To Say The HENRY HOTEL Cebu is "Like No Other" is an understatement

It's one of the few hotels which made me exclaim "My god this place!" on several occasions. Sorry, I didn't help it.

I know it's the onset of the rainy season and for somebody like me who dreads turbulence on a plane ride, flying to Cebu alone seemed like a bad idea.For some weird reason, I felt like Cebu (having been there several times) couldn't excite me anymore. I was wrong yet again.After this solo trip, I have seen Cebu with fresh eyes. My accommodation in Cebu City, The Henry Hotel in Banilad changed that mood.

To say that The HENRY HOTEL CEBU is like no other could actually be an understatement. It is on a league of its own.It's a visual feast,even to somebody like me who is not good with art.This place is a thing of beauty.I see it as a celebration of the beautiful things in life.

The HENRY HOTEL Cebu

I did try hard to push myself to be upbeat that Saturday of June 8. The gloomy Manila weather, the three-hour flight delay in NAIA and the dark clouds (mala-the day after tomorrow movie) when I landed in Cebu City didn't help at all.It was when I arrived at the Henry Hotel Cebu when I realized that it was all worth it.All my worries and stress evaporated when I saw my room.

Beautiful and Consistent to the very detail

The soulful concept of the hotel extends to the very details. This vintage radio by the side table for example is one proof of that consistency.I love the printout reminders too.And that goes with the packaging of toiletries as well. This hotel is about beauty and consistency.

Exceptional !

I was excited to go around and check the place.The lobby of course is an eye candy but it doesn't end there. I would like to mention by the way that the lobby reminds me so much of Lub d Bangkok, the backpackers hotel where we stayed last May. Same feel but The HENRY of course is the more sosyal version.Will link it here as soon as I got it reviewed.

LOCATION: 

How to get to The Henry Hotel and around town.

Coming from the airport, ask the driver to take A.S. Fortuna St.At the end is the Banilad-Talamban flyover which runs along Gov. M. Cuenco Ave. Tell the driver to cross Cuenco.THE HENRY is just at the corner on your left. View Map>>>> here 

The hotel is nearby key establishments.It's 5 minutes by foot to Banilad Centetr, Gaisano Country Mall and University of Cebu Banilad Campus and is 10 minutes away to Ayala Centet. IT Park (which is a new favorite) is along the way to Ayala.It's accessible via public transport and very easy via taxi.

A Darling at Night

Even the corridors and common areas are really spacious.This is a place where you feel your soul can breath.

An eye-candy during the day, the place transforms into a romantic space at night. The one(s) who designed the place also put into context the importance of light in highlighting key areas and therefore enhancing the appeal of the hotel. I also noticed that most of the lights used are EFL. Energy efficient, environmentally friendly.As friendly as this place is to the senses.

Affordable AN ART DECO Hotel

The Henry is one of the country’s first design-driven hotels.

I am not sure if "affordable" is how they want to market the place but you could experience this beauty at an affordable price indeed.Try Agoda.com and you will be surprised that you can get a BIG Room for as alow as $46 on off-peak season.Talk about best value for your money!

Cebuano Hospitality

The staff were nothing but friendly.For 3d/2n of stay,I have nothing but love for the care the staff has extended to me.Genuine Cebuano hospitality as I call it. Cebuanos are know to be "malambing" (sweet). The ones at the front desk helped me in going around and suggesting places to dine.I was new in the area of Banilad but I was confident of not being lost or anything because of the assistance I was given.

GOING AROUND the Hotel.

No Compromise in Space

The Henry is a small hotel with only 5 floors.Despite that,  they didn't compromise space just to put up as many rooms as possible.No corporate greed here. They are very generous at space that rooms are really BIG. There are four (4) room types ----Big,Large, XL and XL. I stayed in a Big room and I was surprised at how spacious it is.And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I was wow-ed when I saw the other rooms.Here's to give you an idea.

BIG ROOM

similar to my room, except that this one has a more feminine appeal.

LARGE

........upon seeing the large room and thinking that there are still XL and XXL rooms, I wonder how big the rooms can get. This one has more corners and therefore more accent into the space. Pwede mag-tagu-taguan.hahahaha

XL ROOM

This one is wow-ness! Maygad moments. A work of art indeed.Must be created with a lot of love as it is difficult to create this kind of space without desire. By now, you should understand what I meant when I said they don't compromise space.Never mong mararamdaman dito sa hotel na to na tinipid ka sa space. 
At this point, I was seriously thinking how big XXL Room is if this is only XL.

PS: Rooms at the Henry are so unique and popular that many book em for the sole purpose of photo and video shoots.

I have one regret therefor.I forgot to snap one classic pose inside this XL Room. I think I should go back here, if only to achieve that Instagram worthy photo. hahaha

The Restaurant --RICA'S

This restaurant is a darling.Situated at the ground floor next to the reception area, it is consistent with the artistic feel of the HENRY.This is where breakfast is served for in-house guest.The ala carte menu was rather simple with a few set meals in the list but they do know how to put new meaning to Continental or Filipino breakfast.

THE SCRAPYARD

This is one funky pub at the 2nd floor of the hotel which I heard of is managed separately from the hotel.Comes night time and it becomes the favorite hangout of a mix crowd, mostly professionals.Well dressed guys and gals enjoy socializing with the beat of lively music and overflowing booze and cocktails.This is the "it" place if you want a good crowd.No wonder why it's famous among locals and foreigners alike.Non-hotel guests are welcome.It was here where I a few bottles of beer before going to my room to rest on Saturday night.

THE POOL

It was rainy during my stay so I wasn't able to try the pool.Shame.I love hotel pools and this one, although small, is nothing short of a place where you want to put on your board short and plunge.I heard it's open for outdoor parties and events.Gladly,there were no events during my stay.I might have not took the plunge but I enjoyed hanging out around the pool sipping beer.

Sets the GOOD MOOD

I didn't make any concrete plan for this particular Cebu trip.Come what may was the order for the weekend.I was confident that I have a good hotel to stay to so I can always simply stay indoor should laziness strike in.Sure I looove the hotel and the comfy bed made me sleep for hours (even to the point of not remembering my early morning classes on Monday) but the funky mood of the place inspired me to get to explore Cebu City more.Yes, this hotel reminded me that there are still so many things about Cebu City to be excited about.

I managed to go back in Larshan again to feast in grilled food, stroll along Fuente Osmena (alone) as if waiting somebody to pick me up,lols, tried Warm Brownie Cup in La Marea IT Park and even tried freediving for the first time in nearby Mactan Island.I am thrilled to write a separate post on my #Cebu2013Adventure soon and will link it here.

The HENRY HOTEL is professionally managed by Hospitality International, Inc.

To say The HENRY HOTEL Cebu is "Like No Other" might indeed be an understatement.It is to date, the best Hotel I tried in this price range.All hotels in the Philippines should strive to be this beautiful.It definitely sets the bar very high but we Filipinos deserve one of this caliber.I shall see you again The HENRY HOTEL!
 

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The HENRY HOTEL is located at

#1 Paseo Saturnino, Maria Luisa Rd. Banilad Cebu City
+63 32 520 8877 / +63 917 305 0737 (globe)
http://www.thehenryhotel.com/