Christmas & New Year in the Philippines flying Turkish Airlines Business Class
For the second time after three years, I celebrated Christmas and New Year in the Philippines, together with the Singelresor group. We were a group of 16 although I guess it could have been more. Our program started in Manila, the capital city and after that, we flew to Cebu to explore the oldest city in the country. Then we had four nights in Panglao where we visited the famous Chocolate Hills, the Philippine tarsier, and did the Loboc River Cruise among others and of course enjoyed the white sand beaches of the island. Then, we flew to Boracay, the world's best island for 2016 according to the readers of the Condé Nast Traveler where we celebrated New Year 😍 From there, we flew back to Manila and took the long bus ride to Banaue to visit the 2000 year old Banaue Rice Terraces. Finally, on our last day in Manila, we visited the famous Pagsanjan Falls before taking our evening flight back to Stockholm. Unfortunately, the snow chaos in Istanbul Airport caused us to have an extra three nights in Manila where we were accommodated in the Belmont Hotel Manila. No doubt, it was one of the best Christmas and New Year celebrations I've had lately and would celebrate it here every year if only I could 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm-Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines B777 Business Class, Istanbul-Manila
Review: Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel
Review: Bohol Beach Club
Review: Boracay Uptown
Review: Conrad Manila
Photo Review: St. Giles Makati
Photo Review: Belmont Hotel Manila
Exploring the Philippines
Photo Review: PAGSS Lounge, Terminal 1 by Gate 2, NAIA
Review: PAGSS Lounge, Terminal 1 by Gate 6, NAIA
Review: Turkish Airlines B777 Business Class, Manila-Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul-Stockholm
Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel
Date of stay: December 25-26, 2016
Address: Buyong, Mactan Island, Cebu 6015
Nightly Rate: Group rate with breakfast
Hotel Exterior
Hotel exterior
Hotel Entrance
Hotel entrance with fountain
Hotel Lobby
Hotel lobby, guest service and internet station
Hotel Reception
Hotel reception
Premiere Deluxe Poolside Room
Twin bed
Work desk
Flat screen TV and lounge chair
Safe, slippers
Complimentary bottles of water,coffee, tea, Minibar
Bathroom
Bathtub
Toilet
Bathrobes
Private balcony with view of the pool
La Marina Restaurant & Patio (Breakfast Buffet Restaurant)
La Marina Restaurant
Beautiful capiz chandelier
Soup station
My yummy soup 😋
Buffet spread
Local desserts and hot chocolate
Swimming Pool
L-shaped swimming pool
Pool deck, free form swimming pool with slide
Exercise gym
Internet station
Kiddie Korner
Private White Sand Beach
Protected swimming area, coral reef/snorkeling area
CONCLUSION
Having stayed at Marco Polo Hotel the last time I was in Cebu, I was curious to see how this stay would differ as Costabella Hotel has its own private beach. Indeed, this hotel is a great choice since you have easy access to the hotel's own white sand beach. The room we got was very nice and had a nice view of the pool from the balcony. Complimentary wifi was a big plus and I was able to get some work done. We actually had our dinner at Brisa Pan Asia Restaurant (the evening we arrived) and really enjoyed the food and live music. The food selection from the breakfast buffet was extensive and tasted very good. I specially loved their soup and the hot chocolate 😋 Of course, the staff were all very friendly and always willing to be of help. Overall, the Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel is a very nice hotel with nice rooms, a private beach, very good restaurants and friendly staff and I would highly recommend it to everyone 😊
Related Posts:
Review: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Review: Hotel H2O Manila
For the second time after three years, I celebrated Christmas and New Year in the Philippines, together with the Singelresor group. We were a group of 16 although I guess it could have been more. Our program started in Manila, the capital city and after that, we flew to Cebu to explore the oldest city in the country. Then we had four nights in Panglao where we visited the famous Chocolate Hills, the Philippine tarsier, and did the Loboc River Cruise among others and of course enjoyed the white sand beaches of the island. Then, we flew to Boracay, the world's best island for 2016 according to the readers of the Condé Nast Traveler where we celebrated New Year 😍 From there, we flew back to Manila and took the long bus ride to Banaue to visit the 2000 year old Banaue Rice Terraces. Finally, on our last day in Manila, we visited the famous Pagsanjan Falls before taking our evening flight back to Stockholm. Unfortunately, the snow chaos in Istanbul Airport caused us to have an extra three nights in Manila where we were accommodated in the Belmont Hotel Manila. No doubt, it was one of the best Christmas and New Year celebrations I've had lately and would celebrate it here every year if only I could 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm-Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines B777 Business Class, Istanbul-Manila
Review: Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel
Review: Bohol Beach Club
Review: Boracay Uptown
Review: Conrad Manila
Photo Review: St. Giles Makati
Photo Review: Belmont Hotel Manila
Exploring the Philippines
Photo Review: PAGSS Lounge, Terminal 1 by Gate 2, NAIA
Review: PAGSS Lounge, Terminal 1 by Gate 6, NAIA
Review: Turkish Airlines B777 Business Class, Manila-Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul-Stockholm
Date of stay: December 25-26, 2016
Address: Buyong, Mactan Island, Cebu 6015
Nightly Rate: Group rate with breakfast
Hotel Exterior
Hotel Entrance
Hotel Lobby
Hotel Reception
Premiere Deluxe Poolside Room
La Marina Restaurant & Patio (Breakfast Buffet Restaurant)
Swimming Pool
Private White Sand Beach
CONCLUSION
Having stayed at Marco Polo Hotel the last time I was in Cebu, I was curious to see how this stay would differ as Costabella Hotel has its own private beach. Indeed, this hotel is a great choice since you have easy access to the hotel's own white sand beach. The room we got was very nice and had a nice view of the pool from the balcony. Complimentary wifi was a big plus and I was able to get some work done. We actually had our dinner at Brisa Pan Asia Restaurant (the evening we arrived) and really enjoyed the food and live music. The food selection from the breakfast buffet was extensive and tasted very good. I specially loved their soup and the hot chocolate 😋 Of course, the staff were all very friendly and always willing to be of help. Overall, the Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel is a very nice hotel with nice rooms, a private beach, very good restaurants and friendly staff and I would highly recommend it to everyone 😊
Related Posts:
Review: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Review: Hotel H2O Manila