Cebu's Hottest New Hotel: Attic Capsule - You HAVE to See This!
Cebu's Hottest New Hotel: Attic Capsule - You HAVE to See This! (Seriously.) - A Messy, Opinionated Review.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe a little of my coffee) on Cebu's newest sensation: Attic Capsule. They're shouting it from the rooftops (or, you know, the Instagram feeds), and after spending a few frantic days there, I can finally give you the real lowdown. Forget those glossy PR brochures. This is the messy, honest truth. And you're gonna love it. Or hate it. But you will have an opinion.
First Impressions: The Accessibility Angle (and My Near-Disaster)
Right off the bat, let’s talk about accessibility. This is HUGE for anyone traveling with mobility issues, and I'm happy to report (with a caveat!) that Attic Capsule tries. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests, and there's an elevator, which is a massive win. The actual implementation, however, is… a work in progress. The hallways were a bit narrow for my oversized suitcase (I pack like I'm moving in!), so be prepared to navigate some tight squeezes. I was nearly convinced I'd become one with the wall at one point. (Remember this, folks: always travel light… or hire a Sherpa.) They need to widen a bit, it's kinda critical. But, the intention is there, which is a good start. More points needed on this.
Crucially, there is a 24-hour front desk, and the staff, bless their hearts, are genuinely trying to be helpful. They may not always have the answers immediately, but they're quick to go the extra mile to make sure someone with challenges is assisted. Check-in/out [express], and contactless check-in/out are also offered, a boon for those wishing to avoid the front desk entirely -- the perfect thing for introverts or people who don't want to put anyone on the spot or bring attention in.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hangry Meltdown)
Let's be honest, the most important part of any hotel experience is good food. Attic Capsule has a decent spread, but it ain't perfect. (Are any hotels ever perfect?!)
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: They've got restaurants, a coffee shop (essential!), and even a snack bar. Their Asian cuisine is a highlight - especially the noodle dishes! The breakfast [buffet] is the best way to start the day, and they even have an Asian breakfast. Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver when you have a late-night craving (or a total meltdown because you can't handle another instant noodle).
- The Good: The coffee/tea in restaurant is surprisingly good. They also offer breakfast takeaway service, which is ideal for early birds.
- The Not-So-Good: The buffet in restaurant is a little hectic at peak times. And while they offer Western breakfast, it's a bit… pedestrian. I had a truly terrible omelet. It looked like a disappointed beige pancake. shudders
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Survive? (Spoiler: Yes!)
In these pandemic-stricken times, safety is king, and Attic Capsule is clearly trying. They've got all the buzzwords: Daily disinfection in common areas, anti-viral cleaning products, room sanitization opt-out available. The staff are all wearing masks, and there's hand sanitizer everywhere. My room was, to be honest, spotless, and it really felt like they had given it the works! No issues here, A+. In the meantime, I had no issues and felt safe.
- More safety features: They have both CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and security [24-hour]. I liked that.
The Capsule Experience (And My Existential Crisis)
The whole "capsule" thing is the big draw. Think minimalist space, Japanese-inspired efficiency. My room was honestly cool, but a little… tight. Let's just say, I've had apartments bigger than my whole room! The air conditioning was a godsend and the Wi-Fi [free] was actually fast. I mean, super fast.
- The Good: The seating area was sufficient for a quick sit-down. They have free bathrobes in the room, the bed, and the included complimentary tea was a nice touch. Plus, the blackout curtains are AMAZING. I slept like a baby.
- The Quirks: They provide a complimentary bottled water, but its so small! and its kind of… confusing. There's a mirror!
- Things to Note: I felt a little claustrophobic at times. This is not for the faint of heart (or the claustrophobic!)
The Amenities: Relaxation, Wellness, and My Near-Death Experience in the Pool
Here's where Attic Capsule really shines (and where I almost met my maker). They've got a swimming pool [outdoor] with a pool with a view, which is gorgeous during sunset.
