Main Hotel and Suites Cebu did not invite me to promote their property. I booked through Agoda and paid only PHP 1,434.52  for my stay (bed & breakfast for two). Fantastic deal, eh? This time, I wouldn’t say it was an accident but a deliberate choice. 

Main Hotel and Suites Cebu

• Booking Details: Room 603 | Check in/out: June 10 (Saturday at 2 PM) – June 11 (Sunday 11:45 AM)
• Address: J. Panis Street, Old Banilad Rd., Kasambagan, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines, 6000

IN BRIEF:

A stay in the Main Hotel and Suites, a 3-star property in Cebu, is incomparable to our experience at Bellevue Resort or Quest Hotel Cebu. It somewhat reminded me of my unexpected staycation at Maxwell Hotel Cebu. Still, Main Hotel and Suites is a good choice for those looking for a value hotel with a classic vibe, large room, affordable food, quiet location, and decent WiFi.

PROS:

24-Hour Room service, quick check in and check out, a non-smoking room on upper level floor is available upon request, comfy bed, clean and spacious bathroom with shower, sink and bidet, a refrigerator, proper table and two chairs, lots of outlets everywhere, large closet, very quiet location (or probably because we were on the 6th floor), complimentary breakfast, and a large floor area of 27 sq.m.

CONS:

No complimentary toiletries, no in-room beverages except two bottles of 500ml water, and a reception area that’s lackluster at best.

Ever since I saw Main Hotel and Suites selling for PHP1,102/night for a standard queen room with complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about it.

I know I should be saving up for a new laptop (because I gave my old Mac to my brother). But how do you stop curiosity? My solution was to feed it until it was sated.

Main Hotel and Suites was once one of the places we were considering to rent as an office when I was working as an office manager in a software development company.

They have a suite that can be used as a home-office for three Scandinavian bosses and a couple of geeks wrangling codes. We almost signed the deal but it was stopped. I don’t remember what happened exactly but I was just disappointed that I didn’t get to work here.

Of course, I didn’t tell Neil this. I just told him we were going to a hotel for our month-sary. Couples who have been together for about seven years still celebrate monthsary, don’t they? Well, he was okay with it. So we headed out our apartment and pretended we were tourists in Cebu testing out Main Hotel and Suites for the first time.

The Check-In

Main Hotel and Suites lobby was unimpressive. I know I mentioned this earlier but if you’re the kind who thinks first impressions last, you shouldn’t back out so fast.

What the reception lacked in elegance or appeal, it made up for with the attentive receptionist who got us the key, Wi-Fi password and breakfast coupons real quick. Minus filling out the form, the check-in was a breeze. I also couldn’t help noticing the fresh roses on one of the tables. Good sign, I thought.

I used to inspect hotels along with my ex-colleagues and friends, MJ and Jam, when I was working as an administrative assistant in a multinational company in Dubai. The gals introduced me to the world of 5-star properties. Mouth-watering buffet spread. Rooms with modern amenities, bathtubs, and stunning views. Big chains such as Intercontinental Hotel, Grand Hyatt Hotel and Movenpick IBN Battuta Hotel.

Those were the days.

Before that job, I didn’t care about hotels nor dreamed of staying in luxurious accommodations. For me, they were nothing but buildings stealing space from trees and communities. But that job opened a new world for me and the rest was history.

Well, I digress.

Let’s talk more about our experience at Main Hotel and Suites in Cebu.

Main Hotel and Suites: The Standard Queen

You enter the room through a key. Nope, not through a card. I prefer to call it classic instead of ‘old’ or ‘outdated’.

Then it takes a few steps before the room fully reveals itself. You’ll find a large closet on your left, a beauty mirror next, shoe storage area, a bathroom door to your left (if you are staying in the same room as we were). Then, your eyes roam and you see more space plus a window with a village in view.

Everything in the room is designed for the comfort of two adults. Even a kid could fit in. You turn on the TV and Saturday lazy afternoon begins.

I like being a sloth when I’m right beside my favorite person. Don’t you? It should be added in partnership vows: “Let’s be lazy together.” 

Speaking of laziness, we planned on walking in IT Park to look for something to eat for dinner. But room service was available at Main Hotel and Suites. How convenient. LOL!

In most hotels, room service is pricey, but here, it wasn’t. We spent Php 790 for all of these.

You only need to reach out for the phone and dial a number written on the room service menu. In 30 minutes, your order will arrive. Who’s starving?

Bonus Tips

Who doesn’t love insider tips?

• Go to the cafe early in the morning, at 6am,  to make the most of their buffet breakfast. It’s complimentary for most guests so be there before the crowd arrives.
• For light sleepers, book a room on a higher floor, ideally 6th floor and above. Main Hotel and Suites only has seven floors.
• Bring your own toiletries because the bathroom doesn’t have them.
• You can ask the receptionist to book you a taxi, but you can walk if your next destination is just Gaisano Country Mall or Banilad Town Center. They are really near the hotel.

Have you stayed in Main Hotel and Suites Cebu? Tell me and the charming readers of this blog about your experience. Thank you!