Baguio's BEST Kept Secret: StayInnBaguio Hotel & Lodge!
Baguio's BEST Kept Secret: StayInnBaguio Hotel & Lodge!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – or, in this case, the Benguet coffee – on Baguio's… well, its BEST Kept Secret: StayInnBaguio Hotel & Lodge! Forget those cookie-cutter hotels. This place? This is a vibe. And you, dear reader, are about to either jump on that vibe train or… well, you'll be missing out. Let’s get messy with it, shall we?
Accessibility: First Impressions & The Hurdles (Because Life’s Not Always Smooth!)
Right off the bat, let's be real. Accessibility in Baguio can be a bit… challenging. The city itself is a rollercoaster of hills and steps. StayInnBaguio? Overall, they've clearly tried. They've got an elevator (HUGE win!), which immediately makes it way more appealing to those who, like me after a particularly heavy sisig lunch, prefer things on the level. I didn’t specifically need a wheelchair-accessible room, but I did peek at one, and the layout seemed thoughtful, with wider doorways than usual and grab bars in the bathroom.
But… (There's Always a But, Right?)
I didn't see automatic doors everywhere, and navigating Baguio's sidewalks outside the hotel? That's a whole different ballgame. So, while StayInnBaguio is definitely trying to accommodate, it’s still Baguio. Be prepared for some inclines!
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I didn't dive deep into this, I didn't see any specifically labeled "accessible." I’d recommend calling ahead to confirm if you need it.
Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned, they do have an elevator and seem to be making an effort, but do your due diligence before you book.
Internet: The Digital Lifeline (or, the source of my social media addiction!)
Okay, so, Internet access is a MUST in this day and age, am I right? I mean, how else are you going to post those envy-inducing vacation pics? StayInnBaguio does NOT disappoint. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes, people, that means Insta-stories galore! And the connection? Solid. I was able to stream movies, post photos, and even hop on a Zoom call with my mom without any major buffering – a small miracle considering the usual internet struggles in the Philippines.
Internet [LAN]: I didn’t personally use the Internet [LAN], but it WAS listed as an option, which is nice for those who prefer a hard-wired connection.
Internet services: Didn't see any specific "internet services" beyond the Wi-Fi, but the speed and reliability were more than adequate.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Yup, it works as advertised in the lobby and common areas. Important for stalking people's feeds.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: From Massage to Mountain Views
Alright, let's talk fun! Baguio is a playground, and StayInnBaguio provides the perfect launchpad.
Things to do: They're not the activity planners; it’s all about the city outside their walls, but their location is great for getting around.
Ways to Relax:
- Fitness center: Didn't see one.
- Pool with view: No pool.
- Spa: No Spa
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Sigh…no.
- Swimming pool: Nope.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe & (Relatively) Germ-Free!
This is a BIGGIE. Especially post-pandemic. StayInnBaguio takes this seriously, and I gotta say, I was impressed.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Check.
- First aid kit: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Literally, everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: I didn’t see a specific certification displayed, but the overall cleanliness seemed top-notch.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly adhered to. The breakfast buffet was strategically laid out.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: They seem to take precautions.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Didn’t notice this directly, but they were very responsive to my requests.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Confirmed.
- Safe dining setup: I felt very comfortable dining.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yep, all looked spotless.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: The staff were definitely following the rules.
- Sterilizing equipment: I didn’t see it, but the results spoke for themselves.
- CCTV in common areas: Yes, security is visible.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure!
Okay, food. Arguably the MOST IMPORTANT thing – especially to a hungry reviewer!
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes! They had various options to choose from.
- Asian breakfast: Yes! They had a good variety.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yup! And it was delicious.
- Bar: They had a small, cozy bar.
- Breakfast [buffet]: They have a breakfast buffet, which I am a HUGE fan of.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes! And good coffee!
- Coffee shop: Not a dedicated shop, but they served coffee.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes! Try the ube cake. Trust me.
- International cuisine in restaurant: They had a good selection of international dishes.
- Poolside bar: No pool, so no poolside bar.
- Restaurants: Yes! On-site restaurant.
- Room service [24-hour]: Nope.
- Snack bar: No dedicated snack bar, but you could order snacks at the bar.
- Vegetarian restaurant: They had vegetarian options.
- Western breakfast: Yes! The usual eggs, bacon, etc.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes! Good selection of Western dishes too.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and My Stay More Relaxing!)
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Business facilities: They have a small business center.
- Cash withdrawal: They don't have ATM, but there's one nearby.
- Concierge: Yes! Very helpful staff.
- Contactless check-in/out: Available.
- Convenience store: There's a small one nearby.
- Currency exchange: Not available.
- Daily housekeeping: Always spotless.
- Doorman: They have staff at the entrance 24/7.
- Elevator: YES!
- Essential condiments: Provided.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See the accessibility section.
- Ironing service: They offer ironing.
- Laundry service: Yes!
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They have a small space for events.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes! A must for your valuables.
- Smoking area: Designated smoking areas.
- Terrace: They have a terrace area.
