Crimson Resort and Spa, Azure Beach Club celebrate milestones

It has been quite a while since I’ve been to Crimson Resort and Spa. Back in 2011, I visited the resort to write and photograph it for Bluprint magazine. It was memorable and interesting as it was also my first resort assignment and I had a great time there. The article was published in the same year. I was there again in 2012. When an invite to go back to Crimson Resort and Spa to celebrate it’s fifth year and its Azure Beach Club’s first anniversary, I just had to say yes.

READ MORE: An Asian Contemporary Resort in Mactan

How time flew fast. Five years is five years and I didn’t expect that to come soon. As I went down the van and was greeted by waiting staff with leis and drinks as well as with their managment, I can’t help but wear a silly grin, reminiscing, as I walked the covered bridge to the receiving area. The golden bamboo along the edges of the zen garden below has surely grown but the Balinese inspired architecture, the colors and most of the setup is still as is.

Although five years has passed, there have been changes too. The former shack of a bar, Azure is now a new and elegant building and brand in itself, Azure Beach Club and together with the rest, Crimson Hotels & Resorts, Quest Hotels and upcoming Canvas Hotels & Resorts is now under Chroma Hospitality, a new hotel management company that is a joint collaboration between Filinvest and Archipelago International that has managed properties here in the Philippines and Indonesia.

I was amazed at the transformation of Azure Bar. It’s now modern and hip and well designed. It’s a bigger structure with a kitchen and covered dining area of its own. At the beach side, an open air bar with lounging areas have been built above an embankment that it juts out above the water.

Saturdays are fun when a foam party at the pool is held and revelers can partake of the food which is already inclusive. Fresh seafood is spread out like oysters, mussels and different shellfish, prawns and crabs. Especially plated pica pica of modern cuisine (not fusion), a delectable selection of desserts and for the main course, various free flowing dishes that Chef Godfrey Laforteza serves.

NOTE: More of Azure Beach Club in a follow up post

I had a great time at Crimson Resort and Spa. From the very relaxing vibe, the therapeutic massage at Aum, the filling breakfasts at Saffron, the great food at Azure Beach Bar and the amazing and final hosted dinner (the wagyu!) at Tempo, it was sure a great stay, just like when I first set foot at this resort. And its great to know that the brand has expanded and is under a new management company. It’s not only a celebration of milestones but more exciting things are coming and will happen soon.

Boracay anyone?

Crimson Resort and Spa
Seascapes Resort Town
Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu
+63 32 401 9999
http://www.crimsonhotel.com/mactan/