Hotel and Inn Review: Savoy Mactan Newtown Hotel (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)

 

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown

Date of Stay: June 15 - 18, 2026

 

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ********

Rooms: *******

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: *********

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ********

Other Amenities: ********

Value for Money: *******

A complimentary three-day-two night stay (extended to another night) brought me to the 18-storey Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, the first hotel development of property giant Megaworld inside the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown (the first Megaworld township development outside of Metro Manila with its own beachfront) in Lapu-Lapu City.  

Mactan Newtown

This is the third hotel under the Savoy Hotel brand (the others are Savoy Hotel Manila in Newport City, Pasay City and Savoy Hotel Boracay in Boracay Newcoast), a homegrown hotel chain established by Megaworld. Together with 15 other Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) properties, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown is recognized, by the Department of Tourism, as a Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE).

 

The hotel entrance and driveway

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown offers 547 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, making it the biggest hotel in Mactan Island, in terms of number of rooms, and the second biggest in the entire Cebu (after the 688-room Bai Hotel in Cebu City).  We were upgraded to a 54 sq. m. Junior Suite (Suite 1827) which had one queen bed plus a spacious living area.  

Our Junior Suite (1827)

The hotel also offers Classic Superior Twin (23 sq. m., two twin beds), Classic Superior Queen (24 sq. m., one queen bed), Deluxe Premier Room (37 sq. m., one queen bed), and the Presidential Suite (94 sq. m., with king bed, expansive living and dining areas, kitchenette, bathtub). 

 

Living area

Ensuite bathroom

All rooms are fully equipped with essential amenities such as magnetic door locks, air conditioning, in-room electronic safety box, 43” LED cable TV with 99 channels, blackout curtains, work desk, coffee and tea-making facilities, mini-bar, private bathroom (with toiletries, bathrobes and hair dryer) and wireless internet connection.  

This P1.7 billion hotel, officially opened last November 12, 2019, was designed by Casa+Architects, Inc. while the interiors, featuring prominent circular designs to symbolize continuous service and harmony, were designed by world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the same firm that designed Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, as well as Shangri-La Dubai and St. Regis Abu Dhabi in UAE.

 

Front Desk

The hotel has a number of food and beverage (F&B) outlets.  The Savoy Café, for breakfast and all-day dining, offers the super cool Secret Menu, the awesome Filipino-inspired Sampaguita Menu, and the classic A la carte menu.  Open daily, 6 AM to 10 PM.

Savoy Cafe

Savoy Cafe

Every day, at breakfast, the gracious staff would greet us with the mabuhi (welcome) gesture, an official standard of hospitality and respect in Cebu, gracefully placing their right hand flat against their left breast, accompanied by a slight respectful bow or nod of the head.

 

Zabana Bar

Zabana Bar, at the lobby area, offers refreshing juices, the super special Zabana rum and a bunch of one-of-a-kind signature cocktails. Open daily, 9 AM to 10 PM.  The Pool Bar, at the third level, features a selection of light bites. Open daily, 9 AM to 9 PM. The Lobby Café offers coffee and pastries.  The Patio, located at the second level, is an outdoor dining area. 

 

Swimming Pool

Among the hotel’s amenities are a 24-hour Front Desk, a swimming pool and a dedicated kiddie pool (open daily, 7 AM to 9 PM), paved sunbathing lounge, business center, and a flower garden. 

Pool Bar

For corporate conferences and private events, the hotel also has a wide range of collapsible function halls and executive meeting spaces equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems.  These venues can be configured and tailored to fit various event sizes and setups.

Main Function Hall

The massive Main Function Hall, which can host up to 100 guests (depending on the setup, can be divided into three individual rooms aptly named after Ferdinand Magellan's ships (Concepcion, San Antonio and Victoria).  The more exclusive Function Hall 2, which can accommodate up to 40 guests, can be divided into two separate meeting rooms named after Magellan's remaining ships (Concepcion and Santiago).  For intermediate or medium-sized corporate meetings, smaller setups are also available.

