Weekend in Baguio City (3D 2N) and our stay at Ridgewood Hotel

My son has been clamoring to visit Baguio City for eons now, and since it’s their school vacation I finally caved in. Besides.. it’s super hot nowadays, even if it’s already JUNE and rain has started to pour in.

We were invited to stay in Ridgewood Hotel, so Geof and I, together with my brother Kurt decided to go over on a long weekend. We didn’t have any solid itinerary but we visited the following tourist locations:

• Wright Park Horse Stable – There’s also a horse stable near Mine’s View but the focus of this place is really the horses. It costs 150Php for a 30-minute round ride.
• Burnham Park – Ala Luneta, albeit cleaner and has a boat ride in the centre. I got a massage here too for 250Php. The masseurs are just sitting near the area.
• Mines View Park – They say this is not the cheapest place to buy your pasalubongs, but we were too lazy to go to the market. Go here for the view.
• Session Road – Most restos are here, it’s basically a long road where a lot of things are happening, including live performances.
• Sky Ranch – Great for kids! It’s not the biggest amusement park, but the Super Viking is worth going to. IT MAKES YOU FLY AND FALL. It makes you feel the fresh wind and reach the trees. Exhilerating. Worth riding to, only once. Because it gets dizzying as it ends. 10/10
• Night Market – Prepare your cash, and secure your wallets! Score nice finds from clothes to shoes to bags to trinkets. It starts at 9PM and ends at 2AM.

Genesis Premium Joybus

Since I was familiar with Genesis Joybus, because Nacho Kid and tried their bus going to Baler, we decided to book tickets there via iWantSeats. It costs 850-950 per person depending on how premium your bus is. Ours is around 850php only. Travel time is super fast compared to 10 years ago. We arrived in Baguio City in less than 5 hours.

Our Baguio City Weekend at Ridgewood Hotel

But before any of our adventures, take a look at our standard hotel room with two single beds at Ridgewood Hotel. It’s not the fanciest hotel, but it’s cozy, homey, and away from the loud noises in the centre of the city.

What I like about our hotel is the location. It’s near Mines View and Wright Park, actually, it’s 4-6 minutes away from everywhere! They also serve a packed breakfast each morning.

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Scroll down to the end of our post to see their rates, location, and more details about Ridgwood Hotel

It had ample room and cozy outdoor space to jog or exercise as you please; and greens. Lots of greens! We were closer to the trees and forest, making our vacation feel more like one.

It’s easily to get hyped and swayed by Tiktok Food Reviews, which annoys the hell out of me. So we went there ourselves and give you honest reviews instead. We’re sharing with you were we ate, and why we love or hate them.

Recommended restos in Baguio

1. Good Taste – They have 2 branches, one is always over crowded. Go to the one in Otek if you want to get seats faster. Food is served within 20-30 minutes. Lots of choices, lots of MSG, but still good. We recommend: garlic buttered chicken, fried rice, beef with brocolli, lumpiang shanghai
2. Cafe by the Ruins: Again, the long waiting time. It took 1 hour to get seated but the food was worth it. My son had their beef and mushoom burger which was juicy and served with fresh potato chips. My brother and I weren’t so hungry so he went with croissant and coffee, while I had kamote bread and liver pate + iced chocolate. Go for the kamote bread! All food and breads are freshly made. You can even see their chefs in action by the window while waiting for your table.
3. Agara Ramen – One of the few restos in the Philippines that serves authentic-tasting Japanese ramen. Place is tiny, but again, worth the wait.
4. Oh my Gulay! – If you’re a vegetarian, or simply wanted to go to a secret garden in Baguio you must, must go here! It’s located at the 5th floor of La Azotea building along session road. The building is old, nostalgic, and takes you back in time. When you go up to the top floor, you are instantly tansported to a totally different environment! MUST MUST go here when you’re in Baguio.
5. Il Likha – Another artsy place with various cafes inside. We went here for the fresh yogurt, which is not too sour or sweet. Just the perfect tart and creaminess.

Resto we DO NOT recommend

• Lime and Basil – So many hype with this resto, went with high expactations only to be disappointed. Their special thai fried rice looked and tasted nothing like Thai, it was basically ordinary fried rice with the usual packed green peas and carrots, with little amount of meat. We ordered soft crab shell, which didnt arrive EVER because they only told us after 40 minutes that they wont be able to serve it because they had to change oil. We were so hungry, why didn’t they tell us sooner so we can order something else? The only food that saved them was the Sticky Mango Rice. Nope. Waste of time here. Don’t believe the hype.

Ridgewood Hotel in a Nutshell

Address: 17 Julian Felipe Street, Barangay Lualhati, Baguio, 2600 Benguet

Phone: (074) 446 7733

This relaxed modern hotel is 9 minutes’ walk from the Mansion, the president’s summer residence. It’s also 7 minutes on foot from Wright Park and 1 km from the Botanical Garden.

Straightforward rooms with wood floors have minifridges and flat-screen TVs with premium channels. Upgraded rooms add balconies (some with views of the Mansion), and/or sitting areas with dining tables and wet bars. Apartments offer separate living rooms with kitchens; some have fireplaces.

Complimentary breakfast is served in an informal restaurant featuring timber decor and high ceilings.

Current Room Rates

Applicable period: 1 March 2024, 2pm-15 June 2024, 12noon

Standard
Good for 1 pax to 2 pax
P3,300 per night

Deluxe
Good for 1 pax to 2 pax
P3,600 per night

Junior suite
Good for 1 pax to 2 pax
P4,000 per night

Family suite
Good for 3 pax to 6 pax
P10,000 per night

Room rates include packed breakfast. Choice depends on viand availability.

Extra person/bed with breakfast: P1600 per night
(Max of 1 extra bed/person per room)

Check in time: 2pm
Check out time: 12noon

Rules and Limitations

1. No pets allowed in any and all premises
2. No smoking, no vaping in any and all areas, no approved designated smoking/vaping area per city ordinance’s specs for a smoking or vaping area
3. No elevator system – not particularly ideal for special groups such as the elderly, PWD and/or pregnant women with special conditions and those guests with infants.
4. Parking is available but only for checked in guests during the period of their stay, first come first served basis.
5. Free WiFi is only available for registered checked in guests, and only for the period of their stay, selected areas only, 160mbps.