"The room where I stayed is even bigger than our house—complete with a kitchen, a dining area, a sala (with a couch and a twin bed) and another two rooms within the room. Swanky!"

[BAGUIO, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES] ▬ Baguio is a very popular tourist destination with so many classic destinations to offer. However, I always find it hard to do a self-guided do-it-yourself tour to the many destinations in this city. Well, you can basically do it but it would be costly. Besides, for a Baguio non-resident, it's a pain on the ass to commute using public transport (I'm referring not about the traffic but about the jeepney routes wherein you can get lost if you boarded on a wrong jeep, and the constant question to self of "where can I get a jeep going to this place and this place?"). Group tours could lessen your expenses though especially if you hire a taxicab to tour you for PhP300 an hour which I later did with my relatives after this tour.

[BAGUIO] ► HELLO! WELCOME TO AZALEA HOTEL AND RESIDENCES!

I've always visited Baguio solo (occasionally with my brother) so I've only visited places that are easy to reach without spending too much money for a taxi ride from point to point. Well, thanks to Azalea Residences. This hotel hosted me in Baguio with free tours! From here, I realized that the best way to explore the classic destinations of Baguio is through an organized tour like this especially if it's your first time. It's not just convenient, you can also save a lot of time, hence, minimizing the time you should stay in Baguio if you're planning to cover all the destinations.

AZALEA RESIDENCES HOTEL - BAGUIO

[BAGUIO] ► AT THE HALLWAY OF AZALEA HOTEL, THIRD FLOOR

Anyway, if you've followed my 'Azalea Summer Getaway' blog series, you would probably have read where I've been in Baguio—some destinations are my first time to see—all courtesy of Azalea Residences Hotel. That organized tour brought me to places I've always wanted to see and made me love Baguio more because I learned many interesting things from its beautiful history.

Well, since I've already narrated my experiences in the destinations we've covered through the earlier posts of this series, this installment would focus on my personal experiences in this hotel. Here's a review of the Azalea Residences Hotel.

Accessibility

AZALEA RESIDENCES AND HOTEL IS LOCATED IN Leonard Wood Loop near the Teachers Camp. I sent them message online asking how to go to their hotel since this is relatively new and I didn't know how to get here. I was advised to just get a cab and tell the driver I'm going to Azalea Residences. Apparently, for someone who is not familiar of the routes and roads in Baguio, getting a cab is the best option. I followed their advise and based on my experience, it worked! The taxi driver knew the location of this hotel. It seemed like this place is now a popular landmark in Baguio.

On accessibility, there seems to be no problem. It's 2 kilometers away from Burnham Park.

Hotel Staff

UPON ALIGHTING FROM THE CAB, SOMEONE APPROACHED me with big smile and took all my baggage. Ahh! I was a bit shy letting him carry my stuff because I'm not used to the pa-importante thing. However, I knew that the usher's action is a matter of service and let's say part of his job. For me I was not just comfortable being treated like a VIP because hindi ko kayang panindigan. I cannot even pronounce caffè macchiato correctly when I first encountered the word. I still can carry my things though (well I would definitely ask for help if I think I can't carry everything). Anyway, my first few minutes in this hotel was impressive so far. I felt like I was so special.

AZALEA RESIDENCES HOTEL - BAGUIO

[BAGUIO] ► CEILING OF THE HOTEL

[BAGUIO] ► WAKING UP WITH THIS VIEW

[BAGUIO] ► PINE TREES OUTSIDE THE HOTEL FENCES

[BAGUIO] ► HOTEL LOBBY

[BAGUIO] ► HOTEL PREMISES

[BAGUIO] ► HOTEL INTERIOR

Upon entering the hotel, someone asked what do I need so they immediately coordinated to the other hotel crews upon telling them my purpose. While waiting, I was offered with something to drink so I opted to have a cup of coffee.

Generally speaking, the hotel staff is great, professional and attentive to all my needs.

The Rooms

THIS IS SO FAR MY MOST LAVISH experience for a hotel stay. One call to the front office and they'll come quick to provide your hotel needs and the services you ask. Ok, let's go back to the lavish thing. The room where I stayed is even bigger than our house—complete with a kitchen, a dining area, a sala (with a couch and a twin bed) and another two rooms within the room. Swanky!

Upon checking in, someone called me if I've taken my breakfast. I said 'not yet.' So I was expecting a breakfast coming soon and it came after few minutes.

AZALEA RESIDENCES HOTEL - BAGUIO

[BAGUIO] ► THE SALA ROOM INSIDE THE ROOM, MAKES SENSE?

[BAGUIO] ► MY BREAKFAST

[BAGUIO] ► AZALEA RESIDENCES HOTEL

[BAGUIO] ► RELAXING

[BAGUIO] ► CAPTURING MYSELF ON THE MIRROR

[BAGUIO] ► SELFIE-ING INSIDE THE POSH ROOM

[BAGUIO] ► FELLOW BLOGGER ENRICO DEE WITH HIS SHINING MOMENT

[BAGUIO] ► THE KITCHEN

[BAGUIO] ► DINING AREA AND SALA ON THE OTHER SIDE

[BAGUIO] ► TERRACE

[BAGUIO] ► JUST WOW!

[BAGUIO] ► THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE'S SALA

[BAGUIO] ► PRESIDENTIAL SUITE'S SALA TAKEN FROM THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE ROOM

[BAGUIO] ► BEDROOM IN THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

[BAGUIO] ► AUTHENTIC WORK

[BAGUIO] ► ROOM 614

That feeling when you don't want to get off your bed because it's just so lavishly comfortable and soft.

On my last day in this hotel, we were toured by the hotel staff to some of the rooms we've never seen yet. The rooms (especially the presidential suite) are extravagant. The photos above might have given you an idea but I would say it won't justify my actual experience.

8 Degrees Bar Lounge

THIS PLACE IS WHERE I HEADED FIRST upon arrival. It was here where I was served with a hot cup of coffee while taking a rest after my 6-hour travel from my hometown . This bar lounge is spacious with comfortable couches to sit—just appropriately placed near the front office where one could rest after tiring travel hours.

Of course, this is not just a place to have a short rest upon arrival. You can chill here if you want some vodkas or tequilas. Connecting to the cybersphere here is free by the way for checked-in guests.

[BAGUIO] ► 8 DEGREES BAR LOUNGE

"Tradisyon" is the name of Azalea Hotel's cafe and restaurant. I'll be posting a separate post about it.

Finally! I'm done with my "Azalea Summer Getaway" series. Yasss! See you on my next travel series. For now, this is the finale! / end

INDEX: INSIDE THIS BLOG SERIES

[END] ▬ FINAL SERIES

► BLOG SERIES: AZALEA SUMMER GETAWAY

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post is filed under the category "Resorts and Accommodations." To see more posts from this category, scroll down and check the "More Posts From This Category" below.

[2] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality.

[3] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2