One of the Most Famous Hotel in Town
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Review: A Classic Cebu Hotel That Still Gets the Basics Right
Area: Nivel Hills, Cebu City, Philippines
Average price: $55 to $85 per night for standard Deluxe and Premier rooms, depending on seasonal demand and promotions.
Space type: Luxury hotel with spacious rooms, multiple dining options, and wellness facilities
Wifi speed: Reliable for work and streaming
For travelers visiting Cebu, newer hotels in IT Park and Cebu Business Park usually get most of the attention. But after multiple stays at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, I still think this hotel deserves a spot on the shortlist, especially if you value space, comfort, good food, and a quieter environment.
Marco Polo Plaza isn’t the newest luxury hotel in the city, and that’s both its biggest weakness and one of its biggest strengths.
It feels like a classic hotel from a different era. Bigger rooms, solid fundamentals, and a calmer atmosphere that many newer hotels struggle to match.
Why this place stands out
✔ Larger rooms than most newer hotels
Even the standard Deluxe Rooms offer approximately 32 square meters (344 square feet), which is becoming increasingly rare as many modern hotels shrink room sizes to maximize inventory.
✔ A proper room setup for remote workers
The rooms feel open instead of cramped, giving you enough space to work, relax, and unpack comfortably.
✔ Work-friendly essentials included
Each room comes with:
- A dedicated workstation or desk
- Reliable WiFi
- Television
- Built-in refrigerator/minibar
- Comfortable bathroom with good amenities
- Excellent city or mountain views in many rooms
✔ Comfort-first experience
Marco Polo has always done one thing exceptionally well: sleep. The beds are genuinely comfortable, and because of the hillside location, the hotel often feels much quieter compared to city-center hotels.
✔ Strong facilities despite its age
For a property that has been around for decades, the facilities remain surprisingly competitive.
The Rooms: Bigger Than Most New Hotels
One thing that immediately stands out at Marco Polo Plaza is the room size.
If you’ve stayed in many recently built hotels, you’ll notice the difference right away. The rooms feel open rather than compressed, which makes a big difference for longer stays.
For remote workers especially, the workstation setup is one of the most practical parts of the stay. It’s a hotel room where you can actually work comfortably without balancing a laptop on a bedside table.
Facilities That Still Hold Up
Marco Polo Plaza features:
- A large swimming pool
- Full-service spa
- Well-equipped fitness center
- Multiple dining outlets
- Business facilities
The gym deserves special mention.
Unlike many hotel gyms that offer only a few treadmills and minimal equipment, Marco Polo’s fitness center has enough machines and equipment to maintain a serious workout routine while traveling.
That alone makes it stand out for long-stay travelers.
The Food Scene Is a Major Strength
One reason many Cebu locals still visit Marco Polo even when they’re not staying overnight is the food.
Blu Bar & Grill
The rooftop restaurant remains one of Cebu’s classic dining spots. With elevated city views, solid food, and cocktails, it’s still a strong choice for dinner, sunset drinks, or entertaining clients.
The atmosphere still feels special.
Hai Shin Lou
If you love Chinese cuisine, Hai Shin Lou is arguably one of the best Chinese restaurants in Cebu.
That’s a bold statement given Cebu’s competitive food scene, but the quality has stayed consistently strong over the years. Many locals still consider it one of the city’s top Chinese dining experiences.
Café Marco
The lobby café and buffet area is spacious, comfortable, and ideal for casual meetings, coffee, or spending a few hours outside your room.
It still carries that grand hotel atmosphere that many newer properties struggle to replicate.
Where Marco Polo Shows Its Age
Let’s address the obvious.
The hotel is due for a significant refresh.
While everything is generally well-maintained, some carpets, furniture, and interior design elements are starting to show their age.
This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but for a hotel positioned in the upper-end market, continued investment in renovations would help preserve its premium reputation.
The bones of the property are excellent. It simply needs cosmetic updates to align with modern luxury expectations.
The Location: Depends on What You Want
Marco Polo’s location is probably the most polarizing part of the experience.
It’s not in the middle of the action like IT Park or Cebu Business Park.
If your goal is immediate access to restaurants, coworking spaces, and nightlife, there are more convenient options.
But personally, I don’t mind the location at all.
The hotel sits on Nivel Hills, giving it a more peaceful atmosphere and better views than most city-center properties.
You’re still only a short drive from:
- Downtown Cebu
- Ayala Center Cebu
- IT Park
But you avoid much of the traffic, noise, and congestion that come with staying directly in those busier districts.
For travelers who prefer a calmer environment while staying connected to the city, it’s actually a strong compromise.
Rating: 8.5/10
Best for:
- Remote workers
- Business travelers
- Families
- Food lovers
- Travelers who prefer a quieter environment
Less ideal for:
- Travelers who want to be within walking distance of IT Park nightlife and restaurants
- Those seeking a brand-new luxury hotel experience
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One of the Most Famous Hotel in Town
Final verdict:
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu feels like a classic luxury hotel that still gets the fundamentals right.
If your stay priorities are larger rooms, comfortable beds, strong dining options, reliable amenities, and a quieter atmosphere, it remains one of Cebu’s most underrated hotel choices.
It may not be the trendiest or newest hotel in Cebu, but it delivers where it matters.