Function Hall 2

For security, all luggage from  arriving guests are scanned by a baggage X-ray machine plus the four 16-pax Schindler elevators are also keycard-operated, restricting access to specific floors.

 

Elevator Lobby

Every day, my son Jandy would exercise at the hotel’s modern, fully-equipped fitness center (open daily, 6 AM to 10 PM), at the third floor.  It offers all the necessary modern cardiovascular exercise machines, strength training equipment, and free weights one needs to maintain your workout routine. 

Fitness Gym

On our last full day at the hotel, we had a relaxing 1-hour massage at the Sampaguita Spa, the hotel’s in-house spa (open daily, 12 noon to 12 AM).  

Sampaguita Spa

It features three treatment rooms (including couples rooms), and specialize in unique treatments infused with local oils, aromatherapy, and various massage styles (Swedish, Thai, Deep-tissue, Hot stone, Sports, and Reflexology).

 

Massage Room

As we loved walking along the beach, we visited the 75 m. long, white sand Mactan Newtown Beach (formerly Portofino Beach Resort) which is located 500 m. from the hotel.  Entrance is free (with beach towels provided) for guests at Savoy Mactan Newtown Hotel as well as in Mercure Hotel. 

Mactan Newtown Beach

Jandy and the author

Here, we checked out the Ceremonial Garden, a popular venue for intimate outdoor weddings, as well as the Glass House and the Grand Beach Tent.  The hotel offered complimentary shuttle services to and from the beach but we just walked as it was just a short distance away.

 

Ceremonial Garden

The hotel is located 500 m. from the Magellan Shrine, 3.2 kms. from the Mactan Island Aquarium, 3.3 kms. from the Jungle Cultural Entertainment Center, 4.7 kms. from the Mactan Marina Mall, 4.8 kms. from the Cebu Yacht Club, 5.6 kms. from the Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan, 5.8 kms. from the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, 5.9 kms. from the Mactan Island Convention Center, 8.2 kms. (a 20-min. drive) from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and 17 kms. from Fort San Pedro, Fuente Osmena Circle and Magellan’s Cross. 

 

Glass Pavilion

Transport services are also offered to guests traveling to and from the airport. They also offer concierge service, express check-in or check-out, 24-hour room service, luggage storage, dry cleaning service, daily housekeeping, laundry service and safety deposit boxes.

 

Grand Beach Tent

On our fourth and final day at the hotel, Ms. Princess Rikah Alfaro, PR and Marketing Assistant of the hotel, invited me to pick up a marker and write my shared experience at the lobby’s interactive, evolving Doodle Wall, a community masterpiece.  Meant to promote connection and shared experiences, it brings to life the hotel’s “Color Your Experience” philosophy.  In doing so, I became part of the growing community artwork.  Truly, a fitting end to a wonderful stay.

 

Hotel Lobby

The current artwork was illustrated by Danielle Nicolas Babor, an architecture student of Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) and son of Ms. Thea Babor, Marketing Coordinator of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.  The space also hosts revolving exhibits of local Cebuano art (available for sale to guests) from artists from the “Artists Beyond Borders” collective and “Grupo ng mga Aktibong.”

 

The Doodle Wall

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown: The Mactan Newtown, Newtown Blvd., 6015 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Tel: +032 494 4000.  Mobile number: (0917) 868-6746 and (0917) 871-8007.  E-mail: reserve@savoymactan.com and info@savoymactan.com. Social Media Pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube): Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown | Facebook / @savoymactannewtown / Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

A Tribute to National Artist for Dance Agnes D. Locsin (Ayala Museum, Makati City)

 

National Artist for Dance Ms. Agnes Locsin

For two days (June 10 to 11), the works and life of highly acclaimed Filipino dance choreographer and dance director Agnes Dakudao Locsin, recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Dance in June 2022 (the second in the Locsin clan to be named as a National Artist after Architect Leandro V. Locsin, in 1990, for Architecture), are the focus of an exhibition and lecture at the Ayala Museum where she was honored, by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), Ayala Foundation and the Carmen D. Locsin Foundation, at the Ayala Museum for pioneering and elevating “Neo-Ethnic” Filipino dance choreography, a distinct style that blends indigenous Philippine themes, folklore and rituals with Western classical ballet and modern dance techniques. She is the the sixth Mindanawon to receive this distinction.

