Welcome to Travelers Couch...

More than the usual traveling and making memories all over the world. Travel Reviews, Photos and more.

Moevenpick Hotel, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines

A five-star Mediterranean-inspired beachfront hotel that combines a true lifestyle experience, cool vibe and relaxed chill out spaces.

Manhattan, New York City, USA

Traveler's Couch shares to you the top tourist attractions in this concrete jungle where dreams are made of - New York City!

New 7 Wonders of Nature: Underground River and Puerto Princesa City's Other Wonders

The Cleanest and Safest City in the Philippines, behold the beauty of Puerto Princesa City with it's Undergound River proclaimed as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Experience Honda Bay Island Hopping, Balayong Festival, City Tour and more!

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - Truly Asia!

Formerly known as Jesselton and now often referred as 'KK' within the country and internationally, Kota Kinabalu is a popular destination for most travelers visiting Sabah and Borneo region, offering so much of Malaysian attractions...

FUNtastic Gibitngil Island, Medellin, Cebu, Philippines

Cliff Diving? Beach Zipline? Kayaking? Well, you can experience these in this newly discovered Tourist Destination in Northern Cebu - Funtastic Island in Gibitngil Island, Medellin, Cebu, Philippines! Read my review about the place, the rates, how to get there, etc.

Boracay Island Escapade

Get some sun-kissed skin within this beautiful paradise found in Aklan, Philippines. Named as one of the Best Beach and Island Destination in the World by known Travel Magazines and Sites, Boracay Island's White Beach tops on my list!

Discover the Beauty of Bohol

Chocolate Hills, Tarsier, Prony the Python, Loboc River, Panglao Island - everything in one place, Bohol, Philippines! Discover the beauty of one of Central Visayas' top tourist destination with lots of eco-adventure as well. See my shots!

Sinulog Festival, Cebu City, Philippines

One of the Grandest Festival not just in the Philippines but in South East Asia - Cebu City's Sinulog Festival! The Queen City of the South welcomed thousands of visitors from different parts of the world just to experience this one-of-a-kind event in the Philippines!

April 8, 2013

Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort: A New Face of Cebu, Philippines' Island Getaway Experience


In every traveler’s heart, there’s always that urge to explore something new out of his/her passion of traveling. So, if you’re making Cebu, Philippines as one of your island destinations this year (or in the near future), this post is for you.

THE RESORT AND LOCATION
Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort is a newly opened hotel and resort in Metro Cebu.  After their soft opening last March 6th, 2013, the resort starts to accommodate a number of guests, either day usage or with overnight stay. It is situated in Wahing Street, Barangay Alegria, Cordova, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines. You may refer to below maps as a guide in getting there. If you're departing from Marina Mall Mactan (nearby Mactan Cebu International Airport), it's like 15-25minutes drive (depends on the flow of traffic).

 Map of Mactan Island, Cebu showing Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort 
(Click the map to enlarge) 

 Map of Cordova in Mactan Island, Cebu showing Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort 
(Click the map to enlarge) 

 To get there via public transportation, you may take any multicab/jeep with 'Cordova' sign board and drop by Cordova crossing (as shown on below map) and get a ride via tricycle (inform the driver ahead that you're heading to Sand Bar Resort in Alegria, Cordova which is just few blocks away from the Barangay Alegria Gymnasium or Alegria Elementary School). With this, it will take around 30minutes ride (jeep then tricycle) if you're departing from Marina Mall or nearby Mactan Cebu International Airport (depends on the flow of traffic).

 Map from Cordova Crossing to Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort
(Click the map to enlarge)

THE FACILITIES, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED

Part of choosing a best escapade is the facilities and services that suits your needs and convenience. Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort has below facilities:

 
*58 well-designed guest room with Hotel Safe Deposit Box
*Adult/Kiddie Swimming Pool
*Pool House (Good for Day users, also those who opt for an overnight stay)
*Conference Facilities (good for business meetings & events)
*Gaming/Entertainment Center (Board Games & Video Games via Xbox 360)
*Modern Filipino Restaurant with Bar
*Parking Facilities
*Non-smoking Rooms
*2 Elevators

The resort also offers these services: 24-hour Front desk assistance, Late Check-in/Check-out, Airport Transfer, Car/Rental Service, Banquet/Catering Service and Foreign Currency Exchange. For the activities, it can cater for an Island Hopping, Board/Video Games (Xbox 360), Water Inflatables, Volleyball, Snorkeling, Karaoke Rooms and ATV.

THE RATES & INCLUSIONS
 
 1) Getaway Day Use Package - there are two (2) options which you or your group would want to consider in terms of budget or convenience.


