A Luxurious Staycation at Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan

Staycation is a combination of vacationing and staying in a nearby hotel, resort, or even at home. Summer is the best time to travel while the rainy season is the best time to have a staycation! It's not weather dependent, the crowd is less, and hotel rates are cheaper.

It was in 2010 when I first tried staycation. After 3 years and 15 more staycations, it's very obvious that this my new favorite activity. Since the hotels and resorts in the city are kinda typical, it's time for me to take my staycation to a higher level. I booked a flight to Cebu just to have a luxurious staycation.

one luxurious staycation at Crimson Resort and Spa in Mactan

Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan is a sprawling 6-hectare beach front resort with a first-rate spa. This resort has 40 luxurious and spacious private villas with individual plunge pools and 250 guestrooms that combine both comfort and style.

The resort started its operations last October 2011. It's always best to stay in a resort while it's still new.

 one of the many locally made yet world class art pieces in the resort

The viewing deck in the reception area gives the guests a preview of this beautiful resort.

 overlooking the reception area is the 3-tiered infinity pool 

The 3-Tiered Infinity Pool

One word: grand. It features the kiddie and the adult infinity pools.

the beach club

Most tourist lazily spend all mornings and afternoons in the infinity pool or the lounge. By the way, Crimson Resort in Mactan offers a day tour which costs P2,500++ per person, inclusive of buffet lunch and an access to the infinity pool and the beach.

 kiddie infinity pool which is connected to the main infinity pool

mommy and the alligator life buoy

 Crimzone, the children's activity area

main infinity pool

Notice the nipa huts on each end of the pool? These are the spa area by the pool side with the view of the beach. Nice and refreshing.

Sole Revival treatment at Aum Spa costs P600++

The Villa
After a quick tour by the pool area, it's time to check out our villa. Crimson Resort and Spa has 40 luxurious villa which measures 115 sq meters each. Yes, that spacious. The best part is, each villa has its own private plunge pool. *winks*

 a villa with the ocean view

our villa for 2 days

around P19,000 per night, with buffet breakfast for 2

 golf carts are out, this striking red shuttle cart is so in!

A welcome ritual was made upon our entry. I can't remember the name but the pretty staff washed my hand with water mixed with some oil essences.

 a special welcome ritual

Not long after this, we finally had our first glance of the villa. Aside from the impression that the villa still looks new, the ambiance and the fragrance is really remarkable.

the spacious living area

each furniture is a knock out

i specially loved the laminated wood table

dining area with complimentary wine and fruits

the mangoes are so sweet!

Now the master bedroom. Like the living area, the bed, lamps, mirrors, table, and other furniture feature Cebu designer's creativity and craftsmanship.

a peek of the master bedroom

wow, pang-prinsesa ^_^

4 poster canopy king sized bed

finally, the plunge pool view from the bedroom

with easy access!

Now the master bathroom.

the master bedroom with an equally spacious master bathroom

very spacious and lovely bathroom

again, every detail is a pride for the Cebuanos

i love those lamps!

bathtub with bath salt, bubble soap, fragrance oil, and ultra fresh towels

yes, the bathroom is the new photobooth!

complete with toiletries

Finally, the plunge pool. Actually, this is the first time I experienced a villa with plunge pool. I am so delighted!

our secluded plunge pool!♥

the water is warm and doesn't contain any chemicals

ready for a plunge

But of course, it's time for some pictorial first.

pictorial on our plunge pool

Since our villa is divided by the walls, we enjoyed a complete privacy. Goofing around this pool without worrying about any by-passers is the ultimate luxury. ^_^

Actually, the private plunge pool is just my 2nd favorite. What I appreciated most is how Crimson patronizes and promotes the elegant and classy furniture pieces with a unique Filipino touch. Every local and foreign guests in resort would surely be awed by Cebu's very fine creativity and craftsmanship thru the locally made furniture. 

