The BIGGIES Inn Cebu: Your Dream Philippine Getaway Awaits!
The BIGGIES Inn Cebu: My Cebu Adventure (Spoiler Alert: It's a Mixed Bag!)
Okay, so I just got back from the Philippines, specifically Cebu, and let me tell you, The BIGGIES Inn… well, it's an experience. Honestly, this review is gonna be a rollercoaster, kinda like my actual trip. Buckle up.
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First off, for the accessibility crowd, let's dive straight in. I’m always checking, because, well, life is easier when you can, you know?
Accessibility: (Deep Breath) So, the website says they have facilities for disabled guests. Which, alright. The elevator was good, easy to find. The actual accessibility within the hotel though? Mixed bag. Some parts were perfect, wide hallways, easy access to the lobby etc., but the pool area… well, that was a journey. Getting to the restaurant from my room? Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy. But, and this is a BIG but (pun intended, sorry), actually navigating the paths to the pool itself, especially if you are in a wheelchair.. well, let's just say I needed a little help and a lot of patience. Overall? Could be better - depends on how "accessible" you need it to be.
And about the Wheelchair accessible thing…yeah, the aforementioned pool access was a bit of a wobble.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This I could not verify, but the main restaurant had a pretty open layout.
Internet Access: Oh, boy. This is a crucial one for me. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yesss! And a lot of other categories, I got to say. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events. It's all there! The Wi-Fi in my room, thank goodness, was generally reliable. Not lightning-fast, mind you, but enough to check emails, post a few envy-inducing Instagram stories, and avoid completely losing touch with reality. Public areas… well, it depended on the hour. Peak times? Think buffering, my friends. But hey, better than nothing, and better than some other places I've stayed in this part of the world. Internet [LAN] was an option, but who uses that anymore, amirite?
Cleanliness and Safety: Now, in the post-pandemic world (which, let's be honest, still feels a bit… uncertain sometimes), this is SUPER important. 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, Daily housekeeping, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment… I mean, they really try. I saw sanitizing happening, which, A+ for effort. And I even got that little card allowing me to OPT-OUT of room cleaning completely, which, you know, good for the planet, and good for my inherent laziness. I will say, my room felt clean.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: This is where the BIGGIES Inn really started to… shine, and then sometimes didn't.
Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant… so many choices! The Breakfast [buffet], was a decent start to the day. Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options, both were available, you had a choices of food! But the scrambled eggs? Let's just say, they weren’t winning any awards. I tried the Asian cuisine in restaurant one night, and I was pleasantly surprised! The desserts in restaurant? Oh, yes, please! I made sure to visit the Coffee shop as much as possible. The Poolside bar was a lifesaver. You can't be sad when you're sipping a tropical cocktail by the pool. I definitely hit Happy hour a few times. And the Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver on a jet-lagged Tuesday. Overall? Dining at The BIGGIES Inn was a mixed bag but generally good.
Things to do, ways to relax: This is where The BIGGIES Inn really sold me.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
The Pool with view was GORGEOUS. Seriously, the pictures don't do it justice. That view was worth every penny. I spent HOURS just floating around, staring at the water and at the view. The Swimming pool was HUGE, and the Swimming pool [outdoor] was even bigger. Heaven.
But the highlight? Absolutely, hands down, the Spa/Sauna. I booked a Massage. Oh, man. This is where I completely lost track of time. The masseuse was… from another planet. Seriously. I went from tense and travel-weary to blissfully relaxed in about fifteen minutes. The Body scrub was also a winner. I walked out feeling like a new human. If you do NOTHING else here, get a massage. Seriously. Do it. You won't regret it. The Fitness center I popped into the Gym/fitness briefly. Looked decent, I didn't go for a full workout, but it seemed well-equipped.
Services and Conveniences:
Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Pretty standard stuff, all in all. The Concierge was helpful (although, sometimes a little slow to respond). Daily housekeeping was efficient and always, always left my room sparkling. Laundry service came in very handy, because, you know, I’m not exactly known for my packing prowess. The Elevator was a lifesaver. The Currency exchange worked. The On-site event hosting was… well, I saw a few weddings happening. The Gift/souvenir shop was convenient to pick up a last-minute present. The Cash withdrawal was easy, as they had a machine on site.
