Sampaguita Suites Plaza Garcia Cebu City

I was looking for a cheap hotel to book for a night in early February 2013 for my leisure trip that is near the tourist attractions in Cebu. While browsing the internet I found several good hotels with a very reasonable price but I considered some factors most especially the useful information I got from TripAdvisor and reviews from other blogs.

Sampaguita Suites is perfectly situated in Plaza Garcia just beside the Island Souvenirs Boutique  and a minute walk away from Magellan's Cross, Sto Nino Church, Fort San Pedro, Malacanang of the South, pasalubong stores and food stalls. Another plus is they have a good website and you can book and pay online without hassle.

We arrived at the hotel at exactly 1PM exhausted and tired from our trip in Camotes Island. Since the check-in time is 2PM, we just informed the front desk lady that we arrived already and stored our luggage in their storage then we stroll around the area and eat near the Sto. Nino Church.

After we eat, we head back to the hotel to get some rest. We didn't have any problem with the check-in and the staff are very helpful and welcoming. They always say hi every time they see you.

As for the rooms, we booked a matrimonial room good for 2 persons. The room is very basic with towels, hangers, cabinet, tv and air-condition. They only provide small soap so you should bring your own toothpaste and shampoo. The room was spacious and has a good view from the glass window overlooking the Sto. Nino Church and the City Hall. The room look so dull because of it's lighting set-up. There were no lampshades provided so either you keep the lights open the whole night or keep the television on to have some source of light while sleeping. (I can't sleep if it's too dark)

Another thing is, their website says that they have a wifi connection in rooms but... well that's not the case when we got there. You can only access the wifi when you are in the lobby. So I have to go and stay at the lobby until 12 midnight to check my emails and upload some pictures.

Overall, I will recommend this hotel to those who are not picky. You just get what you pay for but could be better.

Pros:

Near tourist and historical attractions

Cheap Taxi fare to Cebu International Airport (We only paid P198 going to airport)

Access to public transportation

Cons:

P500.00 Deposit Fee (You can get it after you check-out)

Bystanders and people sleeping outside the building at night. (Security on duty 24/7)

Wifi Connection is limited.

For more details about this hotel: Click the link >> Sampaguita Suites

Sugbutel Bed and Bath Review

The hostel is located at Don Carlos A. Gothong Port Centre, a 5 minute walk away from Sm City Ceby. I decided to stay here for a night because of it's location and price. I booked two lower beds in their business class accommodation worth Php 300 each. When we got to the place for check in, it's a bit annoying that the price we already paid was for the beds only. The bedding's and towel were not included and you have to pay another Php 100 for it. I mean, wasn't it suppose to be package because obviously you're there to sleep on that bed.

Another thing that got me annoyed was when we get to the fourth floor; the staff gave us the beddings and the towel. She said that we have to give it back to them when we check out. Shouldn’t they put it on the beds on our designated cubicle and they get it once we check out? Unless that was not the purpose of check-out for them, was it?

Anyway, after we told them about it, they put the beddings and lead us to our cubicle. The beds are comfortable with a safety box and the aircon is good. The place is cozy and if you’re only staying for a night, it will suffice. We were designated in the cubicle near the comfort room which was a good thing. The comfort rooms are clean and there are about 3 toilet cubicle and 3 showers.

4th Floor Lobby

View outside the ground floor lobby

Overall, it’s a good stay for a night and great location if you wanna be near SM City. Taxi and jeepneys are also available in front of the hostel.

Just a tip: Avoid the beds near the cubicle’s door. You can’t sleep that way. Also avoid this place during peak season if you don’t want to ruin your stay. Some people who stays there might not be that considerate to others.

For rates and accommodations, visit there website by clicking here.

Travel Guide in Going to Camotes Island

Update 2014: I was able to exchange messages with Kuya Edu and he says it's good to go in Camotes at this time. :)

From Reclamation Area or SM City Cebu, we drove a jeep (25 or 27) going to North Bus Terminal. We paid 10php for the ride. We went off to North Bus Terminal and we ride a Bus going to Danao Port. Just tell the driver or conductor to drop you off. The fare is Php 40 and less than 40 minutes travel time depending on traffic.