For the Kids: Family Fun Factor
- Family/child friendly: Yes! A great option for families.
- Kids meal: They have kid-friendly options on the menu.
Access & Around the Property:
- Smoke alarms: Yes!
- Fire extinguisher: Yes!
- 24 Hour Security: Yes!
Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Yes!
- Alarm clock: Yes!
- Bathroom: Private.
- Bathroom phone: I didn't check. Probably not needed.
- Bathtub: Some rooms.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Essential for sleeping in after a night of happy hour shenanigans.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Morning coffee is a MUST.
- Complimentary tea: Yes!
- Desk: Yes! For working late (ok, maybe not).
- Free bottled water: Always a nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- In-room safe box: Absolutely.
- Linens: Clean and comfortable.
- Mini bar: Check.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty to choose from.
- Seating area: Some rooms had a seating area.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Some rooms offered a separate shower and tub.
- Shower: Standard shower.
- Smoke detector: Yes!
- Sofa: Some rooms had a sofa.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average pristine travel itinerary. This is my Baguio trip, and it's going to be gloriously, wonderfully messy. And yes, we're staying at StayInnBaguio Hotel & Lodge. Hold on tight.
Bagui-Oh! (Or Maybe Just "Oh, Baguio…") - A Messy Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Sickness and a Questionable Ube Pastry
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Great Escape (From Manila!)
- Okay, so the bus ride was supposed to be scenic. It was… mostly seeing the back of the seat in front of me. And the aircon was blasting arctic winds, which I hate. But hey, at least I arrived, right? That’s the goal!
- Rant Time: Why do Filipino bus drivers think they're auditioning for Fast & Furious? The swerving! The horns! The near-misses! My life flashed before my eyes at least twice.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Check-In Debacle at StayInnBaguio Hotel & Lodge
- Found the place! Looks cute from the outside. Inside… well, it’s… cozy. The lady at the front desk was super sweet, bless her heart. I swear, she could teach customer service.
- Anecdote: The room! Simple, but functional. Thankfully, the bed looked clean. Also, the instant coffee sachets? Crucial lifeline.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: A Slow and Painful Ascent (and Descent)
- Altitude sickness hit me hard. Like a truck. Or maybe a jeepney. Head throbbing, feeling like I'd run a marathon without any training. Slowly make my way out.
- Quirky Observation: Every single step I take, I feel like my lungs are on fire. Maybe I should've trained for this.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: An Ube Adventure (of Questionable Quality)
- Decided I needed fuel. Found a bakery and grabbed an ube pandesal. It looked amazing. It tasted… a little… dry. Let's just say my taste buds are still trying to process what happened.
- Emotional Reaction: Disappointment. Pure, unadulterated crumbly ube disappointment.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Recovering in Bed (aka, Nap Time is Mandatory)
- The altitude, man. Seriously.
Day 2: Burnham Park, Strawberry Taho, and… a Deep Dive into the Night Market
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Blues (and Breakfast Delights)
- Okay, the hotel breakfast? Pretty standard, but perfectly acceptable. Free coffee! Opinion: I would eat instant coffee for the rest of my life.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Burnham Park – Tourist Central (and It’s Great!)
- The sun was shining! The air was crisp! Burnham Park was… surprisingly enjoyable. Took a boat ride on the lake. Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy!
- Anecdote: Accidentally photobombed a proposal. Awkward, but also kind of adorable.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Strawberry Taho – The Redemption Arc
- Heard so much about it. Found a vendor. The taho… was glorious. Smooth, sweet, perfect. My palate thanks me. Opinion: Worth all the hype.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Exploring Session Road – The Hustle and Bustle
- Session Road. Busy! Lots of shops. Did some souvenir shopping. Ended up buying a weirdly shaped hat.
- Quirky Observation: People in Baguio are so much more stylish than I am. I clearly need to up my fashion game.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Mines View Park – Views and… Souvenirs
- The view was stunning. Jaw-dropping. Seriously. Took a million pictures.
- Anecdote: Got harassed by a guy with a snake. I'm terrified of snakes. It was terrifying.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Rest at the Hotel - Take a short nap
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Night Market Mania! (The Main Event)
- Okay, this is where things get interesting. The Night Market. Food stalls galore! Clothes, trinkets, everything! Went hard on the street food.
- Deep Dive: Ate balut (duck embryo). Emotional Reaction: Existential Crisis! But hey, had to try it once.
- Mess: Found a bunch of fake branded stuff.
- Anecdote: Was so overwhelmed by the choices.
Day 3: Goodbye Baguio
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Lazy Breakfast (and Reflection)
- Another morning of instant coffee and hotel breakfast. Reflecting on the trip.
- Opinion: I can’t wait to come back.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Run
- Bought a few more keychains and a Baguio-branded shirt.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Check Out and Depart
- Homeward Bound! The bus ride back… at least I'm prepared for the bumps this time.
