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.

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.

Nights at Zabana (Savoy Hotel Manila, Pasay City)

 

Official Launch and Media Night of Nights at Zabana

June is extra special at Savoy Hotel Manila (SHM) as they celebrate their anniversary on this month.  This year they will be celebrating 8 remarkable years of heartfelt Filipino hospitality by raising a glass to it, in the most flavorful way, through its Nights of Zabana, a unique celebration of destination flavors, creative mixology, and culinary artistry, from June 1–8, 2026. 

Four of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) Executive Chefs

Nights of Zabana is a week-long showcase of signature cocktails, curated pairings, and destination-inspired flavors brought to life by guest bartenders and Executive Chefs from SHM’s sister properties under Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR), including Belmont Hotel Iloilo, Chancellor Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, and Twin Lakes Hotel, with each hotel presenting signature creations crafted using Zabana Rum.  Eight days, five destinations. 

GM Den Navarro delivering his Welcome Speech

“As we celebrate Savoy Hotel Manila’s 8th anniversary, Nights of Zabana brings together flavors, stories, and experiences from across our hotel portfolio for eight unforgettable nights. More than a showcase of exceptional cocktails, it is a celebration of meaningful connections, shared experiences, and the warm hospitality that defines Megaworld Hotels & Resorts,” said Den Navarro, General Manager of Savoy Hotel Manila.

For the first time, Savoy Hotel Manila will bring together guest bartenders and Executive Chefs from these destinations to present Zabana-inspired cocktails and mocktails, paired with regional hors d’oeuvres, that best represent their local flavors and experiences. For eight consecutive evenings, guests can enjoy live signature cocktail preparation, interact with talented mixologists, and discover the stories, via meaningful conversations, behind every signature pour and pairing.

Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Ms. Cleofe Albiso 

More than just a cocktail event, Nights of Zabana celebrates the distinct identity of each destination and highlights the versatility of one proudly Filipino spirit — Zabana — through elevated mixology and thoughtfully curated cuisine. It also serves as a special opportunity to introduce and showcase their newly opened sister properties, Belmont Hotel Iloilo and Chancellor Hotel Boracay. 

Welcoming guests and celebrities for the Nights of Zabana

During the official launch and opening media night, on June 1, 2026, online and print media partners, tourism stakeholders, industry friends and valued guests were among the first to experience this exciting milestone celebration, the first collaborative cocktail showcase of its kind within Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.  Before the event started, they were treated to a buffet dinner spread at Savoy Cafe.  During the event, overnight and three days/two nights stays at select Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHM) hotels as well as one-hour signature massage and SHM dinner buffet for two gift certificates were raffled off. 

Savoy Hotel Manila - L-R: Habal-Pedikab-Dyip

Bartender of Savoy Hotel Manila Mr. Ian Abrantes

Savoy Hotel Manila Executive Chef Christian "Kit" Carpio introduced comforting and familiar creations like the refreshing Dyip paired with Zabana Rum Cured Salmon Sinuglaw, the velvety Pedikab served with Brandy-Glazed Beef Short Rib Bao, and the warm alcohol-free Habal complemented by Kesong Puti & Honey Rum Samosa.

Belmont Hotel Iloilo - L-R: Pine Batuan Iced Tea-Ilonggo Breeze-After Glow

Belmont Hotel Iloilo Executive Chef Carlo Villaluz brought the tropical warmth to the bar with After Glow, Ilonggo Breeze, and Pine Batuan Iced Tea, each one thoughtfully inspired by the flavors and spirit of their destination, and served alongside hearty, regional bites.

 

Twin Lakes Hotel - L-R: Taal Sunset Rhum Punch-Barako Old Fashioned-Calamansi Coconut Fizz

Twin Lakes Hotel Executive Chef Ynan Soriano Del Rosario brought the comforting and soulful flavors of Tagaytay, influenced with Batangas favorites, to every pour with their refreshing Calamansi Coconut Fizz paired with Ensaladang Talong with Inasal Shrimp, the Barako Old Fashioned served alongside hearty Bulalo Croquettes with Bone Marrow Aioli, and the Taal Sunset Rhum Punch complemented by tender Adobo sa Dilaw na Manok Skewers.

 

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown - L-R: Luntian Brisa-Mango De Jasminum-Lakambini Sour

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown Executive Chef Joan Coke Semblante brought the island-inspired flavors of Cebu as we sipped on the Lakambini Sour paired with Kinapusan Chips with Aged Spicy Tuba Vinegar, the fragrant Mango de Jasminum served alongside Shrimp Yakitori with Thai Green Curry, and the Luntian Brisa complemented by Tuna Carpaccio with Calamansi Ponzu.

 

Chancellor Hotel Boracay L-R Zabana Old Fashioned-Frost Berry Fizz-Ginlime Infusion

Bartender Mr. Jover Ramones of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown 

Chancellor Hotel Boracay Executive Chef Richard Sumo brought the island energy with refreshing citrus and berry-forward creations like Ginlime Infusion paired with Bar Lime Gin Tuna Kinilaw, the refreshing Frost Berry Fizz served alongside Deep-Fried Calamari, and the bold Zabana Old Fashioned complemented by smoky Pork Barbecue Ribs Tacos.

L-R: Savoy Hotel Manila (SHM) General Manager Den Navarro, Media Friends & Ivan Agote Assistant Regional Director Dept of Tourism NCR, & SHM Executive Chef Kit Carpio

Adding a playful element to the celebration, guests were invited to vote for the cocktails they believed best suited three occasions: Date Nights, Business Meetings, and Chill-Out Nights. The activity highlighted the versatility of the featured drinks while encouraging guests to discover their own personal favorites. At the end of the voting, Mango de Jasminum emerged as the crowd favorite for Date Nights, impressing guests with its refreshing and romantic flavor profile. For Business Meetings, the sophisticated and timeless Zabana Old Fashioned took the top spot, while Pedikab from Savoy Hotel Manila was hailed as the preferred cocktail for Chill-Out Nights, perfectly capturing the relaxed and easygoing spirit of the occasion.

Cheers to Zabana

During the event, overnight and three days/two nights stays at select Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHM) hotels as well as one-hour signature massage and SHM dinner buffet for two gift certificates were also raffled off. 

SHM GM Den Navarro drawing the lucky winners

Savoy Hotel Manila: 101 Andrews Ave., Newport City, 1309 Pasay City. Tel: +63 (02) 5317-2869 and 5317-2817.  E-mail: dine@savoymanila.com and stay@savoymanila.com. Website: www.savoyhotelmanila.com. 

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown: The Mactan Newtown, Newtown Blvd, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu. Tel: (032) 494 4000. Mobile number: (0917) 868-6746. E-mail: reserve@savoymactan.com.  Website: www.savoyhotelmactan.com.ph. 

Chancellor Hotel Boracay: Newcoast Drive, Boracay Newcoast, Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, 5608 Aklan. Tel: (036)286-1300. Mobile numbers: (0917) 555-5555. E-mail: stay@chancellorboracay.com. 

Twin Lakes Hotel: Tagaytay - Nasugbu Highway, Laurel, 4221 Batangas. Tel: (043) 302-1688.  Mobile numbers: (0917) 853-7468 and (0917) 846-1389. E-mail: reservations@twinlakeshotel.com.ph. Website: www.twinlakeshotel.com.ph. 

Belmont Hotel Iloilo: Festive Walk Road, Iloilo Business Park, Enterprise Rd, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, 5000. Tel: (033) 328-7888. Mobile number: (0917) 817-9281. E-mail: stay@belmontiloilo.com.