Eloisa Royal Suites

Eloisa Royal Suites is best described as pocket-sized, with small rooms, small facilities, and a small lobby. Guests enter the four-story hotel, which has a 24-hour massage parlor occupying retail space on the ground floor, into a small (and arguably cramped) but modern lobby, complete with a few large pin-cushion chairs for lounging, a rack of magazines, and a tiny reception desk with blue backlighting that adds a bit of contemporary appeal. The tiny restaurant is off to one side and an elevator framed by orange-led lighting panels leads up to the rooms. Some of the rooms are housed in an additional annex building behind the hotel. Most guests here are tourists who want easy access to the nearby airport, primarily couples, plus a fair mix of families and solo travelers. 

Eloisa is located right in the middle of Mactan, next to an abandoned lot and in an area with lots of poorly maintained structures. While the area is far from pretty, it is convenient -- the airport is just a five- to 10-minute drive away. Additionally, a shopping center, The Outlet, which features plenty of name-brand stores along with restaurants and food carts, is about a three-minute walk from the hotel. The city of Cebu is about a half-hour drive away. On-site parking is free.

Eloisa Royal Suites offers five types of room, ranging from windowless Studios with queen beds clear up to Executive Suites with two king-size beds. Decor is streamlined, with light wood-paneled walls complemented by accent walls with black-and-white (and sometimes hot-pink) geometric patterns, and neon-pink bed runners on all-white beds. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, minibars, safes, kettles, and bottled water is provided. Large Junior Suites add wet bars with microwaves and toaster ovens. Bathrooms are snug, with counter space limited to a tiny glass ledge below small vanity mirrors, and all have small walk-in rainfall showers, except for Executive Suites, which offer shower/tub combos. Executive Suites also have small patios with tiny hot tubs and just enough room for a couple of wicker tables and chairs; however, they're next to the pool and not very private. Note that rooms get a lot of noise from passing traffic, though units in the hotel's adjacent annex tend to be quieter than those in the main building. 

The hotel has decent amenities given its small size, with the standout being the lovely mosaic-tiled outdoor swimming pool that's illuminated at night. The pool deck has a handful of wicker loungers and chairs. Also on-site is a small fitness room with a few pieces of cardio and weight-training equipment and big windows that let in lots of natural light. Dining options include a casual restaurant where a free buffet breakfast featuring local rice and noodle dishes are served, but past guests have complained that food quality is mediocre overall. There are also a mid-size function room for meetings and events, an area shuttle, a billiards table. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.