San Remo Oasis Cebu: Luxury 2-Bedroom Condo Awaits! (CardRels Unit)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, shimmering, slightly-too-perfect world of San Remo Oasis Cebu: Luxury 2-Bedroom Condo Awaits! (CardRels Unit). Forget those sterile, robotic reviews – this is gonna be real, raw, and hopefully, a little bit helpful. And yeah, I'm going to try and work in all those SEO buzzwords, but mostly? I'm just gonna tell you what I really thought.
Let's get this show on the road.
First Impressions (and the Scariest Elevator I've Ever Met)
Okay, so arriving at San Remo felt… grand. Like, "wow, I might actually have to brush my hair today" grand. The lobby gleamed (too gleamed, maybe?), and the staff? Impeccably polite, which is always a good start, especially when you're running on airport coffee fumes.
Accessibility: Now, I didn’t personally need to test the wheelchair accessibility myself, but they advertised it, and that’s a BIG plus. It's important, people. Very important. (And let's be honest, places that THINK about accessibility usually just, you know, think about guests in general.)
The CardRels Unit - The Gist
Here’s where we get down to the nitty-gritty. This is supposedly a luxury 2-bedroom condo. My expectations were HIGH. Spoiler alert: mostly met.
Rooms (and my Obsessive Checklist)
- Air Conditioning: Praise be! It worked, and it worked well. Cebu humidity is no joke.
- Free Wi-Fi: Always a win. And it actually worked, bless its little digital heart. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Another plus. I’m a digital nomad, so I’m like, judging you hard core on internet quality.
- The Bed: Sigh. Okay, the bed was… comfy. Not "sleep-until-noon-and-forget-who-I-am" comfy, but definitely "able-to-function-the-next-day” comfy. Sheets were clean, which is more than you can say for some places I've seen.
- Bathroom: The bathroom! My eternal friend. I checked the water pressure, the water temperature, and the quality of the toiletries (because I’m classy like that). The pressure was fantastic. The toiletries were… decent. Not the best, not the worst. And a hair dryer and scale? Yes, please! Especially after all that airport food.
- View: My room had a decent view. Nothing earth-shattering, but pleasant. Could have been a little better, but hey, I can't complain.
- Soundproofing: Pretty darn good. Didn't hear the usual parade of noisy neighbors. Actually, that got a huge thumbs up.
The In-Room Amenities that Matter (and the ones that don't)
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Okay, let's be real. The "bathroom phone" is kind of useless, right? Who uses those anymore? But the rest? SOLID. Coffee/tea maker is essential. Mini bar? Always a lovely luxury. The "Laptop workspace" was perfect for a quick work session (I will have to say it again, I’m a digital nomad).
The On-Site Stuff: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Restaurants & Lounges:
- Restaurants: They had a few. I only tried one.
- Restaurant: The name escapes me, honestly. The food was… okay. Honestly, it was a bit bland. Could have used more flavor. But the service was good, and the view was nice. A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Poolside Bar: This was fantastic. The best thing about this place. Cool drinks, great music, perfect chill vibes!
- Coffee Shop: Did not try it.
How to Relax (Or Not)
- Swimming Pool: Beautiful. The pool with a view was actually stunning. I spent a good portion of my time there. Very instagrammable, if you're into that sort of thing.
- Fitness Center: Didn't use it. I’m on vacation. Maybe next time.
- Spa/Spa/Sauna: I skipped this. Next time, too. Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Tango
They were taking COVID precautions seriously, which is a massive relief. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. I appreciated the extra effort.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: What’s On Offer?
Okay, so this section needs some brutal honesty. Food is important!
- Breakfast: The breakfast buffet (buffet in restaurant) was decent (Asian breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Western breakfast), though it wasn't mind-blowing. Perfectly acceptable for a hotel breakfast. Coffee could use some work.
- More Options: Alternative meal arrangement, Bar, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
- Concierge? Super helpful.
- Elevator? The very same. Fine, but was slightly too loud if that makes sense
- Laundry service, dry cleaning – both got the job done.
- Convenience store – a godsend for snacks and forgotten essentials.
For the Kids (Because Somebody Has to Think About Them)
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
- I have no kids, but the presence of these features is a plus for those who do.
Getting Around
Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
- Airport transfer: smooth and easy.
- Car park – convenient.
- Taxi service – readily available.
