Radisson Blu

Vicky's nephew Migs has been working for the Radisson group for a few months now, and as I've heard from him a lot of good things about their Blu Hotel in Cebu (Blu is at the top-end of the Radisson's hotel brands), I couldn't resist the chance to take a fast tour around the place, which opened November 2010.  Located in the reclamation area of Cebu, the hotel is easy to find, as the building is well lit, can be seen from far away, and is located right beside the SM Mall.  Yes, the lobby is imposing!  Wide, spacious and clean, one gets a good feeling entering the premises.  The structure was built some 10 years ago by the SM group to the specs of the Sheraton chain, but alas, the opening was frequently delayed as the owners felt the time to launch a second 5-star hotel in Cebu City was not yet at hand (note that the Marco Polo, formerly the Cebu Plaza Hotel, was the first 5-star hotel, while the Waterfront Hotel is a 4-star hotel).  Given the tourist boom, it's about time that the Queen City of the South would have another 5-star hotel for its visitors.  Walking around, we noticed that the coffee shop was also spacious and carried a wide range of buffet specialties.  The rooms were well appointed and tastefully done, and my only negative comment was that the corridors were tight & narrow, reminding me of hotels in Hongkong.  Overall, at starting rates of around P5,400 per room night, the hotel would be well recommended for first-time Cebu visitors.