Spot Stays: This Cebu Resort Has Eight Pools and a Spa for Your Next Beach Getaway

Solea Hotels & Resorts, Mactan
Victor Wahing Street, Alegria Cordova, Cebu 
Rates start at P6,500

At a Glance
Room: Clean, modern, and chic. Takes inspiration from tropical colors and designs with a subdued type of elegance. 
Food and drink: There is little to no need to go outside the property for food—Asian, Western, and Mediterranean flavors are all available and executed well. 
Staff: Owner and Managing Director Chris Gothong treats every single member of his team with respect and much like a family member, a kindness extended by staff to the guests. Top-notch service at any time of the day.
Why you should stay: Solea Hotels and Resorts has everything you would need for a fun, relaxing, adventure-filled getaway. With an expansive property of over 500 rooms, eight separate pools, multiple dining choices, a spa, and a beachfront area, it's a there's-something-for-everyone type of place.

(SPOT.ph) Heading to Cebu, many would often head for the touristy Moalboal, Badian, Camotes Island, and Bantayan Island for their share of thrills and sights. But for tourists who want to stay relatively close to the city center but still experience a fun-filled, relaxing, hassle-free getaway, you might want to consider a stay at Solea Hotels & Resorts.

Also read:
The SPOT.ph Guide to Camotes Island, Cebu
10 Hotels In and Near Cebu City for Every Budget
10 Gorgeous Hiking Destinations in Cebu, Grouped by the Amount of Grit Needed

Everything you need to know about this Cebu Hotel and Resort:

Solea is not a newbie in the hospitality business. Primarily catering to East Asian tourists pre-pandemic, the resort has gained a strong following in the Chinese and Korean markets. In fact, just walking around the resort, you're more likely to bump into a foreigner than a local but don't think Solea is not trying to bring us folks in. Nope. A good number of Cebuanos are said to hit up this resort for weekend staycations and functions.

The resort boasts 555 rooms spread across three main buildings, only two of which are ready for occupancy at the moment. Regardless of where you stay, you're bound to be welcomed by a tropical-themed room with complete amenities and then some. 

And by some, we mean a gorgeous view of the sea, the pools, Cebu city, or all of the above! Each room has a balcony with a small outdoor seating area perfect for afternoon snacks or for catching the view of the sunrise. It's also a great place to breathe in the fresh air. Yup, the place is breezy and airy. Leave that claustrophobic energy in Manila or wherever, in Solea, it's all about space.

If you're coming to Solea Mactan with kids, you might want to consider investing in the family room dubbed the Play Room. It's a jungle-themed room with a separate master's bedroom space for the parents or the oldies and wait for it—

a fun kiddie bed complete with a ball pit and slide. TBH as a grown adult, you'd still see us sliding down that bed slide and sloshing about the ball pit. 

What to do

Like we keep saying, there is something for everyone at Solea Hotels & Resorts Mactan. Whether you are in the mood to relax, dine, or all the best cliches like fun in the sun and your dose of vitamin sea, there is something in the resort's arsenal of amenities that can cater to your needs.

It goes without saying that one of the biggest draws for staying at this property is the sheer number of pools and water activities you dip into. The resort has a total of eight separate pools, each with its own character and draw. 

While you don't necessarily have to swim at all eight pools, we rounded up some of our favorite pools and water attractions. These are definite must-not-miss attractions on the property. Regardless of your age, you're bound to have a good time wading, sliding, and just playing around.

First on the list is the newly minted waterpark. Just look at it. it's a water jungle gym. Slides that twist and drop, showers and water guns everywhere, it looks like any child's place to be. But don't think it's just for the kids, while it may look childish and not as thrilling as the extreme slides for adults in most waterparks, there is just a freeing thrill to just mindlessly going up and down the stairs, sliding to your heart's content and shrieking at the twists and drops. 10/10 would go back and try again, even as a childless 30-something. 

