One Central Hotel

I picked this hotel because it’s close to the south bus terminal, though I hadn’t realized this part of Cebu is the old city. I guess that adds to the adventure. The bathroom sink seems badly placed, since water ends up staying on the floor. The hotel looks fairly new, and it was clean. All the staff were friendly and accommodating. Breakfast had lots of choices and was really good. I also ordered Dinuldol and Pork Sweet and sour for lunch, and both were really good.

The location is busy and local, but it’s easy to get around from here. It’s within walking distance of the Colon Night market and the large church, and Grab and Move It drivers know the place, so commuting was easy. There’s a local mall next door, plus restaurants and a grocery store in the same building. My room was comfortable enough that I was happy to spend the whole day in it, and housekeeping did a great job. The hotel felt modern and very clean. I liked the rooftop view, used the gym, which met my needs, and found the staff nice and easygoing. I didn’t get to try the pool. Breakfast was good with plenty of options, maybe too many for me since I always overate. I’d stay again.

The staff were welcoming, happy to help, and friendly. I stayed five days on the top floor in a nice room with a huge bed, good air conditioning, and daily cleaning by the maids. The infinity pool was cold, and there’s a gym too. It was a nice place to relax, especially if you’ve got little ones who’d enjoy the pool. Watch the shower, though, because it gets hot very quickly. I wasn’t keen on the location. Downtown felt polluted and dirty, with lots of homeless people and beggars. I didn’t feel unsafe, but walking around wasn’t pleasant, and the bad paths meant I wouldn’t go more than a couple of blocks. The heat and pollution also made it hard to get around on foot. E mall was very convenient and felt like the best place to go during the day, but you’ll need a taxi for most trips. I’d consider staying outside the city, around the outer suburbs near SM Seaside or SM Cebu. This hotel is pretty standard, and if you can afford it, spending more for somewhere more luxurious and away from the bustle may suit you better.

The hotel was fine for a one-night stay near the airport. The room was clean, with enough space, and the bathroom shower was decent. Service was alright, and the restaurant was average. They wouldn’t let us charge the meal to our room. The lift was slow and made me uneasy. When my daughter was inside, I had to hold the doors open to get in because there were no door sensors.