Melo Villareal
The Henry Hotel Cebu Review
Can I help you? Four basic words I heard from the The Henry Hotel Cebu (hotel info) Bellman who carried my bag all the way to the lobby. I’m not sure if its their way of greeting new incoming customers but for me, “Can I help you?” is more welcoming than the usual “Welcome to the Hotel” greetings that we normally hear from hotel staffs.
The Henry Hotel Cebu City Front Desk
The Henry Hotel Cebu Review
The lobby photos on the web doesn’t do justice… The artsy décor is original, eclectic, festive and relaxing to the eye. Imagine a life size red statue of a smiling man, an old European clock, Italian inspired muebles, rusty metal from an old ship turned into an interesting wall decor, European inspired paintings, vintage suitcases and friendly front desk staffs wearing nerdy Ray-Ban eyeglasses – these are just some of the funky features that caught my attention upon entering the hotel.
The Henry Hotel Lobby
The hotel reminds me of Wanderlust Hotel in Singapore where I stayed two years ago but more than just the average artistic touch. The Henry Hotel offers a much wider, relaxing, comfortable space and great location too.
The Hotel Henry Front Desk
Upon entering my room, I felt like I invaded an artist’s private space. The unusual design of the room made a real impression. I was amazed at how they turned imperfections into a pleasant artistic asset. The unpainted ceiling, rough and unfinished concrete walls may not be a welcoming feature but in this hotel, it complimented its overall design concept. It was like walking into an artist gallery converted into a very relaxing bedroom.
Sofa at The Henry Lobby
The Henry Hotel Cebu (check rates) has a total of 6 floors and has 38 uniquely designed rooms that any type of traveler would find enjoyable. This Design Hotel is being managed by Hospitality International Inc., the same company that runs The Picasso in Makati, Parque Espana Residential Hotel in Alabang and other properties in Tagaytay and Metro Manila.
Mini Library
I have stayed in more than a hundred hotels in Southeast Asia and North America and I can say that this hotel is the one of the best when it comes to design and decor. With its unconventional design and unpretentious service, I was surprised how affordable the room rates are.
Corner Couch at one of the Big Rooms
When one thinks of the things you’d want in a hotel, you probably think of friendly service, clean and stylish rooms, convenience, delicious food and a wide range of amenities. It seems like this shouldn’t be too difficult to accomplish, and yet so many hotels are disappointing, from the big name hotels to boutique hotels that over charge for mediocre service.
Birds of Paradise
The Henry Hotel is an exception in all things. It is beautiful and clean, everyone is helpful and friendly, and the breakfast is picture perfect.
Rica’s Restaurant
The Staff Matters
One thing that can make even a weak hotel feel like home is a kind and helpful staff. At The Henry Hotel Cebu (check rates), the staff couldn’t be more obliging. Everyone seems to go out of their way to make sure you’re enjoying yourself. And it doesn’t feel like you’re being watched or like you’re being greased up for tips.
Tocino Breakfast
The staff at The Henry Hotel Cebu are all warm and friendly, with sincere and generous smiles that are not just planted on their faces so you’ll think well of them. It could be that they actually enjoy their jobs, and that when you’re happy, they’re happy. So many hotels promise these things but very few can manage a staff well enough to make sure they deliver.
My Bedroom for two nights
Style and Amenities
The unconventional style of The Henry Hotel is modern but off-beat, and every detail is cared for. Each room is unique and has it’s own look. Some are in neutral colors or black and white, ones with muted accents, while others have flaring red accents and funky patterned couches. It’s well worth asking to see any of the 36 rooms and 2 suites that you can, just for the fun of seeing the individualized styles.
The Welcome Note
I stayed in a Large Room, I was really fascinated with the 36sqm space with one comfortable King sized beds, 32-inch LCD TVs, Rain and handheld showers. The wall right behind the door is painted with a lady posing next to a beautiful Cadillac while the rest of the walls were contrasted with a coating of ocean blue paint.
Second Floor Gallery
The comfortable bed fronts the window with two eligant lamps on both sides. A long table with a lamp served as a perfect workstation right beside my bed, Its perfectly placed so anyone can rest if they need to. Behind the bed is a square dining table with 2 chairs and a complimentary plate of in season fruits.
6th Floor Hallway
On the right side of the bed is a small couch, a personal sized refrigerator, a tall mirror and a small table where your belongings can be placed.
Gallery at the Ground Floor
Big Room
Big Room
This room is the smallest among the rooms they have in the hotel but it being the smallest, you will be surprised that the size of the room is 36sqm, quite spacious when compared to the industry standard. The room has one King size bed, a 32-inch LCD TV, Rain and handheld showers and a stylish design that is unique with each room.
XL Room
X-Large Room
Extra Large room has 72sqm of space which can comfortably accommodate 2 guests. It also has one King size Bed, 32-inch LCD TV, DVD player, couches, lamps, Rain Showers and wood furniture that is placed right beside the long table.
XXL Room
XX-Large Room
The largest among all room categories, this has 108sqm of space that can easily lodge 4 persons. It has two King Size Beds, Two 40-inch LCD TVs, DVD player, 2 bathrooms with Rain Showers, one with double sink and pedestal bathtub.
My Bathroom
Apart from the huge rooms, they also offer 2 complimentary bottles of drinking water, daily newspaper, Parking directly by the hotel, Welcome drink, Free garage in or directly by hotel, Late check-out (depending on the availability of rooms) and Wireless LAN / WiFi in each room.
Antique Book Shelves
Art Gallery
If you love to see more paintings, you can visit a gallery located right next to the hotel entrance or you may want to visit the second level of the hotel. Outside the bar called Scrapyard, I was really impressed with the art gallery featuring the works of Delphine Delorme.
The Rica’s Restaurant
The Food
My room accommodation includes complimentary breakfast. The hotel serves their breakfast at the Rica’s Restaurant located right in front of the front desk. They offer ala carte breakfast in which you can
choose among American, European and Filipino breakfast options. I tried Filipino Tocino Breakfast on my first day, and Bangus with egg and veggie salad on my second day.
My Work and Candy Crush station
And if you’re like me and you want to try the restaurant, you will not be disappointed. Italian food made with fresh ingredients is always nice to come home to after a day of seeing Cebu City.
Sofa at Rica’s Restaurant
Just like the hotel, the restaurant also has impressive interior design. Imagine a long table with over sized dining chairs, various uniquely designed dining tables and chairs, beautiful chandeliers, modern architectures, murals and a few interesting quotes hand painted on the walls.
Virus Boutique
Ease of Access
The Henry goes a bit further in making sure that you get to and from the hotel and Cebu City without any problems. They have a car service that will pick you up from the airport. They go out of their way to make sure you know where to go to see the sights.
Hotel Reminders
All in all, The Henry sounds too good to be true. And the thing is, it really is that good. Impeccable comforts with impeccable staff make this the home away from home that you’d want your hotel to be. Don’t bother staying anywhere else, because nothing compares to the hip atmosphere and amazing designs of The Henry Hotel.
The Henry Hotel Cebu Logo
The Henry Hotel Cebu (book online)
Address : No. 1 Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road
Banilad Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: +63 32 520-8877 / +63 917 305 0737
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thehenryhotel.com/
Follow them on Facebook: TheHenryHotel
The Henry Hotel is professionally managed by Hospitality International, Inc.
