Summer Series 2013: Cebu Discoveries

The 2nd of our back-to-back weddings was in Cebu for my college friend, Kelie.  Kelie sang my wedding march (in Italian!) and gamely rendered more songs during our wedding reception.  So there was no way I was going to miss his wedding!

Since Stan's mom is Manila-based, we usually stay in hotels when we go to Cebu.  Staying in his house would require a thorough general cleaning - too much work for 2-3 nights stay.  Previously we stated at Waterfront Lahug.  However, during our Christmas 2012 stay, we found that the smoke from the casino permeated the entire lobby.  After breakfast at Cafe Uno, our hair and clothes smelled like cigarette smoke.  

For this trip, we decided to try out a new hotel recommended by Kelie - Quest Hotel Cebu.  Kelie warned us that the rooms were quite small.  But since the hotel was new, it was quite clean.  Since we were bringing Tata, I opted to book a Junior Suite and I was happy I did.

photo from Quest Hotel's website

The Junior Suite was only 39sqm (Waterfront's Superior room is 33 sqm.).  It came with a separate living room with a sofa bed.  This was a good thing because my parents booked a regular room and brought my nephew and his yaya.  So Tata and Christy slept in our living room with the sofa converted into a queen bed.   Although clean, Kelie was right - the rooms were small.  But since we didn't stay in the room whole day, it suited our purpose.  The location was a plus because it was near City Sports where we had a LATCH Best Beginnings in Breastfeeding Class. 

Best Beginnings in Breastfeeding - Cebu

The hotel was also just a short walk away from this cupcake store - Sweet Little Things - which makes the most delicious mudpie that I had ever tried!  I first tried the mudpie when Stan's client gifted us with a box last Christmas.  For this trip, one of Stan's barkada brought another box during their lunch gathering.  They shared that there was a branch close to Quest so I made it a point to visit.

J Block Apitong St. cor. Escario (09225174626)

Forget about all their other cupcakes - it is this mudpie that rocks the house!  Creamy, chocolate-y and smooth.  Not sickeningly sweet but Stan and I found it just right - perfect with coffee.  My sister was happy with the box I brought back to Manila for her :)

last Christmas' box of mudpies

We flew back to Manila on Monday noon and Stan already mentioned that he will be having the steamed rice at the airport.  I was pleasantly surprised by the new dining choices now available at the Cebu airport.  I sampled Zubochon while Stan stood by his original choice - steamed rice.  There were more options available - Crave Burger, Bo's Coffee, macarons, a sandwich place and the still-alive Cafe Vienna.  You definitely won't go hungry at the Cebu airport!

It was a short, jam-packed but fun trip!  Have you been to Cebu? What are your favorites (hotel, restaurant, pasalubong, tourist spot, etc. etc.)?