Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, Cebu

Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa is the first resort in Cebu with a waterpark designed by Dream Park International, USA. It opened a little over a year ago and is the third property of the Imperial Palace Hotel group which includes hotels in Korea and Japan.

We stayed at the hotel for 4 days and 3 nights. Once we arrived at Mactan International Airport, there was already someone waiting to transport us to the resort. Upon arriving we were greeted by a nice lobby, although the lobby of Mactan Shangrila is much grander.

Check-in was a breeze and we were quickly given a room on the 5th floor facing the pool.

Our room was decorated with nice green hues accented by reds and yellows, our friends’ room on the 4th floor on the other hand had blue hues accented by pink colors. Not only that even some of the furniture are different.

Imperial Palace has five pool areas namely Island Pool, Wave Rider, Captain Hook’s Pool, Toddler’s Pool and Amazon River.

The Island Pool is the main pool area that includes a two water basketball courts,  two simulated waterfalls and a pool bar. Good thing about the pool is the deepest part is only five feet deep and the lifeguards are always alert, asking children to wear life vests or else they have to sign a waiver. During night time the pool is especially beautiful with the different colored lights illuminating the waterfalls. This pool is also open until 9:30pm compared to the other pools which close at 5:30pm.

The Wave Rider (no pic, I was busy enjoying this) is a simulated wave engine you can ride the light waving of the water and it also powers the Amazon River, a lazy pool circling Captain Hook’s and the Toddler’s pool(no pic also) . I loved the wave rider and amazon river but I wished it were a little deeper since my foot hits the bottom easily which is a snag on the relaxation.

Lauren spent the most time at Captain Hook’s Pool because of the many slides as well as the other water play elements like the huge paint-can like thing that fills up with water then pours it down on one side.I even enjoyed it here also but adults are forbidden to do the slides, though it did not stop some stubborn people. Good thing the lifeguards were on top of it and quickly reprimanded them.

The highlight of the park is their three water slides, the White slide in the middle is for people under 71 kg only. They even weigh you at the top to maintain safety. The green enclosed one is for everyone. Lastly the Space Bowl (red and white), which starts at the top most  part of the tower. People riding this enclosed slide are deposited into the red bowl (right side of the pic) where the spin a couple of times before dropping into the 6 foot pool under akin to a egg being layed.

For beach lovers, this resort is not for you, their beach area is very small although there is an area where you can snorkel. According to the stationed lifeguard, to see a number of different colored fishes, I should be there around 7 or 8 am.So since its a vacation the call of the bed is much stronger.

All of us enjoyed the our stay. Service was hit and miss, a problem with our bath tub was quickly fixed but sometimes asking for extra towels or ice takes forever, maybe they were stretched thin because they were fully booked with a big Korean conference. We loved the free shuttle to Ayala and SM malls although wished they were more trips since the latest bus returns at 5 PM.

Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa
M.L Quezon Higway Bgy. Maribago.
Lapulapu City, Cebu
(63 32) 494.5000

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