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Lounging beside Cebu's most beautiful beaches is the perfect way to spend a vacation.
Image: Badian Island Wellness Resort
Life’s a marvelous beach, and this is quite true on the island of Cebu. Blessed with stunning beaches, Cebu is indeed a paradise for tourists needing a tropical break. With numerous beach options that the island offers, you may be wondering where to stay in Cebu for a weekend or two. Look no further since we listed five places in Cebu for the beach lover in you! Read on and find out where to stay in Cebu to enjoy the island as much as possible.
1. Bluewater Maribago Resort
Where: Buyong Maribago, Mactan Island Lapu-Lapu City Cebu
Rates: Start at PhP4,999 for the Deluxe Room
Estimated travel time from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport: 25 minutes
A hammock on the beach is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon at Bluewater Maribago Resort.
Image: Bluewater Maribago Resort website
A list of places ideal for beach lovers will not be complete without this beach resort in Cebu—Bluewater Maribago Resort. This Filipino-owned resort is a part of the Bluewater Resorts group, including resorts in Panglao, Bohol, and Sumilon Island in southern Cebu. Established in 1989, the resort features a 110-meter beachfront with pristine white sand and crystal clear waters that can turn any city dweller into a beach enthusiast.
Guests have five accommodations to choose from, including the Deluxe Room, Premier Deluxe Room, and Royal Bungalow. The resort also boasts three swimming pools, a children’s playground, and a water sports center. Moreover, you can also have a relaxing afternoon at the Amuma Spa and Health Club. Guests can look forward to a royal treatment that blends ancient and modern spa therapies from different Asian and western cultures. Its name originates from the Visayan word amuma, which means “to indulge with every attention, comfort, and care.”
How to get to Bluewater Maribago Hotel: From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you can get on a taxi to the resort.
2. The Blue Orchid Resort and Dive Center
Where: Saavedra, White Beach, Moalboal, Cebu
Rates: Start at PhP4,400 for Standard Double/Twin
Estimated travel time from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Sitting close to a magnificent coral formation, The Blue Orchid Resort is an excellent place to stay while in Moalboal.
Image: The Blue Orchid Resort and Dive Center - Moalboal Facebook page
If diving is what you are looking for, then The Blue Orchid Resort and Dive Center should be on your list. Located in the southern diving town of Moalboal, the resort is tucked away at the end of the famous and stunning beach—the White Beach. This gives guests a tranquil atmosphere while they relax at the beach. Moreover, intrepid explorers may also visit the tidal rock formation known as mag payong (“umbrella stones”) close to the resort.
This four-star resort features 16 rooms with either a sea or pool view. It has an outdoor pool and a dive center as well. The resort can also arrange a trip to the best dive sites off Moalboal’s coast, including the marine sanctuary, Pescador Island, and Tuble Reef. Additionally, the resort sits close to a wall drop-off where various soft corals and colorful fishes reside.
How to get to The Blue Orchid Resort and Dive Center: From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get on a taxi to the Cebu South Bus Terminal and head for Moalboal. Tell the driver to drop you off at the corner going to Basdaku where you can get on a tricycle headed for The Blue Orchid Resort and Dive Center. You can also arrange an airport pickup by the resort 24 hours before your arrival.
3. Buena Vida Resort & Spa
Where: Malapascua Island, Barangay Road, Daanbantayan, Cebu
Rates: Start at PhP5,200 for the Garden View room
Estimated travel time from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport: 5 hours
The tranquil atmosphere will make guests want to extend their stay at the Buena Vida Resort and Spa.
Image: Buena Vida Resort & Spa Facebook page
Dreaming of spending a quiet weekend in the paradise island of Malapascua? If so, Buena Vida Resort & Spa should be on your list! This resort in Cebu was awarded a certificate of excellence by TripAdvisor in 2019. Billing itself as a tropical garden resort, it blends its personal style with various plants to create inspiring scenery for its guests. It is located close to one of the most popular beaches, Bounty Beach.
All 12 rooms are within the garden area, giving guests better relaxation spaces while at the island. Aside from free wireless internet access, the resort also has a Vida Spa wellness center, where guests can get various massages and body treatments. Daily yoga classes are also available.
How to get to Buena Vida Resort & Spa: From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get a taxi to the Cebu North Bus Terminal before heading for the Maya port in northern Cebu. Get on a boat headed for Malapascua Island from the port, where you can get on a motorcycle-for-hire to bring you to the resort.
4. Tepanee Beach Resort
Where: Logon Beach, Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan, Cebu
Rates: Start at PhP2,800 for the Standard room*
Estimated travel time from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport: 5 hours
Beach lovers will love waking up near the crystal clear waters of Malapascua Island at Tepanee Beach Resort.
Image: Tepanee Beach Resort Facebook page
Looking for a place where you can watch breathtaking sunsets with your favorite brew in one hand? Tepanee Beach Resort is an excellent place to consider with its isolation from the rest of Malapascua Island’s popular beaches. Situated on a small hill in the southern part of Logon Beach, the resort was designed to have minimal impact on the environment. This means the resort will be surrounded by lush greenery and the crystal clear waters off Malapascua Island.
Guests can choose from three types of accommodations: the Standard Room, the Superior Cottage, and the Deluxe Cottage. Moreover, guests also get free Wi-Fi access and a terrace where they can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best.
To get to Tepanee Beach Resort: From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, get a taxi to the Cebu North Bus Terminal before heading for the Maya port in northern Cebu. Get on a boat headed for Malapascua Island from the port, where you can get on a motorcycle-for-hire to bring you to the resort.
5. Badian Island Wellness Resort
Where: Zaragosa Island, Badian, Cebu
Rates: Start at PhP19,800 for the Junior Suite
Estimated travel time from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport: 3 hours and 30 minutes
The sight of a white sand beach fronting Badian Island Wellness Resort will urge you to make plans for a summer in Cebu.
Image: Badian Island Wellness Resort Facebook page
While island life is a welcome respite for anyone living in the city, you may still go looking for some of the comforts offered by city life. If this is the case, consider Badian Island Wellness Resort to fill your need for a breather from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.
The resort features five-star accommodations, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a white sand beach. Each room has everything you can find in a luxury resort, including a minibar and Wi-Fi access. Additionally, every room allows you to make your own coffee or tea in the comfort of your room. Moreover, guests can also look forward to distinctive pampering in a natural setting at the beauty center of the resort.
How to get to Badian Island Wellness Resort: From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you can get a taxi to the Cebu South Bus Terminal before getting on a bus headed for Badian. Tell the driver to drop you off at the wharf where boats headed for the island are docked. Get on one of the motorized boats to reach the island.
March 2022 Update: Badian Island Wellness Resort is temporarily closed and will resume operations in April 2022.
Beach lovers will certainly never run out of places to stay when they visit Cebu with many options.
Go to Yoorekka Magazine to discover more beach resorts in Cebu!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions wherever you go. For now, keep safe!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on March 11, 2020.
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