MANILA, Philippines - Comfort, enjoyment, convenience, affordability.
These words are music to the ears of both leisure and business travelers. It all sounds even better when applied to Quest Hotel & Conference Center-Cebu, a place that does not take Cebu’s prominence in the tourism stakes too lightly. It is in Quest Hotel Cebu where all four factors blend seamlessly into the pot.
We can point out its selling points: premium facilities, high safety standards, convenient location, comfortable accommodations, and budget-friendly rates. However, we do insist on this point, it is all about experiencing the Quest kind of stay, being able to enjoy its features and its people. Notice, too, that we are getting ahead of ourselves.
Quest features 427 tastefully furnished rooms and suites in its 11-floor building. Each room has a mini bar, a hot and cold shower, working desk, cable television, coffee and tea-making facilities, Wi-Fi access, individually controlled air conditioning units, and more. Rooms are categorized into deluxe, premier deluxe, junior suite, and corporate suite.
How convenient is it that Quest is right in the middle of the Cebu Business District. “Staying with Quest takes guests right at the pulse of all good things that Cebu has to offer,” says director of sales Sarah Mascarinas.
“Our location allows guests to see and experience why Cebu City is a top destination. Quest is near shopping establishments, business centers, tourist attractions, and gimmick spots,” Mascarinas adds.
Even without leaving the premises, Quest guarantees a most enjoyable stay. It has a swimming pool, a pool bar, in-room dining, and a fitness center. Public relations manager Mia Mae Sy volunteers that the hotel’s 350-seater all-day dining restaurant Puso Bistro & Bar is fast gaining favorable feedback for its daily international buffet and a la carte dishes.
“We are proud that Puso is making a name for itself in Cebu’s culinary world. We do classic cuisine, both comforting and creative, pleasing to the palate and on the plate,” Sy says. “Puso has three private dining rooms, excellent for small functions and intimate gatherings.”
She adds: “Puso draws its inspiration from Francesca Go Chong Kang, the mother of Andrew Gotianun Sr., the founder of the Filinvest Group. She was known for serving simple but carefully prepared dishes made from the choicest ingredients, something we replicate at Puso.”
We were also told that the matriarch’s well-loved heirloom recipes and favorite dishes were served at the house where the hotel now stands. Indeed a respectful way of paying tribute to a lovable woman.
Mascarinas and Sy chorus that Quest has an ace up its young sleeve: redefining the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) concept. In the Quest Hotel book, the acronym stands for “Memorable settings, Intriguing concepts, Compelling rewards, and Exciting experiences.”
The idea is to offer more personalized services. “We want to ensure we cover all the possible requirements that event organizers and participants can think of. We are throwing in a complete organizers’ kit to help them along the way. There is even something extra to make the Quest experience more memorable and worry-free.”
The new settings now include an eye-catching purple blotter with pad and pen holders. Sy remarks during a tour of the premises, “That is to ensure attendees are able to take notes and use materials within arm’s reach.”
They are even making the event more fruitful: the arrangement includes apples — yes, real apples — during afternoon meetings to add more color and boost one’s focus.
“Our new setup realizes the hotel’s green and sustainable efforts with the use of the green recycled glasses,” she says.
The new meeting packages have different value add-ons that make up the rewards program: rooms and food and beverage concessions for different events.
The redefined and revitalized Quest MICE program features three themed breaks called Zen, Zest, and Zugbu.
The Zen break offers wholesome, light, and healthy snacks. The Zest break features more energy-giving food items, while Zugbu is all about Cebuano comfort food.
We have always believed that comfort, enjoyment, convenience, and affordability are tricky things to put together and balance, especially in the realm of travel. One cannot help but compromise the rest in most cases. It is therefore good to know that establishments like Quest Hotel Cebu assert that it is truly possible to perfect all four factors.
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Quest Hotel & Conference Center-Cebu is located at Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City. For more information, call +6332-402-5999, fax +6332-402-5998, e-mail at CebuInfo@Quest-Hotels.com or visit www.QuestHotels.com. Photos by Fernan Nebres