Cebu's BEST Sky View Suite? This Avida 1BR Will SHOCK You!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the Cebu's BEST Sky View Suite: This Avida 1BR Will SHOCK You! review. And by "dive," I mean I'm gonna cannonball into this thing and make a glorious splash of opinionated ramblings and real-life experiences. Forget those sterile, robotic reviews – you're getting the juicy, messy truth, even if I have to untangle a jungle of hotel features to get there.
First off, let's get it STRAIGHT: This isn't your average, predictable hotel room. We're talking about an Avida 1BR – and let's be honest, the "SHOCK You!" part had me intrigued from the start. Curiosity, you see, is my weakness, and apparently, Cebu's best Sky View Suite exploits it beautifully.
The Essentials: Accessibility, Cleanliness, and Safety – The "Adulting" Part (Ugh)
Okay, okay, I know, boring, but necessary. Let's rip off the band-aid and get the adulting stuff out of the way.
- Accessibility: They have a decent amount of Facilities for disabled guests, which is a big plus. But, I'm not wheelchair-bound, so I can't give you a detailed breakdown here. (Sorry, friends!).
- Cleanliness and Safety: Here's where I got SERIOUSLY impressed. This is post-COVID, people. I'm talking Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization between stays, and even Professional-grade sanitizing services. They're not messing around! I actually felt safe. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a small thing, but always makes me happy. Felt like I'd stepped into a hospital (thankfully without the sickness). HUGE kudos. A Doctor/nurse on call is always reassuring too.
- The Hygiene Stuff: I'm just gonna say it – they had their act together. Everything screamed "Hygiene certification," from the Individually-wrapped food options to the way the staff clearly understood the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Plus, Staff trained in safety protocol. I'm also a big fan of Cashless payment service in this day and age, no more fumbling around with bills.
Connectivity & Convenience: Internet & Services - Am I EVER Offline?
- Internet Access & Wi-Fi: Ah, the modern traveler's lifeline. The promise of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas? Music to my ears. Internet and Internet [LAN] are essential for me, I had no issues streaming or doing work. Internet services were solid.
- Services and Conveniences: This is where things get interesting. Air conditioning in public area? Check. Laundry service? Check. Daily housekeeping? PRAISE BE! The little things DO matter. Luggage storage, Concierge, and a Convenience store are absolute blessings for a lazy travel like me. And, a Cash withdrawal is always useful.
- Services and conveniences I had the option to use Contactless check-in/out which saved me time. I also appreciated the Elevator, and Facilities for disabled guests being available.
The Suite Itself: Living the High Life (Literally & Figuratively)
Okay, here's where the "SHOCK" factor hopefully comes in. The Available in all rooms list is extensive:
- Essentials: Air conditioning (phew!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub (YES!), Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea (!!), Daily housekeeping (again!), Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor (crucial for the view!), In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. That's a lot of stuff.
- The "Extra" Touches: The Bathtub was divine. I spent a ridiculous amount of time in there, soaking and staring at the city lights. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in (because, vacations!). The High floor was EVERYTHING. And the Window that opens? A simple pleasure I always appreciate. The Interconnecting room(s) available could be useful for families or larger groups, but alas, I was flying solo this trip. But I'm sure there's nothing sadder than needing an Extra long bed and not having it!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling My Adventures (and my Laziness)
This is where it gets fun (and possibly dangerous for my waistline).
- Restaurants: They had multiple Restaurants, a Coffee shop, and a Snack bar - I was in heaven. A Vegetarian restaurant is always a plus.
- Dining and Drinking: Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant were also available. I had enough food in my room to keep me going for a couple of days! I mean, I'm happy to have Bottle of water and Complimentary tea, but the Breakfast [buffet]! I mean, you had stuff there from the food from Soup in restaurant, to Desserts in restaurant, to the main event. The Buffet in restaurant, with the promise of Coffee/tea in restaurant! Oh, and the option of Breakfast in room. Genius!
- Happy hour, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour]: Need I say more? My inner sloth rejoiced. The Poolside bar made my afternoon lounging even more delightful. The 24-hour service? Dangerous.
- I Didn't Get to Try, But…: I didn't try the A la carte in restaurant option or any of the Alternative meal arrangement options, but they were there.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Because It’s Not All About Eating
Oh, but maybe it is. But still!
