Cebu's BEST Rooftop Views: Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem!
Cebu's BEST Rooftop Views: Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem!
Cebu's BEST Rooftop Views: Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem! -- A Review, and Honestly, My Thoughts After Staying There
Okay, so let's cut the crap. You're looking for a hotel in Cebu, you're probably already bombarded with shiny, picture-perfect advertising. Here's the REAL deal on Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem, because let's be honest, gems are sometimes a little…complicated.
First things first: The View. The Damn View. That's what you're paying for, right? And yes, it's worth it. Seriously, the rooftop bar and pool are chef's kiss. Panoramic. Jaw-dropping. You can literally see the whole of Cebu City sprawled out before you like a…well, a sprawling city. It's particularly magical at sunset. I was there, drink in hand (more on that later!), watching the sky explode in oranges and purples, and for a split second, I thought, "Wow, I need to live here." Then the waiter spilled a tiny bit of my cocktail and reality gently smacked me back into place. Still, the view makes the "Gem" part believable.
Accessibility (and the Struggle is Real, Sometimes): Ok, let's talk practicalities. Accessibility is a mixed bag. The hotel says it has facilities for disabled guests, and there's an elevator, which is a huge plus. However, I didn't see specific ramps or wide doorways everywhere. This needs further investigation if you have specific mobility needs; best to call the hotel beforehand and confirm. Check-in/out [express] and check-in/out [private] are options, which is great for a quick getaway or a more tailored experience. Car park [free of charge] is always a win in a city notorious for its traffic and parking woes.
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking - Oh, The Possibilities! This is where things get interesting. There are Restaurants, a Bar (the rooftop one, naturally!), Coffee shop, and even a Snack bar. You're spoiled for choice! They offer Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant options, and a Western breakfast to ease the transition.
Let's talk about that rooftop bar again because…it's calling me. The Poolside bar is fantastic, especially during Happy hour. I swear, I spent more time there than I did in my actual room! They do a decent Happy hour, but honestly, the drinks are a bit…pricey. But hey, you're paying for the view, right? I had a bottle of water come as standard. I did try the Breakfast [buffet], because, well, buffet. It’s decent, offering Asian breakfast as well. However, it felt a little…standard. Predictable, even. I'd have loved a bit more local flair, maybe some freshly made puto or bibingka to start the day. I was a bit disappointed – I was really hoping for a truly memorable Cebuano culinary experience.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms (But with a Few Quirks): The rooms, thankfully, live up to the "Gem" label… mostly. They're modern, clean, and reasonably spacious. You've got the basics: Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area, Free Wi-Fi, Free bottled water, Coffee/tea maker, In-room safe box, Mini bar, Refrigerator and Daily housekeeping. The bed was comfy. The Blackout curtains were clutch for sleeping in! (Thank god!)
Now, for the "quirks." The Internet access – wireless was generally reliable, but sometimes it hiccuped, which was mildly annoying when I was trying to work. Internet access – LAN is also offered, so if you need a rock-solid connection, that's an option. The Bathtub was lovely, but the lighting in the bathroom was…dim. I swear, I almost couldn’t see to shave. Minor details, right?
Cleanliness and Safety - Because, Pandemic Life: Alright, let's get serious. I was particularly impressed with the Anti-viral cleaning products. They had Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and Staff trained in safety protocol. They offered a Room sanitization opt-out available, which is reassuring. They were also doing proper Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. I felt pretty safe.
Things to Do, or Ways to Relax (Beyond the Pool): Beyond the obvious (pool, bar, view), the hotel has a Fitness center and a Spa. I tried the Gym/fitness center. It’s pretty well-equipped, although the equipment is a bit dated.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter: The hotel offers a good range of Services and conveniences. Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Concierge, Room service [24-hour] (which is a lifesaver after a long day of exploring), and Cash withdrawal are all available. Then there are those little things that you forget you need – Luggage storage, and even a convenience store.
For the Kids (and BabySitters and all the rest): They have Babysitting service and are Family/child friendly. I didn't travel with kids, but it did look like a potentially great place for families.