For the kids:
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I travelled solo, so I couldn't really try this, but the Inn seemed pretty family-friendly. I saw a few kids running around and looking happy.
Rooms:
Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, 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.
My room was… comfortable. Air conditioning was strong (THANK GOD), the Blackout curtains were essential for sleeping off the jet lag, the Slippers, a nice touch. The Bed was comfy, the Free bottled water was a lifesaver. The Mini bar was… present. The Wi-Fi [free] worked most of the time. I had a Private bathroom, and the Shower was perfectly adequate (although the water pressure could have been better). The Window that opens was a plus. It was a
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is me, unfiltered and utterly, gloriously HUMAN, throwing myself headfirst into the chaos of The BIGGIES Inn in Cebu. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and probably a whole lot of sunburn.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Cebu Airport Debacle (aka, How I Almost Missed a Mango)
- 06:00 - Wake Up (Maybe?): Ugh, mornings. Especially after a red-eye flight. My internal clock is screaming, but my bladder is louder. Found a cockroach in my hostel in Manila. Now, I am paranoid. This will for sure, set the tone for my trip.
- 07:00 - Flight to Cebu: Praying for wifi on the plane so I can stream the latest episodes.
- 09:00 - Arrival at Cebu-Mactan International Airport: Okay, first impression? Hot. Humid. And a whole lotta screaming. Filipino families are LOUD. But in a good way, you know? The baggage claim was a circus. I swear I saw a guy wrestle a suitcase for like five minutes. This is going to be interesting.
- 10:00 - The "Airport Taxi Roulette" Game: This is where it gets messy. Apparently, getting a taxi from the airport is a contact sport. Negotiating with the drivers is like a high-stakes poker game. I finally snagged a cab after what felt like an hour of haggling and vague hand gestures. (Note to self: Learn basic Tagalog.)
- 11:00 - Arrival at The BIGGIES Inn: Finally! The aircon hits me like a blessing. The Inn itself is… well, charmingly rustic. Think slightly faded paint, a quirky collection of mismatched furniture, and a sign that says "Don't Feed the Monkeys" (wait, are there monkeys?). The staff is incredibly friendly though, which immediately makes up for any aesthetic shortcomings.
- 12:00 - Lunch: Street Food Adventure! Okay, I'm going rogue. Forget the fancy restaurants. I'm hitting the streets. Found a lechon stand (roasted pig, basically heaven on earth). The crunch! The flavor! My arteries are probably weeping, but MY SOUL IS SINGING. Also, I somehow managed to order a mango shake. The texture was thick, and the taste was absolutely heavenly. The perfect first meal in Cebu.
- 14:00 - Check-in and Settle Down: After the meal, I finally get to check in. The room is small, but clean. And the bed? Surprisingly comfy. It’s just what I needed.
- 15:00 - Exploration of the Area: The Inn is located not too far from Mactan Island. I decide to stroll the area and see what I can find.
- 17:00 - Evening Relaxation/ Downtime: After a long day of traveling, I decided to relax in the inn and read.
- 19:00 - A Dinner of Fresh Seafood: The restaurant is not the greatest, but the seafood is as fresh as it gets. The restaurant is crowded with tourist but the food quality makes it worth the wait.
Day 2: Island Hopping & The Great Snorkeling Disaster (and its Aftermath)
- 07:00 - Wake Up (Attempted): Ugh, the rooster outside my window is a natural alarm clock. I'm exhausted, but the promise of island hopping is enough to drag me out of bed.
- 08:00 - The Inn's Awkward Breakfast: Free breakfast at the Inn. It included eggs, toast, and some sort of questionable sausage. Let's just say, my taste buds won't be mourning its departure.
- 09:00 - Island Hopping Adventure Begins!: Booked a tour to Nalusuan Island and Hilutungan Island. Sunscreen? Check. Selfie stick? Check. Underwater camera? Double-check! I'm a goddamn mermaid, dammit!
- 10:00 - Nalusuan Island: Paradise Found (Briefly): Okay, first stop? Heaven. Turquoise water, pristine white sand, and more palm trees than I could shake a stick at. Snorkeling was fantastic. The fish were colorful, and the coral was breathtaking. For about ten minutes. And then… disaster struck.
