When King Writes

Movenpick is a household name among the luxury hotels in Cebu, Philippines. With its established global reputation and a stunning beachfront setting on Mactan Island, it promises an idyllic tropical island getaway. But does the experience still match the hype? 

As part of my quest to discover the best hotels Cebu offers, I recently stayed at Movenpick to find out. Here’s my honest review, designed to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Movenpick Cebu Overview

Situated directly on a private beach, Movenpick offers the idyllic tropical island getaway experience that many envision when considering Cebu.

As a 5-star hotel, the resort boasts a range of amenities that cater to luxury travelers. It has a well-equipped spa, an Ibiza-inspired beach club, and an inviting outdoor pool with submerged chairs that light up as evening falls.

The Ibiza Beach Club, in particular, is a major draw for the resort’s celebrity guests and foreign travelers. It’s not uncommon to see a Filipino A-lister relaxing on the net pods, an Insta-worthy lounge area composed of nets that extend over the water. It’s a favorite spot for visitors who want to unwind while enjoying the captivating view of the ocean beneath them.

With so many ways to relax, it’s easy to understand the resort’s appeal. But what about the rooms themselves? Read my point of view on accommodations to see how they match up to the impressive amenities. 

Accommodations

Movenpick Cebu has 12 types of accommodations—5 suites and 7 rooms. The rooms vary based on room size, view, in-room amenities, and bed.

Perhaps one confusing factor when choosing your room type is the view. A sea view or an ocean view? I know… they sound similar, right? But based on experience, a Sea View room (recently renamed Peninsula View) means you’ll get a peek of blue, while an Ocean View room provides a full, front-row seat to the ocean’s expanse.

I booked a Sea View room, thinking it has an oceanfront view. But as you now know from my inside scoop above, that’s not the case. Fortunately, I was upgraded to an Ocean View room.

There’s not much difference between the Sea View room and the Ocean View room. The latter has a slightly bigger room size, and of course, has an oceanfront view.

Here’s a photo of the Sea View Room:

And here’s a photo of the Ocean View Room:

Movenpick’s official website promises ultra-modern design, but the decor seems a bit outdated to me. It doesn’t have the sleek and minimalist aesthetics typical of a modern 5-star hotel room. 

It also falls short in lighting compared to neighboring resorts on Mactan Island, which feature LED strips under the bed and adaptive lights that change to suit the mood or time of day.

To be fair, both rooms feature four plush pillows, a sumptuous duvet, and the finest quality sheets. There are also enough electrical outlets throughout the room, a must for techie guests.

Here are the rest of Movenpick Ocean View Room’s in-room features and amenities:

• Private balcony overlooking the ocean
• High-speed wireless Internet
• Direct dial telephone
• Flat-screen TV
• Hair blower
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Coffee/teamaker

For first-time visitors to the Philippines: All 5-star hotels in the country have an air conditioning system.

As for the bathroom, it’s nothing to write home about. As you can see from the photo below, it’s quite cramped, so I can only imagine what this would be like for bigger guests. 

Also, I couldn’t believe it… there’s no bidet! Again for foreign visitors, most 5-star hotels in the Philippines feature a bidet. I realize that this isn’t a big thing for most of you, but for Filipinos and other Asian countries, it is (lol).

Dining Options

Breakfast Buffet and Poolside Dining

Like any other 5-star resort, Movenpick Cebu offers a breakfast buffet. But since the property is fairly small compared to its fellow luxury resort neighbors, don’t expect a grand feast. Both Filipino and American fare are available.

I’m not a big fan of buffets though. I have a small appetite and prefer a la carte, so I can tell you about that. Movenpick has these Filipino-version bento boxes, which just means that the bento contains Filipino breakfast meals like dried fish and longganisa (similar to a spicy Spanish sausage).

TIP: Arrive early for breakfast. The indoor restaurant is small and fills up quickly.

Alternatively, ask the staff to reserve a poolside table for you. Beachfront dining is also possible, but not recommended when it’s pouring (obviously).

I found the quality of the food inconsistent. Some days, the beef salpicao was great. On other days, the meat is harder to chew than it should be, suggesting that the ingredients aren’t fresh.

Ibiza Beach Club

As for the Ibiza Beach Club, it was still under renovation when I visited. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) in December 2021. 

The typhoon caused significant structural damage; roofs were torn off, furniture scattered, and the beach area heavily impacted it was unrecognizable. The staff said Ibiza Beach Club should be open by the first quarter of 2024. 

