Azalea Hotels &
Residences Baguio offers more than just accommodation, it crafts experiences.
From its expansive suites ideal for families and barkadas, to its thoughtful,
locally inspired itineraries, Azalea seamlessly blends comfort and culture. Its
prime location and elevated service are not just incidental, they’re integral to
the kind of stay that reveals Baguio’s charm beyond the tourist checklist. This
was evident during the recent Panagbenga Festival, where media guests were
treated to a carefully planned weekend of hospitality, historical, and highland
festivity.
But first, here’s
what to expect at Azalea Baguio
Upon arrival at
Azalea Baguio, we were quickly ushered into stylish, apartment-style suites
equipped with kitchenettes, living areas, and hotel-grade amenities perfect for
travelers seeking the comforts of home with the polish of a hotel.
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| I was billeted in this spacious 2-bedroom suite |
Tucked amid Baguio’s pine-scented hills, Azalea Residences Baguio marries alpine charm with contemporary elegance. The architecture nods to mountain lodging aesthetics; steep roofs, warm wood accents, and expansive glass panels that frame lush highland views. Inside, its apartment-style suites blend function with comfort: full kitchens, cozy lounges, and plush beds create a refined, home-away-from-home atmosphere.
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| Cool and Comfy |
Common areas are thoughtfully styled, with modern Filipino
furnishings and subtle nods to Cordilleran craftsmanship. Beyond aesthetics,
Azalea curates a set of rich experiences, from gastronomic journeys to cultural
tours, making it not just a hotel, but a refined gateway into Baguio’s
heritage, artistry, and elevated lifestyle.
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| I like hanging out on the balcony during free time |
I’ve stayed here
four times already, and each time, I’ve felt confident that I made the right
decision in choosing this place over other accommodations in the city. It’s
conveniently close to everywhere I needed to go, and I love how the expansive
property offers each guest plenty of space for privacy and quiet moments.
A Fun Panagbenga
Festival Weekend
The weekend began
with a seamless pickup from Metro Manila, setting the tone for a hassle-free
getaway. En route, our group stopped at Lolaima in Lakeshore along NLEX,
indulging in a hearty Kapampangan breakfast spread; think sizzling sisig,
tocino, and sinigang, all enjoyed against a lakeside backdrop. The drive up
Kennon Road offered not just fresh air but nostalgia, with the famed Lion’s
Head standing guard over winding ascents and misty pine forests.
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| Sign that you're in Baguio and not in hot Manila anymore |
Dinner was held at Via Von Joy Restaurant, a new dining option with sweeping views of Baguio’s undulating terrain. Signature dishes combined local produce, and meat, think etag, and global flavors, crispy bagnet met truffle pasta, while Cordilleran coffee paired beautifully with their in-house desserts.
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| Mountain views and good food at Via Van Joy |
The night’s cravings led the group to SM Baguio
for dessert, where Yogorino’s premium frozen yogurt menu featured not just the
classic plain but playful concoctions like mango-matcha parfaits and
strawberry-brownie blends.
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| Our media group in front of Yogorino |
To cap off the
evening, a stroll through Harrison Road’s Night Market proved irresistible.
Blankets spread with pre-loved jackets, vintage denim, and streetwear finds
turned the sidewalks into a shopping arcade. Smoky skewers, kwek-kwek, and taho
added irresistible scents to the cool evening air.
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| Fresh vegetables at Baguio City Market |
The next morning
began with a hearty buffet breakfast at Kuya J’s Restaurant inside Azalea,
where staple Filipino breakfast dishes and freshly brewed barako energized the group for a day of
discovery.
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| The bamboo forest at Mirador Heritage and Eco Park |
First stop: Mirador Heritage and Eco-Park, a spiritual and historical sanctuary where a bamboo
forest led to a Torii gate perched on a hill. The sweeping views and serene
atmosphere offered a quiet contrast to the city’s festival buzz. Next, the
Emilio Aguinaldo Museum housed the original Philippine flag, a delicate,
time-stained fabric preserved in glass, offering a rare encounter with national
history.
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| Cameras are not allowed inside the museum where the first Philippine flag is kept so, you better come and see it for yourself |
Lunch at Cornelia
Street Café was a surprise highlight. The space doubled as a toy museum, with
walls lined with action figures, board games, and vintage collectibles, turning
a meal into a trip down memory lane. Over pasta and grilled sandwiches, guests
reminisced about childhood favorites and pop culture icons.
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| Cornelia Street Cafe |
From nostalgia to
innovation, the next stop was the Baguio Smart City Command Center, where
guests were introduced to the city’s real-time emergency response system.
Featuring a 911 hotline and high-definition surveillance technology, the center
revealed a side of Baguio many rarely see: modern, responsive, and
forward-looking.
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| The new-look Baguio Botanical Garden is a nice place to spend an afternoon |
The day wound down with a relaxed walk through the revitalized Botanical Garden, where cultural huts from various Cordilleran tribes stand beside manicured paths and flowering trees.
That evening, Media Night at Azalea brought together hotel executives, press
guests, and performers in a lively celebration. Drinks flowed, stories were
shared, and the city’s hospitality shone as brightly as its twinkling hillside
lights.
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| Good food, drinks and fun dances during the media night |
On the final
morning, guests rose early to catch the Panagbenga Grand Float Parade. From
Session Road to Melvin Jones Football Ground, color exploded across the city as
nearly 50 floral floats paraded by, flanked by dancers in elaborate costumes.
The crowd joyful, jostling, and jubilant, brought an electric energy to the cool
mountain air.
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| Panagbenga Festival |
A Mongolian grill
buffet at O Mai Khan served as a fitting finale that is warm, flavorful, and
customizable of personal choices from an array of ingredients. A final walkthrough of Azalea’s suites and amenities rounded off
the weekend, leaving guests with both full bellies and full hearts.
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| Its not only all flower floats at the Panagbenga Festival as provinces from the Cordillera such as Kalinga also partook to showcase their cultural dances such as the banga dance |
At Azalea Hotels
& Residences Baguio, it’s not just about where you sleep, it’s about how
deeply you experience the soul of the city.
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| Thank you, Azalea for this nice present |
