When planning a vacation, it can be tough making sure you and everyone you’re traveling with will have something fun to do where you’re staying. And with a popular balikbayan destination in the Philippines like Cebu—which offers mountain trails, beaches, and shopping and dining areas all within the metro’s boundaries—a resort or hotel with convenient amenities is the way to go.
With that in mind, check out this list of beach resorts and hotels on Mactan Island (where you’ll find many of Metro Cebu’s beaches and the international airport). We’ve noted amenities that would interest travelers of different types to help you make the right choice for your group.
1. Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
Having offered its top-notch service and facilities for decades, Shangri-La Mactan provides a wide variety of activities. Adventurers are spoiled for choice between eco trails, water activities like windsurfing and parasailing, scuba diving and snorkeling, and more. Foodies can choose from four different restaurants and three bars and lounges.
For Families: Children will love the Adventure Zone’s multilevel indoor playground, kiddie pool, and E-Zone for gamers, while a dedicated Toddler Zone features toys and activities for littles up to 3 years old. There’s also a large water slide in the Aquaplay area of the Main Wing pool.
For Couples: For pure pampering, you can get a massage at Chi, The Spa. Or if you’re celebrating a milestone or anniversary, book a romantic dining experience. This includes exclusive use of Shang Mactan’s Observatory, Gazebo, Cabana, or Nipa Hut; a sumptuous set menu for two; a bouquet for your partner; a bottle of wine; a personal server; and decorations and table setup.
Based on their website booking engine, regular room rates with breakfast included start at around PHP17,000 for a premiere room, and up to PHP35,700 a night for a suite, although the top-tier suites will require direct inquiries with their reservations team.
2. Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan
Seascapes Resort Town, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; crimsonhotel.com/mactan
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Crimson resorts and hotels are known for their luxury, and their 6-hectare beach resort and spa in Mactan, Cebu, is no exception. Apart from a picture-perfect infinity pool and beach with opportunities for snorkeling, the resort offers banana boat and Jet Ski rides, kayaking, diving, and island-hopping excursions—fun times no matter what kind of traveler you are.
For Families: The children-centric Crimzone features a large pool with fountains, a play area with slides and a ball pit, and areas for other activities like playing board games, reading children’s books, and coloring or other arts and crafts. Kids can knock themselves out here, leaving quiet time for Mom and Dad.
For Couples: Wining and dining for two is easily arranged, as the Crimson Resort offers romantic candlelit dinner by the sea or in the garden with a curated gourmet menu. And if you’re in need of some extra relaxation, the full service Aum Spa has also been named the country’s best resort spa by the World Luxury Spa Awards.
Crimson’s room rate is dynamic but ranges from around PHP11,000 to PHP20,000 a night for a deluxe room or deluxe garden-view room; villas are currently at a limited inventory, although you can check with the resort if these are available for your stay dates.
3. Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu
Besides lounging on the beach or in the pool (with its iconic submerged chairs), Mövenpick Cebu offers a variety of aqua adventures and island tours the whole family can enjoy. Extra relaxing sessions can be booked at Spa Del Mar, while the Lobby Lounge serves complimentary chocolate treats from 3p.m. to 4p.m., known as the Chocolate Hour.
For Families: The resort’s game area features a pool table, foosball set, chess board, Xbox gaming area, and more. The resort frequently offers arts and crafts activities for kids and group exercises in its beach garden.
For Singles, Couples, & Barkadas: Stay tuned for the reopening of the Ibiza Beach Club at the end of Mövenpick Cebu’s marina, where you can soon eat well and party hard. Before it closed for renovations, they featured live performances every night, with varying themes in their dance numbers like Latin, Broadway, Movie Musical, Pop, and Retro. They also offered the acclaimed Balearic-inspired 15-course grill menu, as well as more dishes from their ala carte and tapas menus. If you want to be the first to experience what Mövenpick Cebu has planned for Ibiza Beach Club’s upcoming reopening, make sure to inquire and plan your stay for later this 2024.
Based on their website booking engine, regular room rates without breakfast start at around PHP8,900 a night for a deluxe room, while a two-bedroom family suite can go over PHP22,000 a night.
4. BE Resort Mactan
Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Lapu Lapu City, Cebu
Are you on a more modest budget, especially if you’re planning a trip for a big group, yet want a resort that has complete and fun amenities for everyone? This resort is an excellent choice. It boasts a wide selection of water sports just off its white sand beach, with activities that include scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boating, Jet Skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing.
For Barkadas & Couples: While perhaps better for older kids, teens, and adults, the resort’s giant inflatable playground boasts slides, rafts, and trampolines, perfect for fun times that end with a big splash. The resort’s restaurant team also offers two boodle options sure to fill you up with fresh seafood and marinated barbecues. Plus, Saturday night will see you dancing the night away with live DJs at The Deck at the resort’s rooftop. When the weather is good, the resort may also set up an outdoor evening movie viewing on the beach, perfectly paired with drinks.
