Being a Baguio junkie, I’ve been to a number of lodgings around the pine city but have never heard of Baguio Holiday Villas. To be fair, there are a lot of accommodation options in Baguio City. And one of my main criteria when looking for a place to stay while in the city is its proximity to Burnham Park. I so love that park that I’m willing to pay more than my usual budget for hotels just to be near it.

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And so it was, that when I received an invitation from Baguio Holiday Villas to visit their place, I immediately checked how near it is to Burnham Park. A quick search at Google Maps revealed it to be just a few blocks away. A mere five-minute walk, which is really very nice. I never did mind walking around when in Baguio.

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The first thing that greeted us upon setting our bags down at Baguio Holiday Villas was breakfast and coffee. The lodging has its own café right inside the lobby. Don’t look for something as grand as that of The Manor at Camp John Hay though, it’s a much more intimate affair; a few tables inside the lobby and a couple more at the garden out back.

Their breakfast options consists of the usual silogs—bacons, daings, and hams usually accompanied by mountain rice, fried egg and coffee. Everything is priced at ₱120.00. It’s not the usual ₱60.00 carinderia breakfast which I’m accustomed to, but the price is pretty standard for a hotel café.

After savoring a plate of Baguio longganisa and tocino, we then proceeded to our Baguio Holiday Villas room. But as its name suggests, it’s really not really a hotel, but a villa. At first, I thought it was just a name, but lo and behold, after passing through the lobby, we came out into a garden where rows of villas stood.

Although they also have regular rooms for couples and single visitors, most of their units are made up of these spacious, two-storey apartments. And it is huge. Depending on the unit, a single villa can accommodate up to eight individuals. Perfect for big group of friends or families visiting Baguio for a few days.

The unit we were given, a Superior Villa, has two bedrooms at the second floor. The master’s bedroom has a queen-sized bed with its own toilet and bath, while the other room has two single beds. The beds are really comfortable—the only thing I’m missing is the TV, which is located on the living room.

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The villa has no air-conditioning, which is normal for lodgings in Baguio. With the city’s perpetually cool weather, it’s practically useless. They have fans however, just in case the weather for some reason turns unusually hot.

Besides the comfort room at the master’s bedroom, one is also provided at the ground floor near the kitchen. Both have hot and cold water, which is a must for Baguio lodgings. I know not a few people who base picking their accommodations via the comfort rooms, I’m happy to report that those in Baguio Holiday Villas are very clean and doesn’t feel cramped.

But what I really liked about Baguio Holiday Villas is their kitchen. I really dig the fact that those staying here can cook whatever they like at no cost at all. Pans, kettles, knives, and everything else is also included in the package, all you have to do is get your food at the nearby Baguio Public Market and cook yourself a feast.

While we initially planned on doing just that, we were unable to ignore Baguio Holiday Villas’ in-house café; our daily lunch and dinner usually coming straight from their menu (except for a dinner at Luisa’s Café Baguio along Session Road). We were able to try their Baguio Holiday Adobo, Southern Fried Chicken, Salisbury Steak and Vegetable Kare-Kare. I loved everything.

Besides the usual Filipino meals, they also serve soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pasta. You have to try their Baguio Holiday Ceasar’s Salad. I’m not into eating leaves, but man, it’s so great I wanted to order another serving if not for my already full tummy.

For desserts, their menu is limited to three kinds of crepes; Strawberry Crème, Banana and Hazelnut, and Mango Melba Crepe. To be honest, I don’t like crepes. Heck, I don’t like desserts in general. But this Mango Melba Crepe is spectacular. I super super super love it.

We were initially turned off by the prices of Café Baguio Holiday Villas, which run from ₱140.00 to ₱260.00 each. But it was soon apparent why—a single serving is usually big enough for sharing, even the sandwiches. Not bad really.

A night at the Baguio Holiday Villas’ Superior Villa will cost you ₱3,500.00 which sounds a bit expensive at first. But if you consider that it can actually accommodate four persons, plus a few more for a little additional fee (₱480.00/pax), then you can see how affordable it really is. Add in the fact that you can cook your own meals—then costs get down really fast.

Friendly staff, good food, great location, affordable, and spacious lodgings, Baguio Holiday Villas is highly recommended for big groups looking for a comfortable place to stay in Baguio City.

~ OUR STAY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY BAGUIO HOLIDAY VILLAS

Baguio Holiday Villas ►ROOM RATES
Address: No. 10 Legarda Road, Baguio City
Contact Number: (074) 442-6679 | (074) 619-3920 | (0917) 303-4970
GPS Coordinates Map: 16.410558, 120.590921

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