A State of Shangri-La
On the day of love, during the second week of February, your lifestyle jotter went off to Mactan island to avoid the city traffic of lovers dining, wining, and yes, loving. Instead of celebrating the night sweetly with a romantic partner, my friends and I enjoyed a divine tasting home-cooked Chinese dinner prepared by Lili, the Beijing-based sister of Nelly.

Nelly Egle, the wife of Rene Egle, the General Manager of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, has been residing in these islands for barely two years but she’s already made a lot of local friends. She hosted a casual dinner for of eight and, since I was already billeted at the Shang that day, I attended. Needless to say, we had so much fun. Heading back to the hotel after dinner was a precious experience.
I woke up the next day refreshed, rejuvenated and reveling in the uninterrupted panorama of the sparkling azure seas and clear blue skies. I thought I was at Conway’s Lost Horizon lamasery but then I realized that I was at a much better place: Panorama Suite Room 7001, a luxurious one-bedroom suite with a private balcony, separate parlor and dining area, just an hour away from the heart of Cebu City.

It took great effort to peel myself self off from the soft bed with its 300 thread-count linen and plush pillows. However, I remembered my itinerary for the day, which included viewing the resort collection of my friend Miranda Konstantinidou at one of the hotel’s boutiques. Thus I divested myself of the cotton Yukata, took a luxurious bath, and headed up to the eighth floor for a light and quiet breakfast.

Access to Ocean Club Lounge, with its all-day beverages and refreshments, evening cocktails and canapés, is an added value to the Shangri-La Staycation. Other notable conveniences include a choice between breakfast buffet at Tides (where everyone else goes) or the less busy, more scenic Acqua contemporary Italian restaurant, exclusive access to the Ocean Wing pool, and complimentary access to the Water Pavilion of CHI spa. For a complete list of exclusive amenities at the Panorama Suite here’s the link: www.shangri-la.com/cebu/mactanresort/rooms-suites/suites/ocean-wing/ocean-wing-panorama-suite/.

A visit to Shangri-La is always memorable and enjoyable. More than being an experience, it is being in a state of utmost relaxation and luxury. I realized this in the luxury of its amenities, of being surrounded by the best staff and of owning my time. Wouldn’t you yourself want to experience that state of Shangri-la soon?
The Spring of Friendship
Lunch with the ladies turns both elegant and gastronomically exciting when the ladies are Margie Lhuillier and Nelly Egle and the vegetarian fare is prepared by Chef Boon Bun Hoe of The Tea of Spring at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa .

Margie, with her endearing kindness and sense of humor, is one of the country’s well-dressed women. Nelly is an accomplished artist, my muse and good friend. She is stunningly beautiful in a white column dress with my calligraphy of mind/heart silkscreened near the hem. For his part, award-winning Chef Boon Bun Hoe brings culinary expertise, which ensures the authenticity and quality required of the Cantonese restaurant, Tea of Spring. Inspired by the beautiful flavors of Chinese tea, he creates dishes that are both healthy and pleasing to the palate.
“The Tea of Spring cuisine reflects the rich culinary heritage of China,” he says.
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