Date: January 2025
Arrival at Narita & the Shuttle to the Airport Hotel
In mid-January 2025, my partner and I stayed three nights at the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort (see on map). We flew on Cebu Pacific flight 5J5063, departing Narita Airport at 8:55 AM and arriving in Mactan–Cebu at 1:25 PM. The round-trip fare was ¥48,060 per person.
To avoid risking a missed flight by taking the first train, we stayed the night before at Narita Gateway Hotel. It was only ¥6,570 for a no-meals twin room, which seemed like a good deal compared to other airport hotels. The building felt a little old, and the sound insulation was weak — we could hear people walking in the hallway, and when a group arrived late at night, their voices woke me up.
The hotel runs a shuttle between itself and Narita Airport. The shuttle going to the hotel doesn’t require a reservation, but the one going to the airport does. The official website notes this, and the staff reminded us at check-in.
Because we were worried our shuttle might sell out, we reserved our hotel room first and then booked our shuttle seats through the official site. On the morning of our flight, the bus was indeed full of passengers with reservations. We breathed a sigh of relief — although there was a guest complaining, “You mean I have to reserve? Really?” and making things difficult for the staff.
I watched from inside the bus as that guest said, “Is it full? Then what do I do?” while grabbing the staff and throwing a tantrum. I thought, “If you don’t know what to do, figure it out — call a taxi, maybe.” And I also hoped silently, “I hope the staff can deal with this soon… Is the bus even going to leave?”
Narita Airport & Priority Pass Lounge
We arrived at Narita Airport before 7 AM. Since we had checked in online already and didn’t check any bags, we hopped off the shuttle and headed straight to the security checkpoint, which opens at 7. It was smooth sailing.
One of my favorite parts: heading straight to the Priority Pass lounge. The I.A.S.S Superior Lounge – KoCoo – in Terminal 2 opens at 7:30 AM. It had just been renovated in December 2024 — now more spacious, with a wider variety of food. There was a soba stand, a curry station — it made me really happy.
After relaxing in the lounge, we made our way to the gate. Even though we’d done online check-in, we got called at the boarding gate so the staff could verify our passports.
The Flight & Arrival in Cebu
The flight from Narita to Mactan–Cebu took about six hours — a little tiring, but manageable. Immigration went smoothly. After we collected our luggage, we reached customs, where they asked us to show the QR code issued via eTravel (since we were registered). I pulled it up on my phone, and that was it. The terminal itself was small and cozy.
Since Cebu Pacific is a low-cost carrier, there was no free food or drink (or at least, we didn’t buy anything onboard). Feeling peckish, we immediately bought bánh mì at the airport — pork and chicken, plus an iced coffee. The total came to 577 PHP (about ¥1,612). It felt funny that our first meal in the Philippines was Vietnamese, but it was delicious — so I was happy.
Ride to the Resort & First Impressions
We used Grab to catch a taxi, and after about a 25-minute ride, arrived at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort. The fare was 344.02 PHP (around ¥965). When we entered our room, they’d put welcome snacks for us — a thoughtful touch.
On our first evening, the sky was a bit overcast, not perfect for lounging, but we didn’t let that stop us. We changed into our swimsuits and went for a dip in the pool. Later, the moon came out, shining beautifully. I found myself wondering, “How do people even say the name of that moon?”
That night, we had dinner at 5cien, a buffet-style restaurant inside the resort. For the two of us, the check came to 4,050.02 PHP (about ¥11,130). We tried everything — beef steak, roast pork, chicken, and more — and every dish was delicious. For dessert, they made crepes just for us. I ate until I was about to burst; my stomach hurt, and I could barely move. I was totally overindulgent, but it was worth it.
Day 2 – Breakfast, Pool & Dinner
We started Day 2 with breakfast again at 5cien. The staff escorted us to a table, asked what drinks we wanted, and served them. There was an egg station, a waffle and pancake station, and lots of fresh fruit.
At one point, I stood up to get food, and when I returned, I realized a Western couple seated next to us had moved our chairs to use them. When we asked staff for replacements, they quietly brought over new chairs — but the couple simply watched, said nothing to either of us or to the staff. I couldn’t help but think, “Well, okay then.”
Later, we swam in the pool, and then headed out to the sea. The water wasn’t crystal clear, but there were many small fish around. We swam using our pool goggles, though I noticed they rented snorkeling gear if you wanted something more.
For dinner, we went to Buhi Bar, which is right inside the resort. We ordered pizza, fries, and two non-alcoholic cocktails. The total was 2,277.22 PHP (about ¥6,236). The staff were friendly, the food was tasty, and the drinks were refreshing.