- 10:10 - The Snorkeling Disaster: I swallowed a mouthful of seawater. Then another. And another. Apparently, I'm not as graceful in the water as I like to think. My mask kept fogging up, and I was convinced I was drowning. I panicked. I flailed. I probably looked like a beached whale gasping for air.
- 10:30 - Recovering from Trauma: Finally got my act together, clinging to the boat like it was my lifeline. The rest of the snorkeling trip was a blur of mild nausea and a deep fear of the ocean.
- 11:30 - Hilutungan Island: Okay, second attempt at snorkeling. I was brave. I even saw a sea turtle! (From a safe distance, naturally.)
- 13:00 - Lunch on the Boat: Grilled fish, rice, and more mangoes. I ate in silence, contemplating my near-death experience. I probably shouldn't be trusted near any body of water.
- 15:00 - Back to The BIGGIES Inn: Exhausted and slightly traumatized, I return to the Inn. I need a shower, copious amounts of water, and maybe a therapist who specializes in underwater panic attacks.
- 16:00 - Naptime: Sleep is the best medicine, right?
- 19:00 - Dinner & Evening Drinks: Headed to a nearby bar for some well-deserved drinks. The sunset was beautiful, and I decided that I was going to conquer my fear of the ocean. Or at least, learn how to swim properly.
Day 3: The Cebu City Exploration (and a Sudden, Intense Obsession with… Tuna?)
- 08:00 - Breakfast Again: Eggs, toast, and sausage round two. I'm starting to bond with this questionable breakfast.
- 09:00 - Transportation to Cebu City: Taking a bus to Cebu City.
- 10:00 - Cebu City: Magellan's Cross & Basilica del Santo Niño Okay, history time! Visited these historic landmarks. The Basilica was all about architecture, and the Magellan's Cross was kind of hard to see through the crowds.
- 11:00 - Fort San Pedro: After the crowds, I visited an old fort. The history was cool, but it was hot, man.
- 12:00 - Lunch: Found a tiny eatery that served amazing kinilaw (ceviche). The freshness of the fish was mind-blowing.
- 13:00 - The Street Shopping Frenzy: Spent the next few hours wandering through the markets. Found some neat souvenirs.
- 16:00 - The Sudden Tuna Obsession: I was starving. I saw a seafood stall. And suddenly all I wanted was tuna. Tuna salads, Grilled Tuna, Tuna sandwiches… basically, anything tuna-related. I bought like, five cans of tuna and ate them all.
- 17:00 - Relaxation: A few hours of relaxation at the inn.
- 19:00 - Dinner at Local Restaurant: Found a nice little place for dinner. Trying to enjoy the moment.
Day 4 and 5: More Island Hopping and The Grand Finale
Day 4: Moalboal and Kawasan Falls
- 07:00 Wake Up:
- 08:00 Breakfast:
- 09:00 Travel to Moalboal.
- 11:00 Snorkeling at Pescador Island: This was AMAZING. Thousands of sardines swimming in the same direction, with turtles.
- 13:00 Kawasan Falls - Canyoneering.: The perfect end to the long journey. It was tiring and full of adrenaline. Best experience in Cebu.
- 17:00 Relaxation
- 19:00 Farewell Dinner:
Day 5: Departure:
- 07:00 Wake Up:
- 08:00 Breakfast:
- 09:00 Pack up.
- 10:00 Checking out.
- 11:00 - Leaving for the Airport:
- 12:00 - Flight:
The End? (Maybe)
The BIGGIES Inn was an experience. It wasn't perfect. It was chaotic. It was messy. It was… AMAZING. I've made memories, faced my fears (mostly), and eaten enough mangoes to last a lifetime. Would I go back? Absolutely. Because sometimes, the most imperfect journeys are the ones you remember the most. As I left, I felt that this trip, even if I wanted
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The BIGGIES Inn Cebu: Your Dream…Or Maybe…Adventure? Let's Get Real!
Okay, spill it. Is The BIGGIES Inn *really* a dream getaway like all the ads say?
Dream? Look, let's be honest. Dreams are… well, they're *dreamy*. The BIGGIES Inn? More like… a *potential* dream, maybe with a few unexpected plot twists. I mean, the pictures? Glorious. Palms, blue water, you get the idea. My reality? Arrived at like, 3 AM after a flight that felt like it lasted a week. Woke up to a rooster doing his best opera impression right outside my window. Romantic? Debatable. Annoying? Absolutely. But hey, the sunrises were legit. So, a dream? Depends on your definition of "dream." It's definitely an *experience*. That’s my diplomatic answer, alright?
