Summer Staycation Photo Diary: Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa

MARCH 2014 living on an island means being surrounded by beaches- be it public, private, budget-friendly or the more world-renowned upscale hotels. name all the beaches in Mactan and im sure the family and i have been to each one of them. well, save for those really new ones that sprung up like mushrooms in the night with no other means to reach the area than by foot. 

so to kickoff our summer, the husband and i decided to book a weekend getaway last March in Shangri-La Mactan. Friends have been asking why we bother booking in an upscale hotel that's just within the city when we can use the budget for a short out of town vacation. The husband and I has considered that too but given that we have a little butterball who's just 1 year and 6 months old then, flying is not an option. Besides, Isabel doesn't do well with long drives, that's why we opted for a resort that is just 5 minutes drive away from our place. That, and my undying love for this little piece of paradise is another reason why this will always be our resort of choice here in Mactan. We've been coming here for years and I've seen how it has transformed from just the beachfront and the pool (no Buko Bar, no Aquaplay) to what it is today.

We booked a Deluxe Sea View Room that can accomodate a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children that are 11 years old or younger or 3 adults and 1 child.  The reservation also includes breakfast buffet for 2 adults and children below 12 years old at Tides (always my favorite part!) One tip: while dining, watch out for Polly the bird, sometimes he snatches your plate away. haha!

Thank you Jonally for this big bowl of leafy greens!

And because the husband and I had been meaning to go on a lovely dinner date ever since I gave birth but didn't really get the chance too, we grabbed the opportunity while we were there and wined and dined at one of my favorite buffet restaurants in town (thank you Ness for the wine!) It is one gastronomic feast with a buffet of international dishes that will make you forget your diet and give you your money's worth!

So for anyone who wishes to know the breakdown of expenses for our Shangri-La Mactan staycation, just email me!

so that's about our March staycation! stay tuned as I post our April staycation! i hope you guys enjoyed this photo diary ;)
starshine and moonbeams, Toni