Karlo Pacana
Hotel Review: Best Western Plus Lex Hotel in Cebu City
Want to find a 4-star hotel and a good home base to discover uptown Cebu and its nearby interesting points of interest? Look no further and read on! It’s a Saturday and we are off to experience a luxurious overnight stay at the heart of the busy Escario Street, a favorite choice for tourists and business travelers alike, Best Western Plus Lex Cebu (hotel info).
Spacious lobby
Here are three more reasons why you should take some time off your busy schedule and just slow down and unwind at this upscale hotel:
24 Hour Frontdesk Support
1. Location. Location. Location.
Situated at the corner intersection of Escario and Juana Osmeña Streets, Best Western Plus Lex Hotel Cebu (hotel reviews) is within the premier business district and is close to everything and I really mean everything be it shopping malls, the Cebu Provincial Capitol, hospitals and academic institutions which is perfect for a lazy individual like me. Laughs!
Adjacent establishments
Facing the building on your right is Escario Central, a strip mall with 24-hour McDonalds and 7-Eleven, Zubuchon (Anthony Bourdain’s favorite pig), Politics (must-try Cebu craft beer), Café Sarree (coffee and award-winning breakfast), Pizzeria Michelangelo (authentic Italian food), Tree Shade (massage and spa) and more.
Appreciating the view
On your left is Green Orkid Commercial Complex with Buddies (burger place), Body and Sole (affordable massage), Cai Hair (salon), Labeled Liquor Store + Bar (popular hangout), a number of banks with ATMs and more.
Kai Restaurant at the groundfloor
Right across is Penong’s (a cheap yet enjoyable barbecue restaurant), Ninoy William’s Payag (billiards and drinks), Big Tom’s Burger and a few hundred meters more you’ll reach Baseline, the center of Sinulog 2016 wet and wild parties and also Mango Avenue, the heart of the Sinulog Grand Parade Festivities and Street Dancing. What I love about Escario Street is that it is exempted from road closures during Sinulog. There is still traffic movement despite the festival.
Day use promo
Setting perfect for romantic dates
Public transportation is just right outside the lobby. You can ride Jeepneys or taxis to Ayala Terraces Mall and Asiatown IT Park in less than 20 minutes depending on the traffic. If you decide to venture to other provinces, the Cebu Pier Area is just 3 kilometers away. If you choose to fly, Mactan Cebu International Airport is just about 12 kilometers or about 30 minutes away. Don’t worry about finding a tour service since the hotel staff can help you with that.
2. Spacious rooms with complete amenities.
We had the corner Superior Room, 904, and it was just perfect right below the roof deck and away from the bustling noise of the city traffic below. The room was classy with lots of exquisite details, eye-catching paintings and impressive lighting.
Best Western Plus Lex Hotel
The room was carpeted which was perfect for walking barefoot and not feel like you’re walking on ice especially at dawn although they have complimentary fluffy slippers provided.
Key card and carpeted floor
Our windows extended from floor to ceiling which was great since we had a view of the Capitol and Escario all to ourselves, perfect for solitary moments while watching cars go by.
View from our room
As a travel writer, their work desk was sufficient also with a reading lamp. Their complimentary WIFI was strong but the connection was unstable. I would also like to commend the number of electric outlets provided perfect for re-charging all my gadgets! The in-room safe was also useful to store these expensive devices.
Welcome letter and complimentary snacks
The flat screen TV plus the comfy beds and pillows were perfect for an all-day movie marathon. If you get thirsty, then there is a mini-bar in the mini-fridge in the mini-drawer. Laughs!
Coffee station
Bathroom amenities and safe
Painting, alarm and telephone
Did I forget to mention their bathrooms? So far with its strong water pressure and heat control, it was the most stimulating shower bath I’ve had in a long time perfect for contemplating your thoughts or just singing your heart out. The bathroom was also spacious with a close-up mirror, a hair dryer and premium toiletries presented in little elegant containers.
Premium toiletries
My comfy bed for a night
After a bath, exit with only your shower robe on and look like a billionaire playboy. Laughs.
3. Roof deck with inviting infinity pool.
What I love about elevated places is the feeling it generates within me, of awe and amazement, watching people as they go about their day to day lives riding their cars that look like little toys. From the roof deck, you can see the transition from day to night, sunrise to sunset, and of the panoramic views the city provides. The bright city lights generated by the Cebu skyline provide a perfect backdrop for romantic dates and after work cocktails at the outdoor lounge.
Mini-gym on the roofdeck
Cebu skyline at dusk and night
Outdoor lounge
Infinity Pool
Night dip
The pool with its mesmerizing water ripples, slow jazz music and ambient lighting is just so inviting for a quick night dip, which I highly recommend by the way, for more exclusivity. No skinny dipping please! Laughs. It is really a great place to chill out, and also to have a quick early morning workout at its functional little gym. Day use of pool with breakfast (Php499) is also available to the public from morning until 5pm.
Room Tip
I recommend occupying non-smoking rooms between 5th to 10th floors away from the traffic noise. Insist on a room with a view of the Provincial Capitol.
Areas for Improvement
The doorman was very helpful and courteous. Front desk staffs were excellent at accommodating our requests and answering our endless queries. However, when we arrived we weren’t served our welcome drinks. Nobody escorted us to our rooms and gave a quick explanation regarding the use of keycards and in-room amenities which should be standard procedure.
Keycard to move up the elevator
Our check-in and check-out was a breeze. We arrived at about 3pm for check-in. However, when we reached room 904, though it was clean, credits to housekeeping, there were still maintenance personnel fixing the screws of our door and last-minute vacuum cleaning. Maybe, it was because of a late check-out of the previous occupant? But when I asked the front desk about this, I found out that they left the room as early as 8AM. Coordination with the front desk and maintenance crew needs improvement.
Breakfast plate
The breakfast buffet had a wide array of delectable international cuisine. Chef Glenn was also very friendly to all the diners. However, we believe that the servers’ attentiveness could have been better. We would also appreciate a quick heads up regarding the food stations available. Also, the management could do something with the overflow of tables in the lobby which was a little uninviting to the guests.
Breakfast spread
Although there were a few setbacks, we believe that these areas can be improved through team effort and support from the management. I surely do hope that these incidents are unlikely to happen the next time and I strongly believe that Lex Cebu can deliver their 4-star promise of service any day of the week.
The King of Sinulog with Miss Angelie
“Overall, I believe that the price-performance ratio of Lex Cebu was commendable. If you’d ask me if I would be back for Sinulog, that would definitely be a yes, especially if it’s for free. Laughs! I would like to extend my gratitude to Lex Cebu specifically to Miss Angelie for a wonderful and luxurious stay.”
Best Western Plus Lex Hotel Cebu (Book via Agoda)
Location: Escario corner Juana Osmeña Sts., Cebu City
Telephone: (032) 416 5511
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bestwesternlex.com/
Facebook: Best Western Plus Lex Cebu
