Cebu hotels, resorts offer discounted room rates on Lenten

CITY hotels are now offering discounted “stay-cation” packages, as they expect low occupancy during the Holy Week.

Resorts, meanwhile, are bracing for the influx of local and foreign guests who will stay at their facilities for the long holiday.

“As usual Holy Week is low season for the city hotels, that’s why we do promos during this time,” said Cenelyn Manguilimotan, general manager of Cebu Parklane International Hotel.

Local tourists are expected to head to the countryside or travel abroad during the long break. Holy Week starts on March 29 (Palm Sunday) and ends on April (Easter Sunday).

But amid the projected low occupancy next week, city hotels are anticipating some pick-up.

“We are still on 40 percent during the Holy Week based on forecast and we are still optimistic to get some pick-up to increase occupancy,” said Manguilimotan.

To lure locals, city hotels are offering room discounts coupled with activities for adults and children during the Holy Week.

Activities

Aside from the usual Easter egg hunt,, Parklane will have a “A Trip Down Memory Lane at the Parklane on Holy Week” at P10,300 for three days and two nights with breakfast for two, airport transfers, tour of Cebu’s historical landmarks, Visita Iglesia night tour and free entrance to the Easter egg hunting activity, said Manguilimotan.

Five-star city hotel, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, which currently has 60 percent occupancy, is also anticipating some pick-up as the Holy Week approaches.

The hotel, according to Manna Alcaraz, the hotel’s assistant communication manager is offering about “10 percent off its best available room rate.”

“Our room offers start at P5,500 net for a deluxe mountain view room,” the hotel said in its press release.

Guided tours

From April 2 to 5, Marco Polo will be mounting the Piccolo Kids Club Activity Zone, where kids can experience balloon twisters, film showing, kite making and other arts and crafts activities. There will also be game booths, popcorn booths and other surprises. On Easter Sunday, the hotel will have an Easter egg hunt and face painting.

In observance of Holy Week, the hotel will offer guided tour with shuttle service. On April 2, hotel guests can join the Visita Iglesia to seven churches in Cebu while on April 3, guests can participate in the Way of The Cross at Celestial Gardens. On Easter Sunday, the hotel will hold an Easter mass.

Although, they expect a less busy week, Cebu City Marriott Hotel is offering food and beverage promotions. The hotel, media communications manager Charlene Go said, is extending its local weekend promotion of P5,299 net from April 2 to 5.

For the locals

Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is also offering a stay-cation package for its superior rooms with buffet breakfast at P4,800 for local guests. Princes Anderle, the hotel’s director of marketing and communications, said the hotel will also feature activities for kids like Easter egg hunting and cupcake decorating. The hotel is also offering food and beverage promotions.

Quest Hotel and Conference Center, on the other hand, is expecting an average 70 percent occupancy.

But like other city hotels, the hotel hopes to reach 85 percent occupancy closer to the holiday dates with their ongoing deluxe room rate promo of P2,900 with breakfast starting today until April 5, said Mia Sy, the hotel’s public relations and marketing and communications manager.

Peak season

While the Holy Week is considered a low season for city hotels, resorts, on the other hand, enjoy high to full occupancy during the long break.

“Holy Week is always peak (period) for resorts,” said Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort general manager Rhyz Buac. He expects the resort’s occupancy to reach at least 85 percent, mostly for foreign guests.

Sy, who is also the public relations and marketing and communications manager for Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan said the resort should have an average of 80 percent and higher by the weekend.

“We have different activities at the beach for families, adults and children, including fun races, Easter crafts, egg hunt, picnics and nightly outdoor buffets,” she said.

Summer crowd

Average occupancy of Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa starting April 1 until April 5 is expected to be around 90 percent. Johanna Patalinjug-Lood, the resort’s marketing and communications officer, said they expect the occupancy to increase as the weekend approaches.

“We are expecting an increase, not only because it’s Holy Week but because summer has just started and lots of Filipinos check-in for summer,” said Lood.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 earlier said they are expecting an empty city during the Holy Week, as most will head to the provinces for the long break.

In Cebu, DOT 7 Director Rowena Montecillo said they expect locals to head to the southern part of Cebu because of the rich cultural heritage such as old churches and natural attractions like caves, waterfalls and beaches.

Others, on the other hand, will head to Bantayan Island, which has been called the Lenten Capital of the Visayas.

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