Next on the must-try water attractions is the Inflatable Waterpark. Okay, at first glance, you'll see a bunch of kids having fun, running around, jumping, and whatnot. And maybe you'll think to yourself, I'm a grown-up, will I still enjoy this? And the answer is a resounding yes. If you grew up watching those obstacle game shows or Wipeout, you may already have a vague idea of how difficult this course can get. It's a bouncy, slippery castle of mayhem, my dear Spotters, and all we can say is just roll with it. Admittedly, it can get pretty challenging but it is so much fun especially if you do it with a bunch of friends. Believe us, teamwork makes the dream work. Plus, imagine all the core memories you'll form with your friends as they slip and stumble their way through this course. Yup, it makes for a great story to tell.

Honestly, you can just go in any of the pools, and you're bound to have a good time. There's really no right or wrong one. The beauty of having a lot of them means that they aren't so cramped and filled with people. This is our way of saying if a pool looks crowded, just hop on the next one. You'll find your slice of water paradise somewhere. 

Last on the water-related attractions is the Solea Beachfront. Located at the far edge of the resort, not a lot of people make the stroll to this area. But trust us when we say you should. If it gets too overwhelming in the main parts of the resort, or if you're just looking for a place to wind down, relax, and breathe in the sea breeze, then this is the spot for you. It's quiet, a bit secluded, and might we say it looks hella romantic, especially just as the sun sets.

When you're done with all the swimming and jumping around the inflatables, give your muscles a treat by getting a massage at Solea Hotels & Resorts Mactan's very own Nouveau Spa. Get their signature massage, a body scrub, a facial, or a body wrap, or if you're feeling extra fancy, opt for the massage suite with your personal sauna and steam bath. Regardless of what treatment you get, you'll be left feeling energized and pampered. Pro tip: make sure to drink the lemon tea they offer at the start of the massage. It's a small detail that just makes the experience a little more posh and glam, plus it's hella tasty too. 

If you're already a bit bored of the outdoor attractions or if it's that time of the day when the sun is just too hot to handle, you might want to drop by the Happy Pebbles Club. This indoor facility is a great way to pass the time when it's too hot outside. Decked out with a billiards table, a foosball table, a basketball arcade, and other indoor games, you can definitely chill here and not get bored.

Bonus, if you've got a kid with a ton of energy to burn, you can drop them here at the club and have them play at the indoor play area complete with slides, ball pits, nets—the works. TBH, we wanted to go in the ball pit but rest assured your young ones are safe because only kids up to a certain age are allowed while under the watchful eye of the attendant. 

Where to eat

After all the activities and strolling about this massive property, you're bound to build up an appetite and luckily, there's no shortage of dining choices at Solea. There is the Earth-All Day Dining Buffet restaurant which serves Western, Mediterranean, and Asian Cuisine. There's also the picturesque rooftop bar and lounge aptly named Salt and Sky that serves tipples and bar chow all night long. And if you suddenly get the urge to eat or drink after dipping in the pools, there are also snacks and beverages available near the pools at the Sandy Point Beach Bar and the Cuckoo Pool Bar. At the Lobby Lounge, there is also a snack corner serving popcorn, drinks, and other quick bites.

With the diverse set of available amenities, budget-friendly prices, delectable eats, and exemplary service, Solea Hotels & Resorts Mactan has shown why it had survived the closures and challenges brought about not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by the terrible Typhoon Odette. While they admit they are not yet 100% recovered from everything that has happened in the past three years, Solea is not showing any signs of slowing down. If anything, they're getting more competitive and are adapting to the changing times. And if this is what Solea is while it is not yet at its best, then it makes a very strong case to come back and see it in all its glory.

Solea Hotels & Resorts Mactan is at Victor Wahing Street, Alegria Cordova, Cebu. Rates start at P6,500. For more information, visit Solea Hotels & Resorts' Website. 

Also read: WATCH: Get Closer to Nature at These Outdoor Spots in Cebu

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