General Manager Patrick Manthe
Total tranquility: those are the only words on my mind as we step onto the sprawling property of Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan. The wind blows gently through the lush plants and trees, setting the stage for our most memorable getaway yet. Crossing over the bridge into the lobby, I am taken by the fusion of classical Filipino design with Zen Japanese elements. This sets the stage for the resort’s newest restaurant, the Japanese omakase Aka, below.
Unlike the towering buildings that dominate most of Mactan, Crimson Resort & Spa’s 290-room sanctuary emerges like a living garden. Balancing a pristine beachfront with winding pathways of vibrant flora, I immediately feel at home in this sophisticated yet relaxing environment.
“Being detail-oriented has always helped me,” reflects General Manager Patrick Manthe, whose architectural background infuses every guest experience with intentional design. “We're creating experiences, services, and hardware as well. Someone has to have that vision: it's the soft skills and the services that complement everything else.”
That is what I notice immediately: the deep-rooted hospitality of the staff. This philosophy transforms Crimson into something far more significant than a luxury resort—it becomes a blank canvas for different milestones in one's life. Whether you’re hosting an intimate wedding or carving a space for corporate breakthroughs, the resort's timeless edge accompanies people on their unique journey. No matter how big or small the group is, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan maintains relevance across generations while pushing the guests’ experience into a new realm of excellence.
General Manager Patrick Manthe
In an industry obsessed with scale, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan has chosen a different path. “Everyone else is high-rise, but we focus on being a tropical garden resort,” explains Manthe. “We focus more on the smaller to midsized MICE groups. What makes us different from other properties that have to scale up is that we can be more tailored, more personal.”
Head of Sales & Marketing Herley Herrera-Broutin summarizes this philosophy through the team’s unique MICE acronym: "Our goal is not only to host MICE events within the four walls of our event halls, but to elevate the MICE experience. We want your experience with us to be memorable, inspirational, comfortable and experiential."
The Grand Coral Ballroom serves as the crown jewel of this approach, accommodating intimate gatherings of 30 delegates with full staging capabilities. The space is also expandable across three interconnected rooms for groups up to 150 people, with maximum capacity reaching 200 for a different configuration. One fascinating addition to the package is the wide array of Filipino snacks set up, enticing delegates to try Cebu’s delicacies. From a steaming cup of sikwate and puto maya to a crunchy bite of a breakfast classic, binangkal, this addition showcases the generosity of the Filipino spirit.
Within such small details lies the true magic of the Crimson experience. From the effortless group check-in process that begins in the ballroom area to turning the resort’s wide range of restaurant spaces into morning and afternoon lounges, MICE events at Crimson Resort & Spa extend beyond the traditional four walls.
What sets Crimson apart is its experiential philosophy. Regardless of any space one enters on the property, Crimson weaves heart and impact into every decision. Executive groups can indulge in spa treatments at Aum between meetings, knowing they will leave the spa feeling refreshed for the next meeting. After their event, they know they can drop by any of Crimson’s exquisite restaurants like the Azure Beach Club, where modern Asian flavors and bold cocktails elevate team-bonding experiences.
Head of Sales & Marketing Herley Herrera- Broutin
Whether it's a beachside wedding or a corporate gathering,Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan has a range of versatile, elegant venues for you.
A dynamic flow of such experiences is not accidental; it’s woven into the DNA of the Crimson brand. Before any events even begin, the team drops by each room with an unexpected gift. The coconut husk ritual is a daily surprise that adds unexpected playfulness to morning routines. Guests unwrap their scrolls, which feature weather-dependent activities tailored for different ages and interests. This careful curation ensures that each guest has a memorable stay, whether the tropical sun shines bright or afternoon rains create opportunities for indoor cultural experiences.
For MICE groups with predetermined agendas, the Crimson team seamlessly facilitates activities while offering spontaneous additions. These might include teambuilding games led by inhouse facilitators, visits to the chef's garden where herbs and seasonal seaweed contribute to fertilizer sustainability programs, or evening stargazing sessions through high-powered telescopes that make the moon feel close enough to touch.
Aside from these exciting events, Crimson's four specialty restaurants create a culinary journey that enhances every interaction. Enye, helmed by acclaimed Chef Chele Gonzalez, brings authentic Spanish flavors to life. In late August, the team proudly introduces their innovative "Art on a Plate" concept, where five-course dinners unfold as live artistic performances. Here, the chef's creativity complements that of local artist Raul Agas, who will be creating signature works to entertain the guests during their meal.
