Hotel Review: Shangri La Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu

Here's my Tripadvisor review of our Cebu stay:

“Facilities amazing, rooms let it down slightly”

Reviewed April 6, 2011

If you are looking for a great holiday with kids then this is the place. The facilities are absolutely outstanding from numerous pools, well stocked gym, kids club, beach, lawns etc. The staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly and even though the hotel is enormous you don't feel overcrowded.

Where this hotel lets itself down is on rooms in the main wing. Although nice, I would certainly not rate them 5 star so as long as you go on with this expectation you'll be fine. I believe the Ocean Wing has rooms that have had a more recent lick of paint.

Breakfast is good but the buffet dinner at Tides was average and Cowrie Cove had a great setting but again average food.

The spa is outstanding!

Planning your trip - New Zealand!

One of my favourite pastimes is planning our vacations.  I'm a bit of a geek, I get lost in website after website of advice and itineraries, get my spreadsheet out and get excited!  I spend hours reading reviews of accommodation to ensure I pick the right one and fret over transport connections, prices and what the weather will be.  But.. I love absolutely every second of it.
I have been in planning mode again, this time for a potential trip to New Zealand in November.  I wanted to share some great websites I've found:

Tripadvisor
Goes without saying this is the big daddy of trip planners!  I can't get enough of it!  I put a question up on a North Island forum and within 1 day someone has written me the perfect NZ itinerary

http://www.kidsfriendlynz.com/
Great insight into where & what to do with kids in New Zealand

http://www.wotif.co.nz/
Accommodation galore at discounted prices

http://www.tourism-newzealand.co.nz/Maps.html
More of an official guide to New Zealand with some good maps