 

Dance is My Life Exhibit

The June 10 traveling exhibit “Dance is my Life,” at the second floor of the Ayala Museum (until June 28), focuses on her life and works as a National Artist for Dance. The exhibit also features a selection of her own artworks, offering a direct look into her creative practice, alongside visual pieces that explore dance and cultural memory as artistic subjects.

 

Dance is My Life Exhibit

Dance is My Life Exhibit

The June 11 lecture, titled “Pamana ng Pilipino: A Lecture by National Artist for Dance Agnes D. Locsin,” featured the National Artist as she traced “The Path to Neo-Ethnic Choreography,” from her early exposure to Filipino dance traditions and formal training to the artistic process behind her distinct movement language. 

Pamana ng Pilipino: A Lecture by National Artist for Dance Agnes D. Locsin

Here, Agnes shared stories behind key works: Igorot, Bagobo, and Moslem, as well as discuss her latest exploration into Neo-Ethnic Tap Dance. The program will also feature the Locsin Dance Workshop. This 2-day event was held in partnership with the Ayala Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library and was made possible with the support of Purefoods Deli and the NCCA through the Order of National Artist Program.

 

Locsin Dance Workshop performers

Igorot, a composition heavily praised during its European tours, helping put Philippine contemporary dance on the global map, premiered in 1987 in Amsterdam for Le Petit Theatre and was restaged, in 1988, in the Philippines  for Ballet Philippines Celebrating the cultural rituals and dances of the Cordillera indigenous peoples in Northern Luzon, the work fuses ethnic movements with ballet technique to highlight communal harmony and mountain life.

Born in Davao City on September 28, 1957, Agnes Locsin attended the Philippine Women's University for her elementary and high school studies; Ateneo de Davao University for her bachelor's degree in English; and Ohio State University (OSU) in the United States for her master's degree in dance, with a focus on modern and contemporary techniques. Pioneering ballet teacher Carmen Dakudao Locsin, her mother and founder of the Locsin Dance Workshop (established in 1947, it is the oldest dance school in the country) in Davao City, introduced Agnes to dance. After graduating from OSU, Agnes took over as its artistic director. 

In the late 1970s, while an Ateneo de Davao student, Locsin collaborated with artists Joey Ayala and Al Santos for the rock opera, Sa Bundok ng Apo, as a choreographer for Ayala's music and Santos' lyrics. In 1992, they would collaborate again in Encantada, an award-winning neo-ethnic masterwork and full-length ballet, that premiered in February 1992, with Ballet Philippines.  The piece draws on Filipino folklore and history to evoke themes of enchantment and the mystical bond between humans and nature, featuring ethereal movements that blend ritualistic elements with contemporary dance forms while highlighting the consequences of environmental destruction. 

She was also part of the faculty of the University of the Philippines Dance Program where taught choreography and modern dance techniques, contributing to the academic development of aspiring dancers.  From 1989 to 1999, she was the artistic director of the Ballet Philippines in the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.  Around the 2010s, she began doing choreography for environmentally-themed works such as Agila and the Alay sa Puno series. 

Agila, created in the 1990s, premiered with Ballet Manila.  Emphasizing soaring, expansive gestures that capture themes of aspiration and national identity, it symbolizes the Filipino spirit of freedom through the metaphor of an eagle's flight, set to original music by composer Joey Ayala.  The Alay sa Puno series, developed from the late 1990s through the 2000s, comprises four interconnected pieces (Ugat, Dahon, Puno, and Sanga).  Performed initially with Ballet Philippines and later restaged with international collaborators, it honors trees as symbols of life, strength, and indigenous rituals while advocating for environmental preservation.  The series incorporates natural textures like bamboo and flowing fabrics to evoke the vitality and vulnerability of forests. 

