We stayed at Hotel Elizabeth twice and paid from our own pocket for both stays. Why twice? It’s because of a booking mistake. We don’t regret it. A staycation is in order when you need to catch up on your sleep debts and break your digital addiction.

HOTEL ELIZABETH

Address: Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Kamputhaw, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines | Phone  (02) 912 2691
Booking Details: Room 401 | Check in/out: Nov. 11 (Saturday at 1:30PM) – Nov. 12 (Sunday 11:55 AM)
Booking Details: Room 711 | Check in/out:  Nov. 18 (Saturday at 2 PM) – Nov. 19 (Sunday 11:58 AM)

IN BRIEF:

Hotel Elizabeth turned seven this year. This stately property is a great base for exploring Cebu City, being a few steps away from Ayala Malls and Cebu Business Park.

THE PROS: elegant, engaging lobby design, spacious room (with huge, cushy bed!), and great spread for buffet breakfast.

THE CONS: No pool, small outdoor garden and the gym is open at limited hours.

Rates

Published room rates start from Php 5,000 a night. Booking sites like Agoda.com and Booking.com offer room rates as low as Php 2,500/night (in November, 2017).

Basics

Hotel Elizabeth is a boutique property exuding classic features. Opened in November 2010, the 12-story, 131-room property is the second Hotel Elizabeth branch in the country (next to the award-winning Baguio branch) of Fersal Hotel Group. The lobby has a very high ceiling with lavishly designed chandelier. The walls are painted with inspiring Italian art. Glamorous red velvet furniture pieces accentuate the restaurants and common areas in the hotel.

Location

Hotel Elizabeth is a five-minute walk from Metro Ayala, PUV Terminal and Cebu Business Park. With that said, guests at the hotel get easy access to one of the most walkable parts and most lucrative business areas in Cebu City.

The Room

Entry-level rooms are either a Deluxe Queen Room or a Deluxe Twin Room. Each room type has its own appeal. Both can sleep up to two adults and two children. The photograph of Italy on the headboard added a character to the room. When I hit the mattress planning to nap, I ended up sleeping for more than an hour. The bed was super comfortable with the right bounce and sink with soft, smooth, and fresh-smelling pillows (tip: there are extra pillows inside the cabinet in case you need more). Two elegant nightstands complemented the room’s walls and carpeted floor.

The Bathroom

The hotel vanity top didn’t have the ‘wow factor’ simply because it wasn’t white. Towels are provided and toiletries are products of the hotel (good souvenirs for hoarders, like me). If you can bring your own towels, it’s best to do so as I could not vouch for their cleanliness. Travel slippers are also available with the hotel’s name on them. There is a hot and cold shower and it’s separated from the toilet by a plastic shower curtain. There’s no bidet but there’s at least a hair dryer (located on top of the safe).

Amenities

Rooms have free WiFi. A basic gym has most of the basic items needed for work out (though I never got the chance to try them because the gym is not open 24/7). There is no pool, just a tiny outdoor garden on the third floor.

Breakfast

A stay at Hotel Elizabeth includes complimentary breakfast for two at Flora Cafe, located at the ground floor near the hotel lobby. I especially enjoyed their potato with parsley, scrambled eggs with bell peppers, and fried danggit (salted, sun dried rabbit fish)! I don’t usually like buffet restaurants but the cafe’s offers were delicious. As a special treat, the chef made us a concoction of hotdogs and cheese. It wasn’t that good but we appreciated the effort by thanking him and eating everything on the plate.

Takeaway

Hotel Elizabeth provides a great stay, but it still lacks the sophistication of a 4-star property. However, for its current rate, it sure offers value for money.

Bonus Tips:

1. Check both Agoda and Booking.com to take advantage of secret deals. Compare their prices before making a reservation to get the most bang for your bucks.
2. It doesn’t hurt to recheck your booking dates before traveling. If ever you forget to do that, be ready by bringing extra cash to book on the fly.

Have you stayed in Hotel Elizabeth Cebu before? Tell me about your experience.