When arriving at the Danao Port, you have to pay Php 180 for Non-Aircon and Php 200 fare for Aircon from Danao Port to Consuelo Port in Camotes. I suggest you go for the Non-Aircon so you can sightsee during the travel. While waiting for our departure, we visited Danao Church just in front of Danao Port to kill our time and pray for a safe travel.

Gate Entrance to Danao Port

Danao Port

Non-Aircon Seats

When the Jomalia Shipping vessel, we were already on queue to get to the ferry. A lot of young Koreans (I guess students) and a few Americans were also on board to go to Camotes. They kind of overpopulated the whole vessel since all you can hear was foreign language. I wonder why these non-nationals know this place and can find time to go there while a lot of Filipino’s aren’t aware that these little heaven exists and as one local Cebuano admitted that they didn’t even try to visit the island themselves.

Please check my photoblog Illumination for more photos.

A Paradise I Found In Cebu

Cebu City is known to be one of the most visited tourist destination in the Philippines situated in Visayas Region. Cebu had played a big part on the Philippine history. It was a cliché (and a reality) to most of my history classes from tertiary to college education as the island in the Philippines where Portuguese National and Spanish conqueror Ferdinand Magellan pitched the first Catholic Cross of the country. Having said that, it’s a place I dreamt to step my foot into.

Luckily I have booked an early ticket seat sale promo by Cebu Pacific. It only cost me Php 1,200 for a roundtrip ticket Iloilo-Cebu-Iloilo flights. I got really fortunate because I was in Roxas City during that time. It is a city in Panay 2 hours away from Iloilo City.

While checking the web for Cebu Things To Do and Itinerary for my 4Days 2Nights Escapade, I found a really fascinating and a must visit paradise in Cebu. The Camotes Island in Consuelo, Cebu City has a virgin white sand beach where you can find peace and a truly relaxing ambiance. Take note that there are a lot of beaches that can be found in Cebu such as in the islands of Mactan, Malapascua and Bantayan to name a few but Mactan beach being the most accessible when you are in Cebu is kind of overrated for me while Bantayan and Malapascua is a bit far. Camotes Island however is just 2 hours away ferry ride from Danao Port, Cebu to Consuelo Port in Camotes. (Instructions on how to getat Camotes Island)

When we (with my mom) arrived at Consuelo Port in Camotes, we were approached by the habal-habal (motorcycle) drivers and asked us where we are headed to. The Santiago Bay Garden and Resort that we were booked was the biggest/well-known/cheapest resort in Camotes (as of my writing). Be aware that there are only a few resort/hotels in Camotes, so you have to book in advance when you are planning to go during peak season. (Accommodation’s in Camotes Island)

The habal-habal driver Kuya Edu offered us a tour in the island. He drove us to our hotel and he waited for us until 2PM for our island tour. We checked in to our room and took lunch at the resort. Food prices are very reasonable and staffs were very accommodating to us contrary to the reviews I’ve read in TripAdvisor. After lunch we take a dip in the beach water since we couldn’t afford not to with the view right in front of us. No offense to Boracay (I used to like it), but this paradise in Cebu brushed my Boracay epitome. With fine white sand like powdered milk, a clean and very clear water where you can see a colony of small fishes even in the bay side, and a not so populated, quiet, peaceful ambiance and virgin island, I definitely found a new place to spend my summer vacations. (The resort is in the beach front with the very breeze of Camotes Island)

After our short water dip, we head out of the resort for our tour. Kuya Edu introduce us the Timubo Cave, Mangodlong Rock Resort (which is a sister resort of Santiago Bay Garden and Resort) Lake Danao, Santiago Baywalk and Agoda Market. The price negotiation was settled immediately without further ado because I’ve already done my research before we got there about their actual pricing. (Transportation in Camotes) This is one of their major sources of income so please stop haggling to help them.

