Baguio hotels gird for Panagbenga

MANILA, Philippines - It’s another exciting February in Baguio City as the summer capital holds the world-famous annual Panagbenga Flower Festival.

During Panagbenga, the streets of Baguio open up to colorful parade floats decked with the festive flora of the region. Throughout the festival people enjoy all the food, fun and entertainment the city has to offer, as Baguio comes alive for guests and locals alike.

Don’t miss out this annual event. Here are the hotels where you can fully enjoy your time in Baguio during the festival.

Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio

A holiday hotel favorite, Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio is the first hotel in the city with rooms that are considered as all-suite vacation residences with the full services and amenities of a serviced apartment. All rooms have living, dining, and kitchen facilities. It is located along Leonard Wood Loop near Teachers’ Camp, and its mountain lodge exterior embraces the perfect mountain lifestyle.

For Panagbenga, Azalea offers a special Family Fun Package which starts at P2,949 per adult a night, plus kids free on tours and meals.

Guests at Azalea can relax and unwind at the 8 Degrees Bar Lounge which serves fresh smoothies, specialty coffee and cocktails. A private spa and massage service is available in the luxury of one’s room while those who would like to make arrangements for a special Baguio tour can do so with the hotel’s travel concierge.

Microtel Baguio

Famous for its no-frills approach to hotel accommodations, Microtel Baguio is the flagship of the hotel group in Northern Luzon. Business and leisure travelers alike have come to know Microtel as their go-to hotel for its superb location and accessibility to Victory Liner, located right beside the hotel. It is this convenience that has made practically every traveler to Baguio a fan of the hotel chain.

Families can have extra fun time at Microtel since it is located near a major shopping mall, shops and restaurants. The hotel’s very own famous Te Quiero Tapas bar and restaurant offers sumptuous daily buffet breakfast, a la carte lunch and dinner, a beer promo, and a tapas eat-all-you-can on Fridays and Saturdays, with an acoustic band providing entertainment.

For groups, corporate or otherwise, who wish to enjoy the city, Microtel has a function room that can host up to 80 people. Any group who needs space for small meetings and conferences, debuts, baptismals, birthdays, wedding receptions, etc., can give Microtel Baguio a call.

Burnham Suites

If proximity to the Panagbenga parade route is your thing, Burnham Suites is one of the central locations you need to be at. Guests are mere steps away from Burnham Park, Session Road, and the Athletic Bowl which is the center of all the festivities. Parking is provided.

Eurotel Baguio

A minute’s walking distance from Burnham Park and other landmarks in Baguio, Eurotel Baguio has a selection of food promos to choose from, accompanied by some night entertainment, at its Euroblend Café and Bar.

Hotel Veniz

Talk about a perfect view, Hotel Veniz’s location in downtown Baguio is the perfect spot to watch the Panagbenga float parade right out your window. The hotel’s strategic location at the center of the city is also perfect for shoppers and food junkies alike. Just a few steps away is the famous “ukay-ukay” center of Session Road where surplus clothing and accessories can be found.

Mile Hi-Inn

People who are traveling on a budget but still want a relaxing John Hay experience can get all of that at Mile Hi-Inn. Shoppers can enjoy the fact that it is also part of the Mile-Hi Center where clothing apparel from well-known international brands and Baguio woodcraft and trinkets can be found.

The Manor Camp John Hay

In this upscale establishment and one of a few hotels situated at Camp John Hay, guests are situated far and free from the pressures of main street. It’s one of the few places where you can get in touch with nature, as it is surrounded by pine trees and verdant golf ranges. For the flower festival, The Manor offers a room promo running up to Feb. 28 inclusive of breakfast buffet. Check its website for details at http://www.campjohnhay.ph/.

The Forest Lodge

Do you want first-class lodgings at an affordable price? Look no further than a few steps away from The Manor. The Forest Lodge is the former’s sister hotel and its location at Camp John Hay offers you a 360-degree view of the mountains and lush forest of pine trees.

