A Heavenly Stay At Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, The City's Only 5-Star Hotel

Valerie
Valerie 
Updated
| 3 min read

The only 5-star hotel in Cebu City, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu remains on top even after new competition in the industry has arrived. This 24-storey hotel has a total of 329 rooms, including suites, set on a 7.5-hectare (18.5-acre) property in Nivel Hills, a peaceful area in Cebu City, only 40 minutes away from the airport. Learn more about this topnotch hotel in the Queen City of the South.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on June 16, 2020.

A local landmark

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu - The Continental Club-19
Source: Photo by Flickr user Faith Mari used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is celebrating its 10th year in the city of Cebu, but the hotel itself has been around for decades. It was prior known as Cebu Plaza Hotel, back in the time when there were less tall buildings in the city. Imagine this imposing structure standing on a hill, 600 feet (182 meters) above; it is hard not to look at this hotel in awe. Even today, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a distinct property, grand and standing elegantly separate from the crowded City Center.

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Stunning views

A view of metro Cebu from the temple
Source: Photo by user Marco Verch Profe... used under CC BY 2.0

Because of its location, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu offers something no other hotel in the city can – sweeping, stunning views. Carefully planned, the hotel strategically overlooks the city, the sea and even neighboring islands like Mactan. And the kind of view it offers is not just concentrated in one place, guests can enjoy the vista right from their rooms, and can book their room with either sea or mountain views. Such a luxury sets apart the accommodation at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu from the other high-end hotels in Cebu.

Another area in the hotel for guests to see great views from is at the Penthouse. The hotel’s The Blu Bar & Grill offers unobstructed views so their guests can watch, while enjoying drinks such as their signature cocktails. Their VIP lounge, The Continental Club, also offers panoramic views.

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Excellent dining facilities

Fine dining
Source: Peakpx

As a luxury hotel, Marco Polo Hotel Cebu’s property has a total of 4 dining venues as well as a 24-hour in-room dining service. All buffets are offered at Café Marco, including their complimentary breakfast serving native breakfast to gluten-free breads. For those who want to unwind or while enjoying the hotel’s pool, the hotel has El Viento Restaurant & Pool Bar, while the Lobby Lounge is the city’s top music venue.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is the only hotel in Cebu that offers an international-themed buffet, serving authentic cuisines like Spanish, Indian and Swiss. Its rooftop bar, The Blu Bar & Grill is named as one of the Philippines’ best restaurants, with great drinks, delectable food, and the best view of the city. Marco Polo Plaza Cebu also have their famous Malicious Cookies, named one of the best desserts in the country.

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Hotel highlights

Reef Hotel pool
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user FredD used under CC BY-SA 3.0

There are quite a few things to look forward to when in Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Their VIP Continental Club, reserved for guests staying at the top floor rooms and suites, can enjoy all-day refreshments and cocktails at night. The Club is the best place to enjoy the stunning views, the sunset, and the morning fog that blankets the mountains of Cebu.

As a family friendly hotel, guests with kids will love their Piccolo Kids Club, while Café Marco has animal and Mickey Mouse designed utensils for little diners. Marco Polo Plaza Cebu has a spa, salon, gym and 2 outdoor pools (adult and kiddie).

Unique to Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is their Scenic Elevator that brings non-check in guests of the Continental Floors to access The Blu Bar & Grill. This elevator can be found in the lobby and goes up to the 24th floor. It is such a treat when you witness the changing views from the lobby to the cityscape.

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Cebu Island Tour Guide

Alpha Jr.

Alpha Jr.

I was a former concierge staff of one of the prestigious hotels in Cebu. I had a training in Tour Guiding from the DOT (Department of Tourism). With my experience for over 10 years in hospitality industry and with the training I had from DOT. Hence, gives me the passion to show my city, neighboring islands and the cultures to my visitors. This is to ensure them for a Memorable, Priceless visit and to Love the Philippines.

Cebu Island Tour Guide

Mayshele

Mayshele

Booking tips

Discount
Source: Needpix

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu has plenty of offers for everyone to stay for less, starting with early bookings, which can save up to 25%. The hotel is also part of the DISCOVERY Loyalty Program. For packages, especially for locals, there is their Weekend Package. Other offers give automatic room upgrades, dining credits and late check-outs.

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An urban resort

With its location safely nestled in a peaceful neighborhood yet still within close proximity to the city center, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a top choice among locals for staycations, who want to enjoy a vacation without traveling far. Positioning itself as a luxury business hotel, the hotel is suited to business travelers who want to mix in a little leisure, and is perfect for bringing the family along. With kid-friendly amenities from their pool to Junior menu, the hotel is one the city’s top family friendly hotels.

The hotel attracts business travelers not just because of their business facilities, but their post-business amenities, like their rooftop bar and the gym. With its long history of hosting different banquets and events, from prom nights to weddings, the hotel has kept a loyal fan base. Summing it all up, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu has successfully kept its rightful place when it comes to top hotels in Cebu, even after new hotels have been built in the Queen City of the South.

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Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Address: Nivel Hills, Cebu Veterans Drive

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Valerie Caulin is a travel and lifestyle writer and runs her own blog, www.valcaulin.com. She loves writing about hotels, family travel, and anything related to history and culture.

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