A family-size Baguio vacation at Azalea

MANILA, Philippines - Holiday vacations in Baguio City are a family affair and the city is meant to be explored with friends and loved ones. As far as summer destinations go, the city has long been an ideal place. A hurdle though is finding a place to stay that enhances that Baguio spirit without feeling cramped. If you want a true home away from home that gives you all the space you need, consider staying at Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio.

“Azalea is a vacation residence,” says Dulah Lipardo, COO of Azalea Hotels & Residences. The property, a six-story building inspired by a modern, log cabin design, offers the full residence experience unlike your typical hotel room stay. Lipardo continues: “All the suites have a kitchen and a living area and dining area. We encourage multiple occupancies. We do not limit the rooms to, say, just two persons. We encourage families and groups to stay.”

Located along Leonard Wood Road, Azalea Hotels & Residences is meant for big groups of people. Nestled within a quiet side street, away from the noise of traffic, the hotel’s smallest deluxe room can accommodate two adults and two children (or three adults). The occupancy ramps up significantly — all the way to the three-bedroom suite which can fit eight adults. Each unit has enough space for a living room, kitchen, dining area, and a little bit more elbow room for small parties and gatherings.

The spacious accommodations reflect the design of the entire property, from the atrium in the lobby, to the driveway where a large water fountain globe is etched with the property’s signature azalea flower. To the side is a small park with a children’s playground where guests and their kids can spend a peaceful day. Walking inside, the staff can direct you to any of two in-house dining establishments.

At the 8 Degrees Bar Lounge, ask for the signature fresh strawberry shake, fresh from the farms in La Trinidad, Benguet. Here in the evening you may enjoy a round of cocktails with your friends. For everything breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Tradisyon Coffee Shop serves some of the city’s best buffet dining and holiday comfort food for the Filipino palate.

When you are not eating it would be great to explore Baguio with your companions. Already within walking distance is Teacher’s Camp, a perfect place to stroll. And recently opened is the famous Laperal House just a few hundred meters away. This famous “white” house is now open to the public, as it features an art gallery and a unrestricted peek of the entire property. A short ride away are Wright Park, the Mansion House, and Mines View Park where you can visit the Good Shepherd compound for its famous ube jam and peanut brittle.

Tour arrangements can be made prior to booking a room. “We have an in-house travel concierge that can assist in planning your Baguio holiday,”  Lipardo enthuses. “We also offer a hop-on, hop-off package which goes on a scheduled trip around the city. You can just wait for them at the different destinations and they bring you back here.” Guests should try out some new and not so well-known Baguio destinations such as Dinosaurs Island, an amusement park featuring animatronic dinosaurs; the Bencab Museum featuring the works of National Artist Ben Cabrera; the Diplomat Hotel; Tam-Awan Village; and the quiet of Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary where you can find a secret garden guiding you through a compressed version of natural history. At the end of the day avail yourself of a massage at Azalea’s spa partner, North Haven Spa. Lipardo offers a third option: a more structured half-day city or countryside tour which includes trips to the strawberry farm in La Trinidad.

Families and friends are not the only ones to benefit from a stay at Azalea. The spacious rooms are also perfect for corporate groups who want to hold an event at Azalea’s 200-capacity tent. Three-level basement parking is available. Free Wi-Fi is in every room and covers the entire property.

Owning the country’stop destinations

The Azalea group offers Vacation Club membership shares — a pioneering concept in the local hospitality industry. For a set amount, Vacation Club membership shares afford a member perpetual vacation rights to Azalea’s lineup of hotels, with a Boracay hotel in the offing by the last quarter of 2014, allowing members to enjoy accommodations for a set number of days per year.

“We have taken the notion of traditional vacation club shares — which usually grant privileges for about 20 to 30 years — and removed the expiry date so members can enjoy it for as long as they desire,” Lipardo explains. “The shares are transferable, and can even be passed from generation to generation. Membership shares are also ideal for guaranteeing low-priced accommodations in destinations that are difficult to book,” she adds, pointing out that popular locations like Boracay have no lean months — only peak and super peak seasons. “It’s like owning the rights to a place whenever you need it.”

It’s a literal home away from home. Azalea Residences Baguio lets you enjoy a great stay with a true home atmosphere that lets you bond with your loved ones in a safe and secure environment. With an opportunity to visit some of the city’s old and new destinations, there is no excuse to skip going to Baguio before the summer season ends.

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Avail yourself of Azalea’s Baguio Family Fun package for as low as P2,949 per adult per night with kids free on tours and meals.  The package includes three-day, two-night hotel accommodation, buffet breakfast, choice of two complimentary lunch or dinner, three-hour use of chauffeured van to tour around Baguio City, countryside tour, and treetop adventure activities for the family. Get added Value Vacation Vouchers when you book until May 31. Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio is located at Leonard Wood Loop (just before the Teacher’s Camp entrance) in Baguio City. For more information, call the hotel’s reservations office in Manila at (632) 925-8352 or 09178611641 and in Baguio at (6374) 424-8716. E-mail reservations@azalea.com.ph. For inquiries on membership shares, call (632) 634-7742 or (632) 925-8518 or visit http://www.azalea.com.ph.