Hotel Review: Bai Hotel Cebu

Bai Hotel Cebu Review

I was invited to an AirAsia Red Talks event and offered official accommodation at Bai Hotel Cebu. It was my home in Cebu for two nights. I have been to Cebu a couple of times, but this is my first time staying at the newly opened Bai Hotel Cebu (check rates and availability). Based on my short but meaningful experience here, this five-star hotel has left a lasting impression on the digital nomad that is me.

Bai Hotel is truly massive. Opened just this March, it has quickly become the largest hotel in the Visayas and Mindanao region, offering 688 rooms and ten different accommodation choices. Imagine being a humble guest in such an impressively large building, surrounded by unparalleled hospitality and luxury.

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Location

Strategically located near many of Cebu’s famous landmarks, Bai Hotel Cebu sits just 25 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Both Cebu IT Park and Cebu Business Park are also around 25 minutes away, providing convenient access for visitors.

Located centrally in Cebu, Bai Hotel provides exceptional accessibility. Major landmarks like Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu are just a short drive away. With taxis passing by 24/7, transportation is convenient and reliable.Located centrally in Cebu, Bai Hotel provides exceptional accessibility. Major landmarks like Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu are just a short drive away. With taxis passing by 24/7, transportation is convenient and reliable.

Arrival experience

We arrived at the hotel at night, and the lobby was bustling with people. Despite the crowds and my concerns about check-in delays, the staff handled everything efficiently. The only minor issue was a slight delay in getting our luggage.

We later found out the hotel was crowded due to numerous ongoing corporate events. Clearly, the hotel has already drawn a significant crowd in just a short time since its opening.

Rooms

As expected from a hotel of this size, the rooms at Bai Hotel were exceptionally spacious. I stayed in a Deluxe Twin room, usually intended for two guests. However, the room was so large that it could have comfortably held one or two more people without any sense of crowding! That’s how spacious it was.

The room included a chiller, electronic safe, flat iron, and ironing board. I appreciated the selection of toiletries, as well as the complimentary water, coffee, and tea offered at the bar. Added amenities such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and an emergency kit enhanced my stay.

I thoroughly enjoyed the complimentary buffet breakfast that came with my room.

Food

This large hotel offers an impressive array of dining options, with eight restaurants and cafés available. While most are situated on the ground floor, several—such as the pool bars and clubs—can be found on higher levels.

Wallstreet Coffee and Bar is a trendy, 24-hour café located on the ground floor. It serves coffee, blended drinks, juices, and fruit smoothies upon request. Be sure to try their freshly baked goods as well.

Located on the ground floor, Lobby Lounge offers fresh drinks, beer, and light snacks. Open from 7 AM to midnight, it’s the ideal place for foodies looking for a quick bite.

UME Japanese Cuisine lives up to its name, offering a variety of sashimi, yakitori, and sushi. Enjoy lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, or dinner from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Marble + Grain Steakhouse: When they say steak, they include not only premium cuts of beef, but also lamb, pork, seafood, and chicken dishes. Fine dining at its best.

Café Bai: Open daily from 6 AM to 10 AM, the hotel’s restaurant serves a buffet and all-day dining with a wide selection of Eastern and Western cuisines.

On the 21st floor, the Pool Bar serves excellent snacks, fresh drinks, and cocktails, all while guests enjoy a spectacular view of the Cebu skyline.

Just above, on the 22nd floor, the Executive Club Lounge welcomes guests staying on the Executive Club Floor. Here, guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet, a variety of refreshments, afternoon tea, and an assortment of beer and other drinks.

Head to the Twilight Roofdeck Lounge and Bar on the 23rd floor if you’re craving music and dancing. This vibrant spot is open every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM.

Facilities

Bai Hotel Cebu (check rates and availability) is a home away from home, which means that it does not fall short when it comes to the completeness of its amenities.

The rooftop swimming pool is the hotel’s standout feature, with the Pool Bar and Twilight Roofdeck Lounge + Bar located on the lower floors. Guests can make use of these facilities at any time of day, and are encouraged to do so.The rooftop swimming pool is the hotel’s standout feature, with the Pool Bar and Twilight Roofdeck Lounge + Bar located on the lower floors. Guests can make use of these facilities at any time of day, and are encouraged to do so.

The hotel features a spa and a fitness gym. The Spa Garden is located on the 6th floor, and there is also a souvenir shop available.

The hotel has 16 conference rooms, all of which seemed fully booked during our stay. The smallest room holds 15 people, while the largest—the 655-square-meter Lapu Lapu Grand Ballroom—can accommodate up to 700 guests.

Departure

My departure and checkout process was just as easy as my check-in. It was nice to see how the hotel staff remained consistently attentive throughout my stay. The place was very busy, but I appreciated how well they managed the influx of guests.

Final verdict

Staying at Bai Hotel is a wonderful experience. You might feel dwarfed by the hotel’s size at first, and it can take some time to get accustomed to finding your way around. However, it has a nice, classy ambiance that anyone could appreciate.

Many people checked in during our stay, but the noise never became an inconvenience. The staff managed everything very well despite how busy it was, which was commendable—especially for a newly opened hotel.

Overall, I highly recommend staying at Bai Hotel. The room rates are neither too cheap nor too expensive, and the experience is worth every penny.

Bai Hotel Cebu
Book Online via Agoda
Address: A1 Ouano Ave, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu
Phone: (032) 342 8888

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