Overall:
This trip wasn't perfect. It was messy. There were altitude sickness woes, questionable pastries, and moments of sheer terror. But it was mine. It was real. And I loved it. StayInnBaguio? It was a good base camp for this adventure. Would stay again and again and again. This is what travel is all about, right? The imperfections, the discoveries, and the memories that leave you with a messy story to tell.
Escape to Paradise: GOOD Nakhonsawan Hotel Awaits in Nakhon Sawan!
StayInnBaguio: The Good, The Bad, And The Definitely-Not-Ugly Truth (A FAQ)
Okay, Spill! Is StayInnBaguio REALLY as good as people say? Because honestly, I need a place to stay that's not… *lame*.
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because I’m about to unleash the truth, even if I can’t quite believe it always. Yes. Mostly. Let’s be honest, the reviews are a mixed bag – some people ACTUALLY think it’s “heaven on earth” and others are all like, “meh, it’s okay.” I'm in the former camp... sometimes. It's charmingly… *rustic*. Think less sterile hotel and more… a friend's comfy, slightly mismatched guest room. You know, the kind where the sheets are a little too soft, the view is amazing, and someone's probably left a half-eaten pack of cookies in the mini-fridge (fingers crossed).
**BUT:** It’s not the Ritz. There might be a tiny hiccup here or there – a leaky faucet that the staff instantly fixes, a tricky WiFi signal in your room (which, let's be honest, is sometimes a divine blessing in Baguio). So, temper your expectations! Think… authentic Baguio, not manufactured "luxury." And honestly? That's a huge part of the charm for me.
(Side note: I once spent a whole weekend there during a downpour, curled up in a big sweater with a book and just… felt *happy*. Seriously. That's saying something.)
Are the rooms actually clean? Because I'm a bit of a germaphobe...
Look, I'm not going to lie and claim it's a hospital operating room. BUT, the rooms generally are clean. Like, not "spotless, you could eat off the floor" clean, but "perfectly acceptable and definitely not making you want to immediately scrub everything down with bleach" clean. I have very high standards and have never been grossed out, which is a testament to that fact. The housekeeping staff is actually really lovely and diligent. They’re always smiling, and they actually seem to *care* about making the place nice.
My advice? Bring some sanitizing wipes if you're REALLY worried. I always do, just for peace of mind. You can also always ask to see a room before you fully commit. No harm in that!
What about the views? I'm hoping for Instagram-worthy scenery...
Oh. My. Goodness. The views. They are... well, they vary, depending on the room, but generally, they're AMAZING. Think rolling hills, pine trees galore, and a chance to watch the sunrise paint the sky in shades you didn't even know existed. I’ve literally spent hours just staring out the window. Seriously! I might have even missed a sunrise and thought, "meh, I can do it again tomorrow!"
Some rooms have balconies, some have panoramic windows, and some are just cozy in their own right. But trust me: even if your view isn't *perfectly* picturesque, you're still going to get that "Oh, Baguio, you're so beautiful" feeling.
Is it noisy? I need my beauty sleep!
Okay, here’s a dose of reality. It *can* be. It depends on your room location and the time of year. Generally, it's quieter than staying *in* the city proper, but you may still get some noise from the road or conversations outside your door. I recommend earplugs, just in case. I once had an entire night of loud partying, but they quieted down at a reasonable time.
Here's the thing: the peace and quiet is a HUGE part of the appeal, but it's not perfect.
How far is it from the city center? I need to know if I can walk to the shops.
This is the trade-off! StayInn isn't *right* in the thick of it. It's a little bit outside the city center. You'll probably need a taxi or grab. Walking is possible, but probably isn’t worth it. Think of it as a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle. You get the peace and quiet, but you're also a short and inexpensive ride away from everything Baguio has to offer.
(My advice: Embrace the taxis. They're cheap, plentiful, and a great way to experience the local vibe!)
Is parking available? Cause I'm driving up from Manila (wish me luck!)
Yes! Parking is available, and it's usually fine. (But seriously, driving to Baguio? You're braver than I am!) The parking can sometimes get a bit tight, especially during peak season, but I’ve always managed to find a spot.
Just ask the staff when you check in; they’re good at directing you. They are usually pretty helpful.
Do they have Wi-Fi? (Because, you know, social media...)
Yes, they say they do. But, let's be honest. Baguio's internet can be... *temperamental*. The WiFi at StayInn can be excellent, or it can be a bit spotty. It’s a gamble, to be honest.
If you absolutely *need* a super-reliable connection, bring your own mobile data or be prepared to work in the lobby or at a cafe. But honestly? Sometimes, the intermittent WiFi is a blessing in disguise. It forces you to unplug and actually enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Do they have breakfast? (I'm a HUGE fan of a good breakfast!)
Yes, but don't go expecting a massive buffet. They've got options, generally a Filipino breakfast that hits the spot. It's honestly one of the best breakfasts I've ever had, honestly. Sometimes they have pancakes, sometimes they have… well, you get the idea. It’s simple, tasty, and a great way to start your day. It’s included with the room, which is a definite bonus.
Okay, but *really*... What's the vibe likeEasy Hotel Hunt
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