After multiple weeks of juggling in between jobs, I figured me and my husband deserved some staycation. I wanted just a couple of days not having to think about a single thing about work. Honestly, it was like burnout talking to me -- telling me to pause before it sucks the life out of us.
So I booked a weekend stay at Bayfront Hotel - Capitol Site. It’s their newest hotel and it opened last September 2021. They had a pool with a restaurant and bar on the topmost floor. And since the hotel was entirely new, I was guessing all the amenities and equipment were brand new.
I wasn’t disappointed at all.
At a fair price of Php 2,200 ($44) per night, we enjoyed a Classic Room good for two with a kitchenette and a king-sized bed. Plus, access to the pool and FREE BREAKFAST (we’re suckers for free breakfasts in hotels LOL). You can book a room online or call them directly with a pay-at-the-hotel option.
So, how is this different from the North Reclamation site? Well, we’ve been there too! In fact, that’s where we stayed the night before and on our wedding day!!
Both sites have their pros and cons. And they are different yet quite the same. Here’s why:
North Reclamation Site
It’s located in North Reclamation, just by the SM City Cebu Northwing Area. You can easily navigate your way to the hotel by taking the turn where most MyBus or private vehicles go when heading to the Northwing.
I find this site so convenient and guest-friendly. They have a 7 Eleven store and ATM right on the ground floor just in case of emergencies.
And they are not strict when it comes to corkages or bringing any outside food or drinks!! (It’s the same with their Capitol Site)
Pros
It’s the perfect place to get prepared for weddings. When compared to the smaller Capitol Site, their rooms and function halls are more spacious and they have multiple venues for pre-wedding shoots. For instance:
Outside along the stairs
Inside the room
Outside along the stairs and parking lot
At the lobby
Outside their restaurant by the bamboo trees
Right outside their function halls
It’s also the best place to stay when going to or from the airport. MyBus has a convenient route to the Mactan Airport at an affordable fee compared to a taxi cab.
You also have the entire mall literally in front of you which give you the option to stroll around whenever you feel like shopping or get too bored in your room.
The view from the room
Cons
The North Reclamation Site is kinda worn out. They have been there for quite some time and they are one of the go-to hotels for wedding preparations and staycations near SM Cebu.
It’s quite understandable to see a few broken faucets or loosely hinged doors. Still, the air conditioner works well and the bed is as fluffy as ever! And that’s already good enough for me 😊
Lobby at the Capitol Site
Capitol Site
It’s new and I don’t want to sound weird… But there is actually that new hotel smell (or was it just my imagination?)
The rooms are smaller but I think we had a pretty good deal. Our room had a kitchenette while the one in North Reclamation didn’t have one but they were both priced the same.
When we got in, we had a good look around the place and rolled up the windows to see a great city view.
Pros
It’s located just within the city and it’s so easy to navigate. There are a lot of stores nearby so if you prefer to go out for meals then there are just a few restaurants (and coffee shops) after a short walk.
We love how there’s a pool along with a bar. They also have this nice spot for some al fresco dining at the roof deck (though we didn’t order anything from there). We’ve spent a lot of time in our room, watching Netflix and curled up in the cosy comforters.
Here's us on a late afternoon to night swim:
They have these large "sofa beds" that are so comfy. We even lounge here for an hour before dipping.
They also offer a dinner buffet for Php 399 and it was worth the price! They’re not exactly an international buffet but they certainly have all the Filipino favourites like buttered chicken and pork steak. As if that wasn’t enough, we went out and got an Iced Cafe Latte from one of the nearest coffee shops.
Buffet and FREE breakfast are located in their Cafe Breeze
Cons
It’s a QUARANTINE HOTEL! There were staff wearing PPE who went down and ordered meals for people who were quarantined in a few rooms. But I’m pretty sure they didn’t go out as much. Still, the sight of staff in full protective gear was alarming.
And it was that moment that signified my tanga moment.
💡 TIP! When booking a hotel in the city, make sure to ask if they are a hotel for quarantined people. The safety of the guests is assured and guaranteed, especially since they have mixed both guests and quarantined individuals. Still, it pays to be extra careful about where you’re staying.
North Reclamation Vs Capitol Site: In a Nutshell
You ought to choose the North Reclamation site when:
- You are preparing for an event or wedding
- You want a quick staycation on the border of Cebu City and the Mandaue area
- You're looking for a place to stay just before going to the airport
Choose the Capitol Site when:
- You want a quick staycation within the city
- Enjoy some pool time without the crowd
Overall, we had wonderful memories and pleasing experiences in both sites. Both had fair prices, free breakfasts, and not to mention, excellent customer service 👌
Whenever another promo pops up, I wouldn't hesitate to book for another stay! 😊