For Families: If you have smaller kids or just prefer to stay closer inland, there’s a main pool with its view of the ocean and accompanying kiddie pool, as well as a game room with gym equipment, board games, and billiards. Or you can laze about in a cozy beachside lounger with built-in shade—with the whole gang, as these will fit a family of three, four, or even five.
Based on their website booking engine, room rates may range between just under PHP5,000 a night for a BE Cool room, just over PHP5,500 for a BE Chic room, and around PHP6,800 for a BE Classy room.
5. Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
Buyong Maribago, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
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One of Mactan’s mainstays and a nostalgic destination for Cebuano balikbayans, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort boasts a 110-meter white sand beach with a beach volleyball court, a fronting island, and three lagoon-shaped pools.
For Families: Play areas include a life-size chess board and the children’s playground at the Grove with a sandbox, seesaw, slide, swings, and other play equipment. The Dolpo Kids Club also boasts daily activities, with a weekly schedule that includes hours for board games, body painting, cookie design, beaded jewelry making, tie-dyeing, movie time, and more.
For Couples & Barkadas: Aquamania activities include Jet Skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking (crystal kayaks are available), stand-up paddleboarding, and island-hopping. Foodies will be pleased to know there are also themed dinners in the different restaurants at the resort on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Bluewater Gallery, which exclusively features Filipino artists, offers a glimpse of local talent. Alternatively, the Amuma Spa blends Filipino, Asian, and Western massage therapies in its menu of services.
Based on their website booking engine, regular room rates may range between PHP12,000 and PHP20,500 a night, depending on active promotions and dates of stay.
6. Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort
Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
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This Marriott-owned resort opened its doors in September 2022, so it is a bit newer than many of the properties on this list. It offers a range of amenities, including a large pool with a children’s pool (and a generous number of nearby loungers so parents can easily keep an eye on their kids), a full-service spa, two restaurants (including DIP Nikkei Restaurant), two bars, and a fitness center.
For Families & Barkadas: Apart from the pools, which are always a win with kids, especially in the summer, the resort features an indoor kids’ club area with slides and other play equipment, arts and crafts tables, a reading nook, and more. Outdoor activities—such as water sports and island-hopping—are also available, and the resort can help you arrange tours further afield.
For Couples: The full-menu of services at the Sheraton Spa will help couples relax after a day of activities and adventuring. They also have great wining and dining options for date night: DIP Nikkei, the first Nikkei restaurant in Cebu, serves a fusion of Peruvian-Japanese cuisine; while Buhi Bar offers a unique experience, as part of its seating area is carved into a cave.
Based on their website booking engine, regular room rates with breakfast included start at around PHP14,800 for a guest room for two and go up to PHP48,300 for an executive suite for four. Some room packages also come with spa treatments.
7. Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu
Punta Engaño Road, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
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Another relatively new resort, Dusit Thani Mactan opened its doors just before the pandemic lockdown. It’s a prime staycation site for tourists and locals alike, especially for its popular pet-friendly policy.
For Families: Children will love the colorful 500sqm activity and play area known as the Fun Zone, made up of seven areas—the Ball Pit Splash, Bounce Mats, Toddler Playground, Kiddie Pirate Ship, Jungle Safari, Table and Blocks, and Ready Set Go Active Area. Other kid-friendly activities include kite flying, bike riding, and fish feeding.
For Couples & Barkadas: The resort offers guests a variety of activities—apart from water sports and island-hopping, there are planned tours, sunset yoga, and poolside aqua aerobics. They also have a wide beach and an infinity pool. As you wind down, you can then loosen your muscles with the traditional hilot, or Filipino massage. Couples can also arrange for private cabana dinners. A night out on the resort can only be made better with concoctions by Dusit’s award-winning mixologists.
Based on their website booking engine, regular room rates without breakfast start at around PHP8,000 a night for a deluxe room, while a three-bedroom suite that sleeps 12 can cost PHP67,000 a night with breakfast included. Early bookers can avail of a 15% discount on room rates, so this is one resort that urges you to plan ahead.
8. Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark
M.L. Quezon National Highway, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; jparkislandresort.com
This Mactan resort promises splashy fun. It sprawls over a 16.5-hectare property and features a private white-sand beach, six pools with varying themes, and eight bars and restaurants for a diverse food experience.
For Families & Barkadas: Its water park boasts multiple pools and gigantic slides. Kids and kids-at-heart will love the Amazon River pool with its gentle current, the Wave Pool, the Open Body and Tube Slides, and the Space Bowl slide. The resort also features zones for mini golf, go-karting, giant chess, a ball pit, and water biking.
