Our disappointing weekend at Plantation Bay Cebu
We had an interesting weekend about a month ago as we got to spend one night at one of Cebu’s five star Hotel, Plantation Bay Cebu.
This 5 star resort hotel is sitting on a sprawling 11.4 hectare property in Lapu-Lapu City, just 30 minutes away from the heart of Cebu City. It is the only Philippine resort that got winning scores in the 21st Annual Readers’ Choice Awards of 2008 in a survey conducted among 323 worldwide resorts. In the same survey, the hotel is ranked 16th out of 25 in the Top Asian Resorts category.
Since it is a five star hotel, you’d expect it to be pricey like your typical Vegas hotels, but interestingly the prices are somewhat reasonable. Add to the fact that they offered huge discounts during this time. (Perhaps to boost occupancy considering the economic crisis) What’s great about our stay is that one of my wife’s friends works here so we got 50 % of on room rates and buffet meals! Another great thing about this hotel is that it enforces a strict “no tipping” policy so you don’t have to worry on whether or not the bell boy thinks you are stingy. 
We arrived at the hotel at around 7 p.m. We had to attend the blessing of my wife’s office so we somehow missed the afternoon fun. (It was the opening of their summer Frolicks program)
Our first stop was of course to drop our gear at our room located at the Piazza Palermo I love the Italian inspired architecture. I’ve always wanted to live in Italy or somewhere in a European city where life is so much slower and where arts, culture and history abound.
Right across the Piazza Palermo is the Orion beach where we had dinner buffet. The dinner buffet was Brazilian inspired coupled with a Brazilian dance presentation which they interestingly dubbed as “Brazilian Fever” The food was great! I especially love the roast beef.
The show ran for about 30 minutes or more after which the emcee asked for audience participation by having selected people from the audience dance on stage. We of course were contented to just watch. It was interesting to know that the dancers who were performing were hotel staff and employees who were trained to do the presentation.
After filling our bellies we decided to go night swimming. We choose the East Salt water swimming lagoon, where some of the hotel rooms that were right at the edge of the lagoon were located. I wanted to see these rooms myself as these are the most sought after rooms in the hotel and is said to be the most expensive rooms of the hotel. Probably one of the reasons why these rooms are so expensive is because from the balcony of these rooms you can be in the water in 0-2 seconds.
After enjoying a good night swim, we decided to call it a night and returned to our room. We watched a late night t.v show and it’s off to dream land for the three of us.
The next morning, we wanted to see what the entire plantation bay cebu hotel complex looks like. Bikes are said to be available for free for an hour. But before engaging in an exhausting biking or walking tour a good buffet breakfast is a necessity, so we had one at the Kilimanjaro café.
After a sumptuous breakfast, the water looked very tempting so I decided to take a dip while my wife proceeded with her bike tour. We left our son to play games at the game room. I wanted to try out the giant slides, but was disappointed to learn that it was not open until 9 a.m. So I aborted my planned swimming adventure and opted to go biking instead.
Unfortunately they ran out of bikes, so I have to settle for a walking tour. I walked around the complex and took pictures.
At some point in my walking, I ran across my wife. We decided to the gaming room and joined our son. We played ping pong for a while, then it was time for me to fulfill my desire of going down the giant slides.
The giant slides were located at the North Salt water swimming lagoon. I tried both slides out and tried swimming in several other lagoons. (I wanted to know if the water feels the same in all lagoons hehehehe)
After that we had our final tour and walked around the hotel complex. Of course we wished we could take the entire plantation hotel complex with us, but the only thing we could take are good pictures, so we just snapped away.
Well all good things must come to an end and it was time for us to check out. We bid goodbye to this wonderful place bringing the good memories with us.
You might be wondering where is the “disappointment” part of our stay here. Well indeed this is a very disappointing weekendbecause we only got to stay for one night!. With all the good things, the wonderful sights and sounds that the hotel could offer, I wish we could stay for a week! We will be probably be back for their Hawaiian Luau!
Hi ! my name is Zigfred Diaz, Thanks for visiting my personal blog ! Never miss a post from this blog. Subscribe to my full feeds for free. Click here to subscribe to zdiaz.com by Email
You may also want to visit my other blogs. Click here to learn stock marketing investing. Click here to learn more about How to Earn cash online. Visit my travel blog to learn more about great travel ideas.
Hi,
I’m glad you had fun in Cebu.
Must really be a great feeling to be in that resort. Hope you did enjoy all of it in your time of stay there with people close to you.
I am sorry for my self for I couldn’t afford to visit that place.
