Cebu resort is one of Asia's best

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s Alegre Beach Resort and Spa was recently recognized by internet travel site TripAdvisor as one of Asia’s top hotels for 2012.

Alegre’s sales and marketing manager Bruce Cortes Bollozos told The FREEMAN that the resort was recognized as one of the region’s top 25 all-inclusive hotels, the only property to be given such recognition in the country.

An all-inclusive resort provides all services to their guests including meals, drinks, gratuities, and other facilities such as those for sports activities and spa services at a package rate.

Bollozos said that the resort was not even aware that they were considered for the award until they received an email from TripAdvisor informing them that they were chosen by the websites’ members as one of Asia’s best.

“We were quite surprised,” he said.

“This recognition is not based on viewers or readers, it’s based on people who really experienced the resort and made comments on their experience,” Bollozos added. “And we did not pay for it,” explaining that some awards would require them to pay to be nominated.

Bollozos credits the award on the resort’s first-rate amenities and uniquely Cebuano service.

Alegre is one of the few resorts in province who hires locals as its staffs. Except for those handling management positions, Bollozos said that all of those who work at Alegre are locals.

This, he said, contributed to the “local touch” that Alegre prides itself with.

“The talents of these people are really something that no one can replicate – the way they serve. They may not have first hand experience with world-class resorts but they do service in their own way, the local way, the Cebuano culture,” he said.

Alegre is located in a 44-hectare property in Sogod, Cebu, with three coves each giving its guests a different beach experience.

A press release from TripAdvisor states that the winners “are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.” The contest covered 30 countries and eight regions worldwide.

Topping the list in the category is Ceylon Tea Tails in Sri Lanka, Telunas Beach Resort in Indonesia, and Lily Beach Resort and Spa in the Maldives.

The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards is awarded yearly to top destinations and other travel-related amenities. This is the 10th year of the awards and covers a number of categories including best luxury and bargain, best for service, bed and breakfast and inns, all-inclusive, spas, and trendiest.

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site that provides relevant and up to date information to travelers on different destinations. It has a database of over 60 million reviews and opinions on travel-related topics and more than 50 million unique monthly visitors. — (FREEMAN)