MANILA, Philippines - The default summer tourist spot of northern Luzon is just as lovely in the off-season, when the fog starts rolling in and tourists escaping the lowland heat are down to a trickle. It’s during this time when Baguio City reveals some of the charm that old-timers keep bringing up days gone by when commercialization of the city was at a minimum.
The middle of the third and fourth quarters of the year is perfect for tourists to visit and spend time in Baguio. Most of the city’s college population is on their sembreak and the cool air just gets a little bit chillier with increased rainfall and foggy clouds. Places to stay are abundant. But if you want to spend time in a hotel that’s well in the center of everything you need, then the Mile-Hi Inn is perfect for you.
Located at the Mile Hi Center in Camp John Hay, Mile-Hi Inn touts itself as a simple, comfortable and cozy spot with rooms for every kind of traveler. Nearby are numerous dining options to choose from. It’s a great starting point for many of the city’s tourist spots. Starting with the obvious, Camp John Hay itself is a historical landmark being the vacation spot of the American military elite for almost a century. With just a short 10- to 30-minute drive from the inn, guests can discover famous places such as Burnham Park, Wright Park, Mansion House, Mines View Park, Philippine Military Academy, the BenCab Museum and so much more.
There are many room types at the inn like the Forest View rooms that can accommodate three to four people; the standard rooms that can fit the same number; and dormitory-type rooms that are ideal for single travelers. All have toilet and baths, hot and cold showers, cable TV and beds of various sizes. Queen-size beds are available for Forest View and standard rooms, while the dorm-types have double-decker beds. Outside sinks and mirrors were adapted from a Pakistan hotel.
For those who can reserve it quickly enough, the inn has one VIP room, which boasts of everything the other rooms have, plus a mini-refrigerator, spacious bathroom, and coffee table and chairs.
Nearby restaurants and cafés offer different types of local and international cuisine. These include Filipino food favorite Dencio’s, steaks at Tender Joe’s, Italian food from pizzas to pastas at Cantinetta, Chinese varieties at Haidan, and breakfast or a nightcap at Mr. Beans Café. As a bonus, Mile-Hi partnered with Mr. Beans to offer its guests free breakfast for two per room all the way to the month of October.
If you choose to visit anytime soon, take advantage of Mile-Hi’s 50 percent discount on room rates for both Forest View and regular standard rooms up to Sept. 30.
With the forest as its backyard, accessibility and atmosphere, Mile-Hi Inn is a great way to complement your Baguio City experience.
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Mile-Hi Inn is located at Mile Hi Center, Camp John Hay, Baguio City. Call +63 (74) 446-6141 or 446-8639, e-mail at info@mile-hi.com.ph or log on to www.mile-hi.com.ph.