I must admit i had that trepadation, strange country,hotel,language and of course the peso! hey!! you get to kiwi lodge and are wellcomed very warmely, regisister after your first beer while your luggage makes it way to your room. A good mix of English.Austrailians, european and of course kiwi;s. great food ,service at all times and safe. if you happen to have a problem ,it will be resolved instantly. Yours a satisfeid customer ,who left knowing more friends than before i went there.

I stayed at the Kiwi Lodge for three weeks and had a very positive experience. I'm writing this review because I read a previous review suggesting that americans are not welcome at the Kiwi Lodge and I wanted to say that I am an american and I found everyone there to be very hospitable. The rooms are an excellent value, they have 24 hour security, free wireless internet, and a safe in the office to keep passports and valuables. Of course an in-room safe would be more convenient but I found their security to be very good. The food is a favorite with local expats and many eat there regularly. They serve breakfast all day which is great if you had a late night. It's centrally located between the two biggest malls (SM and Ayala) but Cebu City is small so most things are a short cab ride. For me, the best thing about the Kiwi Lodge is that the bar is a great source of information and opinions from expats that live in cebu city.

One possitive thing, esp in Phillipines, is that my stuff was always safe in the room. At first I felt comfortable there, but I clearly was not one of the guys at the bar (retired blue colar Kiwi and Ausie expats). At some point, I was treated very coldly. It even became clear to me that even the staff was probably instructed to make me feel unwelcomed....otherwise they'd get in trouble for being less than kind.
He's running both a full on bar downstairs and a guesthouse. Sometimes I wasn't sure which was the higher priority.
It had also been suggested to me that there is descrimination toward Americans, so maybe that's what I felt?
The place is also located in an area where you will need to take taxis in and out, for the most part.
That said, you'll probably be fine for a few days. More than that, and you'd want to be "one of the gang" at the bar, or you may not feel so comfortable.

good value for money, always somebody to chat to in bar area, all the staff efficient and friendly. good location close to both ayala and sm malls, have used the kiwi on several occasions and would recommend it.