Selboy:
Of course you can afford it. Laki na nga nang blogging income mo 
inggit naman ako… ganda ng lugar… hitlod pa ang keyword… hehehe… sana makapunta kami jan sometime this year…
ME and my GIRL FRIEND WENT TO PLANTATION BAY TO FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE since we happened to be in their town Lapu Lapu, near Cebu!!!
When we went to their front-desk, we were shown their standard room rates that started from $238 and went all the way upto $700.
We just requested to see the place and maybe go up to eat in their restaurant, Killmanjaro. They have kept good names just to entice the people. The place is no doubt good and well maintained.
When asked about how to go about to their facility, the killimanjaro restaurant, they would gladly tell u that we could use their cart and see the place.
However, there is no comment about the charges they would like to collect at the end of the visit or the directions to were to go or if they had any specials going on including the daily rate charges of their facilities.
So on Apr 15, 2009, when me and my girl friend visited the place at 6 pm and this is what happened to us. However, not knowing what the place is like, and encouraged by the (people) in the front desk of plantation bay, we ventured at our own risk to see the facility and we just went around to their pools and had a dip.
Since we had used the facility for 30 to 45 mins going around and having a dip in one of their pools, encouraged by their front desk. On our way back, at 7pm, the employees demanded that we pay them 2000 pesos each for touring and using their facility.
However, in the first place, we were encouraged to tour the facility. However, we admit that since it was so HOT, we ventured to take a dip in the pool. AND THAT was enough to that we were asked to pay up 2000 pesos this cardinal sin that we committed.
ON demanding that where was the courtesy shown to us in informing us about the charges that would be incurred, when we as guests were asked to tour the place and use the facilities for an hour, that is inform us about the 2000 pesos each that would be charged for the use of their facility: tour carts, restaurants and pool, etc. for one hour, the FRONT DESK OF PLANTATION BAY demanded and insisted we pay up the 4000 pesos total for both of us, to use their facility. Their manager, a pregnant lady currently, was called upon and she told us to pay up or there would be police complaint and prison for both of us.
So we had no choice but to pay up 4000 pesos for touring the facility from 6p to 7pm and dipping in one of their pools.
Anybody going up there without any reservations is advised to be careful of the FRONT DESK people that would help unaware travelers who would like to look at their facility. YOU CAN BE CHARGED UNEXPECTEDLY, since they do not have much customers at this time of the year, even though its summer season.
PLANATATION BAY front desk people DO NOT HAVE THE COURTESY TO INFORM what are their facilities and what they are going to charge, if we tour their facility and happen to use it for even 5 mins. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT the best 100 resort facility in the world as they claim to be IS ZERO and the front desk do not know how to present their facility to their customers. I guess they depend on other websites and travel agents for their customers and services.
BE REALLY CAREFUL AND CAUTIOUS!!!! AS YOU WILL CHARGED WITHOUT BEING INFORMED !
(Note: Comment edited because of repetitive words, however no changes as to what the commenter has been trying to say has been edited)
Rocky and Lerie: Hi ! appreciate your comments but I have to edit some words out because of repetitive words.
What I will be saying is not totally in defense of plantation bay as I am not in anyway connected to them, however I appeal to your reason and logic.
First of all Plantation bay is a 5 star resort, so the prices may not be at par with the local resorts. They are not very expensive but they do have a fairly high price compared to other resorts. So it is normal for them to charge that way. Considering that their facilities are very nice and world class, it is reasonable that their room rates are at that price.
Secondly, Perhaps you did not ask the front desk on how much they charge for certain activities. They have a “Day backpacker” scheme or something like that (I think it’s called day tekker or whatever). That is you get to enjoy the facility for the whole day. The charge has certain inclusions include the use of the pool. I believe this is also reasonable considering that you are using the facilities. Remember that there ain’t no such thing as free lunch. In order to maximize what you have paid for, you should have begain your “tour” and use of the facilities at 8 a.m. and ended up at 8 p.m. (Or whatever time they allow this day back packer scheme)
Thirdly, Perhaps you did not ask or there was a miscommunication that happened between you and the front desk. I am not saying that you are totally at fault, all I am saying is that conflicts are best resolved and avoided if you both parties have properly communicated.
Plantation Bay is a mutli-awarded facility although some of their staff may have lapses in my opinion some of the things you said about them seems unfair.
Does PB provides free transport to the malls? id like to stay at pb but then i also like to do a city tour and of course do some shopping. how about taxis or other mode of transport? how long will it take us to go to like ayala malls or sm …
anna: Yes I believe so. All major hotels provide transportation through and from major malls including buth Ayala and SM. You can also grab a taxi if you do not like to wait for the scheduled drop off and pick up times. From Mactan where the hotels are located it’s about 20-30 minutes or less if it’s not rush hour, if it’s rush hour it would take more or less 45 minutes to an hour.
