JUST a few minutes before the sun decided to call it a day, its deep, orange and pink hues impressed everyone who were making their way to the new Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort. Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) formally opened its first luxury resort hotel last Dec. 5.
The 300-room resort, located in Mactan Island, Cebu is one of the few and new establishments located on the northwestern tip of the island, thus, guests are provided with a picturesque view unmatched by any Instagram filter.
People were welcomed at the spacious lobby, with performers dancing to tribal beats. The entertainment lined up all the way leading guests to the Dusit Ballroom—the biggest one in Mactan to date at 1,235 square meters—where the formalities was held.
The official ribbon cutting was done by the following: Arthur Gindap (senior vice president and business unit general manager, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts), Ma. Cynthia King–Chan (first lady, Lapu-Lapu City), Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza, Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Frederick Go (chief executive officer, Robinsons Land Corp.), Khun Boon Kwee Lim (chief operating officer, Dusit International) and David Anthony Baldwin (general manager, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu).
“It’s an exciting time (for Cebu) and there’s no better time to be a stakeholder in the country’s tourism but now,” reiterated Puyat during her address before dinner.
The four-course meal featured the careful marriage of technique and tribute as the dishes served for the night highlighted the best of local produce and were prepared with culinary precision. There’s “The Best of Magellan Sea” (Tuna sashimi with mango salsa, parrot fish kinilaw, poached prawn on wasabi mascarpone, grilled baby octopus, mango purée); “Farmer’s Garden” (Tomato consommé, chicken quenelles, green papaya, sayote julienne, poached quail egg); “Highland Delight” (Duo of highland pork, double cooked pork belly and pork roulade, roasted apple compote, chicharon gravel, rice cake, asparagus spears); and “Mactan Sunset” (Mango yolk sorbet, coconut disk, sticky rice, fresh mango mint salsa and dulce gel).
The night went on with more music from guests performers Yessha dela Calzada and Anna Fegi-Brown, before culminating in a grand fireworks display held right outside the resort. Of course, everybody had the chance to get a good look at the signature 100-meter long infinity pool that seems to merge with the sea.
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort is a five-star beachfront resort managed by Thailand’s Dusit International.