After this, local furniture can now be associated with the words elegance and luxury.

 featuring Cebu's very fine creativity and craftsmanship

I saw some Murillo and Kenneth Cobonpue pieces, and I instantly wished I can have those pieces for our own home.


The Food at Saffron
Moving on. Rob and I had our buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Saffron's Cafe. Lunch buffet costs P1,000++ per person and dinner buffet ranges from 1,500++ to 1,800++ per person. Anyway, the buffet spread offers a lot of dishes. The service is excellent. Every staff had its own 5-star hospitality in assisting the guests.

Saffron Cafe restaurant

 interior at Saffron Cafe

What I loved most were: penne carbonara, stir fired noodles, buttered shrimp, and the mango crepe. Oh, the waitress offered me to try their Bokchoy, a drink made out of Chinese pechay, pineapple, and honey. Super like!

some of the food offered at Saffron Cafe

Note: For villa guests, breakfast can be availed at Tempo, a classier restaurant on the 2nd floor. Go for it! There's not much guests and the view is awesome.

The Beach
What's a resort without having a nice beachfront? Actually Crimson had a short shore and the sand is artificial. Nonetheless, the water is clear and very swim-able. As always, the color of the water is at its most tempting from 9am to 1pm.

 beach lounge chairs

very tempting beachfront at Crimson Resort and Spa

classic crystal clear water in Cebu

Thank you Lord for the perfect weather. Prior to this trip, 2 typhoons were reigning all over the whole country.


Aum Spa
It was already a relaxing and luxurious getaway, but the best way to top it off is have a soothing spa at Aum. The traditional Aum Spa costs P3,400++ for an hour of massage.

 a night plunge first before going to the spa

Aum Spa features an array of invigorating services that promises to relax, restore and energize the mind and body.

complete pampering at Aum Spa and Wellness Center

with the award-winning designer Kenneth Cobonpue's chair?

The facilities are top of the class- clean and smells so good. There's also a pool, a steam and sauna rooms which Aum customers can enjoy. 

my Transition to Transformation Massage started with a foot spa

I just loved the experience. Im not really into massages but this one's slowly relaxed and soothed my reflexes. It was indeed a sound sleep after I had this massage.

pool area by night

thank you Crimson for the ultimate staycation experience ♥

I'm actually overwhelmed with how beautiful this resort is. This is indeed one of the best resorts that I've been to. The villas and guest rooms are spaced well which made the whole area looked very pleasant. The beach is just gorgeous.

What I appreciated most is how Crimson patronizes and promotes the world class Cebuano design and art. It's another 'Im a proud Pinay' moment whenever local and foreign guests wowed upon the glamorous furniture pieces. Most of all, Im more than happy to know that this resort gives jobs to 400 locals. Cheers!

 Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan Promo 2013

Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan

Seascapes Resort Town, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines

http://www.crimsonhotel.com/mactan/

Glamorous Camping in Sumilon, Cebu

For the 2nd time since 2010, I booked flights to Dumaguete hoping I could visit the mystical province of Siquijor. The 1st try didn't pursue because of the uncooperative weather. This year, I chanced upon Matet's blog about glamping in Sumilon. In a snap, I dropped my Siquijor plan and chose Sumilon instead.

why I chose Sumilon over Siquijor

To be honest, this powdery sandbar was not the main reason at all. This just came as a sweet bonus!

From Dumaguete, our group took the fast craft to Liloan, Cebu. It only took 35mins. From the port, we negotiated with a tricycle driver to bring us to Sumilon Bluewater Resort. In less than 15mins, we arrived at the resort's port.

the resort's jump off point to the secluded island

After 15mins in the motorized boat, we finally had a first glimpse of Sumilon island. I never thought there's a powdery sandbar in this area.

the powdery sandbar welcomed us

Sumilon must be very blessed to have this gorgeous beach

There's only 1 resort in the island of Sumilon and that's the Bluewater Resort. Good thing is, everyone can go in the sandbar area and swim - for free! Plus points for this resort because "no one owns the ocean".

everyone is welcome because no one owns the ocean!

