Your first night in Cebu City
Yes I would just get your accomodations when you arrive in Cebu City, unless of course you are arriving during major holiday. On my first visit to Cebu City I had the name of one hotel Midtown Hotel in the Fuente section. My flight arrived in Manila from the USA, so while waiting for my next flight going to Cebu City I asked the other American travelers where was a good place to stay. I decided to spend the first night at the Midtown. The taxi fare was about 200pesos ($4.60 current exchange rate) I checked it and the hotel was about 3000p for the night including breakfast buffet. The next day I checked out to a very nice Pention House (Fuente Pention) for 1100pesos. I should mention on my first visit there were several people at the airport exit with signs from hotels asking me to try them..... so on my second visit I did, I stayed at the Europa Inn (www.europamansionetteinn.com) which was just like a small Holiday Inn. my room was a deluxe at 1200p and just outside of the city of Cebu but very close to everything with a free ride from the airport and a free american style breakfast, the free breakfast was not that great, but every thing else was , plus they exchanged USA money for very good rate, a nice surprise.
One other thing I would like to mention there is a medium priced hotel right in the center of the city, its called The Cebu Business Hotel, I think they have a website, I have stayed there,and it was close to all of the 'nightlife' no reservations are nessary. Well I hope this helps,but becare always not to flash cash and leave your bling bling at home.
Joseph
Unique Quality: Midtown had a very nice breakfast buffet and a nice view of the city from my 10th floor view. Europa was smaller but friendlier with the owner there every day, Internet connection and computer to use, nice small restaurant. very good secruity and very clean and cool rooms. Cebu Business hotel, good location, but I did have to buy a can of Raid bug spray for the roaches that checked in also I guess. :)