Falling In Love with CEBU...over and over again ♥

MARCO POLO PLAZA, CEBU

The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Hotel is the pride of Cebu, being the city's only 5-star hotel.

It is situated at the prestigious Nivel Hills and provides panoramic views of the tropical city of Cebu.

It can be reached from the airport within 25 minutes, by van or by car.

(Marco Polo Plaza ~ by day)

The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is also home to some of the finest restaurants in Cebu, each unique in flavor and ambiance.

These restaurants serve Mediterranean, South-East Asian, Western and Filipino cuisines.

(superb buffet spread at the CAFE MARCO) ☺

CAFE MARCO was designed to showcase the preparation of a la carte and buffet dishes.

Free Birthday Cake for the birthday boy (hubby)

~ compliments of the hotel! ♥

Hmm...and a free Happy Birthday song, too!

hehehe ☺

(Marco Polo Plaza ~ by night)

BLU BAR & GRILL

This is located at the hotel's topmost penthouse where one can have a panoramic view of the city.

We had dinner here and savored superb grilled specialties, entrees, and desserts.

When we arrived, we ordered drinks while enjoying the fantastic view.

We were delighted when the very accomodating staff told us we would be given 'complimentary' assorted breads with 2 kinds of pate.

Hmm, nice touch.

And the bread was warm, too.

(I especially liked the Focaccia.) ☺

For starters, we ordered their BLU Ceasar Salad specialty of the house.

For the main Course, I had their Tequila Cured Salmon,
the hubby had Australian Sumac Dusted Lamb Chop,
and our unico hijo had the Black Angus Tenderloin Steak;
our 2 vegetarian balikbayan visitors had Tofu Steak with String Beans & Tomato Chutney.

For dessert, we were given 'complimentary' dessert once again (!)
~ this time, a "trio" of 3 different Desserts:
Lemon Tart, Warm Chocolate Lava, and Rose Water Caramel or Orange Compote with Sesame Praline.

Funny...'coz when I asked why we were given the 'complimentary' dessert, the waitress told us it was because they were 'apologetic' that we had to transfer to another table when it started to drizzle a little!

(Part of the resto-bar was "open", you see, and the table we chose was in that "open" area.)

This is the hotel lobby.

EL VIENTO RESTAURANT & POOL BAR

This was where we would enjoy sipping cocktails at the garden terrace and where the kids would enjoy their cool drinks & hot pizza in the pool bar, after they went swimming. ☺