The sun’s been brutal lately. A dead giveaway that summer is here. But with the current state of the world, even the most colorful scenes can start to feel a little gray.
It’s true, you probably need a vacation. The problem? Gas prices are up, and everything else followed. So how do you actually get a good reset without burning through your wallet before you even arrive?
For those of us in Cebu City, I have two words: Mactan Newtown. It’s far enough to shake off the everyday hustle, but close enough that you’re not spending half your budget just getting there. And “Newtown” really is a fitting name because it genuinely feels like a different place with a different energy. The kind that makes you forget for a second that you’re technically still in Metro Cebu. It’s like you’re in a… New… Tow—okay, moving on.
Mactan Newtown is a Megaworld “township” near Punta Engaño. Think Cebu IT Park, but airier, beachside, and with the vibe turned up to ten. Tall buildings, hotels, condos, tech offices, commercial spots, and enough food and nightlife to keep you busy without ever needing to leave.
Getting there is pretty straightforward (considering you’re wanting to save on gas). A bus ride from IT Park across Ayala Central Bloc is the cheapest option, though the route is a long one. On our recent stay, my girlfriend Sara and I booked a GrabCar from our place for about ₱750, including CCLEX toll fees, which was worth the comfort and took less than an hour. Bringing your own car is doable too, though parking runs ₱300-400 per night.
We’ve been going there for staycations for a while now. We just wrapped up a 4-night stay, so let me walk you through how to have a good time in this, well, new town.
The Stay
Prices there range from around ₱1,800 to ₱6,500 a night, depending on which way you go. Both options have their pros and cons.
On the hotel side, Mercure (formerly Belmont) and Savoy are both developed by Megaworld and, frankly, look nearly identical. I once wandered into the wrong hotel pool, which tells you everything. Both run around ₱6,500 per night onsite and come with a queen bed, beach view, and buffet breakfast for two. The rooms and pool areas are on the smaller side, which, for that price, felt like a miss.
The more interesting option right now is the self-hosted Airbnb-style rooms, which were booked through Agoda. On our recent stay, Sara and I paid around ₱1,800 a night for a one-bedroom with a double bed, spare mattress good for four people, a kitchen, fridge, and washing machine. No included breakfast, but the panoramic view of the pool, beach, and city lights more than made up for it. We could even catch planes taking off from the nearby airport, which is a surprisingly good view to stumble upon.
We’ve stayed at both 8 Newtown Boulevard and One Manchester Place (also Megaworld, and also again very similar to each other). One thing to note: One Manchester Place had recurring electricity outages during one of my stays, which is less fun when you’re on a high floor, and the lift is involved.
Comparing the two, the Airbnb-style rooms are the better value right now. Hotel rooms there feel too cramped and expensive for this economy. The Airbnb route does come with small hurdles, though—you take your own trash out, no daily housekeeping, and check-in involves coordinating with the host, registering with building security, and filling out paperwork. It’s all a one-time thing, but it’s there. Once you’re in, though, it’s cheap, spacious, and easy. Most of the room photos in this article are from the 8 Newtown Boulevard unit we booked via Agoda, but they all look pretty much the same anyway.
The Fun Part
This one’s really for the staycation crowd, but there are still things to do on the island for that summer sports itch. NTJ Watersports Cebu has jet ski rentals and parasailing. Seahorse Yacht Philippines offers sunset cruises and private yacht rentals. Mactan Island Golf Course is there too, if you want to try that swing technique you saw on social media (it probably won’t work, but good luck).
Personally, most of our stays there involve lounging around the unit and only heading out for food. We did make it to Mactan Newtown Beach, though, which is about a 10-minute walk away. It’s a solid spot to get some sand between your toes, a tan, and a quick swim. Watersports are available there too, from jet skis to banana boats to kayak rentals. Hotel guests get free beach access and shuttle service; Airbnb guests pay a ₱350 entrance fee and need to show their room paperwork. A little more convoluted, but manageable.
For food, the range is wide.
Budget end: McDonald’s, Jollibee, and 7-Eleven are right there. On the more exciting side: Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips and Street Burger are both worth a visit, and Mactan Alfresco has a good variety if you want something more casual. The standout of our trip was HWKR at The Kitchen by Abaca at The Reef nearby—elevated Southeast Asian dining, great food, lovely staff. It’s a short GrabCar ride from Mactan Newtown, about 150 meters away, and it offers a different view of the beach altogether. Three dishes and two drinks ran Sara and me just under ₱5,000, which is a splurge, but the kind you don’t regret.
For coffee, Starbucks is literally about 15 steps from the 8 Newtown Boulevard lobby. Also nearby were Dunkin’ Donuts, Civet Coffee, the new Outings, Chatime, and Alishan. For nights out, there’s Lux Lounge for the club experience, Bar Kanto for alfresco sunset drinks, and Bar Samurai and Geisha Lounge for something more chill
Is It Worth It?
Are a lot of these options on the pricier side? Yes. Can you get away with ₱1,800 a night and food runs from 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, and Jollibee? Also yes. Sometimes getting out of the house, walking somewhere that feels different, and taking in the summer air is already enough of a reset.
But if there’s one thing to splurge on, make it HWKR. It’s the kind of dinner that makes a staycation feel like an actual vacation.
Mactan Newtown is walkable, beachside, and just far enough from the city to actually feel like you went somewhere. It has good food, a decent beach, solid nightlife, and enough to keep you occupied for a few days without needing a flight. Also worth noting if you’re planning around the Cebu Ironman Triathlon—this is a great base for race week, just book your stays well in advance.