Her other stunning and socially conscious major pieces include:

• Dabaw - a prominent contemporary/neo-ethnic ballet first choreographed in the early 1980s as a tap dance, and later premiered as a full ballet commissioned by Ballet Manila in July and August 2003.
• Bagobo (1990)
• Ismagol (1990)
• Kulam (1991)
• Moslem (1991)
• Moriones (1991)
• Hinilawod (1992) – a narrative dance piece based on the ancient Panay epic featuring the character Labaw Donggon.
• Babaylan (1993) – a piece that portrays indigenous shamanistic rituals and spiritual leaders, winning second place at the 1993 Tokyo International Choreography Competition.
• Salome (1994) - where dancer Camille Ordinario secured second place at the Concours International de la Danse in Paris.
• Taong Talangka (1994) – choreographed, in 1994, to music by Joey Ayala, it explores human resilience amid greed and societal pressures through the allegory of a crab-like struggle. Originally performed by soloist Camille Ordinario with Ballet Philippines, it features angular, clawing motions that convey entrapment and defiance.
• Sayaw and Sabel - presented together in 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, it formed a series of solo dances depicting life's darker facets, such as isolation and mental fragility. Sabel specifically draws inspiration from Benedicto Cabrera's iconic series of the same name, portraying the scavenger figure as a symbol of urban poverty and endurance through fragmented, expressive gestures.
• Elias (1995)
• La Revolucion Filipina (1997) - a creative, striking dance homage to the paraplegic revolutionary hero Apolinario Mabini, it was part of Ballet Philippines' 45th anniversary season, with performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from July 25 to 27. This choreography, which originally premiered in 1997, narrates key episodes of Philippine revolutionary history, from the Spanish colonial era to the fight for independence, using dynamic group formations and dramatic solos to portray figures like Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal.
• Ang Pagpatay kay Antonio Luna (2002)

Agnes Locsin’s "Neo-Ethnic" approach roots itself firmly in the history, beliefs, and indigenous environments of the Philippines. Her work and contribution to choreography, in general, famously brought awareness to indigenous communities and environmental issues, earning her international acclaim and multiple prestigious awards in global choreography competitions in Tokyo, Paris, and beyond. They include: 

• Araw ng Maynila's Patnubay sa Kalinangan at Sining Award (1994) awarded by the City of Manila for her the for her significant cultural impact through dance.
• Hiyas ng Lahi Award (1992) from the Dance Alliance and National Choreography Endeavors, celebrating her excellence in choreography, particularly works like Encantada that blended indigenous and modern elements
• Datu Bago Award (2000) from Davao City, recognizing her efforts in promoting Mindanao's cultural heritage via performances and education.
• Pilak Award para sa Serbisyong Pangkultura, Sining at Kumunidad (2004) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
• Gawad Buhay Award from Philstage in 2008 and 2011 for outstanding production and original choreography, including for Encantada
• Gawad CCP para sa Sining (2013) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines,  its highest accolade for lifetime achievement in dance, underscoring her decades of innovative artistic direction.
• Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi (2014) from Ateneo de Manila University , honoring her as an exemplar in advancing neo-ethnic Filipino dance and cultural preservation.
• Daigler Award for Mindanao Culture and the Arts (2017_ from Ateneo de Davao University
• Gawad Buhay Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) from Philstage
• The inaugural Gador Award (2020) from the CCP's Kaisa sa Sining at Kultura Mindanao Network, honoring outstanding Mindanawon artists in dance for her enduring promotion of regional cultural expressions.
• 6th Mindanawon National Artist for Dance (2022) underscoring her role in representing Mindanao's artistic heritage within the national pantheon, highlighting her efforts to amplify regional voices in the broader Philippine arts scene. 
• Pinoy Pride Award for Dance (2025) at the MEGA Ball.

