Expect to be enveloped by an easy elegance that is equal parts distinguished but unstuffy.

Hugging the edge of Cebu’s Mactan Island, Shangri-la Mactan is a first-class beacon of slow tranquillity and restful oceanfront respite. From the moment you step onto its grounds, you are immediately isolated from the clamour of the world on the outside. Forget the flux of frenzy you just stepped out of your plane and right into – here, with plenty of open space bathed in dappled light, surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns and palm-shrouded walkways (and a glittering turquoise horizon that sits just within reach of the hotel’s private beach strip), there is nary a hint of the urban sprawl that lives just right outside. From a luxurious option of pools and activities and spa services and even a full-fledged in-house arcade where hours will fly without your knowledge, this Shangri-la sits as the very oasis where you will, quite literally, run out of time before you run out of things to do.

Imagine Shangri-la, and then imagine your best life by the ocean. This masterpiece will hit all the right notes of beachfront luxury for you that you will, upon settling in, feel no obligation to ever leave.

HOW DO YOU GET HERE?

Shangri-la Mactan is located only 20 minutes away from the airport – but your arrival at Cebu is not the time to embed yourself in the frenzy of local public transport.

Head straight for the taxi queue – or better yet, download the Grab app (it’s Uber for Philippines) for much savvier fares.

WHAT ARE THE AMENITIES?

Here, self-sufficiency is celebrated with aplomb.

Shangri-la Mactan is so all-encompassing with its list of activities and amenities that you can spend a good week here without leaving the premises – except perhaps, for dinner. There is a golf range, mini-golf, archery, billiard, a full-fledged arcade, a private beach servicing the usual sear sports programmes, more than a couple of pools – plus, an entire spa village nestled well within the premises of the property. (And I haven’t even touched on the stuff for kids and families yet.)

If you can tear yourself away, hop on Grab and check out Labuyo Native Restaurant for some real, classic, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of Philippino grub that will satisfy you to your core. For the closest pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores, and the likes, head to Mactan Newtown located just a 5-minute drive out of the hotel. There are also a few eating spots scattered in this area; though, none quite as impressive as what you will experience at Labuyo. (P.S. If you leave them a review, you’ll even get a complimentary Magno Halo-Halo on the spot!)

WHERE IS THE CROWD?

More than just a tourist lung for the city, Cebu City is where life happens. From historical landmarks like Magellan’s Cross and Fort San Pedro and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, to more bustling local scenes and gathering hubs like Carbon Market, Colon Street, Ayala Center, Larsian BBQ etc, this is the place where both locals and travellers seamlessly blend into the vibrant tapestry of the daily Cebuano grind.

Unfortunately, Cebu City sits across the Mactan Channel from Mactan Island where Shangri-la is; and although the distance can be easily covered by cab or a ride hailing app like Grab, it’s not exactly a stone’s throw. Paper will tell you it takes 30 minutes; but in actuality, you will find yourself stuck on the road for something that is closer to 45-60minutes.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN CEBU?

Whether you’re trying to build a list for Cebu City or Mactan, a quick Google search will give you all the answers you need.

Personally, DO NOT MISS the Whale Sharks in Oslob (which is about 3hrs away from Mactan but still very much a part of Cebu); as well as the Sardine Run at Moalboal. Both activities can (and should) be combined as part of a day trip because the latter is only an hour away from Oslob.

This is not sponsored by anything other than a smashing experience, but check out Cebu Tours. (www.cebutours.ph). They offer privatised tours at a steal, plus they pick you up and drop you off so your entire day’s practically worry-free. There are plenty of options, but the one I went on gave me this.

I SHOULD PROBABLY MENTION THIS…

If your Cebu itinerary gears towards the city’s hustle & bustle and you’re not game on making channel crossing a daily activity (and seriously, who could blame you?), you may want to reconsider putting up at Shangri-la (or any property located on Mactan Island, for that matter). It’s really not the most convenient arrangement for anyone’s travel plans, and you’ll be better off exploring the city based from a location closer to the buzz.

WHAT I LOVED MOST

Oh, where do I even begin?

The service. The rooms. The facilities. The fact that room service happens twice a day.

The landscaping. The activities. The private beach. The notion that it is enough hours in the day to do everything you want to do.

Every morning, I wake to tropical silhouettes bathed in peachy dawn light, and every night, I toast to a day well spent.

It’s pretty much impossible to leave Shangri-la Mactan not feeling better than you did when you arrived. I came pretty high strung from work stress and your standard life woes – but in just a span of five short days, the place managed to ease out the knots, unravel the tension, and leave me feeling refreshed, revitalized, and brimming with a newfound sense of hope.

IS IT WORTH WAKING UP HERE?

I think it’s safe to say at this point that it purely depends on your itinerary. If a lot of what you’re planning to do lies within the city centre itself, I can see why anywhere in Mactan might not make immediate sense for you (unless you’re up for the crazy commute every day).

Mactan is an island, and there is an unshakeable peace to it. The usual volume of crowds is conspicuously absent and there is a relative sense of calm that extends across the island as a result. To want to be in Mactan is to want slow and tranquillity and perhaps even an extent of timelessness; and if all these sound like things that you need on your list, then I’d say,

Yes. When in Cebu, you should stay at Shangri-la.