Unbelievable Cebu Condo Deal: KC 2-Bedroom Horizon 101!
Unbelievable Cebu Condo Deal: KC 2-Bedroom Horizon 101! - A Review That Won't Sugarcoat (and Hopefully Won't Bore You)
Alright, folks, let's dive headfirst into this whole "KC 2-Bedroom Horizon 101" deal. I've seen the headlines - "Unbelievable!" "Dream Condo!" - and frankly, my inner skeptic is currently doing the Macarena. But hey, a Cebu condo? With a view? Let's see if it’s actually worth more than a soggy mango in August.
Accessibility: Is This Place a Stairmaster or Paradise?
First things first: Accessibility. Look, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I am a fan of not having to scale Mount Everest just to get to my room. The info mentions facilities for disabled guests. Good! I'd want to triple check on specific details (ramps, elevators, bathroom layouts) with the hotel directly if this is a crucial factor for you. I'd hope for proper elevators, but it’s Cebu, so lower your expectations a smidge.
Getting Around: Parking, Please!
Thank the heavens Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking and Taxi service are listed. Being stuck in Cebu traffic is a special kind of hell, so knowing you can actually park is a win. No mention of public transport tips though? Okay… guess I'll be summoning my inner Uber-ninja.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Feed Me, Seymore!
Okay, now we're talking. This is where things get interesting.
Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants! The listing throws out a buffet of options. A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant Holy guacamole! That's a menu longer than my grocery list after a paycheck. The Asian and Western cuisines are nice to see (curry AND burgers! Yes!). 24-hour room service? Uh, yeah, sign me up for a midnight snack attack of epic proportions. The Poolside bar is a must. Imagine, sipping a cocktail, overlooking the azure sea… Wait, is that sand in my eye? I’ll get to the “pool with a view” later…
Alternative Meal Arrangement: Hopefully, this means they can handle my picky eating (hold the coriander, please!).
Bottle of water, Essential condiments: Little things, yes, but they show thought. Thank you, whoever realized I need water.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone? (I need it)
Okay, let’s see what they’ve got for those of us who need to escape the chaos of everyday life (and the occasional questionable street food):
Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: This is where the “Horizon” in “Horizon 101” better deliver. A pool with a view is, frankly, the bare minimum in a place like Cebu. We’ll expect Instagram-worthy pics. The sauna, spa, and steamroom… yes, please! I’m picturing myself turning into a prune of pure bliss.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage: I’m not saying I’m going to spend all day getting rubbed and pummeled, BUT… a body scrub is tempting. A massage after a long day of… well, everything, is a necessity. And hey, at least there's a Fitness center. I'll have to remember to actually use it.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germs, Be Gone (Hopefully)
This is CRUCIAL right now. Does this place care about our health, or is it just hoping we don't notice the dust bunnies?
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, this is promising! I want to feel safe. All the words like "disinfection," "Sanitizing," and 'trained staff' sound great. Plus, they are offering
Room sanitization opt-out available: If, for whatever reason, you don't want your room sanitized, the hotel wants you to have options.Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Peace of mind, people. Always a good thing.
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Again, a big thumbs up for feeling looked after. 24-hour security? A necessity. Can I get a "no smoking" sign in my room? You betcha!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things Matter (Sometimes)
Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace: These are the cherries on top of the sundae. Air conditioning? Essential for Cebu's sticky climate. Daily housekeeping? Yes, please, because I am not going to make my own bed on vacation. A gift shop? Well, now I have a place to get those "I heart Cebu" t-shirts.
Business facilities: I’m on vacation, but you know, sometimes work calls. It's good to have options.
Air Conditioning in All Rooms: Well, duh! I mean, this might be a deal-breaker, but I cannot overstate the importance of air conditioning at a place like Cebu.
Available in All Rooms: What About the Essentials?
Now, let's dig into the actual room itself. Let's hope it's not just a glorified shoebox.
Additional toilet: Now that’s fancy.
Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Okay, that’s a checklist of things I like to see. Air conditioning (check), wi-fi (double-check, and free wi-fi!), a comfortable bed (extra long, yes please!), a private bathroom… these are the foundations of a happy stay. Blackout curtains, a reading light, and hopefully, a decent view from the window. I'm a sucker for a good view.
