Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
When we looked at Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, it was a little bit more down to earth, especially since it was very close to the beach.
Being owned by the same group, Soto Grande is the exact opposite because it is a high rise hotel and has a slightly different set of amenities.
So you’ll have to forgive me if I sometimes end up comparing the two places because each one will appeal to a different set of travelers.
Table of Contents
Location
Street Sign. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
Soto Grande is just across the street from Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, making it literally a stone’s throw away.
And if you recall my article about Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, you may remember that it just took us twenty minutes to travel from the airport.
Lobby
Lobby. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
The lobby is wide and enclosed in glass-to-ceiling windows that allow a lot of light in. The result of all this glass is that Soto Grande provides a more business-like feeling found in the more modern day hotels.
It may not be as cozy as the wooded interior of Vistamar Hotel and Country Club but guests who prefer the open air feeling may find this more to their liking.
Room
Room. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
The room we had was divided in to two sections, the sleeping quarters and the receiving area. The flooring for both areas was carpeted and the walls were painted white to help to make the place look more spacious.
The receiving area was equipped with a small dining table, couch, and a couple of chairs. A flat screen television provided entertainment through a multi-channeled cable.
There was a balcony as wide as the receiving area that was perfect to enjoy the sweet smell of the ocean while having a nightcap. It also was an ideal place to hang swimsuits after a whole day of swimming.
Room. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
The sleeping quarters came with a queen-sized bed with its own glass to floor to ceiling windows. Our corner room had views of the sea and of the surrounding subdivision.
For entertainment, the room had its own flat screen television connected to a multi-channeled cable. The television was located by the window so the glare can pose a minor problem. When watching became difficult in the afternoons, all that was needed was to spread the curtains and the glare was eliminated.
To provide a bit of privacy, the sleeping quarters can be closed off from the receiving area. Instead of the usual swinging door, it used a space-saving sliding one.
Bathroom
Bathroom. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
Given the overall size of the room, the bathroom appeared to be a little small. When compared to the one of Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, it also felt a bit tighter.
But then the reason for this may be because this bathroom came equipped with a bathtub that took up a more space. And for those who like the idea of relaxing in a tub of scalding hot water after a dip in the cool waters by the beach, the space trade-off is worth it.
Food
Dining Area. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
In terms of food, guests of Soto Grande get to enjoy buffet dinners practically every night. This is in contrast to Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, which only has buffets on Friday nights. If the cost of the buffet is a bit out of budget, guests still have the option of ordering alá cart from the menu.
While the selection is not as wide as the ones you find in eat-all-you-can restaurants within the city, they do cover the basics to make sure you’re stuffed by the time you take the elevator up to your room.
Amenities
Gym. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
There is a gym that guests can use during their stay. It is a mid-sized one that comes with some of the more modern exercise equipment.
Perhaps the best thing about the gym, other than it being fully air conditioned, is that it doesn’t feel cramped at all. There is enough space between the machines to provide enough room to stretch out while exercising.
Sauna Bath. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
And to top it all off, there are separate Sauna Baths for men and women. Located at the back of the gym and near the lockers, people will be able to enjoy the benefits of a steam bath after several hours of rigorous exercise.
One of the better features of Soto Grande is its swimming pool. Being quite large, it looks like it is bigger than the three pools of Vistamar Hotel and Country Club put together.
The trees are still small and provide a minimum of shade. The good thing about this is that you get a nearly unobstructed view of the interestingly designed swimming pool. Not only that, but those looking for a tan will love lounging in the chairs to soak up the rays as there is nothing to come in between them and the sun.
Swimming Pool. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
And while there is no beach, being managed by the same group does have its perks. In this case, it means that guests can use some of the facilities in the neighboring Vistamar Hotel and Country Club.
Yup, all you need is a slip from the desk that needs to be presented to the life guards. So with the pass in hand, you can flop across the street to the beach with goggles on your face, snorkel in your mouth, fins on your feet, and yellow unicorn lifesaver around your waist.
Staff
The staff is very courteous and helpful. In fact, the person handling the gym went out of his way to give us a short tour of the facilities.
Final Thoughts
Soto Grande is one of the better hotels in Cebu. Like its sister Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, it is not far from the airport but still gets to share the quietness of a subdivision.
Corridor. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
Like night and day, these two places very different from each other and each one will appeal to different set of traveler.
Those looking for a well-lighted, modern high rise design with newer amenities might prefer Soto Grande over the cozier, wooded approach of Vistamar Hotel and Country Club.
And while it doesn’t have its own beach, guests get to enjoy the use of the beach of Vistamar Hotel and Country Club, which is just across the street.
Soto Grande Sign. Photo courtesy of Anything Under the Sun.
And to top it all off, the rates are about the same. In fact, there are times when Soto Grande can be a bit cheaper.
This all bring about better choices for those wanting to visit Cebu. And like I mentioned earlier, you should be able to find something to suit your needs on your next trip.
Till the next time, keep your camera batteries fully charged and your memory free because you may need them for the next place you visit!
Must Do’s
- Try out the buffets.
- Get a pass so to be able to use the beach at Vistamar Hotel and Country Club that is across the street.
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