 Beyond choreography, her book, Neo-Ethnic Choreography: A Creative Process (2012), documenting her her methodological approach to blending cultural elements in dance, won the Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Arts at the 32nd National Book Awards.  She also won the Gador Award, from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Datu Bago Award (2000), for her contribution to dance and culture, from the Davao City government.

 She maintains strong ties with her siblings within the Davao arts community, including her older sister Bing, a former member of the Bayanihan Dance Company, who inspired Agnes by teaching her, upon returning home, various dance forms. Agnes also shares a collaborative bond with Sonny Locsin, her nephew and son of her late brother Cesar Jose “Boy” Locsin, performing together in an aunt-nephew dance act that highlighted their extended family's involvement in the local performing arts scene.

Belmont Iloilo Hotel Soon to Officially Open (Iloilo City, Iloilo)

 

The Miami Art-Deco inspired Belmont Hotel Iloilo

Megaworld Corporation is set to expand its hospitality footprint in Iloilo Business Park with the opening, on June 24, 2026, of Belmont Hotel Iloilo, its third hotel development in the township (the others are the 149-room Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and 326-room Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo) and the fourth Belmont Hotel. The township also hosts three museums including the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), the first contemporary art museum in Visayas and Mindanao, modern LEED Gold-certified office towers, and Iloilo City's first-ever Wolfgang's Steakhouse, all within the same address.

 

Belmont Iloilo Hotel GM Ms. Joy H. Alonte

In a press launch held at the Kingsford Hotel in Parañaque City last June 11, Thursday, Belmont Hotel Iloilo General Manager Ms. Joy H. Alonte said that “the property is poised to be the city’s largest hotel, with 405 rooms, bringing to 25 percent the total hotel room inventory managed by MHR in Iloilo.” She added that “The hotel targets a mix of domestic and foreign business travelers, given its proximity to the Iloilo Convention Center. The hotel is really intended for MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference, and Exhibition), so we’re looking into that, and at the same time for travelers, wherein we’re bringing in more guests—so, that’s a mix from local and international guests.” 

The hotel is set to open its door with an introductory offer of PHP4,000 per night with breakfast for a period of at least three months, before returning to the normal pricing of PHP7,000 rate per night,  inviting travelers to experience the newest lifestyle destination in the City of Love. Each stay comes with thoughtfully curated inclusions, including overnight accommodation with breakfast for two (2) persons at Belmont Café, and complimentary use of the swimming pool, BFit Gym, and other facilities.

She also said that “Belmont Hotel Iloilo would be the third Muslim-friendly hotel by MHR in the city, and soon to be its first property with Halal certification.”  Currently, the hotel is in the process of completing the necessary requirements to be an accredited Muslim-friendly accommodation establishment by the Department of Tourism.

 

Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) Ms. Cleofe Albiso 

Ms. Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of MHR, shared how the opening reflects a longer commitment to the region. "We are excited to offer a truly refreshing experience for everyone at Belmont Hotel Iloilo, and this chapter marks an important milestone in our commitment to help boost tourism in the Visayas. Iloilo continues to be a premier destination for local and international travelers with Iloilo Business Park leading the way. We are proud to continue expanding our hospitality footprint in this township with a new and premier development for guests who want to experience the best of Iloilo's thriving tourism and business scene." 

This 12-storey property and homegrown brand of hotel, to be managed by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR, Megaworld’s hospitality arm), cost Php1.5 billion to build.  It will add 405 elegantly curated rooms to the company’s portfolio (making it the largest hotel in the city) in the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park, resulting in a total of 880 hotel room keys (commanding nearly 25% of the entire city’s hotel room inventory) in the township and accounting for nearly a quarter of Iloilo City’s total hotel inventory.

