Azalea Residences: Baguio’s family fun hotel, timeshare vacation club

MANILA, Philippines - Baguio City is still proudly known as the nation’s summer capital and it does not fall short of accommodating the thousands of guests it receives on a yearly basis. Any family planning to go to Baguio and enjoy its always cool weather will not be disappointed. Enhancing that vacation experience is Baguio’s newest hotel, Azalea Residences, the city’s first and largest upscale all-suite vacation hotel. There’s also the Azalea Timeshare Vacation Club, the country’s most flexible timesharing opportunity.

Located along Leonard Wood Loop, off  Leonard Wood Road in front of Teachers’ Camp, Azalea Residences is nicely hidden away in an almost secluded section just a few steps from the main street. This quiet uphill neighborhood bears a stark contrast to the busy thoroughfare just a few meters away and is easy to access. Reaching the far end of the road is a commanding structure resembling a luxurious mountain lodge. Session Road, Camp John Hay, the city market or the nearby sights are as quick as a 10-minute drive. Going to these places is never a problem as transport options are abundant and available on a 24-hour basis.

One will find that Azalea has much to offer to all kinds of guests. Ninety-nine modern luxury suites provide a comfortable and relaxing stay: 46 deluxe hotel rooms, 17 one-bedroom suites, 33 two-bedroom suites, and three three-bedroom suites. A 200-person capacity tent, the first in Baguio City, provides the perfect venue for social and corporate gatherings. For a much smaller scope, meeting rooms are available.

The hotel’s modern contemporary look is maintained all throughout its architectural design accentuated by oversided azalea cutouts on the lobby walls. The cool, crisp Baguio breeze freely circulates, thanks to the hotel’s high-ceiling structural design and wide open spaces, inducing renewed energy to its guests.

Azalea Residences provides the best amenities for today’s tourists, especially families. A home away from home, the hotel has two major guestroom categories: the apartment suites, and the deluxe hotel rooms, both of which have a complete kitchen facility, and dining and living areas. Rooms are oversize to accommodate families or groups of friends. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment suites are the perfect choice for families or extended families traveling together. Instead of traditional hotel rooms that are hallways apart, Azalea’s suites let large groups of people stay together in one area for easy coordination and bonding. Individual bedrooms each have a flat-screen TV and DVD player. The kitchen facility is equipped with an electronic radiant burner, microwave oven, rice cooker, and a full-size refrigerator.  Each room also has complete china ware and silver ware.

According to chief operating officer Dulah Lipardo, Azalea Residences is really intended for families to have bonding moments as they enjoy their own living and entertainment facilities. “In fact, our goal is to let families have fun indoors as much as in the outdoors,” Lipardo adds.

Parking won’t be a problem. A three-level basement provides security for your vehicles. Meanwhile, a children’s playground keeps your kids busy. When the day turns to night, Azalea Residences dazzles, transforming into a postcard of a tranquil vacation home.

If you wish to stay a while at Azalea instead of going out, there are many options available. The hotel’s main restaurant outlet is Tradis-yon, serving many well-loved comfort food for the Filipino palette. Guests can also unwind at the 8 Degrees Bar Lounge. A private spa and massage service is available in one’s own room. Arrangements may also be made for special Baguio tours with the hotel concierge.

Want to finally look at the city? Going to well-known Baguio tourist spots is never an issue. Session Road is a good 10 minutes away — it’s the same for Mines View Park, the Baguio City market, Good Shepherd Convent, and more. The bus station is just a quick ride away and the hotel offers its own shuttle service.

Coupled with the rise of Azalea Residences is its Timeshare Vacation Club. By being a member, guests get to enjoy benefits that guarantee a holiday unlike no other — including free vacations year on year in the Philippines or any choice of international destination with its affiliation with RCI (Resorts Condominium International), the world’s biggest timeshare network.  Timeshare investments may be availed of through spot cash for higher discounts or may be amortized up to 60 months. Unlike other timeshare models, membership with the Azalea Vacation Club is lifetime and transferable from generation to generation. To top it all, the Azalea Timeshare is highly flexible: it allows shorter vacation of three to four days instead of a straight week; has no fixed week assignment; and banking and advancing the vacation privilege is allowed. With plans of expanding the Azalea Residences brand in key destinations in the Philippines, a member will eventually have the privilege of enjoying not just one vacation destination but in all Azalea hotels and resorts.

Baguio City is a destination best seen with friends and family. Azalea provides that perfect hub that removes the stress of having to go from room to room, trying to communicate with large groups of people located in different parts of a hotel. In Azalea, you have one big space for yourselves, where families can meet, plan and congregate easily, in an atmosphere that is close to home. 

Indeed, in Baguio’s cool weather, Azalea Residences is your warm and hospitable home. And soon, in tropical Boracay, Azalea Residences will be your coolest holiday station.

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Azalea Residences currently offers a Best Baguio Holiday Break deal. Get a two-bedroom apartment suite good for six adults and two kids and enjoy the following perks: complimentary breakfast and lunch (or dinner), guaranteed 10 a.m. early check-in and late check-out up to 4 p.m., choice of the assistance of a personal travel concierge or three-hour van use to tour around Baguio City, 20 percent discount in Tradisyon Coffee Shop, 20 percent discount on in-room massage, discounts in selected partner establishments in the city, and 40 percent discount voucher for the next stay. All these for an all-inclusive rate of P12,000 per night.

Azalea Residences is located at Leonard Wood Loop, Leonard Wood Road (just before the Teacher’s Camp entrance), Baguio City. Call hotel reservations in Manila at (632) 925-8352 or 0917-8611641 and in Baguio at (6374) 442-8888. E-mail at reservations@azalea.com.ph. For timeshare inquiries, call (632) 634-7742 or (632) 925-8518 or log on to http://www.azalea.com.ph.  Photos by Fernan Nebres