What's the vibe like at The BIGGIES Inn? Is it all couples canoodling on the beach? Or more… chaotic?
Chaotic is a strong word... Let's say... *vibrant*. Think a lively mix. You've got your honeymooners whispering sweet nothings (ugh), families building sandcastles (which, let me tell you, are surprisingly competitive projects), and backpackers who look like they haven't seen a shower in a week (but hey, they're probably having a blast!). And this is Cebu. You *expect* vibrancy. I remember watching this little kid, maybe five years old, just *full* of energy – he was building a sandcastle so elaborate it made my jaw drop. Meanwhile, his parents *looked* absolutely knackered. That's pretty much a summary, really.
Is it easy to get to The BIGGIES Inn from the airport? Cause I'm clumsy and directionally challenged.
Getting there is… an adventure. Firstly, the airport's a bit of a whirlwind of humanity. Then, you need a taxi, Grab (the local equivalent of Uber), or the pre-booked transfer. I took a taxi the first time. Big mistake. The driver... well, let's just say he had a *very* creative understanding of the directions. I'm pretty sure we saw every landmark, every side street, and every questionable karaoke bar in Cebu City before we finally arrived. My advice? Book a transfer, even if it costs a bit more. Save yourself the stress and the unexpected scenic tour. Trust me on this. Your sanity is worth it.
What are the rooms like? Are they actually as Instagram-worthy as they look?
Okay, here’s the deal. The rooms? They're… nice. Sometimes. I mean, some of them definitely *are* Instagram-worthy. Think crisp white linens, those breezy mosquito nets, and views that make you want to weep with happiness (or, you know, just take a really good photo). But, and this is a big but (pun intended!), some of them are… let’s call them “rustic.” My first room? The air conditioning sounded like a dying walrus. Took a few hours to get it fixed. Remember to check everything, *before* you unpack. Otherwise, you might suffer the same consequences.
Do they have things like shampoo and towels? Or should I pack my own? I'm a total diva, you know.
Yes, they *do* provide shampoo and towels. *Generally*. The towels are… well, they're towels. They dry you. The shampoo? I'm not gonna lie, it's not exactly luxury-grade. Think more "does the job" rather than "indulgent spa experience." If you're a diva, pack your own. Seriously. Especially if you have specific hair needs. I did, and I did *not* regret it. The other things I regretted not carrying? Sunscreen. You can get sunburnt in the shade.
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it all just… generic hotel food?
The food… oh, the food! It's… a mixed bag. The restaurant at The BIGGIES Inn has some amazing dishes. Their mango shake? To die for. Seriously. I had three a day. *Three*. I might have a problem. But then, sometimes, the buffet is… well, let's just say it's not always stellar. I'm talking lukewarm eggs and questionable sausages. But then, you step outside the Inn, and you’re in Cebu! You can discover local restaurants... Try the *lechon* (roasted pig)! It’s AMAZING. But a heads-up: the spicy stuff? They aren't kidding. My tongue was on fire for, like, a day. Totally worth it, though.
Are there drinks available to order? And are they reasonably priced?
Yes, there are *plenty* of drinks available. The bar is well-stocked, and they serve all sorts of cocktails, beers, and juices. Reasonably priced? Well, it depends. Compared to a dive bar on the side of the road, maybe not. Compared to, say, a fancy hotel bar in New York? Definitely yes. Happy hour is your friend. Trust me. Especially after a hot day of exploring. I found myself practically living at the bar during my stay. Don't judge me. It was research. For this FAQ. Yeah, that's it.
They mentioned watersports. What's the deal? Are they good? Or should I just stick to the beach?
The watersports… ah, watersports! They offer a range. Jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, you name it. I tried the jet skis. Twice. The first time? Amazing! Pure adrenaline rush. The second time? I may or may not have lost control and ended up… well, let's just say I had a *very* close encounter with a buoy. So, yeah, they're good… if you're not me. The beach is always a safe bet. Just… watch out for the sand fleas. Those little buggers are persistent.
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