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June 8 – Mactan, Cebu | For one of its biggest dining events of the year as part of the highly anticipated Cebu Food and Wine Festival, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan curated an epicurean journey that brought guests on gastronomic flights of fancy, fine cuisine. A Feast for the Senses showcased the creativity and excellence of the resort’s culinary team through a dine-around event at its four dining destinations that invited guests to sample the best that each restaurant had to offer: international cuisine at Saffron, Spanish at Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Japanese at Aka by Naoki Eguchi, and desserts and more drinks at Azure Beach Club. Maria Paz Perdices, Ambra Anzani, Ema Onda,Kate Anzani, Kumiko Onda, Daisy Barns Tamsin Booth, Didier Belmonte, Frances Siao, Celeste Miranda, Bert Miranda, Bob Booth Spirits were high and beverages flowed freely the whole evening, thanks to Philippine Wine Merchant, A Wine Company, The Wine Club, Don Revy, Sommelier Selection, Engkanto Brewery, M. Lhuillier Food Product Inc., Future Trade International, Happy Living Philippines, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, and Bauhinia Brewery. Allan Barios at Saffron dessert station Ulysse Jouanneaud Margarette Lhuiller and Perl Jacalan For the after-party and entertainment at Azure Beach Club, renowned mixologist Ulysse Jouanneaud took over the bar, crafting cocktails with Bacardi, Don Papa, Cointreau, and Sula Brands. Chef Allan Barrios presented a dessert spread that included key lime pralines, vanilla bourbon truffles, honey coconut cryos, and tiny flower-potted bamboo shoots that turned out to be made of pistachio. These little works of art were planted alongside vibrant green foliage, smooth stones, and a faux fog effect that created a tropical rainforest diorama out of the dessert table. Lechon belly station at Saffron Dessert display at Azure Beach Club Yellowfin tuna tataki Grilled mackerel with laksa boullabaise The night sky and the distant lights of neighboring islands were the perfect backdrop for a high-energy LED dance performance and fantastic fireworks display that left guests in awe and applause. Rose Hudson Chele Gonzalez Brava potato with chorizo at Enye LED and Tron Dance Aka Private Room The Cebu Food and Wine Festival is supported by the Department of Tourism – Philippines, Visit Central Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Month, and Cebu Pacific Air. 














“This is the beach club’s 3rd Blue Party and we’re very excited to make this event more exciting as we open this to public. Blue Party used to be an exclusive event for our regular guests and elite circle members however we thought why not share the fun?” shares Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan’s General Manager, Didier Belmonte.
Azure Beach Club in Boracay is opening before the year ends and this will be a good platform too to put together a signature event where we will gather the best in music and fashion while we share Azure’s signature experience when it comes to ambience, food and drinks.