Getting Around: Got a car? Car park [free of charge]. Need a taxi? Taxi service is easily available. Airport transfer is an also an option, which is supremely helpful after a long flight.
The "Gem" Factor: My Verdict
Look, Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem is a good hotel. It has a knockout view, it's generally clean and safe, and the amenities are decent. Is it perfect? Nah. Is it flawed in ways that make it relatable? Absolutely.
But that view…that view alone makes it worth considering. So, book it!
My Honest Offer (aka, why you SHOULD book the Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem!):
Here's the deal: For a limited time, book your stay at Grand Tower Crossroads IT Park Gem and receive a complimentary drink voucher for the rooftop bar (because, you deserve it!), PLUS a discount on a spa treatment (because, you really deserve it!).
Here's the real motivation: You’re not just booking a hotel; you’re booking an experience. The kind of experience that makes you forget about the daily grind, that makes you remember that life is beautiful (especially with a cocktail in hand, overlooking a stunning city at sunset). It’s an escape. It’s a “treat yourself” kind of moment. And frankly, you deserve it. So book it. Before I book it again.
Irkutsk's Hidden Gem: Hotel Zvezda – Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because THIS is going to be a trip. Not just a trip to Grand Tower, Cebu, but a TRIP inside my chaotic little brain trying to plan one! Forget perfectly polished itineraries, we're going for the glorious, messy, slightly-unhinged truth. Here goes:
GRAND TOWER, CEBU - A Messy, Beautiful Adventure (Maybe)
Days: Five (because I need a buffer for inevitable disasters. Like forgetting my passport. Again.)
Location: Grand Tower, Rooftop Near Crossroads & IT Park, Cebu City, Philippines (aka, the place that promised a view, which I'm now betting is gonna be either breathtakingly beautiful or… entirely blocked by a taller building. We'll see.)
The Core Premise (and Why I'm Doing This in the First Place): Okay, so I booked this trip because:
- I needed an escape. My goldfish, Ferdinand, died last week (RIP, little dude), and my boss is convinced staplers are sentient. Therapy is expensive, and a rooftop in Cebu seemed cheaper.
- The photos looked AMAZING. Seriously, Pinterest is my kryptonite. Lush greenery, sparkling lights, that view… Plus, rooftop bars? Sold.
- I promised myself a damn vacation. My last "vacation" involved rearranging all my spice racks and arguing with my cat, Captain Fluffington, about his existential angst. This HAS to be better.
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Quest for Unbearably Good Food (and Maybe Panic)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up, immediately regret all life choices. Pack my bag (again! I've probably packed and repacked this thing five times already!), triple-check my passport (because, you know, trauma).
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM): Airport. Airlines, the masters of chaos. Pray to the travel gods that my flight's on time. The anxiety is already bubbling - I’m basically a caffeinated volcano of nervous energy.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Arrive in Cebu! (Hopefully). Taxi to Grand Tower. The first test: does the building actually look as cool as the pictures? I'm bracing myself for a let-down. The excitement is now building, but so is the fear that I've overhyped this whole thing in my head.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Check into the room. Rooftop reveal! If the view is even remotely decent, I might actually cry. Happy tears, hopefully. Fingers crossed.
- Evening (6:00 PM): FOOD. This is the most important thing. Absolutely obsessed with the idea of street food, but I'm also a wimp. Find a safe, yet exciting, restaurant near Crossroads. Maybe something with lechon (roasted suckling pig) because, when in Cebu, right? Definitely need to learn a few basic Cebuano phrases. "Delicious" and "another beer," probably.
- Night (8:00 PM): Rooftop bar exploration! Cocktails, hopefully a decent sunset, and the attempt to ward off jet lag with sheer willpower. Will I successfully mingle? Unlikely. Will I make a complete fool of myself? Probably, but the potential for a good story outweighs the embarrassment. Maybe a nice cigar (if they have them) to really lean into the “sophisticated, worldly traveler” persona. Which I am not.
Day 2: Culture Shock (Probably), Temple Hopping, and the Deepest Fried Lumpia I Can Find
- Morning (8:00 AM): Wake up… or, if jet lag has its way, stumble out of bed and wander aimlessly. Breakfast! Hopefully something delicious and not too spicy (I'm a lightweight when it comes to chili).