The Overall Vibe
San Remo Oasis Cebu (CardRels Unit) is comfortable. It's clean. It's got good bones. It’s not the most exciting place in the world, but it's a solid option. This is a clean, safe, and convenient condo.
Highlights:
- The pool with a view. Seriously, worth the price of admission.
- The friendly staff.
- The cleanliness and safety measures.
- The in-room Wi-Fi was great!
Lowlights:
- The restaurant was, well, let's just say, it wasn't the culinary highlight of my trip.
- The elevator that I had to take every day.
Worth the Trip/Money?
Yes, particularly If you're looking for a dependable and accessible option, you like to cook, and you want a solid base for exploring Cebu.
And Now, the All-Important - My Opinionated "Offer"
**Tired of the Same Old Vacation Routine? Escape to
Escape to Paradise: Kinsfolk Inn, New Delhi & NCR's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is my San Remo Oasis Cebu adventure, warts and all. Prepare for the gloriously messy truth.
CardRels 2 Bedrooms Condo Unit at San Remo Oasis, Cebu - The Mostly-Sane Schedule (Emphasis on "Mostly")
Day 1: Arrival - Paradise Found (and Maybe Slightly Misplaced)
- 06:00 AM: Wake up. Or attempt to. My internal alarm clock, a particularly grumpy chihuahua, fails miserably. Swear at it. Success!
- 07:00 AM: The Great Filipino Breakfast Prep. My attempt. So, I've got this amazing idea: Learn how to make sinangag – garlic fried rice. How hard could it be? Famous last words. Spoiler alert: it’s harder than it looks. Burn the garlic (again). The onions, too. The rice is… rice. But, hey, at least I’m trying! This whole "cooking" thing feels less like a culinary masterpiece and more like a frantic dance with a screaming hot skillet.
- 08:00 AM: Flight from Manila. Arrive at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Smelly airport.
- 09:00 AM: Taxi chaos. Negotiating prices in Cebu? That's a sport. The driver gives me the stink eye for haggling, but hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? Finally wrangle a ride to San Remo Oasis.
- 10:00 AM: Check-in at CardRels. Finally. The condo is… well, it's not exactly the pristine Instagram shot I saw. There's a slightly odd smell (coconut? chlorine? regret?). But the view from the balcony… oh, the view! It's spectacular. Instant endorphin rush. I'm staying in!
- 11:00 AM: Condo reconnaissance. First: finding the coffee. Second: finding the wifi password. Third: checking every single drawer and cabinet for hidden treasures (or snacks).
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local carinderia near the condo. The food is incredible, spicy, and possibly the source of the mysterious coconut-chlorine-regret smell later. But who cares? I'm in Cebu! I'm eating delicious, probably-questionably-hygienic food, and I'm happy.
- 02:00 PM: Poolside chill. Sunscreen application is crucial. Discover a rogue sun spot, and contemplate life choices that have led to this moment. Also, attempt to read a book but end up people-watching and eavesdropping (shh, don't tell!).
- 04:00 PM: Grocery run. This is where I, the seasoned traveler, remember I have forgotten to buy essentials to complete the food, again. So, more trips.
- 06:00 PM: Sunset cocktails on my balcony. It's gorgeous, the sky is a riot of colors, and I swear I can almost see the stress melt away. Almost. I'm probably slightly tipsy already.
- 08:00 PM: Dinner. A haphazard collection of whatever I managed to buy at the grocery store. (Ramen is involved). Watch a terrible movie on Netflix: the perfect way to wind down.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Fall into a coma of bliss.
Day 2: Island Hopping - Sea Legs (and Maybe a Little Seasickness)
- 07:00 AM: Wake up again… with the slightly alarming sensation that I've slept through a hurricane. Drink more coffee. Need. More. Caffeine.
- 08:00 AM: Prepared my own version of American breakfast in the condo. Eggs, toast, and bacon (the only thing I can cook perfectly)… I need vitamin C!
- 09:00 AM: Pick up for island hopping tour. Excitement levels: through the roof! This is what I've been waiting for!
- 10:00 AM: Boat trip to Hilutungan and Nalusuan Islands. The first island is amazing. The snorkeling is incredible. The coral reefs are bursting with color. I see fish that look like they're straight out of a Disney movie. I almost fall overboard with a snorkel in my mouth. I've clearly always been a clumsy person. I can't help but wonder if I look like a human-shaped puffer fish.