Chocolate Hour

Chocolate Hour is one of the sweetest perks of staying at Movenpick Cebu. The hotel treats guests to a complimentary chocolate experience that’s hard to resist. 

Held between 3 and 4 PM, this is the time when you can indulge in a variety of chocolate treats, all crafted by the hotel’s skilled chefs. It’s completely free for guests and you can swing by at the lobby, just in front of the pool area.

Although I don’t have a sweet tooth, I love how they put a local twist on some offerings. You might try chocolate with hints of mango or coconut, or even a spicy chocolate that surprises your taste buds. It’s a fantastic way to relax after a day of exploring Mactan Island.

Spa Review

As a spa addict, booking a treatment at Movenpick Cebu’s Spa Del Mar was absolutely necessary. I never pass up an opportunity to try out the best spa in the area, wherever I am, and this was no exception.

You’ll find Spa Del Mar’s main entrance at the rightmost corner of the resort, but there’s a shortcut beside the poolside kitchen. The spa faces the ocean and creates a serene ambiance. However, only the mani/pedi and lounge area has this view. 

The massage rooms are downstairs and don’t have any windows. There’s nothing luxurious about the atmosphere, but I like that everything looks well-maintained. It’s a plus that the room is not overly perfumed.

As for the service quality, Movenpick Cebu’s signature massage felt okay. Nothing much differentiated the strokes from a typical Swedish massage, but a skilled and well-trained masseuse is always appreciated.

Pool and Beach

I have only good things to say about Movenpick Cebu’s pool and private beach area. The “designer” outdoor pool is, after all, Movenpick’s signature amenity. I wasn’t surprised to see it meticulously maintained, rain or shine.

The outdoor pool is open all year, surrounded by tall tropical trees (I don’t know specifically what type of tree, don’t ask me), sun loungers, and pool umbrellas. This area of the resort exudes the most elegance, especially at night when the in-pool loungers (submerged pool chairs) light up at night, glowing like flames.

Movenpick’s private beach area is fairly small compared to its neighbors, but enough to enjoy the fine white sand over a friendly competition, be it a volleyball game or a frisbee.

I also liked the beachfront landscaping. It features manicured lawns, palm trees, and tropical plants bordering the sand. There’s plenty of space to walk around and lounge on the large round daybeds. Lazily watching the day go by while sipping a fresh fruit shake hand-delivered by Movenpick’s attentive staff.

Other Amenities and Activities

Here are other noteworthy amenities I experienced/visited during my stay:

• Shop: There are two on-site shops. Both sell swimwear and gear, plus a few Filipino souvenirs and tropical outfits. The price is, as expected, more expensive (some double the price) than if you’d purchase them outside.
• Recreation: There’s a table tennis, billiard, and chess area beside the indoor restaurant. Feel free to take your snacks and drinks with you. There’s a separate movie room for kids, too.
• ATM: You’ll find two ATMs inside the building across the main resort area. Although a residential building, it’s still part of Movenpick Cebu and is barely a 5-minute walk from the lobby.

Movenpick Cebu also has a 24-hour gym. I wasn’t able to use it though, so I can’t say anything about it.

Standing Ovation for the Movenpick Cebu Staff

I always say a resort can have its flaws, but amazing staff can make all the difference. So while Movenpick Cebu lacks in some aspects, the staff is hands down commendable.

They go above and beyond to give you an excellent stay, from knowing when to approach you to offer free services that you didn’t know you needed to being extremely detailed when you ask for advice about things to do around the resort.

To that end, I’ll conclude this review on a positive note. While the resort’s room need some modernizing and the food options could be better, Movenpick Cebu’s highly skilled staff is simply irreplaceable. 

Movenpick Cebu FAQs

What happened to Movenpick Cebu?

Movenpick Cebu sustained some damage from Typhoon Odette in 2021. It underwent renovations (and still is, with the opening of Ibiza Beach Club further delayed). As of 2024, the hotel is in full operation and remains a popular destination on Mactan Island.

Where is Movenpick Cebu?

Movenpick Cebu is located on Mactan Island in the province of Cebu, Philippines. It’s one of the nearest luxury resorts to Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Does Movenpick Cebu have parking?

Yes, Movenpick Cebu offers parking for guests. Self-parking is available free of charge, while paid valet has a fixed fee.

Is Movenpick Cebu a 5-star hotel?

Yes, Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is classified as a 5-star resort. It’s known for its beachfront location, amenities, and Ibiza-inspired beach club.