The Best Hotels to Book in Baguio, the Philippines

Whether you’re looking for a bargain single or a deluxe double, the rooms at this sleek hotel in Baguio all share a lively red-and-white theme with grey-tiled or wooden floors. Sip your morning latte as you soak up the mountain view – or enjoy a sundowner, as the name suggests. Take a trip to local beauty spot Lourdes Grotto, a pilgrimage site on Mirador Hill, home to a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. You’ll need your trainers to reach the shrine, as there are 252 steps to climb before you can light a candle and admire the scenic city views. Afterwards, you’ll deserve a cooling dip in the splash pool back at the hotel.

More of a mountain chalet than a Philippine-style hotel, the Manor sits among the fragrant pines of Camp John Hay, southeast of Baguio. Once a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp, then a US military recreational facility, Camp John Hay is now one of the finest resorts in Baguio, complete with a golf course, restaurants, shops and high-flying treetop adventures. The 158 rooms come with forest or garden views. Deluxe rooms have an outdoor veranda, and suites come with a microwave and DVD player. Don’t leave without trying the chocolate and peanut butter loaves at breakfast.

Breathe in the mountain air at this white, bright neocolonial-style home, a 10-minute drive from the centre of Baguio. Start with a strong black coffee in the cafe – an intimate haunt popular with locals – before hiring a tricycle to drive you around the mountain viewpoints. Indulge in an invigorating massage at the spa, then catch a cab to the Baguio Night Market to buy ukay-ukay (second-hand goods), street food and locally made crafts.

The smart rooms in this four-star hotel are the epitome of contemporary Pinoy style, with plenty of light woods and neutral tones. Each room has a balcony, ideal for enjoying views of pine-covered mountains. The Ibdiyan Wellness Centre offers a fitness room and indigenous Ibalois-style massage techniques, while the two restaurants serve Western cuisine and Filipino comfort food respectively. However, the biggest draw of this hotel is the Adkos Gallery, featuring contemporary artworks by Filipino artists.

The Venus Parkview Hotel has occupied this coveted spot on the southwest side of Burnham Park since 1976. The location and grand ballroom make it the local wedding venue of choice, but there are plenty of other reasons to stay here. Classy, modern rooms pop with shades of scarlet and ultramarine; some have balconies overlooking the park. There’s even a room for six if you’d like to secure a lower rate for a larger party. Don’t miss the mango cheesecake for breakfast.

A hop from the Mansion House – the president’s official summer residence – and the Baguio Country Club, this four-star boutique hotel impresses with a quiet, intimate ambience. Interiors are delightfully kitsch, with explosions of florals, twinkling chandeliers and mismatched upholstery, while bathrooms come with L’Occitane products. The cute cafe serves a breakfast buffet, cupcakes and monstrous freakshakes.

With a smart, wood-panelled lobby and navy-suited staff, the Forest Lodge feels more Makati than Baguio. The equally swish rooms have a modern colonial style with plenty of dark wood and white linens; most have lush forest views. The Twist serves Asian fusion light bites, and Coffee Stains has a spread of cakes. You also have the restaurants and shops of Camp John Hay on your doorstep.

It’s rare to find a design hotel in the Philippine Cordilleras, but the G1 Lodge is exactly that, sporting modish geometric floors and slatted furnishings evocative of a big-city boutique hotel. Here, you’re steps from SM City Baguio and the succulent delights of Mang Inasal and Max’s Restaurant. Back at the hotel, there’s a huge breakfast on offer, with a buffet and an à la carte menu of Western and Filipino dishes. In-room televisions come with complimentary Netflix; upgrade for a balcony with city views.