5-Star Hotels in Central Visayas, Philippines

"One of the best hotels I have stayed in! It was extremely clean, staff was helpful and friendly and the rooms were just amazing! The rooms were very spacious and kept in a great condition. The food was also great and other services like the spa and massage was definitely worth it."

"The absolute highlight of this hotel is definitely the view. The room facilities are pretty standard, as it's an older hotel. The kids absolutely loved the pool area, especially the slide. In the afternoon, when the tide went out, we could go to the beach and collect starfish, and we saw so many fish! It's a shame we only stayed one night; we'd love to go back again if we get the chance!"

"I would highly recommend this place. The location is perfect, the view is amazing, it is connected to a mall, and also near the biggest mall in cebu making it convenient for shopping and getting what we need and want out of the trip. We were welcomed with a very warm and accommodating concierge, butler service is top tier. There are the few minor things that let the hotel down. - when you check in you are greeted with a refreshment. And it tasted like toothpaste - there was no hot water in the shower. Strangely, you can get hot water in the sink. - The tv didn’t work as expected. - The rugs werent cleanly washed. However, we did share these concerns to the hotel and they were kind to arrange a breakfast in our room and a late check out free of charge. Overall, the stay was fantastic, and we are looking forward to going back."

"We stayed in a family room at Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan with our kids, and it was a very hassle-free 'hotel stay' experience, perfect for families looking to relax. - **Room and Space:** The family rooms/cottages are spacious, with plenty of room for an extra bed or crib. The standalone, low-rise villas or cottages offer great privacy and have a courtyard. However, some standard room types show a bit of wear and tear, so don't expect the same level of newness as a luxury brand hotel in Sanya. - **Family-friendly Amenities:** Several pools have dedicated kids' areas, and the Crimzone Kids Club, playground, and Saturday bubble party were a huge hit with the children. You can borrow snorkeling gear for free at the private beach, where you can spot small fish in the shallows. However, the beach has some rocks and seaweed, so I recommend wearing water shoes. - **Service and Dining:** The staff are very friendly towards children. Breakfast offers a wide variety of options, including many kid-friendly meals. The Japanese restaurant was particularly excellent! - **Location and Drawbacks:** It's very close to the airport (about a 10-minute drive), which is convenient for layovers or short stays. Overall, it's a great choice for a pure vacation vibe with high family-friendliness. If you can tolerate slightly slower service and minor hardware imperfections, a few days here with the kids will be very relaxing."

"We had a wonderful family stay at Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the beautiful beachfront setting, relaxing atmosphere, and warm Filipino hospitality. The resort is perfect for families who want to slow down, spend quality time together, and enjoy a beautiful escape without having to leave the property. We especially loved the pools, the beach, and the peaceful surroundings. Everything felt comfortable and well-maintained. The staff were friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout our stay. Their service really made us feel taken care of and added to the overall experience."

"An amazingly delightful stay experience 🌈 🌟 【Location】 Just the right spot: A 15-20 minute drive to both the airport and downtown Panglao. Ride-hailing apps can be a bit slow to respond at the hotel. Pro tip: Ask the front desk to help hail a tricycle directly; it costs about 20 pesos to get to town and offers great value for money. 🌟 【Service】 Must give a huge shoutout! The entire staff is warm and friendly, always greeting you proactively, and very responsive to requests. Security is top-notch; vehicle plates and identities are checked upon entry and exit, providing a strong sense of safety. 🌟 【Rooms】 Although there are many room types, they essentially boil down to two main categories: with private pool / without private pool. Once you figure that out, you don't need to overthink the specific names—just pick what suits your needs. 🌟 【Amenities & Recreation】 The pools are the absolute highlight of this resort! They have it all: private room pools, a large public pool, a kids' pool, and an Instagram-worthy glass pool. Both adults and kids can find something they love. A quick heads-up: The beach sand is a bit coarse, and the water near the shore is quite shallow with lots of seagrass (even a hundred meters offshore, the water is less than shin-deep). It’s not ideal for ocean swimming, so sticking to the pools is the way to go! 🌟 【Dining】 Breakfast isn't overwhelmingly large, but it has all the essentials. The chicken soup with noodles is highly recommended. For lunch and dinner, heading into town is a better bet. Tested and ranked in order of preference: Seafood BBQ around the corner from McDonald's > Dai In Seafood > The grilled pork chop shop on the left at the entrance of Dai In Seafood Alley. Overall Review: A top-tier resort in Panglao, Bohol, in terms of overall hardware and software. Well worth a stay ✨"

"Great birthday stay with a few caveats We stayed at The Reef Island Resort Mactan to celebrate my birthday, and overall we had a wonderful time. They even gave us a slice of cake. Our room had a sea view, and we really enjoyed breakfast with a view of the sea and the beach — where you can go snorkeling. In the water, we saw lots of corals, fish, small clownfish (Nemo), and even a triggerfish. The infinity pool is awesome. There are several restaurants and a spa on the property. All guests get 30 minutes of free access to the arcade room, which has billiards, air hockey, table tennis, and a small basketball game. On the top floor, there's a restaurant with a panoramic view, and the prawns and panini were very tasty. However, there is one major downside: we asked for more water to make tea, and we were told that each additional 0.5L bottle costs 150 pesos. In our room, we only had 1 liter for two people per day, which is very little. For reference, a 0.5L bottle costs 10 pesos in a store, so the price is simply unreasonable. Also, there are no shops within walking distance of the hotel. Despite the water issue, we still enjoyed our stay and would recommend it for the location, facilities, and snorkeling."