Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort Cebu, Filippines

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort is a high-end beach hotel on Mactan Island, that is part of the stunningly beautiful province of Cebu in the Philippines. It is designed in a chic Filipino style and is situated in a quiet cove with a private beach.

This is the sister resort of the famous Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort. The Bluewater Resorts, is a wholly Filipino-owned group of resorts where the Filipino culture is felt day after day. Warm, friendly, attentive and caring; a very appropriate description of the staff that makes your stay at the Bluewater Resorts so pleasantly.

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort Cebu

When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed in the inviting lobby, which is situated in a circular open pavilion. The spaces within the resort are bright and warm with a bamboo-like ceiling and modern wicker chairs.

On many places of the resort you’ll find hammocks that are fixed between old trees. Tall palms and thatched umbrellas are decorating the beach. The atmosphere is very relaxed and in tune with the fantastic location right on the beautiful white beach.

The Bungalows

The Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort bungalows are spacious and have all private verandas. The rooms are elegantly furnished and finished with Filipino decorations. A minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, flatscreen cable TV, and telephone are standard in all rooms.

The BluewaterMaribago Premier Deluxe rooms are modern, with an emphasis on space and comfort. Notable are the “floating” beds, that give a special touch to these luxurious rooms. The beautiful bathroom has a freestanding bathtub and separate shower. The comfortable layout of the Premier Deluxe room makes staying in these rooms a real delight.

The Royal Bungalows, on the other hand, are located on the beach. Each of them has a separate living area and a spacious terrace. These beautiful bungalows with thatched roof, enjoy views of the white sandy beach and the Bluewater private island.

The heart of the resort

This tree is a few hundred years old and forms the heart of the resort. The deeply grounded roots of this tree symbolize the Filipino tradition and culture that are rooted in this resort.

Bluewater Maribago Resort is an eco-friendly resort that is committed to sustainability. In addition, the management is very socially involved. Partly they do this by providing work to vulnerable groups in society, like single mothers, as they are alone in providing income for their families.

If you are on holiday in the Philippines, then you immediately perceive that you’re a guest in their country. Filipinos are very genuine and friendly. Their laughter literally comes from the heart and you can feel it.

Even though many people are not wealthy, there is always a sense of solidarity in helping each other. By giving internships and training to the youth, the resort gives young people prospective for the future and a job that enables them to support their family. 

Bluewater Resort Cebu fulfills a progressive role in sustainable business practices. For this effort, they have been rewarded, early this year with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) “Green Hotel” Award.

If you choose to stay at the Bluewater Maribago, then you know you are indirectly supporting the local population. And as a guest you feel the strong “family ties” among the staff, which is very special. It is a piece of the Philippine culture that I picked up, and will not easily forget.

Facilities

The three lagoon-shaped pools at the resort are located admits the lush tropical vegetation, rippling creeks and waterfalls. The small decorative bridges and islands make of these pools a special attraction.

You can have a wonderful time on the beautiful white sandy beach lined with coconut palms and thatched umbrellas. A beach volleyball court and a giant chessboard offer an alternative to just relaxing in the sun.

And for water sports lovers, there are various activities available, such as jet skiing, diving, snorkeling, and boat trips to the surrounding islands. With a pedal boat (or swimming) you can visit the Bluewater private island, where you really feel to be isolated from the rest of the world.

The Spa offers a variety of traditional Philippine treatments. Guests who opt for spa treatments have free access to the indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a steam room, and sauna. There is a complete beauty salon in the Spa and also a well-equipped gym.

If you stay at the Maribago Bluewater Resort, you can choose between a wide selection of good restaurants, but one surely stands out: The Cove Restaurant. This restaurant is known for its fresh fish that you can select from the saltwater aquariums, and is prepared in the way you wish. The restaurant overlooks the Bluewater private island and the open sea. Dining here is a real experience!

The buggy service

It is very common that 4 and 5 star hotels make use of the so-called “buggy”. This is a kind of golf cart that takes you anywhere on the grounds of the resort. It is not that I don’t like to walk, but most luxury resorts are built on such large areas, that it is sometimes useful if you can take one. You just need to call the reception and within 5 minutes the cart is ready for you. A very convenient service, and environmentally friendly too.

Spot the baby shark!

Bluewater Resort Cebu was my last stay in the Philippines and I could have not finished better my trip, than here. Dangling in a hammock, I was looking back at a fantastic time in this beautiful country where the Filipinos have stolen my heart.

How to get there?

The international airport of Mactan Island (Cebu) can be reached daily from the major Asian cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Maribago Bluewater Resort is a half hour drive from the airport and an hour from downtown Cebu City. Ideal to start or end your journey right here in Cebu.