Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INFORMATION
Tourist information
The department of tourism is in the
Baguio Tourism Complex on Governor Pack Rd (Mon-Fri
7am-6.30pm;
T
074 442 7014,
E
dotregioncar@gmail
.com), and there's a smaller city information centre at
Burnham Park (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm).
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels in the centre can get quite noisy, so ask for a room away from the road; there are also a number of good choices
outside of town in peaceful pine forested areas - a much more pleasant way to experience Baguio than in its tra
c-choked
centre. You can also stay in traditional huts at the artist-run Tam-awan Village (see below).
Azalea Residences
Leonard Wood Loop
T
074 424
8716,
W
azalea.com.ph.
In a quiet location on the
northeastern outskirts of the city, these upmarket serviced
apartments in a log cabin-inspired hotel include living
area, dining room and kitchen facilities. The only downside
is that the lower-floor accommodation looks onto a wall -
ask for a roo
m on t
he fourth floor with views across the
countryside.
P7500
C Boutique Hotel
5 Arellano at Moran, Brgy Gibraltar
T
074 619 0158,
W
cboutiquehotel.com.
A 15min walk
from Mines View and Wright Park, this pleasant hotel in
a peaceful location has seventeen well-appointed rooms
with modern amenities. There are a couple of lounges
with
wood-
burning fireplaces, as well as a restaurant and
bar.
P3900
★
choice for families. There are also clean doubl
es that
are
good value, despite being on the smallish side.
P1700
The Manor
Camp John Hay
T
074 424 0931,
W
camp
johnhay.ph.
This smart hotel has an enviable location in
an alpine setting outside town; surrounded by towering
pine trees, it's a great place to relax and enjoy the
countryside. Cosy rooms have garden or forest views, and
feature modern amenities, wooden furniture and panelled
walls. Facilities include a sauna, jacuzzi, gym, piano bar
with daily ja
zz and
pop bands, and weekend art activities
for children.
P5700
Microtel
Upper Session Rd
T
074 619 3333,
W
microtel
philippines.com.
Right behind the Victory Liner terminal,
this hotel, with a blue wooden facade, is a good option
with neat and tidy rooms set on four floo
rs. The
attached
restaurant serves Spanish-inspired dishes.
P4250
Tam-awan Village
366C Pinsao Proper
T
074 446
2949,
W
tam-awanvillage.com.
An unusual choice
featuring accommodation in traditional Ifugao and
Kalinga huts that were acquired from the provinces and
reassembled at this replica village (see opposite). The
huts, all with shared bath, are simple but welcoming, and
can sleep u
p to n
ine. Note that it can get surprisingly cold.
Per person
P500
YMCA
Post O
ce Loop
T
074 442 4766.
This large,
central hostel has spotless twin rooms with flatscreen
TVs and single-sex dorms with institutional rows of pine-
wood beds crammed in every corner; the maze of echoing
corridors gives the place a bi
t of a
soulle
ss feel.
There's a
large basketball court. Dorms
P375
; twins
P1200
3
Casa Vallejo
Upper Session Rd
T
074 424 3397,
W
casavallejo-baguio.com.
Built in 1909 to house
government employees, this Baguio landmark became
the city's first hotel in the 1920s. It was one of very few
buildings to survive World War II, but by the 1990s it had
fallen into disrepair. It reopened in 2010 after extensive
renovation with bags of US colonial-era charm; rooms are
tasteful, modern and a bargain even in peak season. The
windows are not double-glazed, so ask for one away from
the road. The
Hill Station
restaurant serves impeccable
dish
es, and
there's also a great bookshop and excellent
spa.
P2700
Holiday Villas
10 Legarda Rd
T
074 442 6679,
W
baguioholidayhotel.com.
The apartments here have
two bedrooms and a kitchenette, making them a good
EATING
Baguio has some of the best
restaurants
in the country. There is also a good selection of street food, including a couple of
places beside
Casa Vallejo
hotel serving
bulalo
(beef on the bone in a broth), and the usual fast-food outlets in the SM mall.
★
Café by the Ruins
25 Chuntug St
T
074 442 4010.
In a breezy setting with tables dotted around the WWII
ruins of the residence of Baguio's first governor, this is
one of the city's best restaurants, with excellent organic
food prepared with home-grown herbs and served either
indoors or in the shady yard. The duck confit with green
potatoes (P250) has long been a bestseller; there are
home-made breads, pastries, mu
ns and scones (P50),
too.
Daily 7am-9pm.
★
Chef 's Home
13 Outlook Drive, Purok 3
T
0916 444
5756.
The Malaysian owner and chef rustles up exceptional
Asian fusion dishes embracing Malaysian, Thai and Indian
cuisine. Dishes are large enough to share, with most serving
two to four; the crispy papaya salad is outstanding (P240).
Mon-Sat 11am-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm.
Choco-late de Batirol
Gate 2, Igorot Garden, Camp
John Hay
T
0915 933 3475.
This welcoming open-fronted
bamboo café with fairy lights offers nine flavours of hot