For the Kids: Will I Be Hearing Screams? (Mine, Maybe?)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Ah, the joy of travelling with children… or in my, case, thinking about the joy. A babysitting service could be a lifesaver. Kid-friendly? Good. I hope they don't run out of chicken fingers.
Internet: The Lifeline (I Need to Post My Vacation Pics!)
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES. Wi-Fi is non-negotiable these days. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Excellent. (And a little rant about the internet is necessary). Don’t even think about charging me extra for wi-fi in this day and age.
Things I'd Like to Know More About:
- The exact location. "Horizon 101" sounds nice, but is it in the middle of nowhere? Or near the action? This is crucial.
- The actual view from the 2-bedroom condo. Sea view? City view? Or, heaven forbid, the parking lot view?
- Room Decorations: I'd also need to know what kind of 'Room decorations' they are offering. I can't stress enough how much decor plays a critical role in
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is the "Reality Bites in Cebu" itinerary, and it's gonna be a glorious, sweaty, slightly chaotic mess. We're based at that gorgeous, KC 2-Bedroom 1 at Horizon 101 Cebu Cebu Philippines – picture this: sweeping views, cocktails at sunset, and me, inevitably spilling something on the pristine white couch. Let's go!
Day 1: Arrival, Arrival (and Impatience, Oh So Much Impatience)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). The air hits you like a warm, humid hug (or a sweaty slap – it depends on your mood, honestly). Finding the ride-sharing app, Grab, is the first adventure. Remember those YouTube videos of the "perfect" airport exit? Forget them. It's a scramble, a hunt, a slightly desperate ballet of luggage and hopes. I'm pretty sure I saw a guy in a banana suit. Or maybe it was the heat.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in at Horizon 101. The anticipation! I'm picturing a pristine apartment, the kind you see in magazines. Reality? Well, let's just say there's a slight delay. The key card isn't working. "Filipino time" is very real, people. It's a beautiful blend of patience and pure, unadulterated chaos.
- 3:00 PM: Finally, IN the apartment! The view? Absolutely breathtaking. The marble floors? Gleaming. The cough slight water damage on the ceiling? Ah, well… character! I decide that any imperfections only add to the charm. Swear to God, I think I saw a little gecko scamper across the balcony railing. Cute little guy!
- 4:00 PM: Explore the neighborhood, a little bit hangry, and on the hunt for a decent coffee shop. I find a cute little cafe down the street, with an even cuter barista, and almost forgot I’d had a terrible travel day. That coffee was heavenly. I also, embarrassingly, tried to speak Tagalog to him. My pronounciation was atrocious. I am pretty sure I asked him for a donut… I can't remember what I actually meant to say.
- 5:00 PM: Sunset cocktails at the Horizon 101 rooftop pool. Okay, this is what I came for. Watching the sun dip into the horizon with a fruity concoction in hand is pure, unadulterated bliss. The city lights twinkle, and I briefly consider becoming a permanent resident of Cebu… at least until I wake up, hungover, tomorrow.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Seaside Therapy
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with a side of regret (for eating too much chocolate the night before). My stomach is rebelling. This is a classic travel move.
- 10:00 AM: A full-blown assault on Cebu's historical sites. First stop: Magellan's Cross. It's a tiny little shack now, and a whole lot of shoving. I saw a whole bunch of tourists, and all of us were taking pictures, and no one really knowing what to do with ourselves. I felt a bit cynical, but mostly fascinated, and a little bit sad that I'd never learned about this.
- 11:00 AM: Basilica del Santo Niño. More crowds, but the atmosphere is different here: more prayerful, respectful. I lit a candle and felt a strange sense of peace. My cynicism faded, replaced by… something else. Humility, maybe? Or just exhaustion from all the walking.
- 12:00 PM: A quick lunch of lechon (roasted pig – oh my goodness, it's a must-try!) It's…a culinary experience. Literally. The skin is crispy, the meat is tender, and it's a glorious, greasy mess. I'm pretty sure I ended up wearing some on my face.
- 2:00 PM: Time to escape the city. Taxi to the beaches of Mactan Island. Oh, the glorious, glorious sea! The chaotic city melts away and is replaced by white sand and turquoise water. I found a little shack on the beach, ordered a fresh mango smoothie, and melted into my chair in a state of total, blissful relaxation.
