When Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino opened in 1998, it immediately caused a sensation for being the biggest hospitality and leisure facility in the flourishing city. Not surprisingly, the hotel became the venue of choice for large conferences, concerts by top musical artists, trade exhibits, sporting events and grand private functions. The capacious lobby with the charming lobby lounge became a beehive of activity where people met for short meetings, afternoon tea or coffee, or post-dinner drinks and tapas.
In two decades, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has established itself as Cebu City’s premier hotel and casino boasting of luxurious amenities and dining outlets that offer the best culinary creations. In fact, it is nearly impossible to talk about Cebu City without mentioning Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
Already on his second tour of duty in the hotel is the affable general manager, Mr. Anders Hallden. He began as the hotel’s Executive Chef from 2006 to 2007 before coming back in 2016 as General Manager. Hallden believes that Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino secret of success and longevity lies in the people who work in its many departments and their adherence to the company’s principles and standards.
“The Waterfront family takes so much pride in providing true Filipino hospitality. Our team gets so much praise for always taking that extra step looking after all valued guests, whether they’re from the Philippines or from some other parts of the world. This joy to serve is not something you can teach; it’s something you are born with and have a burning passion for – to exceed expectations and always deliver top service with a smile,” he says.
He says that all Waterfront employees work to fulfill the hotel’s essential principle: To go over and beyond in satisfying their guests’ expectations. “We work to awe our guests,” he remarks. “We want them to say ‘Wow!’ whenever they enter the grand lobby, or when they experience our warm service and exceptional food and beverages venues. We work hard to give them the best and most fantastic value for their money.”
With Cebu City’s economic and industrial surge, the hotel has kept up with the fast-moving developments by continuously evolving to meet the demands of new lifestyles. Today, it houses 9 restaurants and bars that give diners a wide array of scrumptious choices. Its impeccably-designed accommodations are havens of utmost comfort. Each guestroom features a mini bar, safety deposit box, digital cable NDD and IDD telephone system, wireless internet access, and 24-hour room service. Guests are also given complimentary access to both the 24-hour Citi gym and the pool.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino allows business travelers to mix work, play and relaxation with the greatest comfort and ease. The Business Center offers 2 private boardrooms furnished with modern office equipment and full secretarial support during private meetings. The Waterfront International Convention Center has been designed to host all event types and functions. It has 15 function rooms and 2 grand ballrooms with a seating capacity of more than 4,000 persons – all equipped with state of the art convention facilities.
Not surprisingly, on December 8, 2017, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino has been chosen as one of the five Philippine recipients for the ASEAN’s prestigious 1st MICE Venue Standard Award in a Hotel Category Setting (AMVS) for compliance based on the requirements of the said ASEAN Standard.
“We are the biggest MICE hotel in Cebu with a capacity of up to 7,000, pending on what type of event is going to be staged. With over 15 meeting rooms and 2 board rooms, an outdoor, open-air area in the grand lagoon, and a pool area, we can host virtually any theme and fulfill every request. That makes us a true one-stop-shop venue,” Hallden points out.
Being the biggest MICE venue, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino has 561 rooms to support the accommodation needs of the largest events. Apart from a wide array of F&B choices, the off-time entertainment – such as the 24-hour casino, all-day fitness gym, spa, swimming pool and selected shops – offers something for everyone.
To celebrate 20 colorful and successful years, the hotel has lined up a host of treats throughout the year. On February 23, it will host a grand birthday party at the Pacific Grand Ballroom. It will hold the much-anticipated “Waterfront Hotel IRON Chef” and a Fourth of July celebration to toast Filipino-American Friendship Day. The renowned Wedding Fair, which showcases the hotel’s wedding venues and services, will be bigger in scope and grander in theme this year. The event is expected to attract the participation of the best wedding suppliers and the most prolific wedding designers – making Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino Wedding Fair, a much-anticipated event. It will be made even more meaningful with the release of a glossy coffee table book celebrating 20 years of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
“There is so much going on and the future looks very interesting. We are looking forward to the full renovation of all our 10,000 sqm meeting space that will make it the most modern venue in Cebu with state-of-the-art meeting facilities. We will also undertake room renovations to bring our accommodations to higher levels of excellence. Indeed, the future looks very good for Cebu City and we are working to be there with the development. As Cebu’s leading hotel, we will be in the center of it all as we continue to serve all our guests in true Filipino hospitality… with a welcoming spirit and sincere pleasure,” concludes Hallden.