- Relaxation Station: A Massage? Yes, please! A Spa and Spa/sauna? Sign me up. They also had a Swimming pool! A Pool with view. Okay, now we're talking. I really need to remember and explore the Foot bath, and the Steamroom during my next stay.
- Wellness Warriors: There's a Fitness center for those who are, you know, not me. They had a Sauna as well.
- Things to Do: This is where it got a little vague. I wished they offered more detailed information on local attractions.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Not?
- Family/child friendly: They had Family/child friendly, with Babysitting service and Kids meal.
Getting Around & Other Practicalities
- The Getting Around Stuff: The Airport transfer was super convenient. Having Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], and the option of Valet parking is always a plus.
- Other Stuff: They also have a Cash withdrawal, the basics of any hotel.
The Real Review: The Sky View Suite Showdown
Okay, so picture this: I haul myself up to the High floor, key card swishes, the door swings open…and BAM! The view. The CITY view. It genuinely took my breath away. (Note: I'm not easily impressed.) The "SHOCK You!" thing? They weren't kidding.
The room itself was spacious, modern, and tastefully decorated. The bed? Heavenly. Seriously. I'm a sucker for a good hotel bed. The Separate shower/bathtub setup was perfect. The Bathrobes and Slippers were a nice touch, but again, I had to fight the urge to just live in the tub.
The view from the Window that opens was the cherry on top. The city stretched out before me, a glittering tapestry of lights. Seriously, the view was the star of the show. It was so good, the imperfections of the room – a tiny stain on the carpet I may have noticed – simply faded away.
What Wasn't Perfect (Because Nothing Ever Is)
Alright, I'm not going to lie. It wasn't ALL sunshine and roses.
- The Vibe: I kind of wished the staff had been a little more bubbly. They were polite, efficient, but not exactly *
Okay, buckle up buttercup. We're going to Cebu. Not the perfectly curated Instagram Cebu. The real Cebu. And trust me, it's a wild ride. This is my itinerary, but let's be real, schedules? They're suggestions, not gospel. Especially when you're me.
Cebu City & Beyond: A Hot Mess Express Itinerary (with WiFi, Thank God)
Accommodation: Sky View Suite Avida 1BR - Best Location Cebu Philippines. Right, the "best location." I'm hoping it actually is. Booking.com promised a view. Fingers crossed it's not of a brick wall. (Update: Day 1: The view? AMAZING. Worth the extra pesos. Okay, maybe they were right about something.)
Day 1: Arrival… and the Great Laundromat Debacle
- Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrive at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Pray the immigration line isn't a soul-crushing experience. (Spoiler alert: It was. But, hey, I got through it. Kinda.) Negotiate a taxi. Because, you know, I don't speak Cebuano. Yet. Or ever, probably. Then, the glorious journey to the Avida. Hoping the traffic doesn't make me spontaneously combust.
- Emotional State: Mostly excited, fueled by lukewarm airport coffee and the sheer novelty of being somewhere new. Slightly terrified of the taxi drivers who seem to drive with the conviction of seasoned demolition derby champions.
- Mid-Day (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Check into the Sky View Suite. Unpack, which always involves a frantic search for the phone charger and a mini existential crisis about how much stuff I really brought. Gawking at the view. Taking approximately 73 selfies.
- Quirky Observation: Seriously, why do hotels always have the worst lighting? It's like they're deliberately trying to make you look like you haven't slept in a week.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Attempt to find food. And fail spectacularly. Wander around, get lost, and eventually stumble upon a small carinderia (local eatery). Order something that looks vaguely familiar, and hope for the best.
- Anecdote Time: Ordered adobo. Which was… okay. Fine. Edible. But the woman behind the counter? She kept giving me these looks. Like she was judging my entire life based on my inability to pronounce the Tagalog names of the dishes. Humiliating. But the lechon? Oh. My. God. I'm going to be dreaming of that pork for weeks.
- Evening (5:00 PM - onward): The Great Laundromat Debacle. Okay, this deserves its own paragraph. My laundry situation was dire. After a day of sweating and tourist-ing, my clothes needed a serious scrub. Found a laundromat on Google Maps. Seemed easy enough. Wrong. The place was small, dimly lit, and staffed by a woman who seemed perpetually annoyed with the existence of tourists. Tried to explain I needed the "wash and fold" service. Failed miserably. Eventually, through a series of frantic hand gestures and the universal language of a pleading face, I sort of, maybe, conveyed the message. The clothes are now… somewhere. I'll pick them up tomorrow and possibly find them shredded from the machine.