- 11:00 AM: Nalusuan Island. This is the best island. I mean, the photos are probably doctored, but the water is so clear. The sand is so white. The sun is beating down. It's like I've stepped into a postcard. So far, so good.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch on the boat. The food is delicious, but the rocking of the waves makes my stomach do a complicated tango. Fight seasickness.
- 02:00 PM: Back to the condo. Nap. (Necessity, not luxury.) Rehydrate.
- 04:00 PM: Explore SM Seaside City Cebu. Get utterly lost in the sheer size of the mall. Find a decent coffee shop and lose myself in people-watching.
- 06:00 PM: Dinner at a very good restaurant I don't remember (I'm not proud).
- 09:00 PM: Early night. The sun, the ocean, the questionable food… it all adds up to one exhausted human.
Day 3: City Exploration – Finding the Soul (and Maybe a Souvenir or Two)
- 08:00 AM: Wake up feeling… less like a zombie. Coffee. The most important thing.
- 09:00 AM: Explore Cebu City. Visit the Basilica del Santo Niño. Marvel at the centuries-old architecture and the sheer devotion of people. Feeling genuinely moved.
- 10:00 AM: Visit Magellan's Cross. Another tourist trap? Absolutely. But also, a part of history. I'm all about it.
- 11:00 AM: Journey to Fort San Pedro. This is the place. Find myself captivated by the stories and the history. I imagine what it was like to be a soldier here.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Local restaurant. I order something with "adobo" in the name. Try not to make a mess.
- 02:00 PM: Visit the Taoist Temple. The view is breathtaking. The atmosphere is tranquil. I take a deep breath and try to feel centered.
- 03:00 PM: Souvenir shopping. Get hopelessly lost in the Carbon Market. It's a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells. Haggle like a pro (or at least, attempt to!). Try to spend money.
- 05:00 PM: Back to the condo. Relax, freshen up.
- 07:00 PM: Dinner. Try a new restaurant near the condo. The food is awesome.
- 09:00 PM: Pack. The sad reality of going home looming.
- 10:00 PM: One last balcony view. One last moment to acknowledge the beauty of this place.
Day 4: Departure - Goodbye, Cebu (Until Next Time!)
- 07:00 AM: Wake up. The sun is shining. Make my own version of breakfast.
- 08:00 AM: Last-minute packing.
- 09:00 AM: Final check-out of the condo. Check if the place hasn't been destroyed (it's been close).
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. The airport, again. I don't like it.
- 11:00 AM: Flight back to Manila.
- 12:00 PM: Depart. So long, Cebu! You've been amazing (and exhausting and sometimes a little smelly, but amazing!).
Post-Trip Debrief:
- Did I stick to the schedule? Mostly.
- Did I experience the things I wanted to experience? Absolutely.
- Did I survive? Yes.
- Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat.
This trip was a masterpiece of controlled chaos. I found beauty, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the Cebuano people. I learned a little (about cooking, about myself, about how much I love being near water.) And, most importantly, I created some memories that will last a lifetime. Now, I'm off to plan the next adventure.
Shanghai's Hidden Gem: Green Tree Inn Near Gongfu Station!
So, You Have Questions About... Life, Actually. And Maybe, My (Mostly) Unsolicited Opinions
Okay, fine. What *IS* the meaning of life, anyway? Don’t give me that philosophical textbook BS. I want the real deal.
Oh, boy. Here we go. The Big One. Okay, look, I spent YEARS – and I’m not exaggerating – staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, fueled by questionable instant ramen and existential dread, trying to figure this out. The truth? I still don’t *know*. And anyone who tells you they do, is either lying, deluded, or selling something. Probably all three.
My *current* working hypothesis is that the meaning isn't some grand, pre-ordained thing. It's… a mix tape you create as you go. Like, it's about the small things – that perfect cup of coffee, laughing so hard you snort, the fuzzy feeling of a dog's head on your lap (I’m a cat person, BUT the dog affection is undeniable), actually finishing a book, and maybe, just maybe, leaving the world a little less awful when you’re done here. It’s a work in progress, riddled with self-doubt, missteps, and questionable life choices... which, honestly, makes it more *interesting*, right?
