to Cebu for beaches. In our humble opinion, this hotel would be fine for a brief business trip but not much else.

MARCO POLO PLAZA
Location: Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas
Phone No.: (032) 340-4888
Email: mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com
Website: http://www.marcopoloplazacebu.com