 

L-R: Mr. Arturo Boncato, Jr. (Group GM of MHR), Ms. Cleofe Albiso (Managing Director of MHR), Hotel GM Ms. Joy H. Alonte and Mr. Avinash Menon (Cluster GM for Visayas of MHR)

The hotel’s exterior is the most design-forward yet, drawing from Miami Art Deco aesthetics while staying rooted in local Ilonggo character. The hotel’s interiors blend mid-century modern aesthetics with vintage and retro elements.  Rooms feature curated artworks from local artists depicting Iloilo landmarks with a 1950s-era sensibility. 

This magnificent hotel, located just beside Saint Dominique along the stretch of the Festive Walk (putting guests within walking distance of the Iloilo Convention Center and Festive Walk Mall), is composed of a wide variety of suite choices.  The 24 sq. m., 2-pax Standard Queen has 1 Queen Bed; the 24 sq. m., 2-pax Standard Twin has 2 Twin Beds; the 48 sq. m., 4-pax One Bedroom Suite has 1 Queen Bed and the 30 sq. m., 4-pax Premier has 1 Queen Bed. All have air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and free WiFi. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and wardrobe.

 

One of the elegantly curated rooms of the hotel

The hotel also offers 30-sq. m. Specially-Abled Rooms, for for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with mobility needs, as well as 48-sq. m, themed Kids’ Rooms which is connected to a neighboring room, a first-of-its-kind concept in Iloilo, offering a more immersive experience for families traveling with children. 

The hotel has three food and beverage (F&B) outlets.  Belmont Café, an all-day dining destination that can accommodate up to 108 guests, has a private, 14-seat dining space and offers modern Ilonggo dinner specialties in global formats. Its interiors highlight Iloilo's local culture, with designs inspired by regional heritage and artworks by local artists. The Zabana Bar, at the lobby lounge, is Megaworld’s signature hotel bar concept.  Thee Float Bar and Grill is located at the pool lounge on the third floor.

 

The all-day dining Belmont Cafe

The mini art gallery, designed to host a rotating showcase of works from local artists and personalities at the second-floor amenity area, is another first-in-Iloilo concept integrated into Belmont Hotel Iloilo. Surrounding the mini art gallery is the Grand Ballroom.  This high-ceiling ballroom, accommodating up to 310 persons in a theater setup or about 300 in a banquet setup, can also be divided into four smaller function halls for more intimate events and celebrations. There are also meeting rooms with breakout areas that can accommodate a variety of business functions. 

Zabana Bar

The outdoor swimming pool and kiddie pool, at the third-floor amenity area, is complemented by a pool lounge and male and female changing rooms, each featuring integrated saunas. Wellness facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center (BFit Gym) and private spa rooms designed for relaxation and recovery. Additional amenities include a 24-hour Front Desk, free on-site private parking, and a paid airport shuttle service.

 

The hotel lobby

The hotel is just conveniently located 2.1 kms. from Molo Plaza, the Molo Mansion and Graciano Lopez Jaena Park; 2.3 kms. from Sanson y Montinola Antillan Ancestral House Iloilo; 2.6 kms. from Nelly’s Garden; 2.8 kms. from Lizares Mansion; 4.7 kms. from the Old Iloilo Provincial Jail and Casa Real de Iloilo; 5 kms. from Casa Real and Plaza Libertad; and 17 kms. (a 30-min. drive) from the Iloilo International Airport 

Currently, MHR has 16 operational hotel properties with around 7,500 rooms in key tourism destinations, including Metro Manila, Tagaytay City, Cebu province, and Boracay Island.  To grow its portfolio to about 9,000 room keys, Megaworld is set to open, until 2030, six more hotels in key tourism destinations across the Philippines, further solidifying its position as the country’s largest developer and operator of hotel brands.

Megaworld said the project forms part of its efforts to support tourism growth in the Visayas and strengthen its presence in Iloilo, which it described as a growing destination for business and leisure travelers. 

Belmont Hotel Iloilo: Iloilo Business Park, Enterprise Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000. Mobile number: 0917 817 9281.