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Plantation Bay

Reyma Deveza

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<p>CEBU – Plantation Bay marks nearly three decades as a fixture in the country’s resort landscape, offering leisure, dining, and wellness experiences beyond a typical beach vacation.</p><p>With more than 25 years in operation, the resort points to its long-standing focus on design, cuisine, and service as central to its identity.</p><p>Recently, ABS-CBN News was among the guests invited to experience Plantation Bay.</p><p>Located in Barangay Marigondon, Mactan Island in Lapu-Lapu City, the 255-room resort combines extensive amenities with a Filipino design sensibility. The property was designed, built, owned, and operated by Cebuanos.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768191915686fd335760-d2a8-4189-ade3-8efed892d077.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Plantation Bay Resort&#x27;s lagoon-style pools. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176819207180708f45ad4-93ea-428c-8282-e40c18e0c457.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Plantation Bay Resort&#x27;s lagoon-style pools. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>The resort is known for its expansive man-made lagoons and Moorish-Mediterranean architecture. It features furniture by Cebuano craftsmen, designs by the late Imok Roa, and original works by National Artist Romulo Galicano.</p><div> <span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17681914421084bed2737-3a1f-4168-b44f-62d6ac03958e.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A glimpse inside Plantation Bay&#x27;s Water&#x27;s Edge Room. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Delicious Dozen</strong></div><p>The resort has several food and beverage outlets for its guests and serves a wide range of food both local and international.</p><p>The resort claims its ube ice cream shake, as well as its premium steaks, are among the best in the country — offerings it highlights as part of its signature dining experience.</p><p>These items, including the ube milkshake and the Nuclear Kagoshima Wagyu, are part of Plantation Bay’s Delicious Dozen, a curated list of 12 dishes the resort considers emblematic of its culinary identity.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17681922271872d27404d-caf3-4d40-b389-de52d7375808.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Plantation Bay Resort&#x27;s Ube Shake. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>The resort&#x27;s Kilimanjaro Kafe is an all-day dining restaurant serving Filipino and international dishes, while Palermo, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers tapas, pastas and quality delicious steaks.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768192927786e388b698-a692-48fe-ad2f-2336bd4c0542.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Delicious steak prepared for guests at resort&#x27;s Palermo restaurant. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>If you are craving for Japanese food, then try Fiji, where you can order their signature crispy tempura made of jumbo prawns. In addition to its flavors, the dish stands out for its presentation, making it popular for photographs among guests.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768193178065cd5fec9e-84fa-4f65-a279-1a072971ca84.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Crispy Tempura enjoyed by the guests at Fiji. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>If you are into American diner food, the resort has Route 66, which offers comfort food and all-day breakfast. You may like to try Route 66&#x27;s Barcelona Breakfast which is made of fries, jamon serrano and huevos rotos or broken deep-fried eggs.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A real spa</strong></div><p>Aside from its lagoons and pools, the resort also boasts Mogambo Springs, a very charming, serene and an 18th-century Tokugawa Japanese village-inspired health and relaxation spa.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:958px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768193318465a0d7183c-6ff4-4def-beb6-f1b1f68b49a3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Inside Mogambo Springs. <em>Reyma Buan-Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768193336165fbaf2c51-2420-4d1a-9b75-059a5b35d47c.jpg" style="width:960px;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Indoor hot pool of Mogambo Springs. <em>Reyma Deveza, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>The spa has cascading massage waterfalls, hot pools, sauna and steam room, and more. It offers classic massages, reflexology, aromatherapy, and body scrubs.  </p><p>For health and wellness, the resort also features a gym.</p><p>Plantation Bay also offers various recreational activities including biking, archery, wall climbing, firing, and more. The resort also has a playground for children.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176819550104697ba62d4-680a-4f97-a65c-2897e197dffa.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pandanon Island.</span></span></span> Plantation Bay is also an ideal starting point for explore Cebu&#x27;s islands. There is Hilutungan island, which is known for snorkeling and diving, and Pandanon Island, famous for its white sandbars and clear waters.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Ideal choice for MICE</strong></div><p>Plantation Bay also positions itself as a venue for MICE, providing event spaces within a resort setting suited for meetings, incentive trips, conferences, and exhibitions. The property is used for executive retreats, corporate events, and milestone celebrations.</p><p>Plantation Bay describes itself as the most multi-awarded resort on Mactan Island and a consistent top performer for more than 25 years. Management also credits the resort with contributing to developments in Philippine tourism, from advocating aviation liberalization to helping grow key travel markets.</p><p>The property has introduced several industry-first practices, including a no-tipping policy, a money-back guarantee, and Muslim-friendly 5-star accommodations, and was among the first major hotels in the country to offer all-inclusive stays.</p><p>Beyond its facilities and services, Charie Borres, head of marketing and communications at Plantation Bay Resort, pointed to the resort’s workforce as its lasting legacy.</p><p>“The resort’s legacy is its staff. We have produced a lot of staff who have been with us for 30 years, most are pioneering. We also have staff who have been here for 25 years. Those who went abroad to look for greener pasture comes back and say they are grateful to consider Plantation Bay their home and a stepping stone towards where they are now,&quot; says Borres, noting that most of the resort&#x27;s staff are from Cebu and Bacolod.</p><p>Plantation Bay is turning 30 this year, and to ensure quality service for guests, Borres said the resort&#x27;s staff continue to undergo training and professional development programs.</p>

<p>Designed, built, and operated by Cebuanos, the Mactan-based resort reflects three decades of hospitality excellence through its architecture, cuisine, wellness offerings, and people — many of whom have been part of the property since its early years.</p>

Designed, built, and operated by Cebuanos, the Mactan-based resort reflects three decades of hospitality excellence through its architecture, cuisine, wellness offerings, and people — many of whom have been part of the property since its early years.

Plantation Bay highlights Cebuano roots, legacy as it turns 30

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Plantation Bay highlights Cebuano roots, legacy as it turns 30

Reyma Deveza,

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published Jan 18, 2026 09:38 AM PHT

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Updated Jan 18, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

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