A striking boutique hotel in coral pink topped with a turquoise roof, the Cebu Hilton is a delight within and without. With a French-Mediterranean flavor that exudes total relaxation, it is expected to raise the bar on the hospitality trade, ushering in the trend for chic hotels that combine high style and impeccable service.

The Cebu Hilton has 246 guest rooms, including 74 Zen-inspired Spa Suites, all minimalist in design, yet warm with splashes of earth colors. All rooms are equipped with a dashing 25" TV plus DVD. The Spa Suites come with a private balcony announcing a spectacular ocean view, with an original Jacuzzi brand Spa bath.

Everything resonates with fine luxury, right down to the table service and bath accoutrements. No two plates used in this hotel are alike, and all are hand-blown alabaster glass imported from Spain. The glasses are from Turkey, and the towels and bath robes are Jacquard, celebrated for their plushness and absorbent quality.

Then there is The Spa, home to seven therapy rooms within a tropical garden setting overlooking the azure waters of Mactan. The Spa boasts of the "Mactan Massage" that echoes Hilton’s philosophy of Equilibrium. This exclusive treatment was created by Hilton’s international spa consultant, Simon Littlewood, to celebrate Mactan Island and the Pinoy way of life. The Spa at Hilton Cebu also uses high-end Decleor products for well-being treatments.

As for the all-important gustatory experience, the hotel’s restaurants and bars carry the design blueprint of Dan Kwan of TriBeCa of Indonesia that showcases a collection of chic interiors. Seas Restaurant boasts of a seafood market concept while Vanilla Beach Café has a ‘50s and ‘60s beach feel in retro-colonial design with whitewashed walls. Wine & Tapas is perched above the sea at the tip of a wharf, and the Pink Lobby has its signature "pink" cocktails. If that’s not enough, the Sapphire Pool Bar overlooks the resort’s infinity swimming pool.

Talk about delish.