Yes to Mines View Park Hotel in Baguio

What destination in Baguio City offers a breathtaking view of Cordillera’s lush, undulating terrain, the refreshing calm of a mountain hideaway, and the plush comforts of an exclusive villa? Standing at 1,500 meters above sea level and perched on a ridge at Baguio City’s northeast limits is MINES VIEW PARK HOTEL — just a few meters from the famous Mines View Park which offers a breathtaking view of Benguet’s mountain ranges where gold, silver and other ores were once quarries.

Located along a quiet stretch of road at 1 Apostol St., Outlook Drive, Baguio City, Mines View Park Hotel  stands at the edge of the woodland. The white-washed edifice — reminiscent of serene Mediterranean villas offers a vantage point to soak in the majestic beauty of the mines and the mountains. Within the comforts of the hotel, the spectacular scenery and the enveloping tranquility can be fully experienced and enjoyed, giving guests a uniquely uplifting encounter with Baguio City.

On a cool Baguio evening, the pine trees towering over the hotel rustle in the wind and in the morning, the call of birds will wake visitors up to the temperate breezes laced with the bracing aroma of pine. But while nature holds court outside, Mines View Park Hotel offers utmost comfort and luxury inside its well-appointed rooms.

Here are some of the rooms I was able to take photos of:

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 Here is the room that Ryan and I got:

The 29 rooms take from the coziness of an alpine chalet outfitted with the most modern amenities. Most of the rooms open to private balconies that offer a view of the Cordillera Mountains and pine forests. And because Mines View Park Hotel  originated from a homey bed and breakfast, guests can start their day with a complimentary breakfast of their choice. Still the refreshing stillness and relaxing atmosphere are the main attractions of Mines View Park Hotel.

The hotel president and owner while answering questions of bloggers during the presscon.

“Mines View Park Hotel has the advantage of being situated in a quiet part of Baguio. Its tranquility, its proximity to nature, and the beautiful view of the mountains set it apart from the other hotels in the city, which are built to commercial centers. Mines View Park Hotel was designed so guests who really want to get away from it all can enjoy the amenities and the warm service. Away from the noisy crowd and the noise of the city,Mines View Park Hotel offers a real sanctuary of peace.”, says the hotel’s president Mr. Dick Balajadia.

This is me (on the left) and my roomie, Ryan, enjoying the view at our room’s private balcony:

Indeed Mines View Park Hotel is a hotel to be enjoyed. Those who wish to bask in Baguio’s cool climate and the relaxing hush of a mountain hideaway need to merely open their windows to behold the lush surroundings. Harried urbanites who wish to simply loaf on the bed can do so while watching the latest cable show on the large, flat-screen TV. But those who want to stay linked to cyberspace canopen their laptops and surf to their heart’s content because the hotel is conveniently Wi-Fi connected.

Are you a gym buff?

Fitness buffs will undoubtedly break a sweat at the gym which is equipped with the most modern exercise hardware. Here, they can work out surrounded by a panoramic view of mountain and forest.

Here’s the view from the gym:

But hardcore spa fanatics who take pleasure in complete body pampering can indulge in a variety of massage which the Asian Spa offers in the privacy of their rooms. Mines View Park Hotel has partnered with Asian Spa to provide such therapies like the traditional Cordillera massage, which is a tribal technique practiced by Igorot healers for centuries. At the spa, trained therapists use the hotel’s very own line of spa oils, apothecary salts and creams.

 Here are the bloggers visiting the Spa Rooms

Toddlers and young kids, on the other hand, will enjoy hours of running, romping around and playing at the child-safe play area with slides and other amusement set up.

Zenz Restaurant

Foodies will delight at the culinary offerings of Mines View Park Hotel which come in big, hefty servings. The hotel’s main dining area is Zenz Restaurant, which is a fine-dining outlet that offers Western, Asian and Continental entrees that make use of Baguio’s fresh produce such as crisp vegetables, newly-picked fruits and just-ground coffee. Here, one can indulge the taste buds with one of the chef’s own gastronomic innovation: Strawberry Sinigang. In Zenz version, freshly-picked strawberries are used to provide the sweet-tangy flavor broth and the customer’s choice of meat (pork, beef, shrimps or fish), giving the dish a delightfully fruity charm. Zenz Restaurant is open from 7:00 in the morning and closes at 10:00 in the evening.

