The forest lodge for the frugal traveler

MANILA, Philippines - Despite what you’ve heard, there’s still a lot that a vacationer can enjoy in Baguio City. The traffic and increased pedestrian activity serve as reminder that yes, the city is growing, evolving. Into what, the jury’s still out on that one. But there’s no denying the city is still the summer capital of the Philippines; it still has the chilly weather we all expect; and it still is the favorite destination of those of us who just want to escape and have a good time with friends or family.

 Or if you’d rather go it alone, that’s possible as well. There are still many quiet corners in Baguio, away from the main streets and honking horns. In fact, finding a place is not as big a problem, as opposed to how much you are willing to shell out for a decent weekend stay. Back then, you may have had to save up for a few months and carefully plan your trip. Now, all you need is careful planning. You only need to save a little once you discover The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay.

Considered the “little sister” of the more prominent and upscale The Manor, Forest Lodge shares many quality features and amenities as its older sibling. The spacious, log cabin-inspired lobby, fireplace, and large rooms are good examples. But there the similarities end. At Forest Lodge, room rates are half that of The Manor and come close to the prices that many budget hotels in the city offer.

I asked Crystal Camacho, operations manager of The Forest Lodge, if she considers their hotel a budget alternative to The Manor, which sits right beside it in the Camp John Hay property. “Absolutely,” she replied. “We have a lot of regular clients who ask us why The Manor rates are so high. To cater to them, we decided to put the rates of Forest Lodge much lower. Even if you ask around the other hotels in town, their rates are actually close to ours.”

The fireplace

Fair enough. Forest Lodge guests have the benefit of being inside Camp John Hay, probably one of the last quiet areas in the city easily accessible to everyone. Camacho said, “Even if we lack the facilities or amenities of The Manor, everything else is highly accessible. Everything (you need) is within walking distance, same as with The Manor’s guests.”

So, what is the difference that makes The Forest Lodge more appealing to the budget traveler? For starters, the rooms are huge for the advertised rates: P2,900 a night for the twin-sharing superior room. The room is good for a minimum of two people and can accommodate a maximum of four, with an additional charge of P600 per person per night above the minimum number of occupants. That same value is also available on their deluxe and one-bedroom suites.

“We have decided to cater to more yuppies, the barkadas, and that’s why our rates are pocket-friendly,” Camacho said. “The setup of the rooms is almost exactly the same as The Manor’s. The only difference is the rooms here are quite bigger.”

Why exactly is The Forest Lodge cheaper than The Manor, then? Camacho admitted that the differences are for just a few quirky details. There are people to assist you but guests tend to bring their bags up to their rooms on their own, there’s no mini-bar, Wi-Fi is restricted to the lobby area — although in-room cabled Internet access is available upon request — and some of the toiletries are lacking.

Still, these seem like minor quibbles that only the ultra hoity-toity would complain about. To The Forest Lodge’s credit, the beds are huge and comfortable, there’s cable TV, the rooms are spacious as advertised — you can probably hold a small party in the superior room, that’s how big it is — and everything is clean and brand new. I never felt shortchanged on anything during my stay and it’s still incredible to think that all of this is available at these low rates.

Officially launched just last Sept. 1, The Forest Lodge has a total of 55 rooms which will become 105 by the end of the year. Just like Le Chef at The Manor, The Forest Lodge has a restaurant at the lobby, The Twist, which is also by celebrity chef Billy King. There’s a Lobby Shop and a spa which will come to the second floor soon. “Right now we don’t have any performers in the evening, but we plan, by the first weekend of October, to have music performances on Fridays and Saturdays,” Camacho said.

The Forest Lodge, with its budget positioning, is highly recommended for groups and company seminars. Kompakt Meetings, a conference package for up to 200 people, is offered at practically the same low rates, for a three-day, two-night stay for the group inclusive of food and beverages throughout, among other services. Groups can hold their programs at the 19th T conference hall.

With the question of personal budget out of the way, it seems that vacationing in Baguio just became a little bit more easy and convenient. The land of low taxi fare and honest cabbies, peanut brittle, walis tambo, strawberries and cold weather can now add budget leisure hotels to its list. And enjoying your vacation, instead of constantly worrying whether or not you can afford it, is the priority whenever you are in the City of Pines.

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The Forest Lodge is located at Camp John Hay, Loakan Road, Baguio City. For inquiries, call (6374) 424-0931 to 47/50 to 53, or toll-free (632) 584-4911 and 584-4892. Or e-mail at reservations@campjohnhay.ph. The Manila sales and marketing office of Forest Lodge is located at Unit 1107-A, 11th floor West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange bldg., Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Call (632) 687-6524 or 687-6710 or e-mail at sales@campjohnhay.ph. Photos by Fernan Nebres