Eye in the Sky: Staying In at Best Western Plus Lex Cebu Hotel (Wasn't That a Mouthful?)

Staycation. Now there's a word I'm not very fond of. Is it even accepted in the English dictionary? The compound word doesn't seem to fit harmoniously that pronouncing it is like an elocution exercise. On the other hand, it gets its message across. Staying in in a place and doing nothing. A relaxing holiday.

Cebu City's Best Western Plus qualifies for this word. I loved the rooms and its interiors, I could in fact stay inside all day. Comfortable bed, fresh sheets, large pillows that conform to the shape of your head - just fits like a glove, if you ask me.

The glass wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom is semi-glazed. otherwise, it's a voyeur's dream. My window showed the Provincial Capitol and parts of Jones.

MOUTHFUL

Now let's take the case of the hotel's name. Seems as though the hotel has a compendium of owners: "Best Western", then the "Plus" must mean something more than the franchise/brand name. Then there's "Lex". All in all, you'll have to mouth six proper words to name it. "Where are you staying?" Take a deep breath and start the exercise, "Oh, it's at Best Western Plus Lex Cebu Hotel". Got that? Best Western Plus Lex Cebu Hotel. :)

THE STATELESS TWANG

The lobby is pleasant, made more so by a wall-to-wall mirror imparting an illusion of space. The staff are generally polite, like most hotel personnel in Cebu. But wait. The painfully-smiling front desk girl laboriously speaks with too much of her perceived American accent I could hardly understand what she was saying. Believe me I tried. It was a mystery more baffling than the Bermuda Triangle. Worsh! Worsh! Worsh! And more worsh! And when I was about to take the elevator to my room, it dawned on me that she was talking about a half-day morning tour bus - there! It's written on a note and pasted on the wall. Filipino English is distinct. Spoken as it's written. You don't have to wear a twang that's neither here nor there. Maybe it's Bulgarian accent? Chechnian? Or Tahitian? Or heaven forbid, Afghan Taliban accent? Tone it down, miss.

The swimming pool at the upper level has tables where you can order food and drinks. It's open from 10AM to 6PM, no lifeguards. Kai Restaurant offers traditional Pinoy breakfast, some bread, omelette, jam, etc. The hotel is located in the heart of Escario Street, where the Provincial Capitol is. You're just a hop away from Jones or Osmena Street, the city's signature thoroughfare

But as pleasant and amorous as the front desk people welcome you upon check in, they seem to forget to look you in the eye or forget to smile upon check out. From warm welcome to glacial indifference, the difference is uncanny. Suddenly you get the feeling that, hey, show is over! Scram. They've done their part of the show. No business like show business even in Cebu City's seemingly summery hospitality.

This is the Eye in the Sky!