Hotel Tropikana, Davao

[Curley]

Hi All, I'm heading to Davao and Cebu for 3 weeks in Jan and am thinking of starting off our stay in the Hotel Tropikana in Davao cost through Agoda is 3,250 pesos per night. Having never been there I can only use the net to search for what looks ok and has good reviews. Any comments, experience or alternative suggestions would be appreciated. After a few day there we will fly/ferry to Cebu, Any suggestions/experiences on the ferry would help and the same for hotels in and around Cebu. The purpose of the trip is for both a holiday and to explore the two areas to see the potential of the places as long term residences.

Edited November 28, 2011 by Curley

[MikeB]

I haven't been to Davao yet but the Lispher Inn was highly recommended by a former member who lives in Davao. Has good reviews as does the Tropikana, which looks like the top hotel in the city. Daily rates at the Lispher are about half those at the Topikana so it depends on your budget and needs. If you're visiting Cebu City in Jan, be aware of the Sinulog Festival which is a major event In Cebu City. Hotel availability will be tight during the festival and expect to pay higher rates. For hotels I recommend Premiere City Suites, it's a fairly new hotel and is a very good value. I have stayed there and had several friends stay and they all liked it. Second choice would be CebuR Hotel, heard good things but haven't stayed there. Have fun!

[Curley]

Many thanks for the "heads up" MikeB It looks as though it goes on for a month. Sinulog 2012 Schedule of Activities (Fuente Osmena, January 2-31, 2012) Dec 01 – Jan 31, 2012 Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Blvd. December 11, 2011 Sinulog Poster Making Contest @ Emall December 15, 2011 Sinulog Photo Exhibits @SM City January 05, 2012 (Thursday) Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus 4:00 AM Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña 4:30 AM Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño 5:30 AM Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2012 January 06, 2012 (Friday) Sinulog 2012 Kick Off Sinulog Photo Exhibits through the years @SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, MCIAA 2:00PM Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño) 3:00 PM Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center) 7:00 PM Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña featuring Mandaue City Children’s Choir, Dancesports Team Cebu and Dance Troupes from Cebu’s schools and universities 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Streen Party Bands January 7, 2012 (Saturday) Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan 1:00 PM Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center 2:00 PM Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center 4:30 PM Awarding of Winners 6:30 PM Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 8, 2012 (Sunday) Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan 4:00 AM Cebu City 2012 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com 1:00 PM Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center 2:00 PM Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center 4:30 PM Awarding of Winners 6:30 PM Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands January 9, 2012 (Monday) 6:30 PM Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 10, 2012 (Tuesday) 6:30 PM Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña) 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 11, 2012 (Wednesday) 9:00 AM Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights) 6:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) 7:00 PM Ms. Cebu 2012 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 12, 2012 (Thursday) 9:00 AM Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights) 6:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) 6:00 PM Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 8:00 PM Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 13, 2012 (Friday)

Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)

4:00 AM Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño 7:00 AM Misa de Translacion (Motorcade) 9:00 AM Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent / Floats / Higante / Puppteers) @ Cebu City Sports Center Gym 6:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) 7:30 P.M Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum 7:30 P.M Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, Cebu City Sports Center 8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle) 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands January 14, 2012 (Saturday) 6:00 AM Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño 9:00 AM Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño 2:00 PM Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño 7:00 PM Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu 7:00 PM Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia 8:00 PM Gala – Passionata a Cultural Heritage Celebration in Honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu @ SM Cinema I 8:00 PM Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu 8:00 PM Handumanan Concert, USP-F Theater for the Performing Arts January 15, 2012 (Sunday) SINULOG GRAND PARADE 4:00 AM Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño 6:00 AM Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal 9:00 AM Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off 7:00 PM Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center 7:30 PM Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña January 16, 2012 (Monday) 1:00 PM Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center January 20, 2012 (Friday) “HUBO” 4:00 AM “HUBO Mass” Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Niño January 28, 2012 (Saturday) 1:00 P.M Screening of Finaslists Short Film/Video Documentary Contest 6:00 P.M Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest @SM City Cebu 1st Sinulat Awards, Sinulog Literary Awards for Short Story Writing, Poetry, and Essay Writing @ SM City Cebu January 30 – Feb. 10, 2012 Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ‘10 @SM City Cebu

[MikeB]

Looks like the main festivities will be the 14th and 15th with the grand parade on the latter. I don't know if it will be packed with tourists and visitors just that weekend or does it extend in both directions for the month. I always avoided Jan here because of this but I guess I'll finally see it. Lots of fireworks and barking dogs where I live, I'm sure. Maybe someone who has experienced it 1st hand can comment.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Looks like the main festivities will be the 14th and 15th with the grand parade on the latter. I don't know if it will be packed with tourists and visitors just that weekend or does it extend in both directions for the month. I always avoided Jan here because of this but I guess I'll finally see it. Lots of fireworks and barking dogs where I live, I'm sure. Maybe someone who has experienced it 1st hand can comment.

I have been there during Sinulog but have not attended the parade. The city does get very busy with more tourist,I noticed lots of foreigner family's in the malls last time I was there. Getting a taxi is hard,long wait at the malls.Fireworks at new year,well that's a blast,maybe I should rephrase that! :13_4_10[1]:

[Curley]

According to other websites the main parade is always on the 3rd Sunday of Jan and thats the only day that it stops the city. Maybe it won't be too bad, she may enjoy it.