- The Relaxing Stuff: There's a fitness center for you gym rats, too. They have a sauna, spa (which I unfortunately didn't find time for), and a steamroom.
- The Almost Deadly Stuff: That swimming pool… I'm not the best swimmer. Okay, I'm terrible. I went in and suddenly the water was deep. I thought I was going down. Flailing, gulping, panicking. Luckily, a kind lifeguard spotted me and hauled me out before I could make a dramatic exit. So, yeah, use the pool with caution, people! They also provide safety features like first aid kit and a doctor/nurse on call which, at least in my case, were necessary.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The little things can make or break a stay. They've got the basics covered:
- The Expected: Air conditioning in public area, concierge, daily housekeeping, luggage storage, laundry service, and dry cleaning.
- The Unexpected: They surprisingly have a convenience store which is good for those times you have a random craving at night.
For the Kids: The Verdict
I'm not a parent, so I can't say much about the babysitting service, or the kids facilities, but they're listed.
Getting Around: No Worries!
They provide airport transfer, and car park [free of charge]. They also have taxi service. Super convenient.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
Yes, if you're after a unique, budget-friendly experience (but go in knowing the limitations). Attic Capsule is not perfect. There are quirks, and some areas could use improvement. But it's got character, the staff are trying their best, and the whole "capsule" thing is surprisingly fun. It's a hotel that's trying, and it’s succeeding in many ways.
My Overall Score: 7.5/10 (Could be an 8.5 if they figure things out for accessibility.)
ATTENTION! Exclusive Offer Just for You!
Book Now and Get:
- 20% off on your first night at the Attic Capsule!
- FREE breakfast for two!
- Complimentary upgrade to a room with a view (subject to availability)
- *A free poolside cocktail
- Use Code: "CEBUEXPLORER" at checkout!
Don't wait! This offer is only valid for the next 72 hours! Click here to book your unique escape to Cebu!
(Link to Attic Capsule Website)
Final Thoughts: It’s not perfect, but it's a solid choice! Just be prepared for a few bumps in the road! And for the love of all that is holy, learn how to swim before you hit the pool. You have been warned!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your perfectly-curated Instagram travel guide. This is MY Attic Capsule Hotel Cebu, Philippines, itinerary. Prepare for beautiful mess, questionable decisions, and the delicious, chaotic reality of being…me.
Cebu Chaos: A Capsule Hotel Caper (and possibly a complete mental breakdown)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Cebu Orientation Debacle
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA): Okay, first hurdle. The airport. It's… warm. Let's be gentle. After the flight I was already a sweaty, grumpy mess. I swear the baggage claim carousel was taunting me by turning that slow. Also, where are the cool, breezy angels of heaven with ice-cold Evian?
- 1:45 PM - Taxi Fiasco: Found a taxi! (Or was it the taxi that found me?) Let’s just say negotiating the price felt like a high-stakes poker game. I am pretty sure I got ripped. Whatever. Just get me to the Capsule Hotel!
- 2:45 PM - Check-in Attic Capsule Hotel: Finally. The sweet, sweet air conditioning. The tiny door. The… capsule. Okay, it’s actually quite cozy. But I can't shake the feeling I could be on a spaceship. (I love sci-fi, so this is more compliment than anything) The staff are friendly (they must see stressed tourists all the time), and the place is clean. Points for that.
- 3:30 PM - Exploratory Mission: Finding Food (and Avoiding Tourists): Armed with a Google Map and a desperate craving for anything other than airplane food, I ventured out. This is where the "orientation" part falls completely apart. I wanted something local so I did not even go touristy spots. Some random food stall. Fried chicken. Heaven. The local beer. Even better.. A complete win.
- 5:00 PM - The Mango Obsession Begins: Cebu mangos. Oh. My. God. They are everything they’re hyped up to be. I bought like, four. This is going well.
- 7:00 PM - Capsule Cocooning & Existential Dread: Back in my capsule. Netflix. The A/C is blissful. Did I make the right life choices? Does anyone actually understand the meaning of life? These are the important questions. I need more mangoes.