Take, for example, that time I decided to learn to knit. I thought, "Ah, a meaningful craft! Something to create!" I knitted for *hours*. Hours that I will never get back. My fingers ached, I tangled the yarn so many times, I almost set fire to my apartment trying to unravel it... and the *scarf*? It looked like a blindfolded octopus had wrestled a ball of yarn. Meaningful? Maybe. Pretty? Absolutely not. Did I give up after that? Of course! But did the whole thing make me laugh out loud? Yes! Did I get better? *shhh* Don't ask.
But seriously, how do you *cope* with all the… well, everything? The bad days, the worries about the future, the existential screaming into the void? Spill.
Oh, god. You want the truth? Sometimes I just... don't. Like, I’ll sit here and wallow in a pit of self-pity and binge-watch bad reality TV. It's a *process*. Don't judge.
But here's the messy, imperfect, honest truth: It's a combination. Exercise (ugh, I know), therapy (highly recommend, seriously), good friends (if you've got 'em, cherish 'em), and lots and lots of dark chocolate. And a healthy dose of denial, let’s be honest. I mean, you can’t worry about everything all the time, or you'd be a gibbering mess. Which, to be fair, sometimes I *am*. But the chocolate helps.
Also, I've learned to accept that the world is chaos. Embrace the absurdity. That leaky tap in the kitchen that I can't be bothered to fix? It's a metaphor for my life. Just… dripping along, slowly, and occasionally flooding the floor. And hey, at least it keeps me busy... I mean, when am I going to start a plumbing business?
Relationships. Ugh. Any advice? For lasting love, or just making it through a first date without saying something monumentally stupid?
Oh, relationships! The minefield where joy and heartbreak do a particularly messy, and often hilarious, tango. I’ve had my share of spectacular failures, trust me. Here’s what I've gleaned, after a lifetime of blunders:
First, **lower your expectations**. Seriously. No one is perfect. If you're expecting a perfectly sculpted human, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Find someone you can tolerate (and ideally, enjoy) on a Tuesday night when your hair is greasy and you're wearing sweatpants. That’s the real test.
Second, **communicate**. Actually *talk* to each other. Say the awkward things. Share the weird things. Because if you can be weird together, you're probably golden. Like that time my ex tried to cook a Cornish game hen? It was a disaster! But we both laughed until our sides hurt. And that's a win.
And finally - and this is crucial - **don’t settle**. This is *your* life. Find someone who makes you feel like you, but 10% more awesome. Or at least someone who's willing to order takeout when you can't stand to cook.
What about hobbies? Do you *have* any? Or are you just perpetually glued to your phone, like the rest of us?
You caught me. Okay, yes, I spend more time staring at my phone than I’d like to admit. But, I *do* have hobbies! (Or, at least, pastimes I pretend are hobbies.) Let's see… There's the aforementioned *attempt* at knitting. The reading (mostly fantasy... dragons and magic are way better than the real world sometimes). I'm also an avid (and incredibly amateur) cook. My kitchen is a disaster zone of spices and half-eaten experimental dishes, I swear. But I love to experiment with different cuisines, even though I'm not particularly good at it.
Oh, and I love to write. Which probably explains this whole rambling FAQ. It's my way of processing the world. It's cheaper than therapy (though I still go, and my therapist is a pro, I like to make sure my mind is clear, and free.
Honestly, the point is just to find something that brings you joy, even if it's a messy, imperfect joy. Maybe it’s even easier than the reality you've got going. Don't make it perfect. Just do it. And hey, if it's something you can do with a friend? Even better.
Career. What if I hate my job? Or, even worse, what if I *don’t* know what I want to do?
Ugh. The dreaded career conundrum. Look. Most people spend a significant chunk of their lives doing something they tolerate, or flat-out loathe. It's the way the world works. And the pressure to "find your passion" is absolutely suffocating.
If you *hate* your job, start planning your escape. Seriously. Save money, learn new skills, build your network. Baby steps. Because being miserable for 40 hours a week is a soul-crushing experience. And there's so much to *do* in the world beyond a desk or the factory!
If you don't know what you want to do? Join the club. It's a HUGE club. The first step is to explore. Try different things. Take classes. Volunteer. Talk to people. Don’t be afraid to fail. Because failure is just a data point. It tells you what you *don't* want, which is almost as valuable as knowing what you do. Also, it's okay to not have it all figured out. Really. It's okay to evolve. Just be *you*.
