Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa launched its five-star journeys on February 24 with the addition of luxury transport vehicles to its fleet, promising “experiential travel” around Cebu and nearby destinations to its guests.

The resort revealed the newest additions to its service fleet, which includes a yacht, helicopter, speedboat, and luxury sedan.

Beyond transporting guests, Shangri-La’s general manager, Rene Egle, told local media that it is going to redefine the statement that “we have arrived.”

“We want our guests to experience world-class comfort and sophistication even in transit, whether it is upon touchdown or departure, in a city tour or in an expedition across the islands,” Egle added.

On top of being used for transport, the luxury vehicles can also be booked for an exclusive tour or party in Cebu or in reaching tourist destinations like the whale shark watching spots in Oslob in southern Cebu or in Bohol.

The resort aims to give its guests “the best possible five-star journey there is.”

Shangri-La’s yacht, called the Celandine, was put together in 1960 by Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard, the oldest name in the leisure marine industry. It has a 40-guest capacity for cocktail parties and 12-guest capacity for sit-down dinners.

The resort’s McDonnell Douglas MD500E helicopter provides air taxi services. It can accommodate three passengers who need city transfers, airport transfers, and chartered trips. The helicopter is operated by the Asian Aerospace Corp.

For guests who prefer going by sea, the speedboat Rainbow Runner is ready to service 15 passengers for each trip. It offers airport transfers, covering the Cebu Yacht Club-Shangri-La Boat Jetty route. It can also offer rides to guests who are going to Cebu City.

The BMW 5 Series luxury sedan rounds up Shangri-La’s luxury fleet. It offers limousine service to guests.

Egle said that more than just providing the resort’s guests a relief over the traffic congestion problem in Cebu, its luxury fleet aims to give guests make new traveling experiences and special memories.

According to Vogue, “experiential travel” is all about visiting places while trying to immerse one’s self in native cultures, springing from a meaningful interaction with locals. It is all about experiencing a vacation beyond being a tourist.

Shangri-La’s director of sales and marketing, Myra, Abelido-Regner, said that experiential travel is exploring the world in a way that the tourist feels the authenticity and uniqueness of the place in terms of accommodation, dining, tourist spots, or travel.