Lake Danao

Lake Danao

Timubo Cave

Timubo Cave is an underground cave that has a crystal clear water. While I was inside, I was like how the hell this thing happened? I’ve never been into a cave with this water as clear as the drinking water. We can’t avoid not to take a dip on the water. A lot of Koreans, Americans and fellow Filipinos were also their enjoying the water.

Fine white sand

The Mangodlong Rock Resort, a sister resort of Santiago Bay Garden and Resort is also a tourist destination with jet skies to enjoy and cottages on top of rocks. It is a must see. If you are staying in Santiago Bay resort, you don’t have to pay for the Php15 entrance fee to enter the place.

Local kid curious what the heck I'm doing. LOL!

Rock Cottage

Mangodlong Rock Resort Top View

After our stunning and unforgettable (and must be back again) experience, we get back to our hotel to take a quick rest and experience the inviting water from the pool overlooking the beach.



Please check my photoblog Illumination.

Going around Camotes Island

Update: I've exchanged text messages with Kuya Edu, our tour guide when we're in Camotes. He said that the island haven't recovered yet from Typhoon Yolanda but rest assured that by summer everything will be back to normal again :)

Consuelo Port

     When you get to Consuelo Port in Camotes, you will be approached and hollered by a lot of Habal-Habal (motorcycle) drivers to get you into your next destination. For budget travellers and if travelling solo or with a companion, you can settle for a habal-habal drive that will cost you Php 50 to get to your destination.

Habal-Habal Ride

        The driver will then offer you tour around the island. It will cost Php 500 and Two litters of Gas for a tour. The driver will then pick you up on your agreed time/day to take your tour to Timubo Cave, Mangodlong Rock Resort, Lake Danao and Santiago Bay Walk. This is one of the primary source of income for the locals so stop haggling to help them. Besides the price I mentioned above is their standard price.

  

Road in Camotes Island

If you’re going to Camotes, I recommend Kuya Edu, our habal-habal driver, tour guide and photographer. Everybody seems to know him in the island even the massage therapist lady who massaged my mom after our tiring escapade. You can contact him here: Edu Barcenas 0929-7354057. He was so trustful with us because he didn't get our fare when he drove us to our hotel first. He said he will just get it after our tour.

        If you are travelling in a group, you can hire a multicab for Php 1,500 for a tour. The Mangodlong Rock Resort offers free shuttle service from Consuelo Port to Mangodlong Resort vice-versa for their guest. 

          Check my accommodations review in Camotes Island
          Check my photoblog Illumination

Accommodations in Camotes Island

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort Room Accommodations

Few resorts and hotels offers great accommodation in Camotes Island. During my research for our trip going there, I checked a Camotes Island Website for possible accommodations (link provided below). I've also read reviews from other blogs and in TripAdvisor.

Swimming Pool until 10PM

After thorough deliberation, I settled with Santiago Bay Resort and Hotel. It is a beach front resort and hotel where you can enjoy the scenery of the white sand beach day in and day out. We booked a non-aircon standard room for our overnight stay for Php 1000. The ToothPick Red #4 Room was equipped with all basic necessities. An electric fan, 2 single beds, cabinet, drawer, hangers, toiletries and in fairness to them, the room was a bit spacious for a standard room. We are not picky when it comes to room accommodations as long as it’s clean and can welcome us comfortably. Fortunately, the resort did comfort us. They also have swimming pool facing the beach, pool area, gathering and occasion facilities and videoke machine. Food prices in their restaurant were also reasonable unlike any other resorts. The staffs were very accommodating especially Joy-Joy who serves us food and Kuya Pher. Kuya Pher shared that summer and holy week are really their peak season. December and January are a bit off because of the weather. We went their February 2^nd, he said that we’re very lucky because last week, tourists were stranded for a week due to the bad weather.

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort

Below the Resort

For more information and accommodations about the Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, you can click here .
Also check my photoblog Illumination.

TIP: Just call them directly for reservations.