Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu: Passionately Swiss

MANILA, Philippines - Affix the word “Swiss” to anything and it will result in something worthy and valuable. Say “Swiss knife” and already you imagine a tool that “can build a house.” Mention “Swiss chocolate” and you salivate at the thought of pure, fine food. The concept of “Swiss watches” connotes unparalleled precision in watchmaking. “Swiss bank” is synonymous with financial safety and reliability. “Swiss hotel school” makes you think of the best hospitality institution. Time and again, the human mind has proven that anything Swiss comes with sincere supremacy.

In the Philippines, some Swiss passion — read also as stylish settings and superb service — is happening, particularly at the Queen City of the South. Welcome to Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu, a Mediterranean-inspired enclave set on its private white sand beach on Mactan Island. The Swiss-brand hotel in Cebu is geared to doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

Facing Hilutungan Channel, Movenpick Resort and Spa in Cebu is a playground for those who value Filipino pampering with Swiss passion.

“We are very delighted to have joined hands with Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, a highly regarded international hotel management company. We look forward to a successful collaboration and to further position our resort as preferred leisure destination within the Philippines and Asia,” says Manuel Osmeña, group chairman of property owner Oikonomos International Resources Corp. The property is used to be managed by the Hilton group of hotels.

The Movenpick brand, says Helmut Gaisberger, the hotel’s director of business development and director of operations in the Philippines, has evolved into a highly regarded upscale hotel management company since its founding in 1973 in Switzerland. “Today, it’s considered among the 50 leading hotel groups in an international survey. It has over 90 hotels existing or under construction in the core markets of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia,” adds Gaisberger.

Movenpick started as a restaurant in Switzerland in 1948. It opened Movenpick wine cellars in 1970. Two Movenpick hotels started operating in 1972 in Switzerland. Also in 1972, Movenpick ice cream brand was born. 

The Swiss-brand hotel in Cebu promises a stunning atmosphere and an enjoyable stay for its guests. Upon entrance at the lobby, one is greeted with the sweet breeze coming from the Hilutungan Channel. The breeze carries with it a frenetic mood that is indicative of your stay at Movenpick.

The idyllic Movenpick resort in Phuket, Thailand.

At the reception counter, the global appeal of the hotel is felt right away as the Filipino staff is joined by Korean and Japanese receptionists in welcoming guests. Well, Koreans and Japanese are frequent guests of the hotel but Rose Libongco, former marketing doyenne of Sofitel in Manila and now sales and marketing consultant of Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu, says, “I am confident Movenpick Cebu will be received well by guests from all over the world. But first, our obligation is to the citizens of the host city and I believe the Cebuanos will be the best salespersons of Movenpick here.”

It’s very easy to make Movenpick your home away from home. Its outlets, all equipped with open kitchens designed by Dan Kwan, serve good food. The Vanilla Beach Café is where you can have buffet dining at its best. The Seas restaurant serves the freshest catch that the sweet tang of the sea is felt gently rolling down your palate. Everything in its menu is palate-pleaser but wait till you have the side dish of mashed potato with lobster bits. That in itself is a meal enough to end your search for the best mashed potato in town.

Of course, not to be missed out for meat lovers is the wagyu burger at classy Manny O’s restaurant. It may be a crazy idea to desecrate the revered wagyu and turn it into patty but trust the discerning and sophisticated palate of Manny Osmeña to make it the best burger — not to mention the most expensive, too — one can ever taste.

Dining at Movenpick Cebu becomes an extra gastronomic experience with the addition of the award-winning Manny O wines.

Impressive are the accommodations at Movenpick Cebu that range from deluxe and executive rooms to a one- or two-bedroom Executive Spa Suites. The remarkable two-bedroom Ocean Suite features a separate dining area. Each room evokes hip and happy mood courtesy of the art deco style of the hotel.

Buffet dining at Vanilla Beach Café is guaranteed to please the palate.

Those who seek to extend their boardrooms at Movenpick Cebu will be satisfied to find out that the resort has three executive floors and an executive lounge, making it perfect for meetings or unwinding executives aching to mix business with leisure and pleasure. The resort is also equipped with state-of-the art health club, professional gym, steam room and yes, a garden spa.

Talk about the spa, Movenpick has the best full-body hot-oil massage in that part of the world. My own experience from the dexterous hands of a masseuse named Jessamine made me reach bliss as the almost hot lavender oil trickled gently down my body. To Jessamine’s every tapping and kneading, I was pampered like a king. What I had at The Spa of Movenpick Cebu was a soothing and invigorating experience that just by thinking about it calms my nerves already.

Movenpick Cebu’s deluxe room guarantees the comfort of a home away from home.

Everything at Movenpick is done with the utmost desire to please its guests. Just like all its hotels around the world, Movenpick in Cebu is very “passionately Swiss” in making your experience lasting and worthwhile.

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For more information, call Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu at 063-32-4927777 or fax to 063-32-4927707. You can also log on to www.moevenpick-cebu.com.