Alta Cebu, a garden oasis for relaxing stays and creative conventions

CEBU, Philippines - Tourists come to our island to experience tropical bliss, and at Alta Cebu Resort and Convention Center the mood of tropical living is most expressed.

On entering the resort, one is greeted with lush greenery, a contrast to the otherwise hot summery feel that most resorts in Mactan Island exude.

“We are a garden resort,” said Joy Umali, Alta Cebu resort manager.

Joy said that the resort’s owner designed the whole two-hectare property to reflect the concept, and even with the new development being implemented in the resort including the construction of its new pool and new facilities, the garden atmosphere of the resort dominates.

Before there was Alta Cebu, the facility was an in-house English language camp for Koreans and Japanese students. With the coming in of several similar establishments catering to the same market, Joy said that the owner decided to instead help meet the demand for more accommodation for tourists in the region.

Thus, the transformation of a tropical garden camp into a resort that promises total relaxation amidst lush tropical greeneries.

“We want to have a place where our guests would no longer see the need to go out and seek other activities elsewhere,” Joy told The FREEMAN.

Vivian Quindala, operations manager, said that already, Alta Cebu is pumping up its many activities that would surely keep its guests busy including wall climbing, outdoor ball sports, a fitness center, a spa, chess and other board games, a karaoke room, a superbly relaxing bar, a restaurant that serves delicious local and international cuisine, as well as exotic local gastronomic treasures like bakasi (eel).

“We are also promoting healthy dishes with several organic choices,” Joy added.

The resort also operates the river bamboo rafting activity at a nearby river, where guests can book at P400 for four.

“The best time would be in the afternoon, when they could enjoy the sunset,” said Vivian.

In addition to tourists, Alta is also now aggressively pushing to capture the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) market, the reason why they have furnished many of its rooms to accommodate more than the usual two guests and is expanding their function rooms.

There are even dorm rooms that could accommodate up to 20 guests, and in total the resort could billet up to 450 delegates, with its function rooms able to accommodate up to 500.

Conference in a garden resort would really be something. Alta Cebu’s well-appointed rooms and facilities would definitely inspire great ideas to come out and at the same time encourage participation from delegates.

Alta Cebu Resort and Convention Center is a partner resort of The FREEMAN, so, expect to get the freshest copy of Cebu’s longest running and most established newspaper early in the morning. A great way to start the morning together with Alta Cebu’s freshly pressed fruit juices and energy boosting breakfast choices. (FREEMAN)