I had been to Mövenpick while still affiliated with my previous company in Cebu City. It was a dinner experience as we celebrated the boss' birthday. So when my husband told me their company summer outing would be in the same resort, I was pretty excited. I remember their bar with some relaxing hammocks but didn't realize that these were destroyed by Typhoon Odette back in 2021. So I was sad when we visited Mövenpick to see that this part was still under restoration and so the resort isn't the same as what I thought it would be.
But, allow me to share how we spent the whole day at the said resort. It's a company tradition to spend a day of fun and activities every summer, I'd like to believe that every company would invest in such activity for the enjoyment of their employees and each year, Arcanys would aim to go to resorts, even try out new ones along Mactan.
We are very blessed that Cebu is surrounded by many white sand beaches and highly rated resorts and so almost every year, we get to enjoy and experience new resorts. We are even given discounted rates for rooms and amenities.
Last year, (yes, this is a late post) we decided not to stay overnight but to just enjoy Mövenpick's Day use package. This is located at Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. Around 20-40 minutes away from Cebu City depending on the traffic.
At the resort's lobby, there is a welcome sign for all the employees of Arcanys. My husband is employed here for more than ten years. This company is truly a gem, rated as one of the best places to work, rated 4.8 on Glassdoor! And I must say that this company is pro-employee and their boss is super approachable, a great guy which is why my husband has stayed, and there is no reason to leave so far.
Mövenpick's lobby exudes a bright, airy, and modern feel, primarily due to its predominantly white color palette. Its walls, floors, pillars, and even most furniture are white, creating a sense of spaciousness and cleanliness. And who doesn't like teal? Their vibrant teal armchairs and accents on the sofas add a refreshing and tropical touch, likely referencing the nearby ocean.
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The day-use rate that I paid was PHP 3,000 for both Matti and me, his rate was 50% off as he is a three-year-old. I actually thought that he would be charged free but nonetheless, we have to pay. Unfortunately, their POS was not working but they were really nice to give me a link to pay online instead. They also accept cash but we didn't bring cash at that time. Walk-ins are usually accepted yet reservations are encouraged.
The day use includes access to the pool and beach from 8 AM to 6 PM, Php 1500 worth of dining credits, use of locker and shower, welcome drinks, and chocolate hour from 3 PM to 4 PM.
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Their in-house restaurant is right in the lobby area where we had our lunch and their activity is on the lower ground floor. They have an elevator available but these areas can also be accessed through wooden stairs.
They have an activity and entertainment area which offers billiards,table tennis as well as chess for those who are into sports! My little one also tried playing these! But they have no play area for the little ones.
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From the lobby, the pool is visible and there are many tropical trees. The pool is enticing actually and my little one was very excited to swim already! But, we had to first check the beach.
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The event started at nine in the morning and the resort had refreshments before they started, the employees were out in the grassy part where the stage was set up and we who were plus one of the employees get to also enjoy the free food!
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Soon after, the event started, they were formed into four teams and they got to showcase each of their teams' chant. It looks fun! But unlike the previous year when the event was held at The Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, this place is smaller and has fewer activity options. I'd say my heart still goes to Plantation Bay.
Matti loves the beach and the sand so we let him play here first before we decided to go to the pool as its scorching hot!. Of course we brought with us some toys he could play at the shoreline.
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We didn't stay long at the beach, we headed to the pool area and stayed under the lounges! There were still a few people there so we took time to look for which is the best spot to stay. This is the view from the lounges. Movenpick Mactan Island Cebu has 245 well-appointed rooms and offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every guest's preference. Each room is designed with comfort and style in mind, featuring elegant furnishings, luxurious bedding, and modern amenities.
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We decided to stay near the coconut tree just on the left side of the pool. And Matti requested to change so he could swim. I bought him some arm floaties too and when we visited Decathlon in SM Cebu, I bought him a beach hat too to protect his head from the sun. Arcanys provided some sunscreen lotion too and a beach towel!
What I love about the pool is that it's super clean,and the white plastic chairs settled into the waters are a hit! Matti loved to stay there and it's just under the shade of these trees which is perfect especially when the weather is super hot!
This was also Matti's first attempt to swim by himself. With the help of the arm floaties, he was able to swim from the shallow to the deeper part of the pool! I was quite amazed that he wasn't afraid and that he tried his best even if it took him some time to reach the other end of the pool.
My husband and the rest of the Arcanytes had to eat lunch at the Monte Carlo Ballroom. Matti and I went to their restaurant named The Sails. This is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant. Their à la carte menu offers an array of regional and international cuisines. Best-selling items include Seafood Tabouleh, Mövenpick's Signature Angus Beef Burger, Grilled Steak Sandwich, and Bibimbap, according to their website.
I had around PHP 2,000 more or less to spend at the restaurant. I really thought it would be a buffet like the previous resorts but this time, I had to choose from their a la carte menu.
I made some orders then went around to take some photos of the restaurant. This was the same place we had dinner buffet with our boss before. He passed away last year :( Remembering the memories now makes me a bit sad. He was the boss who treated us to many places in Cebu especially Shangrila!
Anyway, this is how the place looks like:
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My little one and I chose a table just right next to the glass door. The restaurant by the way is tinted.
How do you like their furniture?
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Buffet food is usually placed on these counters. That day, no food was available, perhaps their buffet option was only for dinner? I forgot to ask!
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Complementary soft bread with butter. I got one and Matti got one too! I must say the staff who assisted us was super nice! He even asked us about our day and if we were already hungry so he could expedite our orders with the kitchen staff.
Honestly, I already forgot what were the exact name of the orders but these were crispy chicken with fries on the side and the one for me was a slab of pork ribs with rice. I got a drink as well which I believe was of raspberry flavor.
The food was good because I finished it all but there was none left from our voucher credits so the food options were pretty much on the pricey side. There were also a few people inside the restaurant as most of the guests were dining just right next to the pool. I preferred to stay here as it is air conditioned, it's super hot outside and I wanted to be refreshed while dining.
There's no restroom inside the restaurant but the restroom is just across the other side of the lobby so it was not very inconvenient.
We killed a lot of time in the restaurant, I think we went back to the pool only when my husband and the rest were done with their event. They had games at the beach, it was scorching hot but their bosses were still game for the events they set up.
The pool was filled with so many people this time around, the beach too and the resort hired a zumba instructor who led the group for an ending salvo of dance and zumba moves.
We stayed at the resort until the afternoon. The day use is only until 6 PM but we didn't stay that long as Matti was already sleepy and I wanted to rest already. We were staying at that time in Mactan Newtown, just a few minutes away from Movenpick.
If you're going to ask me if this is worth the Php 2000 day use pass? I will say, as a mom of a toddler, it would be better to go to JPark or Plantation Bay instead as they have many other activities and a lot bigger space! But for those who want a chill and intimate place, this would be a great option although, you won't have a buffet lunch option. Buffet is still a better option for me.
That's it for today guys! Thanks for reading!
J U N E B R I D E
Boholana | Cebu | Philippines | Travel | Photography Enthusiast | Calligraphy | Art
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