The general manager of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa was telling the story behind the intriguing painting of two female figures, apparently of a beautiful mother with her young daughter, hanging by the patio where the most prominent table at Palermo Restaurant was located.

“For many years, the painting was hung at the entrance of Palermo (one of Plantation Bay’s five restaurants) and has been called the ‘Disappearing Painting,’” said Efren Belarmino, who has been at helm of resort operations for 21 years.

The oil painting was said to have “disappeared” upon the orders of someone displeased by the sight. But the painting would be returned to its old place soon after.

True enough, the masterpiece by Cebu-based artist Romulo “Mulong” Galicano has a back story of beauty, love and intrigue, a story fittingly told over glasses of red wine at the swanky joint that serves Italian and Spanish dishes.

It is one of the tales about Plantation Bay that has evolved into some sort of local legend through the years. Clearly, the luxury spa and resort at the tip of Lapu Lapu City has seen it all—and has fascinating stories to tell.

Yet more than the stories, what guests notice is how well the place handles the crowd.

Fully booked

On a rainy evening last month, sales executive Geli Reyes informed us about the resort’s 100-percent occupancy.

“It’s the equivalent of the Christmas season in Japan, and yes, an offshoot of our holiday season, too,” said Belarmino.

Yet when you stroll through the resort—built by CEO Manny Gonzalez in circular fashion “so nobody gets lost”—you hardly notice the crowd. Especially not in the vast, man-made lagoons that have become the resort’s landmarks.

Still, management makes an effort to notify every guest to expect heavy traffic at breakfast. “We make sure the guests have their private time, and are stress-free,” said Belarmino.

It’s also because the resort has 200-plus rooms, each one having an innate warmth that makes you want to stay in bed longer. Or maybe the more than 11-hectare property is simply big enough.

Either way, it’s good, not just for the hotel but for the guests, as well.

Among the jewels of the resort is the Mogambo Springs. Though it’s named after a movie set in Africa starring Clark Gable and Ava Gardner, the spa is entirely Japanese in look and theme. Its garden harks back to that climactic scene in “Kill Bill,” the encounter between Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu.

Gonzalez, an international banker, conceptualized the names of the buildings, which are arranged alphabetically.

The service is also top-notch, with superbly trained massage therapists to match the idyllic surroundings and amenities.

Guests can first take a dip in the soothing hot spring pool to relax tired muscles and prep up for the chosen treatment, whether Thai or Swedish.

A therapist then guides the guest through the spa village, to his or her own private treatment room with bathroom and shower.

But the resort may be simply too big to stay in for just a couple of nights. One family from Switzerland booked for a week in 2013, but ended up staying for two months.

Weekend getaway

Staying for just the weekend, we decided to hit the ground running.

Immediately after checking in, we went straight to Route 66, the diner flanked by a volcano-inspired pool, golf pitch and putt.

We also went to the tennis courts that several times had hosted some pre-Davis Cup matches for the Philippine team.

The Powerhouse Burger is the house specialty, with a solid 6-ounce grilled beef patty, cheese, runny fried egg and bacon.

The US Rib-Eye Steak comes extra tender and juicy. One can complete the guilt-laden meal with a chocolate milkshake to fuel the afternoon bike ride around the resort.

First evening was at Palermo, fronting the wide, sandy Orion Beach that would regularly stage weeknight shows featuring Plantation Bay’s own staff and crew.

It would take all morning to go swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking at the two main saltwater lagoons. Diving, banana boat rides and jet skiingwould be right off the scenic beach front, which, on a clear day, overlooks nearby Bohol.

Fiji Restaurant provides a spectacular view of the sea, while guests feast on Asian cuisine.

We took big slices of salmon sashimi on a bed of lato (seaweed), prawn tempura, kilawin Lapu-Lapu (Ceviche de Cebu), sake-infused oxtail, arugula salad with feta cheese and balsamic vinegar and crepe samurai with chocolate vermicelli.

Executive sous chef Lee Matthew Ramas made sure every dish was served fresh and worth coming back for.

Simple pleasure

In the afternoon, we checked out the Game Room and gym and rode tandem bikes. The kids enjoyed playing computer games and table tennis at the Game Room.

Getting around the resort was not complicated, as there were 10- to 14-seater golf carts available 24/7 to guests.

Dinner was served buffet style. This was on a weekend, during the Theme Night, where guests mingled with the performers after the show.

For a nightcap, Alien Abduction is the place to go to. Over drinks, we were serenaded by lounge performers.

Alien Abduction is atop the 24/7 Kilimanjaro Kafé, which means it has a 360-degree view of Plantation Bay at night
—which is an entirely different experience altogether.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is about 20 minutes from the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Below is the recipe of Ceviche de Cebu, one of the most popular dishes at Fiji Restaurant.

Ceviche de Cebu
By chef Lee Matthew Ramas

300 g fresh Lapu-lapu fillet, cleaned and cubed
½ c fresh orange juice
½ c local vinegar
110 g red onion, diced
70 g ginger, grated
40 g or more chilli finger, chopped
50 g red bell pepper, diced
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients together except the fish. Place fish in a bowl and pour in the rest of the ingredients, and toss gently. Mix well. Add julienned leeks and a squeeze of lemon before serving.

Visit www.plantationbay.com. E-mail [email protected], [email protected].