Quest Hotel and Conference Center - Cebu

Quest Cebu certainly makes an attractive option for those staying in this Corporate-friendly town. Inside, the simple brown and cream palette is familiar from corporate hotels around the city. But this high-rise property has the advantage of being one of Cebu’s newer hotels as of 2015, and still feels fresh and up-to-date. It’s excellent value and a highly affordable alternative to the better-known upscale business hotels all around the city. The lobby is small for a hotel of this size, but it’s an accurate indication of this hotel at large: simple and unassuming. There are also plenty of places to unwind, from a pool to a fitness room. The approach at Quest is relaxed -- maybe a little too relaxed for a busy city hotel, as previous guests note the long check-in process. Like most of Cebu’s large hotels, there’s a pretty even split between business travelers, families, and couples. 

Quest Cebu sits near a busy intersection in a business area of town. It’s just a two-minute walk from the Ayala Center -- a large mall with shops, bars, and a range of restaurants from fast-food chains and coffee shops to fancy eateries. The Grand Convention Center is five minutes’ walk away, and it’s a 15-minute walk to the IT Park. Mango Square is a five-minute drive away. It’s a great location for business travelers, but most of the city’s attractions, including the Taoist Temple, Magellan's Cross, Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, and Cebu Tops, are 20 to 30 minutes away by car, taking into account the traffic. Taxis are available from outside the hotel and there’s a bus station opposite. It’s a 15-minute journey to the port and a half-hour drive to Mactan-Cebu Airport. 

The difference between this hotel and its competitors is that Quest's modern rooms have details that add welcome softness, like padded cream headboards and large shag-pile rugs on top of the simple white-tiled flooring. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. There are also coffee- and tea-making facilities and a minibar. Bathrooms are basic and on the small side, with walk-in showers and wall-mounted hairdryers. Views look out over the hills and the city. Rooms start at 270 square feet (25 square meters) in the entry-level Deluxe Rooms, which have elegant damask feature walls. We weren’t able to view the Premier Deluxe Rooms, but these have a small step-out balcony. Junior Suites are larger, at 420 square feet (39 square meters), and can sleep an additional adult in the separate lounge area. The sleeping spaces in these rooms are a little small, with wooden headboards in a quirky dream-catcher-style design. The sleeping areas in the Executive Suites are more spacious, and guests in these will also find bathrooms with shower/tub combos as well as separate walk-in showers. Aside from room sizes, the main complaint is some noise from neighboring rooms.

Aside from the huge restaurant, facilities at Quest are on the small side. There’s a small heated outdoor pool with a swim-up bar in a courtyard-style area. The space also includes a whirlpool, a couple of white wicker-resin chairs, and a few sun beds and day beds -- although not enough to accommodate all of the hotel's guests. There’s just one restaurant, Puso Bistro & Bar, which is a vast plain space, mainly filled with tables and chairs, a few booths, and a bar. The various buffet stations are well-presented, although the station that features hanging meat cooked whole won’t be to everyone’s taste. An a la carte menu is also available. There’s plenty of choice at breakfast, with local specialties alongside Western dishes, although reviews are mixed on food quality. Room service is available around the clock. Other facilities of note include a bright fitness center with a nice selection of machines and free weights, as well as a couple of bland, beige function rooms. Business travelers should note the absence of a club lounge. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout.