So, Since I Am Arriving In Cebu At Midnight What Should I........

[lifeasisrael]

Hey there everyone.

 

Well, I am a first time "arrive" in the Philippines on April 17th. I have read EVERYTHING about the Philippines the past year. I know I have visited at least 300 sites, blogs, youtube videos, you name it. Recently I started reading about safety and it seems there is a consensus that you should be very careful at night and some even suggests staying in at night.

So my question is; I arrive in Cebu April 17th at 11:50 PM. What should I do first? I know look for the white Taxi but I would guess that area is safe? I should go straight to hotel I would guess as well, right? I have NOT secured my lodging just yet. Working on so that this weekend. There are SO MANY places and the girl I am coming to meet is actually in Bacolod but I wanted some time to myself first for a few days. someone over at another blog (clears throat) suggested a place like Mercedes Hotel for a couple of nights if I just wanted to make sure I have a place until I can actually see where I wish to be. So any advice on safety coming in so late? Should I be concerned? Mercedes Hotel ok, in ok area? Any other suggestions about that? and one more thing is there some difference between Cebu and Cebu CITY? Why do I hear Cebu CITY is polluted and yet I constantly hear great things about "CEBU?" Seems confusing.

Thanks in advance guys..........and gals if any.

 

lifeasisrael.

:-)

Edited March 15, 2014 by lifeasisrael

[robert k]

Because the island is named Cebu and there is alot of it that is city free? Try as they might they just haven't managed to pollute all of it, yet. Have you checked out the "Where to stay" section of the forum that you can find on the home page? You could also check out reveiws on Trip Advisor and Agoda.

 

About taxi drivers in Bacolod, I'm sure that there are some honest ones, unfortunately I didn't meet a single one while I was there, be on the lookout for scams, broken meter, excetera.

Edited March 15, 2014 by robert k

[starlet]

Hey there everyone.

 

[...]

 

Recently I started reading about safety and it seems there is a consensus that you should be very careful at night and some even suggests staying in at night.

So my question is; I arrive in Cebu April 17th at 11:50 PM. What should I do first? I know look for the white Taxi but I would guess that area is safe? I should go straight to hotel I would guess as well, right? 

 

[...]

Thanks in advance guys..........and gals if any.

 

lifeasisrae.

:-)

 

You could just book a room at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino. Its just a short walk from the airport terminal. I have stayed there a couple of times: 

http://tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298461-d577834-Reviews-Waterfront_Airport_Hotel_and_Casino-Lapu_Lapu_Mactan_Island_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

Edited March 15, 2014 by starlet

[lifeasisrael]

 

Hey there everyone.

 

[...]

 

Recently I started reading about safety and it seems there is a consensus that you should be very careful at night and some even suggests staying in at night.

So my question is; I arrive in Cebu April 17th at 11:50 PM. What should I do first? I know look for the white Taxi but I would guess that area is safe? I should go straight to hotel I would guess as well, right? 

 

[...]

Thanks in advance guys..........and gals if any.

 

lifeasisrae.

:-)

 

You could just book a room at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino. Its just a short walk from the airport terminal. I have stayed there a couple of times: 

http://tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298461-d577834-Reviews-Waterfront_Airport_Hotel_and_Casino-Lapu_Lapu_Mactan_Island_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

 

Thanks for this.

[lifeasisrael]

Yes I have just checked all of those places out. Just would not mind hearing someone's personal experience with certain places. I read ALL REVIEWS and still, lol, come away scratching my head. Some reviews GLOWING and then others the TOTAL OPPOSITE! Also to the powers that be at this site, for give me, I don't know how or what I did to post this topic twice. Was NOT my intention and don't want to get in trouble already! I didn't notice it until I returned to check for comments. This is a great site and I want to stay!!!!1

:-)

[MikeB]

I know look for the white Taxi but I would guess that area is safe?

I wouldn't screw around dragging luggage up stairs to the white taxi area. The yellow ones are right outside the departure door, they're a little more but it's worth it after a long flight late at night. Unless things have changed there, it's been a while since I traveled. As for hotels, you're not going to find a perfect one, there will always be complaints no matter what. I stayed at Premiere Citi Suites several times and liked it for location and price but you need to make a reservation pretty far in advance.  

[robert k]

Yeah, I enjoy going through reveiws, trying to spot people who would never be happy, even of nothing were wrong and they got it free, looking for the fake reveiw, posted by the owner in their spare time. Unless you are staying at the Ritz Carlton, there is going to be some small thing wrong. When they say I had to call the front desk because there was no clean towels, but everything else was ok, that's good honest reveiw. When they say that someoe wrote on the walls with a handful of poop but roomservice was excellent, it might be honest but I'd still pass.

 

I had a roach in the CR at one place I reveiwed. I noted that I killed it and didn't see any more for the 8 days I stayed there, they can come out of the drains anywhere, you can't fault a hotel for that. Otherwise the room was serviceable clean but not immaculate. Look for something like that to get real reveiws.

[jpbago]

 

Hey there everyone.

 

Recently I started reading about safety and it seems there is a consensus that you should be very careful at night and some even suggests staying in at night.

So my question is; I arrive in Cebu April 17th at 11:50 PM. What should I do first? I know look for the white Taxi but I would guess that area is safe? I should go straight to hotel I would guess as well, right? 

 

 

You could just book a room at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino. Its just a short walk from the airport terminal. I have stayed there a couple of times: 

http://tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298461-d577834-Reviews-Waterfront_Airport_Hotel_and_Casino-Lapu_Lapu_Mactan_Island_Cebu_Island_Visayas.html

 

Yes, do this and then next morning go to look at the other hotels that you have on your list. After you get your bags, go left for 100 feet then ask someone how to get to the casino across the street. 

[Lou49]

You will be safe. Take the yellow taxi to the Radisson or the Marriot and relax for a few days. Taxi will cost you approx.400 peso,about 10 bucks. Ayala mall is adjacent to the Marriott and SM mall is adjacent to SM mall. You will not be bored and there are lots of restaurants and shops in the malls. Have fun !

[Dave Hounddriver]

Just would not mind hearing someone's personal experience with certain places.

 

I'm with Startlett on this one.  When I arrive that time of night I just walk across to the Waterfront.  Porter will bring your bags for about 100 pesos per bag.  Its not fun to be traipsing about Cebu on your first visit in the middle of the night.

 

BUT waterfront will cost you.  I think I pay about 4000 peso when I do that.  A cheaper alternative is to book into the Quest, (using Agoda) at about 2500 pesos.  Take a flat rate yellow taxi from the arrivals and it will cost you 500 pesos.  You don't want to be screwing around finding a white taxi in the middle of the night to save 250 pesos.  The Quest is more luxurious than the Waterfront and in the morning you walk across the street to Ayala mall, after a nice buffet breakfast of course.

Edited March 16, 2014 by Dave Hounddriver