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Cultural immersion time! Off to explore the city. Not sure what I'm doing yet, but possibly the Taoist Temple (pictures looked stunning) and maybe a history lesson (if I can stay awake!) in Magellan's Cross.
- Mid-Day (12:00 PM): Stop for Lunch. This is important, and hopefully a bit less “touristy.” I really want to find a place the locals actually frequent. My stomach already starts rumbling at the thought of deep-fried lumpia (a Filipino spring roll). I will become the lumpia king; mark my words.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Explore the surrounding areas, possibly visit the Basilica del Santo Niño. (another chance to get lost. I’m sure I will)
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back to the hotel to recharge. Read a book, stare at the view, and try to process the fact that I'm actually doing this.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner… the quest for more unbelievable food continues. Maybe try a different part of town. I am on a mission to eat everything.
- Night (8:00 PM): Another rooftop bar? Or maybe finally succumb to the siren song of the hotel room and binge-watch something terrible on the TV. Decisions, decisions…
Day 3: Lapu-Lapu's Legacy, Mactan Island exploration and The Unbearable Lightness of Being Tourist
- Morning (9:00 AM): Day trip to Mactan Island! (After a lie-in, because I deserve it). Visit the Lapu-Lapu Shrine (history AND beautiful waterfront - score!). Contemplate Lapu-Lapu's bravery, and how I'd likely run screaming from the battlefield.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 AM): Mactan Island exploration – get lost in a good way. If there's a beach, absolutely take advantage! I need sun, and salty air, and to feel the sand between my toes.
- Mid-Day (1:00 PM): Lunch on Mactan. Seafood, of course. Fresh, grilled, everything. I'm picturing myself as a glamorous food blogger, but the reality will probably involve dropping something on my shirt.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Explore the waters. Maybe go snorkeling (if I can stop panicking about sea monsters). Or just relax on the beach and soak up the vibes.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Back to Cebu City. Freshen up, and then…
- Evening (7:00 PM): Find a local market – a sensory overload experience! Smells, sounds, vibrant colors. Maybe try some fruit I can't pronounce.
- Night (9:00 PM): Final drink on the rooftop, and the attempt to come to terms with the fact that this trip is already halfway over.
Day 4: Deep Dive: The One Thing I'm Really Excited About (And Why I'm Terrified)
- All Day: Deep immersion into something, anything. Maybe a cooking class. Maybe a visit to a local crafts workshop. Maybe I’ll just wander aimlessly, letting the city reveal itself to me.
- Evening: Reflecting on what I’ve done. Will I be proud of myself for trying new things? Will I be eating and drinking everything? Will I discover something about myself?
- Night: Final Rooftop Reflections and preparations for departure tomorrow. I have to plan to take a lot of photos to bring back the memories.
Day 5: Farewell, Cebu (And the Existential Dread of Going Home)
- Morning (9:00 AM): One last leisurely breakfast. Savor every bite. Try not to think about the pending return to reality.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): Do a little souvenir shopping (because Mom guilt is real). Find something ridiculously cheesy.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Taxi to the airport. Flight? On time? Passport? Check, check, and triple check.
- Mid-Afternoon (3:00 PM): Fly out! And the real question: will I remember this trip with fondness, or complete abject mortification? Guess we’ll see when I'm back.
- Evening: Back home. Jet lag hits like a freight train. Captain Fluffington judges me for being gone. Start planning my next escape.
Important Imperfections and Realistic Rantings:
- Procrastination Level: Expert. This "itinerary" is a guideline, not a rigid schedule. Expect deviations. Expect a LOT of deviations.
- Language Barrier: I know, like, three words of Cebuano. This will be… interesting.
- Navigational Skills: Abysmal. I will get lost. I will ask for directions and promptly forget them. I will probably end up in a completely different province.
- Food Allergies/Preferences: I'll
Cebu’s Grand Tower Rooftop: My Rant & Rave (in FAQ Form!)
Okay, so, is Grand Tower’s rooftop *really* the best view in Cebu? Like, better than that fancy hotel with the infinity pool?