Casa Vallejo

Filled with history, this century-old hotel takes you back in time with the Casa Vallejo experience. The hotel is one of the best spots to witness the grand parade — just crack open your room window while having a mug of hot chocolate or coffee from the café as street dancers pass by.

Chalet Baguio

Far from the rush of downtown, Chalet Baguio is for guests who want to enjoy the serenity of their vacation. For Panagbenga, the hotel is giving away 40 percent discount vouchers to all Dulcinea diners with minimum purchase of P500.

City Travel Hotel

Located right across Burnham Park, City Travel Hotel boasts of amenities for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel believes that high-quality service can be inexpensive and be afforded by everyone.

The Golden Pine Hotel & Restaurant

As one of the strategically located establishments in downtown Baguio, The Golden Pine Hotel is one of the hotels just a few steps away from the parades and street dancing during the festival.

Le Monet

Le Monet, located inside Camp John Hay, celebrates Panagbenga with buffet dinner to welcome hotel guests to the festivities. Adding to the atmosphere, employees will be wearing floral and colorful costumes for Panangbenga Festival. The hotel also has elegant function rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people, perfect for social and business events.

Starwood Hotel

Located right near Marcos Highway, the hotel keeps everyone’s needs just around its vicinity. Situated beside the lobby are a restaurant and a convenience store where you may find some basic needs.

Summer Place Hotel

Located along Marcos Highway offering a wide view of the Cordillera mountains, The Summer Place has a large, art gallery-like lobby, mostly decorated with woodcarvings, giving everyone an impression of how rooms look like in this hotel which are larger and have higher ceilings compared to other hotels in the city.

Hotel Elizabeth

Medi-terranean-inspired, Hotel Elizabeth offers European ambiance with Filipino hospitality. If hotel guests don’t want to engage in the chaos of Panagbenga, they may enjoy signature activities such as free pony rides, free face painting, sushi making for mom and dad, and cupcake decorating and free film showing for the kids.

Victory Liner

Anyone from Manila and other southern places know how to take Victory Liner when going up to Baguio City. With a terminal located right beside Microtel Baguio and many convenience stores, restaurants and a gas sation, Victory Liner is synonymous with travel to Baguio City. All of its deluxe buses carry The Philippine STAR, both print and digital versions, available for free to its passengers.

Café by the Ruins

You can’t go to Baguio and not pass by the famous Café by the Ruins. A Baguio City institution located near city hall, this little café restaurant serves the best Filipino comfort food in the region. For Panagbenga, strawberries are in season and the café’s menu is overflowing with strawberry juices, shakes, shortcakes, and salads. Guests can dine in the open garden setting of the café with a mezzanine for small gatherings.

Mario’s Restaurant

An upscale dining establishment in Baguio, everyone can look forward to great food and service. Now 41 years in service, Mario’s has established its name among outsiders and locals alike. It is also offering catering services for special events.

Star Café

Found along Session Road, Star Café is a bakeshop and Chinese restaurant in one. As a Baguio historical institution, the café is known for its famous lugaw, Chicken Mami, egg pie, and the must-order Star rice.

Mountain Maid Training Center (Good Shepherd)

You can’t leave Baguio without bringing home the famous strawberry and ube jam from Good Shepherd. Make sure to pass by this must-visit tourist location for pasalubong near Mines View Park before you leave.

Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital

Definitely not a hotel for you to stay at in Baguio but still it would be great to know where you can go to in case of a medical emergency. A leading Christ-centered institution committed to providing holistic quality healthcare services to all, Notre Dame Hospital is a prominent medical institution in Baguio and is located along General Luna Road.

Gas stations

If you are going by car, it’s best to take note where the nearest gas stations in Baguio are. Shell, Caltex and Petron stations are scattered throughout the city — near hotels, highways and near Session Road itself just by Burnham Park. During Panagbenga, look out for special promos and giveaways when you fuel up your car.

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For more information on the listed hotels, restaurants and establishments, check The Philippine STAR’s Hotel Guide published every Wednesday and Friday. Photos by FERNAN NEBRES