Aka by Chef Naoki Eguchi offers the ultimate immersion for small groups of business executives. The restaurant is nestled within a Zen garden setting, giving guests a glimpse of an authentic Japanese omakase. Guests select their own sake cups and receive custom chopsticks as keepsakes, while Eguchi handcrafts each delectable course before their very eyes. Aka even has two private rooms outdoors that can easily be turned into lounges or meeting rooms, allowing delegates to unwind amid its peaceful atmosphere.
For larger gatherings, Saffron's private rooms, like The Green Room, accommodate up to 40 delegates. The unique blend of Filipino motifs and living greenery creates an atmosphere that inspires creativity and connection. The space is also perfect for small wedding parties, as the natural light filters in and makes the table’s playful floral setups seem even more luminous. These would make perfect photo opportunities for any couple starting their new life together while being serenaded by their guests.
One of Crimson’s most dynamic venues is the Azure Beach Club, which can be cordoned off from 4 PM to midnight. With its oceanside views and aquatic architecture, Azure offers up to 300 guests access to modern Asian fusion cuisine. There are no harsh lines and angles here: with an organic-shaped bar and seating options from covered couches to oceanside loungers, every element is conducive to a laidback yet upbeat atmosphere.
An essential part of Crimson’s identity is its commitment to intimate, unforgettable gatherings. “We want to curate the experience that will help you achieve your dream ceremony,” shares Herrera-Broutin. “We maximize the space in the resort in infinite ways to ensure that it best suits what you and your partner are looking for.”
Herrera-Broutin shares that the resort has hosted weddings with fewer than 10 attendees; during our stay at the hotel, we witnessed a grand affair of 200. For any wedding celebration, the Crimson team promises a consistent display of thoughtfulness and adaptability in bringing every vision to life. Not even inclement weather can stop the Crimson Resort & Spa team from this. Herrera-Broutin recalls bringing sand indoors to the Grand Coral Ballroom to bring a bride’s beachside wedding to life when the weather was uncooperative. This commitment to the couple’s wishes is an undeniable part of the Crimson team’s approach to event planning.
Aside from beachfront access, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan is also known for its beautifully maintained gardens. It was with great surprise that The Secret Garden emerged from behind the Azure Beach Club. This intimate setting holds up to 30 guests, allowing tablescapes to be filled with vivid flowers and string lights to enchant family and friends alike.
Every square inch of the resort is an opportunity for celebration under the expert care of the Crimson staff. Aside from the venues, local couples enjoy dedicated styling sessions with the team, while destination wedding couples receive recommendations for trusted local professionals. Pre-reception cocktails flow seamlessly into dinner celebrations, with both spaces designed for natural transitions that keep focus on the couple's love story rather than logistical complications.
After the hustle and bustle of MICE events and weddings alike, the Crimson Resort & Spa team is committed to helping guests unwind. Aum Spa embodies this philosophy through its Balinese-inspired design. The spa features separate male and female areas with a jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room facilities. Treatment rooms accommodate both couples and individual experiences, with options for in-room or poolside massages, including specialized Healot treatments that connect guests to indigenous healing traditions.
“We want people to do more than come here for a massage, but continue their wellness journey by eating delicious, healthy, and locally sourced food that enhances any deficits they may have and helps them find balance within themselves,” explains general manager Manthe. “This way, they go home feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle life's challenges.”
The spa's integration with MICE programming offers special rates for business groups, recognizing that peak performance requires both mental clarity and physical wellbeing. These packages complement the resort's broader wellness approach, where morning yoga sessions might transition into strategic planning meetings, and afternoon Zumba breaks energize teams for evening networking events.
As departure flights from Cebu approach, Crimson's day passes allow delegates and wedding guests to extend their experience through pool access, spa treatments, and final meals at the resort's diverse restaurants. This thoughtful transition ensures that the return to daily life carries forward the inspiration and connections forged in paradise.
“As a brand, our open-mindedness and flexibility are at the center of every decision,” reflects Manthe. This philosophy, combined with the resort's sprawling tropical design, creates an environment where business breakthroughs and love stories unfold with equal authenticity. With the help of the Crimson team, each guest’s experience becomes a memory to savor time and time again.
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