- Emotional Reaction: Initially frustrated. Then, resigned. Finally, amused. This is travel, people. Embrace the chaos!
Day 2: Culture, Caves, and the Unending Quest for Coffee
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Visit Fort San Pedro and Magellan's Cross. Touristy? Absolutely. Worth it? Probably. Soak in the (literal) heat and the history. Try to appreciate the beauty of these places whilst sweating buckets. Fail.
- Quirky Observation: The amount of religious iconography is… intense. I'm not religious, but even I'm feeling a little spiritually overloaded. Those statues are intimidating!
- Mid-Day (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at a different carinderia. More adventures in ordering. This time, armed with a phrasebook (which I'll probably forget). Discover that the best food is always where the locals eat. Seriously, the sinigang was out of this world. This time I was able to get the correct pronounciation and the woman gave me a small smile : ). I'm starting to think I'm winning.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Head to the caves! I'm a sucker for geological wonders. I'm expecting something magnificent. I'd also like to remember to take plenty of photos. And maybe bring a flashlight. This one is a little less planned. But off-roading on a motorcycle for a few hours sounds like my kind of fun.
- Emotional Reaction: Excited. A little nervous about the motorbike situation, but mostly just thrilled to explore.
- Evening (5:00 PM - onward): Dinner somewhere with air conditioning. Somewhere with good coffee. Because, by this point, I will desperately need caffeine. Possibly cry. Seriously. This is non-negotiable. If anyone knows a good coffee shop near the Avida, please tell me!
Day 3: Island Hopping and the Unshakeable Fear of Sea Urchins
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): OMG wake up early. The sun is brutal.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Okay, island hopping. This is the main event! Boat, snorkel, swim, eat. Maybe see a turtle.
- Anecdote Time: Spent ages trying to look good in the water. Failed. Got seasick. Saw some amazing coral, some colorful fish. Also saw a lot of sea urchins. My primal fear of spiky creatures was activated. Almost had a full-blown panic attack. Did not touch the sea urchins.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Another Carinderia, this time on the water.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Head back, shower, and collapse.
- Evening (5:00 PM - onward): Pack. Start the process of saying goodbye to Cebu. Probably spend the rest of the night dreaming of lechon.
Day 4: Departure and the Eternal Question of "Was it all a dream?"
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Check out of the Avida. Uber to the airport. Avoid traffic. Pray to the travel gods. Buy every souvenir, for everyone, including the person that sent me here.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Go through security. Wonder if my backpack is going to fall apart on the conveyor belt. Buy more coffee.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - onward): Fly home. Think about Cebu. Wonder if I'll ever truly understand the Filipino way of life. Already planning my return.
Important Notes, Because I'm a Disaster:
- Pace Yourself: Drink water! And try to remember to eat even when you're too busy being amazed.
- Sunscreen is Your Friend: Seriously. I'm pale. I burn. Don't be me.
- Embrace the Unexpected: Things will go wrong. It's part of the fun. Laugh it off. Make friends.
- Ask Questions: Locals are generally lovely and eager to help, even if your Tagalog is terrible (mine is).
- Enjoy the Moment: Put down your phone. Look around. Breathe it in. Because, let's be honest, it's all going by way too fast.
Okay. That's it. My messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious Cebu itinerary. See you there! (Maybe.)
Seoul's Secret Gem: Cozy Mimi's Unbelievable Camping House!
Cebu's BEST Sky View Suite? Avida 1BR... Hold on to your Hats! (And Maybe a Valium) - My FAQ, Completely Uncensored
Okay, okay, spill the beans! Is this Avida 1BR *really* as amazing as everyone says? The Sky View Suite – is it hype or heaven?
Alright, fine. Let's do this. Honestly? It's... complicated. First impressions? Jaw-dropping. Like, "WHOA, Cebu is BEAUTIFUL from up here!" That initial “holy moly” feeling is *intense*. You walk in, and that view just smacks you in the face. The city sprawls out before you, twinkling like a million tiny fireflies. I felt, for a glorious five seconds, like I was a billionaire. (Side note: I am decidedly *not* a billionaire.) Then the practical stuff hits you – the furniture, how the sunlight casts, is the aircon humming and if I can get the Wi-Fi to work. So, yes, the view is incredible. The rest? Well… we'll get there. Trust me, we will.