The water was very tempting but our group needed to proceed to the pavilion to accommodate our check in. The staff welcomed us with warm and huge smiles. At that early, we've already foreseen our stay to be awesome.

Alright, I dropped my Siquijor planned just to experience this so called GLAMPING! Glamping comes from the words "glamorous" and "camping". This is perfect to those who have always wanted to try camping but don't want to experience the inconvenience. How brilliant! ^_^

the glamping site

A tent can accommodate 2 persons. Since we're a group of 3, the resort generously granted us 2 tents. Lovely!

now this is glamping!

I cannot erase the smile on my face as I saw the tents. They were perfectly equipped with the basic (and luxurious) needs of a wannabe camper. I've never seen anything like this.

my glamorous tent: with king sized bed with mattress and pillows, 

electric fan, lampshade, cabinet, and table top cooler bar

i suddenly became a fan of camping! ^_^

For the record, I never enjoyed camping - only because it's such a hassle to bring and set up tents. Afterall, I can basically sleep under the clear skies (did it twice in Calaguas) without using a tent at all. Of course I have experience sleeping inside a tent (did this in Apo Reef and Nagsasa). Well, let's just say Im blessed to always have a sound sleep.

Moving on, and so I thought this tent was already glamorous - look at this table top cooler bar with complimentary chips and drinks! I've been wanting to have this cooler bar for our apartment. Hehe

cooler bar with chips, iced cold soft drinks, beer, and gatorade

everything is for free!

iced cold beer!!!

Kalabisan na kung meron pang portable toilet sa loob ng tent. Hehe But hey, the common bathroom is just a few walks away from the glamping site.

Anyway, our tents were fronting the ocean. The breeze was refreshing and calming. 

the beach across our clamping site

After our fun pictorial inside our glamorous tents, it's time for our lunch in the pavilion. The Glamping Package we availed includes full board meals. Sulit!

spring rolls and creamy cauliflower soup

large grilled prawns with buttered veggies

Honestly, this meal was more than what we expected. The dishes were perfectly plated and they tasted great too.

After the sumptuous lunch, we decided to stroll around the resort. Across the pavilion is the resort's infinity pool.

the infinity pool

Norwegian kids enjoying the infinity pool

For those who wanted to stay in the conventional hotel rooms, then the other side of the resort are perfect for them.

conventional hotel rooms are located on this area

the closer to nature, the better!

The view on this side is much better compared to the glamping site. But for the whole resort, I felt that the management really tried to keep the natural settings of the island.

Since the weather became gloomy, I just decided to enjoy my bed inside the glamorous tent. 

pringles + iced cold beer + wifi

Kalabisan na talaga. Camping pero may wifi. ^_^

Here's another kalabisan: we had our own butler / camping assistant. He looked and checked out on us all the time. He brought us anything we requested for. Before the night fell,he asked us what we wanted for dinner. Grabe, ang sushal na camping!

meet our butler / camping assistant

..and then dinner was served.

infinity pool by night

shrimp skewers and creamy spinach soup

grilled tender and stuffed squid

creme brûlée

The meals alone already made our stay very suit!

To complete our camping experience, our butler built a bonfire for us. Amazing.

what's a camping without a bonfire?

chikahan over some soft drinks and beer

You bet how well I slept that night. I had a sound sleep.

my eyes can't hide that I overslept ^_^

For the last free meal, I chose the most expensive item among the breakfast course. Hehe

my Japanese breakfast: salmon in teriyaki sauce meal

Right after we had our breakfast, we immediately went back to the sandbar and enjoyed our remaining time in this beautiful island.

one last look before we leave

5 stars to this Glamping experience!

We haven't left the resort yet but I'm already planning to go back here with my crazy friends. They would surely enjoy this one of a kind experience too. We really had a great time. This glamping thing exceeds my expectations. It is actually outstanding!

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort

Sumilon, Cebu, Philippines

http://www.bluewatersumilon.com.ph/
Package Rate: P10,000 for 2 persons, with full board meals