- 9:00 PM - Sleep (Maybe?). Okay, it's a capsule, so you can hear everything. Snoring, coughing, the faint hum of existential dread from my brain - All of that. Pray to the sleeping gods that my earplugs were enough.
Day 2: Temples, Traffic, and Total Tourist Trauma (Maybe Triumph?)
- 7:00 AM - Wake Up, Regret, Repeat: That feeling of being cramped inside a drawer, but hey, I survived! Coffee is crucial. The hostel has coffee.. but is instant coffee. sad face
- 8:00 AM - Temple Run: Visited the Taoist Temple and the Basilica del Santo Niño. The Taoist Temple was stunning. So many vibrant colors and incense. Amazing. The Basilica was beautiful, but full of people and loud kids so I just spent a few minutes. The whole experience felt a tad overwhelming I'm not gonna lie.
- 10:00 AM - Traffic Disaster: Holy mother of gridlocks! I'm starting to re-consider my life choices. The ride from the temple back to the area of the hostel was pure chaos. So many jeepneys, motorbikes, and honking. I love the Philippines but this is too much
- 11:00 AM - The Quest for Lechon: I’ve heard tell of the glorious Lechon! The crispy, juicy roasted pig. I HAD to try it. So, I ended up at a tiny local restaurant I found online. Now, it took me so long to get there but OMG. It's. Worth. Every. Second. The crunch! The flavor! I might have eaten an entire plate by myself. No regrets.
- 1:00 PM - Beach Bumming (Attempted): Decided to go to a beach. Found a local beach, and it was…okay. Not the pristine white sand of the brochures. More like slightly-less-pristine sand. But the water was warm, and I just sat in the sun and stared at the ocean and lost myself in the beauty of the place. The day was better.
- 4:00 PM - The Mango Massacre, part 2: Another mango. I'm pretty sure I'm turning into a mango.
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Views and a Brief Moment of Zen. I saw the sunset. It was beautiful. I am happy.
- 9:00 PM - Capsule Life: Round Two: More earplugs, more Netflix, more existential questions. Now if I can only sleep.
Day 3: Day Trip to a Waterfall (and the Realization that I am Not an Adventurer).
- 7:00 AM - Wake Up and Pretend I'm Not Sore: I think I slept for one hour. Travel is so glamorous. Coffee is a MUST.
- 8:00 AM - The Waterfall Adventure (Or, The Day I Almost Died on a Motorbike): I booked a day trip to Kawasan Falls. The drive to get there on a motorbike taxi was terrifying. Like, genuinely heart-in-my-throat terrifying. The driver had a life of his own, but on the road, it was a death race. We arrived in one piece, though!
- 10:00 AM - Kawasan Falls: The Beauty, the Bites, and the Blunders The waterfalls are gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. The color of the water, magical. But the crowds! And the slippery rocks. And the… mosquito bites. So many mosquito bites. I slipped, almost face-planted into the freezing water, and swore in a language I didn't even know I understood. I probably looked ridiculous.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch (and the Shame of Being Weak): Tried some grilled fish at a local spot near the falls. It was delicious. But here's the raw truth: I'm not built for adventure. I’m a city girl. I need comfy beds and air conditioning. After a bit I just sat, alone, looking at the beauty of the waterfalls.
- 2:00 PM - The Motorbike Ride of Terror, part 2: The ride back was no less terrifying. I held on for dear life and prayed.
- 4:00 PM - Back at the Capsule: Alive (Mostly!) and Exhausted: Shower, change into fresh (and hopefully mosquito bite-free) clothes, and collapse onto my capsule bed. I need a nap. A long, deep nap.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and Regrets: Found a restaurant. I ate something because it was late, but I can't remember what it was. Mostly, I just sat in the corner. In the restaurant, I was just reflecting on my life.. What was I doing? Why did I come here? I should have just gone to a spa.
