After a very rough 2020, we are now entering a promising 2021. However, the lessons we learned in battling COVID-19 in the past year gave us insights into how we should adapt to the new normal in 2021. We had a glimpse of the exciting new normal through Bluewater Resorts Work + Study + Play campaign, the flagship program of the BlueCARES initiative. The initiative is developed as a response to the conditions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. And we tell you, this new program is super exciting!
The Work + Study + Play campaign allows people to use any Bluewater Resorts' facilities to address their current situations. It aims to provide an ideal environment for a balanced lifestyle, which is crucial for good mental health. Just imagine being able to blend work, study, and leisure for both parents and their children. To achieve this unique goal, the resort modified its facilities and operation for the well-being of their guests in this upcoming "new normal."
The trepidation of visiting and staying in any establishment frequently by people was unnerving. But the moment we entered Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, we knew we were safe and in good hands.
A washbasin is the first thing that greeted us as we enter the resort. We washed our hands with anti-bacterial soap before doing anything else, destroying whatever virus on our skin.
Mandatory temperature checks are done before checking in. Also, note the blue lines on the floor. Those are physical distance markers so guests who want to check-in maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from each other.
A pathogen-killing foot bath completes the personal sanitation process. It kills pathogens that are residing in your footwear.
Guests need to fill up a form for contact tracing. Note the strict implementation of social distancing to minimize exposure between guests.
Checking in is a breeze. You can scan QR codes for health registration, contact tracing, menus, and more, reducing the need of touching stuff. This also proves that contactless processes are very much plausible and, in many cases, preferred.
Hotel receptionists wear masks and face shields as a standard protocol. An acrylic plastic provides an extra layer of protection for both the guest and the front-desk people. These precautions made us feel 100% safe!
The front desk personnel also briefed us about the amenities of the resort, no-swimming times, dinner times, and other important information. Most importantly, all personnel in the resort remind us of the implemented health and safety protocols: always wear a face mask, sanitize your hands often, and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
We waited for a few minutes while Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort staff made sure our room is thoroughly clean and sanitized. Using a checklist ensures the room service staff doesn't miss anything! That's how meticulous they are when it comes to guest safety and comfort.
(Photo credit: Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort)
It's time to go in! And the first thing the ladies did? Plop into one of the beautiful beds. It's difficult to resist closing our eyes and simply falling asleep until dinner...
But there's work to do. And working in the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort is the perfect environment for work-life balance. The Internet connection around the resort-and particularly in the rooms-is extremely strong, fast, and stable. This enabled Sweetie and me to work on our tasks efficiently without interruption. The long counter, equipped with several electrical outlets, allows several people to work simultaneously.
Work doesn't get interrupted in the rare event of power failure in the city or the surrounding community. Emergency power will be continuously supplied by the resort's generators, so you don't have to worry about upload/download failures.
Think about it: you're working on an important project. Take breaks in between and refresh your mind by taking a dip in the pool, walking along the beach, having a bite to eat, enjoying the resort's many amenities, or simply admiring the vistas of Mactan Island. Then you go back to your comfy air-conditioned room to resume your work. How awesome is that?
Don't you just wish your normal office-or home office-day is like this? Don't wish. Make it a reality at a Bluewater Resort.
One of the best things about Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort is they make sure their guests feel really special. Thank you, Bluewater, for this delectable cake!
We worked on our tasks until we felt our tummies grumbling. It was time to head to the restaurant and grab some dinner. Just check out those mouthwatering fish and pasta dishes.
We woke up early the next day to watch the sunrise. This is one of the things that we love about living on Mactan Island. We enjoy stunning spectacles of nature like spectacular sunrises and magical sunsets-spectacles that fill us with wonder and hope.
The resort's beach provides an ideal place to exercise, breathe the fresh morning air, enjoy an early morning swim, or simply take in the scenery. The lagoon is quite shallow, so the danger of drowning is actually nil.
Breakfast is our favorite meal of the day. Traditionally, all Bluewater Resorts offer full breakfast buffets wherein guests get the viands that they want. However, with the pandemic still ongoing, going to standard buffet-style restaurants involves a degree of risk of COVID-19 infection.
The resort instead implemented an assisted buffet approach to mitigate the risk. You head off to a buffet station and choose the viand that you like. A kitchen staff member serves your preferred viand on your plate; you don't have to touch utensils to serve yourself. In that way, you don't risk touching contaminated surfaces, and you're not in close proximity to other diners. For added safety, a clear acrylic wall partition serves as a barrier between you and the server.
In addition, to comply with social distancing and prevent crowding, only a limited number of people are allowed in the buffet area at any given time.
According to the World Health Organization, the risk of infection increases when a lot of people congregate in small, indoor spaces. This is why the WHO recommends spending more time outdoors and discourages a prolonged stay inside a crowded room.
One of the best things about the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort is that the dining area is outdoors. Not only will you enjoy your food while breathing fresh air, but also, by eating outdoors, you reduce the risk of being infected.
Huge open spaces around the resort make walking a safe and pleasant experience. You don't feel "confined" even if there are lots of people around.
All Bluewater Resorts staff are mandated to remind guests to always follow health protocols.
Head off to Amuma Spa where attendants ensure your well-being and safety while you enjoy the rewards of a relaxing massage. Bluewater Resorts masseuses follow BlueCARES protocols meticulously. They don on PPEs for every treatment and massages they give to guests.
(Photo credit: Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort)
Attending online classes is the norm for today's students. Learning isn't encapsulated in the four walls of the classroom. Online classes are fun, relaxing, and engaging at the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort. Our daughter Alexa attended her attending online classes beside one of the resort's pools.
You deserve a break after a few hours of hard work or intense study. You can have a lot of fun at the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort. For starters, take a dip in one of their pools.
Or play at the resort's beach, which turns into a beautiful aquamarine color in the sun. You can also play with pedal-boats, paddleboards, and other water toys or simply soak in the sun.
Before going home, we treated ourselves to a buffet lunch of tasty Filipino dishes. Note how the resort arranged the lunch tables, maintaining a more-than-adequate amount of physical distancing.
Work + Study + Play with my family at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort! What a fitting cap for my birthday! Thank you Bluewater Maribago for this super treat!
With the Bluewater Resorts Work + Study + Play as the flagship program for their BlueCARES initiative, the Bluewater Resorts is definitely more than ready to face an exciting 2021 and a hopeful new normal.
Contact Details
For bookings and more information about the Bluewater Resorts' Work + Study + Play campaign, use the following contact details:
- Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
- Street Address: Buyong Maribago, Mactan Island Lapu-Lapu City Cebu, Philippines 6015
- Tel: +6332-402-4100
- Mobile: +63998 843 7688
- Fax: +6332-492-0128
- Email: maribago@bluewater.com.ph
- Facebook: Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
You can also get exciting updates, vouchers, discounts, and more by checking the Bluewater Hotel and Resorts Exclusives website.