Zenz’s Restaurant very innovative dish:   Strawberry Sinigang

See the rest of my food review at my Diet Motivator blog

Lunch #1 at Zenz Restaurant

Dinner at Zenz Restaurant

Lunch #2 at Zenz Restaurant

As dusk falls and the air turns zippy, Zenz Bar opens from 6:00 pm to 123:00 mn to offer a relaxing hub for cocktails or after-dinner drinks. Along with mixed drinks, fine wines and beer, the bar also offers tasty pica-pica and light cocktail morsels.

 What a foggy morning…

Perhaps, nothing is more spectacularly Baguio than waking up to a cold, fog-filled morning. Early birds will no doubt enjoy the chill of the early hours with an outdoor breakfast at HalfMoon Asian Cafe starting with a steaming cup of coffee — they can take their pick from imported beans to Baguio’s own Benguet Coffee. Then, indulge the taste buds with the cafe’s famous “bibingcrepe”, another one of the hotel’s exclusive culinary offerings. It is fluffy bibingka rolled out into a crepe with a slight flavor of caramel.

We, bloggers, were taught how to make bibingcrepe. Yum!

Amidst the serene surroundings, functions take on a more special meaning at Mines View Park Hotel. For personal occasions or business conventions, the Function Hall offers a spacious venue that can accommodate 100-150 guests. The Function Hall is equipped with a white screen and projector for audiovisual presentations, a sound PA system and basic lighting equipment.

Function Hall turned Yoga Room

Smaller groups of 15-20 participants can convene at the hotel’s new Board Room for corporate affairs and functions. It is outfitted with a flat-screen monitor, a projector, whiteboards, audiovisual system and video playback equipment. This compact and streamlined venue offers an ideal location for private events, meetings, seminars and social gatherings. Located near the Administration Office and Hotel Business Center, it is suited for closed-door meetings that need more privacy away from the busy area of the hotel. Free flowing coffee can be provided upon request.

Board Room

The best way to enjoy Mines View Park Hotel is to commune with nature in any of its outdoor venues. Guests can savor the invigorating aroma and flavor of the freshly-brewed coffee, or enjoy a superb meal at the Garden veranda. The setting under the shade of the overgrown eucalyptus and pine trees provides an idyllic venue for an unhurried breakfast or lunch.

Wanna have breakfast at HalfMoon Cafe?

For small, private functions, Mines View Park Hotel offers private al fresco Veranda at the 2nd and 4th floors of the hotel which provides both romance and drama. The Verandas open to a wide-open space of trees and mountain scenery where guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or lunch surrounded by picture perfect scenery, or wine and dine under the stars to the caress of the cool evening breeze.

Of course, the rest of Baguio waits to be revisited, explored and enjoyed repeatedly. Guests who wish to make a bargain at the ukay-ukay centers, grab a handful of sweet treats from Good Shepherd, take a stroll down Session Road, and pick strawberries in la Trinidad can avail of the hotel’s shuttle service which drops and picks up guests at strategic locations within the city limits.

Away from the maddening tourist crowd, yet near enough to all of the city’s attractions, Mines View Park Hotel offers the most ideal destination in Baguio. It’s a haven one can come home to — where Nature’s beauty and serenity work together to renew spirit, refresh the mind and energize the body to rediscover the pleasure of Baguio City.

For rates and other information, please contact:
Tel. No.: 074-442-1559
Fax No.: 074-424-1088
Mobile: +639228886392
Manila No: 02-372-3984 local 133
 
All guests get to enjoy free wi-fi internet access, free use of fitness gym, and complimentary breakfast.

 ~~~oOo~~~

To see my personal blog post on our bloggers Baguio tour, please visit my personal blog: Sexynomad.Com