"Inside the room, I felt like I'm a VIP again. This is probably one of the best rooms in Azalea. I felt privileged. This staycation kicks ass."

[BAGUIO, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES] ▬ It was summer. I arrived in the City of Pines with traffic jams everywhere. On board a Partas bus, I alighted in their terminal along the Governor Pack Road. I'm glad to be back in a city that I've never seen until I turned 20—so I was compelled to travel to Baguio that time because I have to take the board exam. When I passed the board exam, I landed to a job that has helped me fund my travels. After that, I've traveled to Baguio countless times with many reasons. Today, another reason has come. Probably, this is the coolest and hippest reason that has ever come.

[BAGUIO] ▬ MY ROOM IN AZALEA RESIDENCES SLASH HOTEL

So today, I'm a guest of a hotel and a vacation destination called Azalea Residences. This is it.

I don't know how to go to Azalea so I just hired a taxicab and asked the driver to bring me there. This is the first day. Just before we reached the Teachers Camp and a few minutes after I saw the allegedly haunted Laperal House at my right, the driver made a left turn to Leonard Wood Loop. The latter road is narrower than usual. It was steep. The road entrance was lined with Korean restaurants and some business establishments. At the end of the road, it was like, whoah—pleasing, spacious dead end that made me forget the traffic jam downtown. There was peace. Relaxing. From here, a VIP vacation has began. I said VIP because it was what I felt—like a VIP guest.

[BAGUIO] ▬ BAR IN THE HOTEL'S LOBBY

[BAGUIO] ▬ MY WORKSPACE IN AZALEA

[BAGUIO] ▬ A CUP OF COFFEE FROM AZALEA

I proceeded to the front office and someone named JC talked to me warmly. I am the first blogger-guest to arrive. I introduced myself that I am one of the bloggers they've invited to experience summer in Baguio as well as staycation-ing in Azalea. My name was asked and my ID was checked. Then they've told me, "Your room is 311." While waiting, I was asked if I want coffee. I didn't think twice. I said yes. There is a bar in the side of the hotel lobby where I sat down comfortably and had a sip of coffee. I even tweeted these:

[BAGUIO] ▬ Good morning Baguio! Sipping a coffee c/o @AzaleaResidence pic.twitter.com/CcwEKAPmUI
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 15, 2015

[BAGUIO] ▬ My workspace at Azalea! pic.twitter.com/Zysa6UGXGB
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 15, 2015

Few minutes after, JC assisted and accompanied me to my room. JC opened the door for me. The lights turned on in sync with the ceiling fan. The room was spacious and inviting.

[BAGUIO] ▬ OH YEAH, I HAVE MY OWN KITCHEN

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE SALA BED. OH YES, THERE ARE OTHER TWO ROOMS INSIDE THIS ROOM.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE BED FROM ONE OF THE ROOMS, LOCATED INSIDE A ROOM

[BAGUIO] ▬ LOOK AT THAT!

Inside the room, I felt like I'm a VIP again. This is probably one of the best rooms in Azalea. I felt privileged. This staycation kicks ass.

Suddenly, someone called me to ask if I want some lunch. How can I say no? But I asked for breakfast because I haven't taken my breakfast yet due to the 6-hour bus ride to Baguio. My wish was their command. So sweet, I even received a basket of fruits.

[BAGUIO] ▬ MY AZALEA BREAKFAST

The moment I opened my laptop, I tweeted this:

[BAGUIO] ▬ as of 2:30 PM, receiving the basket of fruits here at Azalea. So sweet! pic.twitter.com/Lgcp5BpNVn
— #TownExplorer (@edmaration) May 15, 2015

You know, there is a kitchen inside the room. There is a sala. There is a dining corner and there are two more bedrooms all inside room 311.

I picked some strawberries and an orange. I opened the television and had fun. All these things happened for a span of 5 hours. The succeeding hours (and days) are another story. I felt like a king. I'll stay here for 3 days and 2 nights. There are more stories to tell after this first 5 hours. This is just the beginning. ▬ to be continued...

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[UP NEXT] ▬ FOUND OUT A PLACE FOR MY ILOCANO FOOD CRAVINGS

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY IN BAGUIO

Up Next: After a pampering stay in Azalea for the very first day, I was informed that we'll be going somewhere. This must be for a dinner. Guess what. I felt like home. I've found my Ilocano comfort food here. Stories will be published in Part 2.

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality. My big gratitude to Azalea management. More power!

[2] Special thanks to Paul, Therese, JC and Rachelle for their kindness and hospitality. The tourism industry badly needs people like you.

[3] I accept invitations from business establishments for promotional purposes or commissioned works as long as they are related to travel and tourism industries.

[4] The maps I used below are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 |