Alright, alright, settle down, because I'm about to spill the tea – and maybe some chicharon crumbs, because let’s be real, I’m probably eating some right now. "Best" is subjective, right? But... yeah. Yeah, it's pretty darn good. Look, those infinity pool views are nice, *superficial*, but Grand Tower... it’s DIFFERENT. It’s like, you’re looking at the city, the sprawl, the messy, vibrant, *alive* Cebu. That hotel pool? It's like you're in a picture, beautifully framed, but sterile. Grand Tower? It's a reality show. You see the chaos! The energy! You *feel* it.
What *specifically* makes the view so epic? Is it just the height?
Okay, so it's height, obviously. Duh. But it's more than that. It's the *perspective*. You're in the heart of IT Park, surrounded by the energy of all that tech stuff. But you can see the mountains! The sea! It's a 360-degree panorama. My first time, I nearly choked on my San Miguel Light (classic me). I was so stunned. "Oh my god," I actually *whispered* - which is very uncharacteristic. "Oh my god, Cebu is beautiful. And terrifying." I mean, it's a lot to take in. And the sunsets! Forget about it. Pure gold.
Is it hard to get up there? Do I need connections? Secret handshakes? (Please say no secret handshakes.)
Thank goodness, NO secret handshakes! Okay, so the key is knowing which venue is operating at a given time. Some have strict rules, some are more...*chill*. It's not always open to the public, that's the truth. Find out which bar or restaurant is hosting an event, or which one is fully operational with the rooftop accessible. Do a quick online search, that's your best bet. I've had some *adventures* trying to get up there, let me tell you. Once, I accidentally wandered into a private party, wearing... well, let's just say my outfit didn't quite match the dress code. I still managed to sneak a peek (and grab a spring roll! The hunger is real). So, yeah, research is your friend! It's a *bit* of a treasure hunt, but totally worth it.
Okay, what about the atmosphere? Is it all fancy cocktails and air kisses, or can I actually, you know, relax?
Look, there’s a spectrum. You get the "instagrammable" crowd, of course. Which is fair, it *is* Instagrammable. But I've also seen people in shorts and flip-flops (bless their hearts!), just taking in the view and having a beer. It depends on the venue, the event, the day... I’ve seen everything from corporate events (yawn) to live music nights (YAS!) to just a bunch of friends chilling. My personal preference is relaxed. I like being able to actually *talk* to the person I'm with without yelling over thumping music. Find yourself a spot that aligns with your vibe. Honestly, if I can't relax, I'm out! I need to soak it in, not just *pose* in it.
Food and drinks? Are they overpriced like at every other rooftop bar?
This is the tricky part. Yes, expect to pay a bit more than you would at a *carinderia* (local eatery). But you are paying for the view, the ambiance, the Instagram clout, etc. But finding a place that at least has a decent happy hour, or some food that worth eating is important. I've had some *questionable* spring rolls and some amazing ones up there. Do your research! Read reviews! (I'm not even going to start a review here). Don't be afraid to get something you would actually eat, not just something pretty.
Any specific tips or recommendations? Things to avoid?
Okay, listen up!
- Go at sunset! Obvious, but WORTH IT. The colours are insane. Arrive early to snag a good spot.
- Dress comfortably. Unless you *want* to be uncomfortable, in which case, do your thing. But it can get windy up there.
- Check the weather! Rain sucks. End of story.
- Don't be afraid to explore all the venues. Each one offers a slightly different experience.
- Take pictures, but also put your phone down and just *look*. Seriously. It's a memory you won't regret making.
- Avoid: The "trying too hard" crowd. The sun. Rain. Maybe bring an umbrella, especially if you plan on having any drinks!
So, bottom line? Is it worth it? (I'm impatient.)
YES! ABSOLUTELY, YES! Even if you're a grumpy, budget-conscious Cebuano like me, it’s worth the splurge at least once. You’ll be telling everyone about it. You'll be posting pictures. You'll *remember* it. It’s a Cebu experience. Simple as that. Go. Just go. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to... *ahem* ...book a table. For myself. Again.
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