Karlo Pacana
Hotel Review: Escario Central Hotel in Cebu City
HELLO STRANGERS!
We’re off for an overnight stay at Escario Central Hotel (hotel info) located on the uptown side of Cebu City, a hotel conveniently located within a mini-mall near the Cebu Provincial Capitol Building and only a few hundred meters away from Ayala Center Cebu. Here are four other reasons why you should book a stay at this value-for-money hotel:
24-hour front desk support
1. Minimalistic Oasis
My first impression when I set foot in the premises was that it looked a bit oriental. With its green lawn, koi pond and bamboo trees, you’ll feel like you’re in a Zen garden, transported away from the noise and stress of the city.
Arrival
Services available upon request
Koi pond
Cafe-like lawn
It also has a café-like patio with towering umbrellas perfect for afternoon coffee and casual conversation with friends. The hotel has a resort feel to it.
Long quiet hallways
Its bungalow-type rooms are seamlessly scattered in rows and divided by quiet hallways, assuring a good night’s sleep. This hotel is also very ideal for persons with disability.
Room 140
My comfy bed for a night
Room key and meal coupons
Such romantic towels
Plants outside the room
Moreover, if you’re someone who’s tired of using the stairs, afraid of sleeping atop skyscrapers or cramped spaces and also paranoid of sudden earthquakes, then this hotel is for you. There is also no need to worry when it rains since all areas within Escario Central Hotel (hotel reviews) have covered-walks up to your room.
LCD Cable TV and traditional door and lock
LCD Cable TV and traditional door and lock
Open cabinet and mirror
My adequate work space
When I opened room 140, the air-con and TV was already switched on. I had the red room two single beds which was simple yet very functional (a basic bathroom with hot and cold shower, LCD Cable TV, good air-conditioning, an open cabinet and with stable Internet connection.)
2. Everything is Near
Escario Central Hotel (online booking) has an adjacent strip mall with a bank, spa and salon, and establishments with good parking space such as 24-hour McDonalds and 7-Eleven, and Jollibee (Filipino favorite), Zubuchon (organic roasted pig), Pizzeria Michelangelo (Italian restaurant), Politics (Cebu craft beer), Café Sarree (breakfast place), and right across is Capitol Square which is also full of good shops.
Ample parking space
The neighborhood is generally safe, even for solo travelers who love to stroll. Public utility Jeepneys are easily accessible and can take you anywhere in Cebu City at a minimum fare of 7 pesos. Indeed, the location is one of this hotel’s strong suites!
3. Accommodating Staff
Ask and you shall receive. This is what most of the guests fail to do when staying here. Many complain that the hotel lack basic amenities but one should take note that the mini-fridge, desk and chair, coffee set, hair dryer and iron and ironing board are all available upon request.
With Myra, Manager of Escario Central Hotel Cebu
Special mention to Ian and Myra for being very attentive to my needs. In less than eight minutes, my demands were met. There are no safety deposit boxes in the rooms because it is centralized at the 24-hour front desk which is under 24-hour security surveillance. My check-in and check-out was also a breeze.
4. Breakfast at CAFÉ SARREE
The breakfast coordination of the front desk and Café Sarree was perfect. Every detail of my food request was correct. The Filipino Tapa breakfast (Php180) was ready in a minute. It was really satisfying! After eight minutes, the fluffy pancakes (Php180) arrived. They literally melted in my mouth!
Cafe Sarree facade
Though it was a small two-tiered boutique café, they have a wide food selection and their plating was very lovely. Just a little tip at Café Sarree. Eat early to avoid the crowd and waiting quite a long time for the food to be served.
Cafe Sarree Menu and Specials
Filipino breakfast
Also, don’t eat outside if possible since it’s a smoking zone and at one point a foul canal smell lingered in the area which I hope the management would address. Special mention to Jade who was also very prompt in attending to my needs. Though I was eating alone, I never felt lonely because of Blacky (the dog on 24-hour security detail who also watched me eat at Café Sarree). After my stay, I decided to give him a leftover burger which he turned down to my surprise. Maybe he’s watching his carbs? Laughs.
These pancakes are so fluffy
Inside Cafe Sarree
Perfect for casual conversations and coffee breaks
There were a few negligible incidences during my Friday night stay. First, we experienced a brownout at about 3:25PM. Good thing they had a backup generator which restored the electricity in 30 seconds, but the cable TV returned after 5 silent minutes. Second, the phone signal reception inside the room, specifically SUN, is very weak. You need to go out to take a call. It also affected my pocket WIFI’s internet speed. Third, you must use traditional keys to open the door (a potential security threat) and turn everything on and off by yourself. Fourth, there were limited cable channels and no available TV guide. Fifth, the bath towel was too short that I couldn’t wrap it around my waist. Laughs.
Tiny details
Room Tip: Don’t leave your key at the front desk. I know it’s bulky and hotel policy, but you must understand that there is a security loophole here. Any other guest could claim your room key and have a shopping spree. I know the management and front desk is already aware of this but Murphy’s Law exists for a reason right? Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong especially when it involves human factors.
Escario Central Hotel Guest Room
Overall, I had an amazing stay at this spacious Zen-like villa. I hope this review would be used as a means for improvement and a guide to potential guests. So my dear strangers, if ever you are in Cebu City and are looking for an affordable and accessible place to stay, look no further, all that and more is waiting for you at Escario Central Hotel, where everything happens!
Escario Central Hotel Cebu (Book Via Agoda)
N. Escario Street Kamputhaw
Cebu City 6000 Philippines
Email: rsvn@escariocentral.com
Tel: +63 (32) 520 2222
Cebu Travel and Tour Packages
Check out our list of affordable Manila hotels and resorts via Agoda and Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Follow the Out of Town Travel Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest if you want more travel and food-related updates.
Read:
- 3 Reasons To Choose Best Western Plus Lex Hotel When in Cebu City
- Coffee All Day: 24-Hour Cafes in and Near Metro Manila
- 10 Hotels and Resorts in Tagaytay with Infinity Pool
- Ultimate List of The Best Hotels and Resorts in Osaka, Japan
