It's cool to be at Mines View Park Hotel

MANILA, Philippines - Known to be the city where flowers bloom aplenty, Baguio City has been a favorite destination for many a traveler. Just like its many flowers, Baguio’s inviting charm is of colorful and vibrant hues; its fresh pine scent is like a spell to many to keep coming back.

As the country’s summer capital, Baguio prides itself with its many distinct tourist destinations, welcoming smiles from the locals and a myriad of accommodations to call your home for the duration of your stay in the City of Pines.

On the way to the Mines View Park, one of Baguio’s most visited spots, is a young hotel that can be one perfect place to enjoy the exciting days ahead. Mines View Park Hotel, which opened its doors in 2008, combines the lush countryside feel of Baguio with state-of-the-art amenities for every guest to still enjoy the comforts of home.

“Mines View Park Hotel is located far from the crowded city. But if you need to go to the city, it will just take you about 15 minutes with our free shuttle service,” says Mars Abesamis-Balajadia, who owns the hotel with husband Dick. “If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, Mines View Park Hotel offers a magnificent view of the mountains every time you look out your window or balcony. We have cozy and clean modern rooms. Your needs will surely be attended to by professional and friendly personnel.”

Whether you’re in Baguio for business or pleasure, the hotel has something for you. Wake up to the cool morning breeze in any of the 27 well-appointed rooms in the hotel. Couples can choose from executive to junior executive room. For some family fun, the family deluxe room is the perfect choice. Business travelers are catered to as well with the single standard, twin deluxe and double deluxe rooms. If traveling in a big group, the attic room can sleep up to 10 members of your barkada. All these room types have a hearty breakfast in their package.

Because it is far from the busy streets of Baguio, Mines View Park Hotel has facilities to cater to every guest’s need. Located at the heart of the hotel and adjacent to the main entrance is the patio where a mini-garden can be found. Photo ops are best done at the second floor veranda with the picturesque Cordillera mountains as your backdrop. This area has been a witness to many private dinners. Guests who want to have more fun can also sing their hearts out or groove to the beat at the KTV room. Kids will surely take delight in roasting marshmallows at the fireplace near the reception area.

Doing business in Baguio? Mines View Park Hotel has a function hall and boardroom. For special occasions and corporate affairs, the hotel offers a spacious function hall that can accommodate up to 150 people. For a smaller crowd, the boardroom is available for seminars and small gatherings.

Shaping up or simply sweating it out has never been more relaxing at the hotel’s fully equipped fitness center. Try out Cordillera’s signature massage at the spa or have your nails done by the salon crew, who are always on call. “We are also planning to make a wellness package for the health-conscious and those who want to have complete detoxification of the body and mind,” furthers Mars.

Nothing beats a gastronomic experience amidst the foggy Baguio weather. You will definitely enjoy a sumptuous offering of Asian, Western and Continental dishes enhanced by fresh vegetable crops of the highlands. At the Zen’z Restaurant, order the hotel’s signature Strawberry Sinigang. Oh well, what’s a Baguio trip without the strawberry? Just this time, strawberry is served as the main ingredient of a bowl of hot soup on a chilly ambiance. Another must-try at the Mines View Park Hotel is the bibingcrepe. This goes well with coffee at the Halfmoon Asian Café. “The bibingcrepe was inspired by one of our trips to Indonesia. We had a taste of murtabak, an Indonesian dessert that can be bought in the streets,” shares Mars. “Once in Manila, we decided to recreate it. It’s a cross between a bibingka and a crepe. We just came up with different flavors that will appeal to the Filipino taste.”

Before concluding your trip, you can head to the pasalubong shops at the nearby Mines View Park and the Good Shepherd Convent (its yummy ube jam is still the best after all these years). The Mansion and the Wright Park are also a few meters away from the hotel. And so is the famous and frequently photographed 50’s Diner.

Come to Baguio and stay at the Mines View Park Hotel. It’s cool to be there when you’re in the summer capital — regardless of the season.

 (For more information, contact +6374 424-1088 and +632 352-5248 or e-mail info@minesviewparkhotel.com)