- 8:00 PM - Capsule Chat: I wanted to talk to someone. I felt lonely. Then I realized I have a phone, and I can call someone. Maybe I can call a friend.
Day 4: Departure & The Mango-Fueled Farewell
- 8:00 AM - Wake Up (Yay!): Still alive! Packing my things. My bag looks like a bomb hit it.
- 9:00 AM - Final Mangoes: One last mango feast before I leave. I will miss the mangos so much.
- 10:00 AM - Check-out and Airport Shenanigans: Saying goodbye to the capsule life. It was a bit insane, and at times, the worst and best thing that happened to me.
- 11:00 AM - Airport Departure: The airport isn't so bad now. I am fine.
- 1:00 PM - Back Home: I am home.
Final Thoughts (and Possibly Existential Crises):
Cebu was… an experience. Beautiful, chaotic, challenging, and delicious. I fell in love with the food, the people, and the mangos. But I also learned (or rather, had reaffirmed) that I’m perfectly happy being a semi-adventurous introvert who needs a good, comfy bed and a solid internet connection. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing a friend, a thicker skin, and a serious mosquito repellent.
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So, what *is* this whole "FAQ" thing about, anyway? Like, actual, practical purpose?
Honestly? The practical purpose is probably to stave off the incessant barrage of the same five questions over and over again. Because, frankly, I've answered "why is the sky blue?" enough times to make my eyeballs bleed. (Metaphorically. I hope.)
Why are *you* the one answering these questions? Shouldn't there be an expert?
Truthfully, I'm here because… well, someone had to. And apparently, I'm the "someone." Don’t ask. Bureaucracy is a beast, and I'm just trying to survive this particular Kafkaesque nightmare. But look on the bright side, at least I have a pulse and an actual human-ness, for better or worse! And that's more than I can say for some of the soulless bots out there.
What's your general approach to answering these questions? Are you going to be brutally honest?
I'm gonna say what I think. Sometimes it'll be witty, sometimes it'll be ranty. Sometimes I'll be right, sometimes I'll be utterly, spectacularly wrong. It’s a gamble, folks! But hey, at least it won't be boring. And if, by some miracle, I actually help somebody? All the better.
Okay, fine. But what about specific scenarios? Can you, like, handle a tricky customer service situation?
Now, if I were *actually* in a customer service scenario, I'd probably start with a deep breath. Maybe a shot of something strong. Then, I'd try to empathize (key word: *try*), while also maintaining a healthy dose of pragmatism. Because what's the point of being nice if you can't also *solve* the problem? I'd probably tell them it was their fault, and if they persisted, then I'd bring in the big guns... sarcasm. Sarcasm is always a good weapon.
What if you're completely wrong about something? Do you admit it?
*Sigh*. Okay, here’s the thing: I’m often wrong. Frequently. Like, it's almost a character flaw. Am I going to *admit* it? Absolutely! Will I do it gracefully? Probably not. I'll probably try to wriggle out of it first with a joke or a deflection. But if I'm genuinely wrong, yeah, I'll fess up. Eventually. After a lot of internal grumbling. The truth is you can learn from your mistakes, and hey, at least it's a great excuse for a re-write!
Do you have a favorite ice cream flavour?
But the most important thing about ice cream, I think, is that it's best enjoyed when you've got a little bit of a bad habit to be enjoyed: feeling bad then eating ice cream, or it's a Friday evening or just a good book. Don't tell anyone I told you this.
Is there something you strongly dislike?
I was once on a group project where this someone kept jumping in with their terrible ideas, even though I was clearly onto something magnificent. The tension was palpable. I wanted to scream, but I just sat there, seething, while their awful ideas got implemented. Ugh. Still makes my blood boil. Respect the speaker, people! It's not that hard!
What's the most important thing you've learned in your life?
And you know what? Embrace the chaos. Let yourself be a little messy, a little imperfect. Because authenticity, my friends, that's where the real beauty is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to pour myself a large glass of wine... and maybe eat some more ice cream.