- 4:00 PM: Snorkeling. The clarity of the water is insane. Coral reefs teeming with life. Fish that are all the colors of the rainbow. I swear I saw Nemo. Best. Afternoon. Ever. I almost drowned from laughing at a family in matching swimsuits. Also, I ended up with a bit of sunburn. Oops. (Sunscreen is your friend! Learn from my mistakes!)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner on the beach. Fresh seafood, the sound of the waves, the stars… pure romance. If I wasn’t alone, or maybe even happier that I was, I might actually be having a fairytale moment.
Day 3: Adventure (and a Side of Disaster)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up and immediately remember I have a bunch of mosquito bites. I also ate too much the previous day, and my sleep was a little restless.
- 8:00 AM: Off to Kawasan Falls. This is the Instagram dream, isn't it? Turquoise water rushing through lush greenery. Picturesque doesn't even begin to cover it. It's the place everyone wants to go. I’d recommend going early, and by early I mean RIGHT NOW if you don’t like crowds.
- 9:00 AM: The trek to the falls is…well, let's just say my fitness goals for the year are now on hold. It's hot, it's humid, and I am sweating buckets. I'm pretty sure I saw a monkey steal someone's water bottle. Nature is wild, y'all.
- 10:00 AM: Finally! Reached Kawasan Falls! Here's the thing no one tells you: It's freezing. But the water is clear and emerald-green, and jumping off the waterfall is a bucket list-worthy rush. I was so cold, I was sure I would get hypothermia, but, also, it was awesome. 10/10.
- 12:00 PM: Back to the apartment to shower and change. And, I realize I'm missing my sunglasses. I lost them. I do not know where they could be.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local carinderia. Cheap, cheerful, and incredibly delicious. (Even if I still didn’t completely understand what I was eating.) The lady at the counter was super friendly and seemed to find my attempts at ordering hilarious.
- 2:00 PM: The "Cebu City Tour" has now begun. This is a mess. I decided to try a "tour". The van driver? Charming, but also… well, let's just say he gets a little side-tracked. He takes me to the local market, which is fantastic, but also a sensory overload. Smells, sounds, colors exploding everywhere! It's brilliant. It took everything in me to resist buying a live chicken.
- 4:00 PM: A quick stop at a souvenir shop. I buy far too many useless trinkets, including a "I <3 Cebu" t-shirt that I'll probably wear once.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner in the city. I spend way too much time trying to find a restaurant that isn't the usual tourist trap. I finally find a small, local place and, in the end, I had the best meal so far, and I even was able to properly thank the waitress.
Day 4: Relaxation, Reflection, and a Whole Lot of Laundry
- 10:00 AM: Sleep in! I deserved it after all the walking, swimming, eating, and general adventuring.
- 11:00 AM: Breakfast at the apartment. I'm learning to make my own coffee; a true travel milestone!
- 12:00 PM: Laundry day. The apartment has a washer and dryer, and I'm thankful. The amount of sweat and sunscreen on my clothes is, frankly, horrifying.
- 1:00 PM: Spend the afternoon on the balcony. Finishing my book, sipping something cold, and just…breathing. It's the perfect antidote to all the chaos.
- 3:00 PM: A last-minute massage. Worth. Every. Penny.
- 5:00 PM: Packing up my stuff. This one is a bit messy. I've got a bunch of clothes that I didn't wear, snacks, and the souvenirs I bought.
- 6:00 PM: Final sunset cocktails at the rooftop pool. I even manage to take a "perfect" photo for Instagram. (Don't tell anyone how many tries it took.)
- 8:00 PM: One last dinner at a great restaurant. I am not sure where to go, since the city can be overwhelming to decide on a place to eat.
So, like, what *is* this "Thing" anyway?!
Why even *do* this "Thing"? You sound miserable.
What's the hardest part of "The Thing" so far? Ugh, don't tell me you're already giving up...
Okay, okay, planning is tough. But any actual, you know, *problems*? Like, did anything go wrong?
What about the *good* parts? Gotta be SOME good, right?
Who's helping you with this "Thing"? Are you a lone wolf?
What do you think will be most rewarding when it's all done?
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before starting "The Thing," what would it be?
So, when's it done? Spill the beans!