Option A) Php 499 nett per person (Adult rate, 13 yrs old and up), 
Php 375.00 nett per person (kids 5-12 yrs. old only)

Inclusions:
*Welcome Drinks
*Set lunch
*Waived entrance fee to the resort
*Use of swimming pool from 8:00am to 5:00pm
*Use of public shower area and changing rooms

Option B) Php 250 nett per person (Adult rate, 13 yrs. old and up)

Inclusions:
*Waived entrance fee to the resort
*Use of swimming pool from 8:00am to 5:00pm
*Use of public shower area and changing rooms
*Children 12 yrs. old and below can avail half of the price. Children 4 yrs. old and below accompanied by at least one paying adult is free of charge (maximum of 2 children).

NOTE: Please be advised that the food and beverage items bought from outside sources MAY NOT be brought and consumed in the resort. The rates are subject to change without prior notice and cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers.

If you're asked by the resort staff as to where did you know/hear about the resort, please indicate Traveler's Couch Blog.

2) Hotel Room Accommodation - good for overnight stay. Below are the introductory rates, valid for either single or double occupancy.



Deluxe Room - Php 2,999.00 nett
Suite Room - Php 3,499.00 nett
Extra person/bed - Php 950.00 nett

Inclusions:
*Welcome Drinks
*Use of Swimming Pool
*Breakfast good for two persons
*Complimentary bottled water daily
*Free WiFi access
*No additional charge for children 12 yrs. old and below sharing a room with parents.

Check In Time: 14:00 (2:00PM)
Check Out Time: 12:00 (12:00 noon)

NOTE: Please be advised that the rates are subject to change without prior notice and cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers. For overnight stay, reservations must be guaranteed by a credit card or receipt of advance payment and room preference is subject to availability.

If you're asked by the resort staff as to where did you know/hear about the resort, please indicate Traveler's Couch Blog.

PHOTOS/IMAGES

You may refer to below photos and images taken last April 6th-7th, 2013 to have an overview of the Resort. You may also visit my Facebook Photo Album as well for more photos or images of Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort. (Note: Please click below photos to enlarge)


Photo of the Set lunch as part of the inclusions of the Php 499 Getaway Day use Package. (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)


The view of the pool at the 2nd floor of the hotel. (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)


The Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)

Friends enjoying their afternoon swimming at Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort (You may need to click the photo to enlarge

Beautiful sunset view in Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Hotel (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)

The Deluxe Room of Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)

Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort - Hotel Lobby (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)
Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Entrance (You may need to click the photo to enlarge)

You may visit my Facebook Photo Album as well for more photos or images of Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort.

 RESORT CONTACT DETAILS

You may contact Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort through below details:


 Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort
Wahing St., Alegria, Cordova
Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone No.: (63 32) 238 4217
Mobile No.: +639173090236 (Globe),
+639334394797 (Sun),  
+639285591487 (Smart)
Email Address: info@sandbarcebu.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/CebuSandBarResort
Twitter: @Sandbarresort
Official Website: www.sandbar.com

If you're asked by the resort staff as to where did you know/hear about the resort, please indicate Traveler's Couch Blog.

Below is a promotional video which gives you a preview of Best Western Cebu Sand Bar Resort, brought to you by Traveler's Couch.



Thanks for visiting my blog.
Feel free to post your inquiries, suggestions or comments below. :)

April 5, 2013

New York City: A Big Visit to "The Big Apple" (Highlights of New York, USA)




"In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh... There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York..." - just few of the lines of Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" ft. Alicia Keys which gave me some chill while exploring one of the world's top cities: New York City (NYC)!

I will be sharing on this post the major highlights of the most populous city of USA with photos :

1) The New York Times - this is the very first building structure that welcomes you when you enter the city through bus via Port Authority Bus Terminal.



2) Time Square - the iconic attraction of NYC, where all kinds of races are on the busy streets to feel the ambience of this popular spot of the city along with large, colorful billboards (trip won't be complete without walking through point to point of the place). This is also where the New York Police Department (NYPD) is situated.





3) Central Park - this 778 acres of city-owned land is the most visited urban park in the United States. One day won't be enough to roam around this point of NYC.





4) 9/11 Memorial - known as the "World Trade Center" Memorial, the place commemorates the September 11 attacks of 2001 which killed approximately 3,000 people. Situated in Lower Manhattan, New York, the  One World Trade Center (1 WTC, previously called as Freedom Tower) is now the main building of the World Trade Center complex.





5) Wall Street - considered as the financial district, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River, situated in Lower Manhattan, New York City.






6) Grand Central - (Grand Central Terminal) the commuter rail terminal station in 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.




7) The Empire State Building Observation Deck - one of the worlds famous skylines, the Empire State Building View Deck will give you a better view of New York City, especially breathtaking city lights view at night.






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Comments are highly appreciated. :)