What's the *actual* view like? Is it just a bunch of buildings?
No, no, no! Okay, *some* buildings, yeah, it's Cebu. It's not going to be a pristine mountain vista, but the angle is phenomenal. You see the city *in context*. The ocean peeks in the distance! I watched a sunset from this place that nearly made me cry. Seriously. Like, full-on, ugly-cry level beautiful. The color shifts, the way the light bounces… I almost called my ex (don't judge!). You also get a weird perspective thing – you see people scurrying around, like ants, doing *stuff* and you're just... up there. It's both comforting (hey, they're busy too!) and a little unnerving. You know, existential stuff.
Is it noisy? I hate noise.
Okay, noise. This is a *crucial* question. Depends. During the day? You get the muffled sounds of city life - cars, the occasional construction noise. I wouldn’t call it serene, but it's manageable. The *real* test is at night. Sometimes, you'll get that "ghostly silence" – pure bliss. Other nights? The party animals below come out to play, and the music starts thumping. I'm talking bass that vibrates through your *bones*. Bring earplugs. Trust me on this one. And maybe a sound machine app on your phone. Which, ironically, I forgot to pack. Leading to a late-night, frustrated text exchange with a friend about the meaning of life and the necessity of good noise isolation in modern apartments.
How's the inside of the Avida suite itself? Is it cramped? Is it… stylish?
Cramped? No, not *terribly*. It's a 1BR, so don't expect a mansion. But it's well-designed, I'd give it that. It maximized the space really well. The color palette is all whites and creams, kind of minimalist-chic, which does feel clean. The furniture is okay, solid but not exactly "luxury". Think… Ikea-with-a-view. Nothing to write home about, but it's functional and comfortable enough. What *really* matters, though, is how it *feels*. Does it feel like a home? Honestly? Not really. More like a very nice, temporary… box. Though, a box with an *amazing* view
Tell me about the amenities. Did they have a pool? Gym? Any fun stuff?
Alright, amenities! This is where things get… slightly better. Yes, there's a pool. Not a gigantic, Olympic-sized pool, but a perfectly decent one for a quick dip. And it looks great from up in the suite! I never actually used it, because… well, I'm more of a "stay inside and marvel at the view" type. Which is ironic, considering how much I was getting on them about noise. There's also a gym, which I *also* didn’t use. (Judging glances welcome. I accept it.) They have a kids' play area (if you're traveling with little ones). The lobby is nice, with comfortable seating which is good to wait for your GrabCar. But the best amenity? The view. Let's just say, you get a pool access.
What about the location? Is it convenient? Safe?
Location, location, location! This is *crucial*. It depends on what you want. It’s in a pretty central area. You can easily get to malls, restaurants, and all the touristy stuff. Grab is readily available, so getting around isn’t a headache. It *felt* safe. There’s security, and everything’s well-lit. I walked around at night with no issues. The closest mall is okay but not amazing. You're not going to be in the middle of the action, but you're also not banished to the boonies.
Would you stay there *again*? *Seriously*?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? Yes, *probably*. Despite the noise, the occasional lack of immediate "homeyness," and the not-exactly-top-of-the-line furniture, that view... that view is the *real* selling point. It's a memory I will definitely cherish. It was just so beautiful! I may need to stay there again to re-experience the view so, yes, I would. But I'd pack earplugs. And maybe a heavy-duty meditation app. And possibly a therapist on speed dial. Just in case.
Any specific tips or things to watch out for?
Okay, the *truth*. The aircon is a work in progress. I mean, it cools, but it also sounds like a dying walrus. Bring a fan! Double-check the Wi-Fi situation upon arrival – it was a bit spotty for me at first. The kitchen is basic, perfect if you're planning on ordering takeout but not so much for gourmet cooking. And be prepared to spend a *lot* of time staring out the window. Don't be surprised if you lose track of time and realize you've missed lunch… and dinner. The view is a time-sucker. Seriously. It turns you into a lazy sightseeing. Which, actually, isn't so bad.
