Not that I planned it, but I find myself visiting Baguio at least once a year since 2010. It started with a Sagada retreat with Geo, my high school kabarkada, where we pursued a long stop-over in Baguio so we can eat in the famous Cafe by the Ruins and take photos with Igorots and a giant dog in Mines View. On 2012, I was invited to be one of the bloggers for a Panagbenga Festival coverage, and on 2013 I accompanied Tracy who had to go to Baguio for a wedding.
In all these trips to the 'summer capital' of the country, I usually just ride the bus with my friends. Thus, I felt the instant VIP treatment going to the Azalea Residences in their provided hotel van. Other than the comfort, convenience and privacy, we also had Kuya Jay as our very helpful driver. I didn't even have to carry and load my own bags, hindi ako sanay!
Here's the roomy van, where we had enough leg room, separate space for our bags, and even slots for our food and drinks. It was so comfortable, hindi ko napansin na we were almost in Baguio na.
Hi Seph, Trice, and Sarah!
After around 5 hours, 1 stop-over, and 1 million kwentos, nag ggreen na our view outside our windows and I know malayo na kami sa Maynila.
5 minutes away from Session Road, and located in a secluded hill, napa "WOAH" nalang kaming lahat when we entered the quiet, beautiful, country-living area of the Azalea Residences - our home for the next 2 nights!
We didn't enter the hotel right away dahil parang may tumutulak sa akin to stay in Azalea's refreshing outdoor area. We took our first OOTD agad-agad in the playground and garden. Everything's IG-worthy here, and ang sarap kasi ang lamig so it wasn't hard to shoot. Nakakafresh!
Upon entering the hotel, we were greeted for the first time by Azalea Baguio's very friendly and accommodating staff--na magtutuloy tuloy and consistent for the rest of our stay there.
Our group was welcomed at the 8 Degrees bar (near a souvenir shop) with drinks, hot towels, and the whole Azalea Baguio's team. This place is proud to have the feel of a hotel, and the full services and amenities of a service apartment.
The Rooms
Azalea Residences Baguio is made up of 99 suite-rooms, 46 deluxe suites, 17 one-bedroom suites, 33 two-bedroom suites, and 3 three-bedroom suites.
All these suites offer the following:
- a living area with a sofa bed and flat screen TV with cable connection
- toilet and bath with hot and cold water
- dining table and chairs and crockery
- kitchen appliances and utensils
- coffee and tea making facilities
- queen sized beds with imported bed linens
- balcony in choice rooms
...And, of course, free Wi-Fi! ;p
Photos from Azalea's website, click here for the published rates.
One Bedroom
Two Bedroom
Deluxe Bedroom
We were lucky to be assigned in the three-bedroom suite. We received a fresh fruits basket upon entering our room, na pinagdiskitahan ko kaagad ang fresh strawberries and grapes:
Here's Trice at our living room area, near the balcony, with the sofa that can be converted into a bed. TV and "bonding" room din namin siya, although ALL three bedrooms naman may TV din.
Our kitchen, na hindi lang 2 small glasses and teaspoon ang available--but complete with pans, utensils, big plates, hot water pot, knives, chopping board, glasses, microwave, etc. Perfect for long vacation with family or the barkada kasi pwede ka na dito mag luto.
Here are the three bedrooms, all with TV, cabinet, mirror, lots of outlets (para hindi agawan sa pag charge!). One of them has its own comfort room.
A common rest room, complete with different clean towels and toiletries:
After settling in our rooms, the group decided to go out before having our dinner so we can maximize nadin our first night in Baguio. They brought us to Ili-Likha Artist Village in #32 Assumption Road, an artsy food-place with eco-friendly ambiance owned by director, writer, and artist Kidlat Tahimik.
True to its name Likha, or to create, kahit saan ka tumingin you will discover all sorts of interesting artworks like this patterned recycled bottles wall, a "peace Jesus" portrait, rustic hanging cups, and mosaic eyes - which I think will create beautiful colors in the place pag daytime.
They also sell flowers, and even yung hagdan super quirky and colorful:
Since it was nighttime na, my camera did not bring justice to the place's inspiring vibes. All the more reason to go back to Baguio is to check out Ili-likha ng may araw! I also saw the rustic semblance niya with the bigger Oh My Gulay restaurant and art haven, a vegetarian place in Session Road na napuntahan ko last year. Both pala were owned by Kidlat Tahimik.
We ordered coffee, cookies, and the most moist buttered bread so we can bask in Ili-likha's quasi-labyrinthe escape.
When we went back to our hotel, we had our dinner in Azalea Residences' Tradisyon: Pinoy Comfort Food Restaurant. Eksakto nga naman ang dating namin that it was a Friday, where they have the Hot Pot Night from 6 to 10 pm for P395 only!
What a welcoming dinner! I enjoyed the hot soup and fresh veggies, along with a strawberry shake (na hindi powdered!) for our first meal in cold Baguio.
Before ending the day, Azalea Residences prepared a program for us in a separate function room that you can rent for group and company activities: time for a Pajama Party!!!
Complete ang ingredients of a perfect slumber partey: pillows and soft carpet, balloons, my favorite junk foods, games, and sobrang game na group!
Nung una nagkakahiyaan pa, but eventually....
Competitive, because the prizes are all bongga! Hehe! Special thanks to Cole Haan, Oilily, In Case, Bifesta, Mandom, Lucido-L, Gatsby, Morellato, and Toscow for our prizes and loot bags!
Nastress ako sa pillow fight! Haha!
Even our PR and Team Azalea walang KJ, and played the Twister game!
Movie time! We watched the classic Wedding Singer before heading back to our rooms for moremore kwentuhan till it was 3am na (even with the early call-time the next day), hehe. Fun!
Azalea Residences Baguio
#7 Leonard Wood Loop
Brgy. M. Roxas 2006 Baguio City
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Twitter @AzaleaResidence
Instagram @AzaleaBaguio
www.azalea.com.ph
4 Comments
Nabusog ako sa post na ito. Ganda ng mga photos lalo na yung sa Ili-Likha Artist Village.
ReplyDeleteIba padin pala pag nakaka receive ng comments, haha! Thanks for reading bff! :)
DeleteNice post! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Alejandro! :)
DeleteYour turn! Always excited to read your comments! :)