It was way past midnight and the moon was at its zenith, shining brightly against the deep blue heavens, illuminating the towering pine trees just a few feet from where we were sitting. It was the year’s coldest night yet, with temperature almost hitting the single digit mark. But there we were, struggling to fight off the cold at Le Monet Hotel’s restaurant deck, enjoying bottles of beer and swapping stories like there’s no tomorrow.

LE MONET HOTEL SPARKLES DURING THE EVENINGS

We arrived in Baguio City the previous night, backpacks in tow, ready for a weekend of nothing but leisure and luxury. And there’s nowhere else we’d rather stay than at Le Monet Hotel inside Camp John Hay. To its door, our feet led us.

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THE LOBBY AT LE MONET HOTEL

It was about three years ago when I first laid eyes on Le Monet. Back then, The Manor reigned supreme over Camp John Hay, and I was quite taken aback when I had a glimpse of this new hotel’s grand lobby. I mean, it was literally sparkling!

Le Monet Hotel is from the same hotel group that runs Rembrandt Quezon City and Hotel Luna Vigan. Notice that most of their hotels are art inspired, and one can see that from the paintings and photographs along the hotel lobby.

JAPANESE BUFFET NIGHT

THE BEST CREAM PUFF IS AT THE LE MONET HOTEL

Before checking in, we were treated to a grand dinner feast. It was a Saturday, and on weekends, Le Monet Hotel provides a buffet, not only for their guests, but also to anyone else who wants to dine at the hotel’s restaurant. It’s pegged at PHP 550.00 to PHP 650.00.

That night, the theme was Japanese Cuisine. We had a feast of ebi tempura, sushi rolls, and other delicacies.

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LE MONET’S DELUXE TWIN ROOM, OURS FOR THE WEEKEND

Le Monet Hotel has a total of seventy rooms divided into four categories. We nested on their Deluxe Twin Room, which can comfortably accommodate up to four individuals. The room is stylishly designed and has the usual amenities for hotels of this caliber, including a strong and free wi-fi connection.

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TOILET AND BATH WITH LCD TELEVISION

Their toilet and bath is very modern; rain-type showerhead, automatic water closet with bidet (yes!), and it even has its own flat-screen television mounted on one of its walls. Now I can watch my History Channel while on the john, haha.

ROOM VERANDA OVERLOOKING THE PINE FOREST OF BAGUIO CITY

We were given the garden view, and it was just magnificent. Our room opens to a balcony that overlooks a forest of pine trees. It cannot be more Baguio-esque than this! This is usually where go the first thing after waking up, sipping our coffee and tea, which is automatically provided for every day.

BREAKFAST! LONGTOSILOG PLUS EGGS BENEDICT

And then we’d head on over at the lobby where our morning meal awaits. Guests are provided with complimentary breakfast, and it’s a buffet feast every single day! They have the usual Filipino fares like tocino, tapa, Baguio garlic longganisa, sinangag, and crispy bacons. But besides those, you’d have to try Le Monet’s eggs benedict!

OUR LE MONET BREAKFAST SPOT

We’d usually seat ourselves on the lanai outside to soak up a bit of sunlight. It was freezingly cold in Baguio when we visited! But besides that, the deck is really quite nice. It looks over the pine forest—a refreshing sight, considering how fast these trees are disappearing from the city.

LE MONET’S ELECTRIC TRAM SERVICE

It was gonna be a lazy weekend and we’re perfectly okay with being lazy. After breakfast, we’d usually sleep again or ride around Camp John Hay on Le Monet’s electric tram. We’d visit the golf course, the Camp John Hay Eco Trail (but we won’t hike haha), have coffee at the Camp John Hay Starbucks, snack at Choco-Late de Batirol, and gawk at Joel Cruz’s hotel-like house.

FILIPINO LUNCH AT LE MONET

And then we’d be back for lunch. My gosh, aren’t we just really lazy!

Le Monet Hotel does not offer buffet lunch, but it doesn’t mean we won’t have a feast.

CRISPY PATA AND PASTA LONGGANISA

During the duration of our stay, we tried Le Monet’s Filipino dishes; Kare-Kare (PHP 390.00), Bistek Tagalog (PHP 375.00), Kaldereta (PHP 360.00), Salmon Head Sinigang (PHP 380.00), Pilipino Salad, Fried Chicken, and Crispy Pata. They looked a bit expensive, but worry not, everything is good for sharing. A dish can be easily be shared by three to four individuals.

THE BEST KALDERETA

It came as a surprise, as I usually don’t dig tomato-based dishes, but my absolute favorite from their kitchen—orchestrated by their good chef, Val Campilla—is their cheesy kaldereta. Move over crispy pata, lol.

THE MALT ROOM AT LE MONET HOTEL

Evenings after dinner, we’d head over to Le Monet’s Malt Room. We’d have a few choice drinks then it’s videoke time! Their videoke machine is something else too. Projected on a large screen, we’d sing our hearts off, only to be told off by its score. It seemed we can’t cheat our way through this machine, we can’t even hit the 60 grade mark, haha.

EVENINGS AT CAMP JOHN HAY’S LE MONET HOTEL

And then it’s back to the veranda once more. Under Baguio City’s chilly night. Under the towering pines. Under the twinkling stars. Under the bright full moon. More stories. More beer. Friendship.

It was such a weekend at Le Monet Hotel.

Le Monet Hotel ►ROOM RATES
Address: Camp John Hay, Baguio City
Contact Number: (02) 376-5059 | (0917) 526-7049
Email: rsvn.lemonet@ahmgi.com | Facebook
GPS Coordinates Map: 16.399266, 120.613710

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