Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
by the TopOfHotel team
Waterfront Cebu is a full-service 4-star where the in-house casino and oversized pool do the heavy lifting — built for travellers who want entertainment on tap, not boutique polish.
Waterfront Cebu is a full-service 4-star where the in-house casino and oversized pool do the heavy lifting — built for travellers who want entertainment on tap, not boutique polish.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is a large 4-star hotel that has run for decades on Salinas Drive, and the rooms reflect that history — generous in size, with the better ones on higher floors looking out over the Cebu skyline. Most guests praise the space and the views; a steady minority note that some interiors feel dated and due an update, which is what you'd expect from a property of this vintage. If decor matters to you, ask for a recently renovated room at check-in rather than taking pot luck.
Food and amenities
The real selling point here is everything-under-one-roof. There are several restaurants on-site — a breakfast buffet, plus Asian and grill options — so you can cover most meals without leaving. Add a large outdoor pool that's bigger than what most Cebu hotels in this bracket offer, a spa, a fitness centre and the in-house casino, and you rarely need to step out for entertainment. The pool area and public spaces feel relaxed, though the gym and a few corners are among the parts reviewers say could use a refresh.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits on Salinas Drive in Lahug, a 5-minute ride from IT Park — Cebu's most popular cluster of restaurants, bars and night markets. The trade-off is distance from the big malls: SM City and Ayala Center are a taxi or Grab ride away rather than a walk, so factor rides into your day. Mactan-Cebu International Airport is roughly 30-40 minutes by car, longer when the Mandaue bridges clog at rush hour, so leave early for a morning flight.
Things to know before booking
Be clear-eyed about the age. This is a hotel that has operated for many years, and it shows in tired decor in some rooms and a gym and pool area that need updating. Upkeep and service can feel inconsistent for the property's size — perfectly acceptable at the price, but not the polish of a newer 5-star such as Radisson Blu nearby. You'll also depend on taxis or Grab for mall shopping and a lot of dining. And bring photo ID if you plan to use the casino.
Our take
Waterfront Cebu earns its 8.1/10 on Agoda and 7.9 on Booking.com by being a genuine one-stop base: a casino, an oversized pool, a spa and multiple restaurants for around $66 a night. It's the pick if you want entertainment and convenience over boutique polish, and you're happy to ride to the malls. If shopping at your doorstep or a fully modern interior tops your list, look elsewhere — but for value-minded travellers who like a pool and a flutter, it delivers.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- An on-site casino is genuinely rare in Cebu, and Waterfront's is a real draw if you want gaming without leaving the property after dinner.
- The outdoor pool is noticeably larger than what you get at comparable Cebu hotels in this price band — useful when you're travelling with kids or want real lap space.
- Rooms are spacious by city standards, and the higher floors look out over the Cebu skyline rather than a wall or car park.
- Several restaurants on-site — a breakfast buffet, Asian and grill options — mean you can eat in for most meals without hunting for food nearby.
- Strong all-in-one value at around $66 a night, with a casino, big pool, spa and gym under one roof for the price of a mid-range room elsewhere.
- This is a decades-old hotel, and it shows: reviewers flag tired decor in some rooms, plus a gym and parts of the pool area that are due a refresh. Ask for a recently renovated room at check-in.
- It sits well away from the SM City and Ayala Center malls, so shopping and a lot of dining mean a taxi or Grab ride each way rather than a walk.
- Service and upkeep can feel inconsistent for the size of the place — fine for the rate, but don't expect the slickness of a newer 5-star like Radisson Blu down the road.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Request a high-floor room at check-in — the upper levels get the Cebu skyline view and sit further from pool and casino noise.
- IT Park Lahug is a 5-minute Grab ride and packed with bars, cafes and night markets — head there for dinner instead of relying only on the hotel restaurants.
- Build in 30-40 minutes for the trip to Mactan-Cebu airport, more during rush hour, since the Mandaue bridges back up; book your Grab early for a morning flight.