When I arrived in Cebu City, the Philippines, the 2nd week of November, hotel holiday cheer was in full swing. Every hotel was decked out with Christmas trees and decoration bling. Each day in the park at Osmeña Fuente Circle meant a new finishing touch to the magnificent 50-foot Christmas tree. Although, I missed the grand finale on December 4 when the Christmas Tree of Hope is lit in this yearly Cebuano tradition, the holiday cheer I found in every hotel lobby added a festive ambiance to my 6th Cebu City visit.
Christmas Tree of Hope, Cebu City, the Philippines
Here is a sampling of the holiday cheer at hotels near Osmeña Fuente Circle. Some of them, I’ve reviewed. Two of them are places I may try out the next time I visit Cebu City in 2025.
SureStay Best Western Adds Hotel Holiday Cheer Starting in November
During a Cebu City trip this past February, I discovered SureStay Hotel, a new addition to the Cebu City hotel landscape. This time, the lobby was decked out with a tree festooned with gold and red poinsettias and matching glass ball ornaments. The coffee tables and windowsill also had Christmas decor. The clean, modern and brightly lit look is what I remembered.
The SureStay hotel staff was equally as helpful as during my November visit. Once again, this prompted me to stay more nights than I planned. This was particularly true when a young man on staff at night helped me activate my Philippines-purchased phone after I lost mine the day after I arrived in Cebu. Activating my phone took about an hour. On this trip, I discovered that one can order a to-go box for breakfast if you are leaving at 6:15 am for the airport right after breakfast starts. My to-go box included toast, a hardboiled egg, a banana, local sausage, and coffee.
Rajah Park Hotel Beckons with Bling
On my first visit to Cebu City, I came to the Rajah Park Hotel for a massage at the Banyan Tree Spa. This time, the Christmas decorations with their local flavor caught my attention. The garland of large lit-up stars across the entrance are paired with large palm frond fans and ornaments made of natural materials. Small twinkling lights are reflected in the hotel’s glass windows.
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Inside, the Christmas tree’s theme is silver and gold. Off-white flowers highlights matched the colors of the outside decor. I did check out the Banyan Spa. Although I didn’t have time for a massage, the spa still offers a robust menu of reasonably priced treatments, including hot stone.
Holiday Plaza Hotel, A Next Visit Possibility Shines with Hotel Holiday Cheer
Located almost across the street from Robinson’s Department store that was bursting with Christmas bling, the Holiday Plaza Hotel is a classic Philippines hotel with a local flavor. I did check out the rooms here and thought about staying a couple of nights if I had more time.
The less than $30 a night rate is a deal. Plus, the buffet breakfast is about $7. The queen-bed guest room I saw was clean, homey, and looked totally comfortable. All the staff were friendly and happy to show me around.
As for the holiday decor, the large lobby’s Christmas tree featured a great idea. Wide, white Christmas ribbon stamped with a gold design is wrapped around the tree like a garland. Mostly white, silver, and light blue ornaments dotted the tree’s branches in the spaces between. Unfortunately, the Holiday Plaza’s website is not developed, but the Rajah Park Hotel is listed at Hotels.com and other booking sites.
City Suites, Ramos Tower, a First Visit Favorite
Like Holiday Plaza, City Suites does not have a specific website. However, this hotel/condominium is on Facebook. It is also listed on every hotel booking website. City Suites is the first place I stayed on my first Cebu City visit. There have been a few changes since then. There is no longer a restaurant in the hotel, but there is an excellent Italian restaurant at the street level with an entrance at the outside. Every time I come to Cebu, there is a different restaurant here. I hope this one lasts.
As with my first trip, City Suites offers an inexpensive place to stay that feels as if you are living in Cebu City. This is a busy building of people who live here permanently in addition to folks traveling through.
Currently, the outside of the building is getting repainted. Between my February and November visits, the lobby has been updated. There is new furniture, the walls have been freshly painted, and there is a new flatscreen TV. The TV was showing Christmas music videos, adding to the holiday cheer while I hung out in the lobby waiting for a friend. The decorations included a lovely tree and a garland of lights that went down the banister from the 2nd floor to the 1st.
Bayfront Hotel, Capitol Site Uses Red, Silver and White for Hotel Holiday Cheer
On each of my Cebu City visits, I pass the Bayfront Hotel during my walks. The hotel’s location on a street off of Ramos St. means that it is a bit quieter than the busy streets with buzzing traffic. When I popped in to see the Christmas tree and to look at a room, the Bayfront was busy with people checking in. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a room available for me to see on this visit. I may stay here the next time because there is a roof deck pool, a gym, and a bar. There is also a restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, from local favorites to pasta.
The Christmas tree was worth the stop. The mix of red, white, and silver berry strands, flowers, and large ornaments created a gorgeous combination.
Hotel Holiday Cheer at the Lex Hotel Cebu
With only a week in the Philippines on this visit, I didn’t do my usual last-night stay at the Lex Hotel Cebu. Plus, the buffet breakfast is one that deserves savoring, and it didn’t start until 7 am. By that time, I needed to be on my way to the airport. On my last night, I headed up to the rooftop bar for a San Miguel beer and a view.
The Lex Hotel Cebu’s lobby was decked out in upscale Christmas finery, including a chair for Santa and a sign for the North Pole. Because the tree was filled with so many ornaments it was hard to see the tree’s greenery. It must have taken hours to decorate, and the result is stunning.
An advantage to visiting Cebu City in the middle of November is the off-season prices. Hotels in Cebu City are reasonably priced year-round, but I discovered lower rates on this last trip. Rates ranged from about $25 to $65.
Because of the reasonable hotel prices, fewer tourists, and the Christmas spirit everywhere, I think I’ll time my visit for after Thanksgiving. I want to see the Christmas Tree of Hope lit up.
Check out Hotels.com, Expedia.com, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or your favorite booking website for deals. You will find plenty.