The party will feature an Azure Beach Club inspired collection by Cebuano designer Hanz Coquilla for his existing brand Hanz Coquilla Alta Costura and his latest venture Coquille by Hanz Coquilla.
It is not an Azure Beach Club party without its signature bites and mixes, so ticket for the night includes unlimited food and beverage from 8pm to 11:30pm. Enjoy Azure’s classic drinks and cocktails all night long, paired with the beach clubs famed signature nibbles and appetizers.
Music will be taken care of by Azure’s resident DJ Jude Flores with guest DJ Gio Visitacion and the Bordario Brothers, whose collaboration everyone should look forward to. On top of this, guests can also expect surprise performances throughout the night.
Don’t miss out the fun! For tickets call 032 401v999 and 0917 3144 110 and visit azurebeachclubs.com
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Tides Restaurant
Whether you’re checked in at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort or you’re just in the mood for a hearty breakfast, the extensive selection at Tides is a stellar way to start off the day. From local favorites like danggit (dried rabbit fish) and suman (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves), intercontinental staples like waffles and bacon, or even a refreshing bowl of cold soba—you’re bound to find something here that’ll get your energy up for the rest of the day.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu
www.shangri-la.com/Cebu
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The Lapu-Lapu Shrine
Stand ground at the (supposed) sight where the country’s first hero battled and killed Ferdinand Magellan, if only for the photo op.
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu
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Azure Beach Club
Enjoy the sea breeze and have your midday right on the shore at Crimson Resort and Spa. The selection of modern Asian cuisine explores various flavors and influences—like the rich Tandooris, the spiced textures of the Angus Beef Asian Burrito or (this particular writer’s favorite) the strong Garlic Noodles with Rock Scallops. And because you’re on vacation, why not wash it down with a cocktail? We won’t tell.
Crimson Resort and Spa
Seascapes Resort Town, Lapu-Lapu
www.crimsonhotel.com/mactan
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Islands Pasalubong
Make sure to bring home a little bit of Cebu by visiting the island’s most extensive offering of souvenirs. From colorful shirts to the packed delicacies of otap and rosquillos, you’ll find something here everyone back home can appreciate.
Mactan Marina Mall
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Palermo Restaurant
The newly renovated Italian restaurant at the Plantation Bay Mactan is a charming space to dine, its stained glass windows, dark wood furniture and quirky lamps create a charming ambiance. Start the meal off with some tapas—like the roasted bell peppers, calamari and Jamon Iberico—then pick a pasta or a steak for the main course. Being a carnivore myself, it’s US Rib Eye all the way, served with some of the most flavorful garlic potato wedges I’ve ever had.
Plantation Bay Resort & Spa
Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu
www.plantationbay.com
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Ibiza Beach Club
With their own in-house dancers, Mövenpick Resort Cebu’s seaside outlet features a different theme every night for its shows—retro pop, Latin American dances, and movie favorites are just some on the list. Their list of cocktails are equally as appealing, as does the selection of Manny O wines. Of course, if you’re more of a sweet tooth, there’s always the selection of Mövenpick ice cream to properly cap off the night.
Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu
www.movenpick.com/cebu
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by Shari Quimbo
Featured image from FoundersGuide.com
]]>The World Luxury Hotel Awards established in 2006 recognizes the worldwide luxury hotel industry and legendary hotels with respect to overall service excellence. It is positioned as the pinnacle of achievement for luxury hotels worldwide. The Awards account for over 50 categories in the luxury hotel industry and include amongst others Luxury Private Island Resorts, Casino Hotels, City Hotels, and Lodges. The awards are presented to luxury hotels in different categories on a country, continent and global basis.
“At Crimson we pride ourselves not just for a unique and remarkable product but that commendable service and the friendliest staff in the industry as proven by the many fantastic reviews we receive from our guests. Having an organization recognize the efforts we put into our product and service keep us inspired to be at the forefront of providing exceptional service and continue to innovate” shares Crimson Resort Manager, Kristofer Quadros.
This is the 3rd time Crimson has been recognized by the prestigious giving body. In 2013 it was named Country winner for the Luxury Beach Resort category and Global winner for Luxury Thallaso & Spa last year. Opened in 2010 the villa-focused resort has continuously set the benchmark for exclusivity, engagement and premium leisure experience in the region.
Known for its villa experience where guests stay in one of the coveted ocean, beach and pool villas and enjoy the service of a villa host to make all arrangement for a convenient stay, roundtrip airport transfers, exclusive breakfast venue at Tempo and nightly cocktails. Let’s not forget to mention the unlimited spa massage at Aum Spa for the duration of the stay. Minibar items also come as complements in this extra-ordinary experience.

Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan’s Aum Spa (Photography by Adrian Yu/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle Directory, May 2012)
Winners of the WLHA are purely judged on service delivery and effective management voted for by International tour operators, travel agents and hotel guests who get the opportunity to cast their valuable votes annually, making the process fair and unbiased.
World Luxury Hotel Awards category winners serve as an inspiration to nominees and other luxury properties on the global front to raise their levels of service delivery in order to feel comfortable in competing on an international level and to set a benchmark for themselves.
Participation in the World Luxury hotel Awards encourages exclusivity and uniqueness, critical indicators that truly define a luxury hotel.
]]>Tickets start at P1,200, with a special package of P3,500 to include dinner. Book your package online through crimsonhotel.com/mactan

Azure Lounge Area
Photos courtesy of Paolo Anciano