For Couples: Lovebirds can avail of romantic dinners on the beach after a day of adventuring. If you splurge on a villa, you may also enjoy a private pool or Jacuzzi. And for added pampering, the Cara Spa is open everyday.
The regular room rate at JPark Island Resort ranges from PHP16,000 to PHP31,000 a night. However, guests should inquire about discounts for locals and foreigners, as well as seasonal promos.
9. Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa
Buyong Road, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; tambuliseasideresortandspa.com
While Cebu natives may know the name Tambuli from their childhoods, this isn’t quite the same resort you may have visited in the past, thanks to a luxurious upgrade a few years back.
The redesign highlights sustainable ecotourism; some of the structures wrap around trees and other natural features of the area; and the resort’s organic farm grows fruits, vegetables, and herbs used in the restaurants. Lush gardens with winding walkways leading to the beach make for great strolls with loved ones. The large beach area also features several loungers with umbrellas and a station for water safety equipment.
For Families & Barkadas: Swimmers have four pools to choose from, including a large pool with mini waterfalls along the sides that add to the relaxing ambiance. At the children’s pool, guests can borrow pool noodles for added fun. Watersports include kayaking and Jet Skiing, among others. Other facilities include a gym and playroom with billiards, foosball, and more.
For Couples: The resort offers four dining options, or you may indulge in signature dishes and fresh seafood prepared from scratch by the restaurant chefs. For a special occasion, couples can arrange for an intimate poolside dinner setup with a four-course meal and bottle of wine.
According to the Tambuli team, their rates range from PHP7,700 per night for the deluxe room to PHP16,700 per night for the two-bedroom suite. They encourage guests to ask about their rates when they know their dates of stay, as seasonal promos and peak day surcharges may apply.
10. The Mark Resort Cebu
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; themarkresortcebu.com
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The pristine white building where The Mark’s rooms are located features a “luxury colony curl-style” design and gives you a modern take on classic yacht clubs. Meanwhile, the large Aquarium pool features a sizeable deckside window on the deeper end, which should make for fun Instagram moments.
For Families: The resort’s kids club features play facilities built with eco-friendly materials. These include a jungle gym, mart game, kitchen game, cypress tree playground, duplex playroom, and LEGO playroom.
For Couples & Barkadas: This boutique hotel is perhaps best known for the catamaran yacht available for morning island-hopping and sunset cruises. The Mark Cruise is the biggest yacht of its kind in Cebu, and comes with an inflatable pool slide.
The Mark Resort Cebu offers just three types of rooms: the Deluxe Room at PHP5,000 per night for two pax with breakfast, the Suite Room at PHP10,000 per night for two with breakfast, and the Family Room at PHP13,000 per night for four with breakfast. Though the rooms can take extra adults, these may come with extra charges, and there are limits to the number of kids each room can accommodate.
11. Solea Mactan Resort
Victor Wahing Street, Brgy. Alegria, Cordova, Cebu; soleahotels.com/mactan
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We’re wrapping up this list with another splashtastic resort: Although technically in Cordova rather than Mactan proper, Solea Mactan Cebu Resort is great for water babies, thanks to its pools and waterpark. Whether you’re young at heart or in body, you’ll have a blast with the various water slides and fountains. Apart from the large Aquapark structure, there’s also an inflatable water park. And for simpler or quieter swim time, there are several other pools on the property, including a couple of infinity pools.
For Families: Kiddies can spend any surplus energy at the resort’s Happy Pebbles Playroom, which includes an indoor jungle gym with a ball pit and play house. Another playroom for an older audience contains a pool table, ping-pong table, dartboard, and more. Kids can also go on bike rides and play on the giant chess set in the garden. Beach and aqua activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, and more.
For Couples: Solea Mactan’s Nouveau Spa offers relaxing massages. Lovey-dovey opportunities abound as well with the resort’s romantic dinner packages, which you can inquire about from their staff. Dining options include the lobby lounge, Earth Restaurant, and three bars, including the rooftop lounge known as Salt & Sky.
The Solea team shares that rates vary, but here are some of the lowest rates they can offer guests: PHP5,888 per night for a Premier Room for two with a city or garden view, PHP6,888 per night for a Seaview room for two, PHP10,888 per night for a Classic Suite for two, and PHP11,888 per night for a Solea Suite for four.
While other resorts on the island may offer lower rates or other appealing amenities, we chose these 11 resorts for their superior reputations and reviews.
If you’re visiting Cebu and looking for more activities beyond what your hotel or resort has to offer, though, check out these travel guides:
• Kalami! 10 Must-Eats for Your Metro Cebu Food Trip
• Metro Cebu Guide: 10 Must-Try Experiences for Balikbayans
• 12 Adventures to Try South of Cebu City
• 10 Things to Do North of Cebu City
