MANILA, Philippines - No less than President Aquino led the recent formal opening of the new Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu. It is safe to say that Radisson Blu has earned the Chief Executive’s seal of approval. The occasion might as well also be the hotel’s coming-out party, which effectively puts it as the establishment to watch in Cebu’s progressive cityscape.
Fact is, there is a lot going for the 400-room Radisson Blu Cebu. As the first Radisson Blu in the Asia-Pacific region, it is privileged to set new standards in guest experience with its impressive selection of facilities and services.
Impressive is what one would describe the interiors alone. Radisson Blu Cebu’s marketing communication assistant director Joan Danao says, “We see it as a contemporary elegant design. Because we are linear, we break it by adding décor that are clean and tasteful, with paintings made by local artists.”
While the outer design impresses, Radisson Blu Cebu aims to do exactly the same with its amenities and other offerings. For starters, the rooms are configured thus: deluxe rooms; business class superior and premier rooms; and executive, deluxe, and presidential suites. Bragging rights: the biggest deluxe rooms among city hotels.
Guestrooms are replete with creature comforts like memory foam bed, 37-inch LCD television with cable channels, complimentary high-speed Internet access (actually available throughout the hotel), well-stocked mini bar, electronic safe, iPod docking system with alarm clock, and Asira full bathroom amenities, among others.
Guests staying in the business class rooms and suites can avail themselves of the Radisson Club Lounge at the hotel’s 20th floor. There, exclusive breakfast, all-day refreshments, and evening cocktails are served. Here, travelers can huddle in the meeting room or executive boardroom. It even has an express check-in, check-out service.
Of course, the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is best experienced through its facilities. Feria, the hotel’s massive main dining outlet, is more than just a haven for breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets featuring Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, American, cold seafood, and desserts. It encourages diners to interact with the chefs, a la food market.
The Pool also serves an eye-catching local and international menu, including grilled fresh seafood. This particular outlet is right near the hotel’s 800-meter free-form swimming pool, the biggest of its kind among all city hotels. Guests who prefer to dine inside may try the Lobby, where coffee, light repast, and cocktails are served.
Radisson Blu Cebu’s general manager Grant Gaskin says that their amenities are matched by their friendly and efficient service. “The Radisson brand champions the ‘Yes I Can’ philosophy. We are always going for 100 percent guest satisfaction guarantee. What our staff is after is quality service, the kind that leaves a positive and lasting impression.”
New standards are about to be set with the opening of Radisson Blu Cebu’s spacious state-of-the-art meeting facilities. Aimed squarely at the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions market, the hotel’s two ballrooms and 10 multi-purpose meeting rooms are ready for such purposes.
Notable among these rooms are the Santa Maria Grand Ballroom, a high-tech facility that can accommodate up to 1,200 persons; and the Niña Ballroom which can house 650 guests. While there are 10 meeting rooms of different sizes, one would be tempted to think that the excitement stops here. Truth is, this is where Radisson Blu Cebu introduces Great Breaks, a surprising new concept in serving snacks during meetings.
Danao explains, “We have a central meeting plaza for these function rooms. This area is common for all gatherings. Even if there are five simultaneous meetings happening, attendees can just come to the meeting plaza and help themselves on snacks and refreshments. Food is therefore available all the time. So participants need not wait for scheduled delivery of food.”
Radisson Blu also has its own spa and fitness center, as well as a helipad, the only Cebu hotel that has one. The hotel has direct access to SM City Cebu so leisure is literally a few steps away. The location alone is minutes away from Mactan International Airport, and is within reach of the city’s business, cultural, and entertainment centers, and the island’s famous beaches and other attractions.
With the arrival of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, even more exciting times are ahead for travelers looking for a new level of hotel experience.
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Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is located at Serging Osmeña Boulevard corner Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu. For more information, call +63 32 402-9900 or +63 32 505-1700 or visit its website at radissonblu.com/hotel-cebu.