I like the plantation bay transport, it’s a big “airconditioned jeepney” giving you a truly “pinoy” transportation feel. It’s colored pink. I saw it the first time, I think last week.
I do feel sorry for Rockie and Lerie with their bad experience at Plantation Bay. My husband and I really love Plantation Bay, bit pricey on the food side but hey, you are in a 5* hotel. Personally, they could do better if they provide free transport, i.e. shuttle bus to take clients to and fro the city as the location is not accessable if you don’t have or own transport or you don’t know anyone from the city. Food prices are sky-high, no other alternative to go out to dine especially for those who don’t have a transport. Going back to Rockie and Lerie, I think there was a miscommunication along the way. yes, the hotel do have a day trekker thingy, but hey if they were only there for an hour, P4000 is quite too much. This should have been well explained by the hotel front desk. Been to Shangrilla Hotel, stayed for half day, bought drinks and stayed in their lounge, been to sea side, but never been tempted to have a dip in the water no matter how hot it was, yet, never been charged for staying. We even used their shuttle bus to take us to SM City. Whether it was a pure luck i dunno. I bet, Rockie and Lerie won’t come back and enjoy Plantation Bay fully after their bad experience. I for one, will definitely go back soon.
I was planning to have a weekend at Plantation Bay. I went through their site and came across with your article. I’m sorry I found your title so pessimistic. Your citations of the hotel amenities and services were great and it seemed you had a wonderful moment with your family. There’s more excitement, contentment, and enjoyment to your stay there. However, why do you have to dwell on the “disappointment” of not staying there for more than you wished for? Isn’t it pessimistic? Why highlight this disappointment when you said you had the time of your life here? Life is short, let’s look at the wonderful and beautiful side of it.
Genevieve: It sounds “pessimistic” to attract more attention, but if you read the whole article, you can see that it is a two thumbs up, positive and five star review all in favor of plantation bay
Have a great weekend at one of Cebu’s best hotels 
I read the whole article that’s why I reacted to your title. The whole experience was great and yet your title was “disappointing”. I understand the whole idea but I’m just not sold to its title. I find your title deceptive and it’s not accurate to the nature of your article. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Genevieve: That is the whole point of the “title.” To be “deceptive” to attract more attention
Anna: Sorry I was wrong. I asked our friend who works at Plantation Bay, she says PB does not provide transport the malls.
Hi Zigfred, since you have a friend in PB, can you share your discount privilege to me
? We have plans of going to PB sometime in December, me, my wife and 2 kids. Probably same room as you had. hope to hear from you…
richmen: Sorry, if it were me I would extend it to everybody who asked. But I just can’t speak for my friend.
too bad for rocky and lerie… as of yesterday the front desk people were very helpful, respectful, and informative. we were happy with their eagerness to answer our questions. considering there were a lot of ‘paying’ guests at the lobby.
we had an ocular inspection of the place as we were considering it for a two to three day getaway. the tour cab driver even took pictures for us (and of us, of course) and entertained us for the duration of the tour.
unfortunately though, the place is quite isolated from the city and the malls. the flag down rate for the hotel-affiliated taxi is Php700, if i remembered it correctly. however if you will be lucky enough to get a taxi another guest has left, the taxi fare will be less than half of that.
by any chance, mr. zigfred (or anyone for that matter), will you be able to recommend a travel agency that could give us good rates for the place? thanks a lot.
and again, your title sure is DECEPTIVE! all the best!
ahhahhhaha… yeah u got me. I was really looking for the disappointing part, I was thinking maybe sa Customer service…. I’m eyeing for a good spot for holiday vacation…We are supposed to go in Alegre but unfortunately All rooms are booked. So maybe We’ll try plantation bay as a friend told me. I havent seen the place though and whats in there for us. Thanks for sharing ur experience, maybe ill choose this place than anywhere in Palawan.
Miche: You are more than welcome
Jannie: Thanks, yep I’ve deliberately decided to make my article deceptive for in order for it to catch attention
Miche: You are more than welcome. Enjoy your stay at Plantation bay Cebu.
Jannie: Thanks. Hope you enjoyed your stay at Plantation bay Cebu. With regards to the travel agency, I don’t have any ideaon that. And yes, I’ve deliberately decided to make my article deceptive for in order for it to catch attention
And I think it worked hehehehe 
My friend and I will be staying at PB next weekend. They give discounts to government employees. They are strict with bookings though. In case of cancellations of bookings, one must cancel his/her reservation at least eight (8) days before the intended visit.
loralee: Thanks for the info.