Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio's Hidden Paradise!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio's Hidden Paradise!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio's Hidden Paradise! - My Baguio Breakdown (It's Messy, But Real!)
Okay, so, Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio. "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits"? Bold claim. Baguio is charming, sure, but it's also… Baguio. Think pine trees, chilly breezes, and the inevitable traffic. So, I went in with a healthy dose of skepticism – which, let's be honest, is my default setting. But after staying there? Well, buckle up, because this review is going to be less "polished travel blog" and more "honest-to-goodness experience."
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof):
Getting there was the usual Baguio ballet: traffic. But the hotel itself… kinda hidden? Which, honestly, after the chaotic roads, was a welcome relief. Finding it was like discovering a secret – a slightly uphill secret, to be honest. Accessibility? Hmmm. They mention facilities for disabled guests, and there's an elevator (thank heavens!). But I didn't see a ton of obvious wheelchair-friendly features. That's a bummer because Baguio isn’t particularly accessible in general, and this should be a priority. More details needed! (Hotel Cosmopolitan, please take note!)
The Room: My Sanctuary (and the occasional minor freak-out):
Alright, the room. "Available in all rooms" - Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, bathroom phone, bathtub, blackout curtains, carpeting, closet, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed, free bottled water, hair dryer, high floor, in-room safe box, interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, ironing facilities, laptop workspace, linens, mini bar, mirror, non-smoking, on-demand movies, private bathroom, reading light, refrigerator, safety/security feature, satellite/cable channels, scale, seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers, smoke detector, socket near the bed, sofa, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, umbrella, visual alarm, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], window that opens."
Okay, that's one hell of a list. And you know what? It mostly delivered. My room was…nice. REALLY nice. The bed was a cloud. Maybe even an extra long cloud, as the description said. And the blackout curtains? Absolute lifesavers for this sleep-deprived traveler. But the best part? THE VIEW. Oh. My. God. Baguio spread out below me, a tapestry of green and…well, more green. Okay, and some buildings. But mostly green. Seriously, just being able to look at that was worth the price of admission. (Full Throttle Over-The-Top Emotional Moment - I've never felt more at peace. Seriously, just staring out that window, sipping that complimentary tea? Bliss. Pure bliss.) I think I finally get the whole "Baguio vibe" thing.
Internet:
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - Yes, it works! And it's fast (mostly). I managed to stream some shows, which, after a day of hiking (or, let's be honest, mostly walking), was crucial. (My inner couch potato is screaming happy.)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking! (Because, Let's Face It, We Live to Eat!)
Okay, this is where things got a little…uneven. The restaurants, plural, are mentioned but what happened for me was, well, specific.
Restaurants, Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Bottle of water, In-room breakfast: Ah, the breakfast. The buffet. Yes, good! A solid spread. But the really good part? The coffee. Oh. My. God. The coffee. I'm not even a huge coffee snob, but this was seriously good. I could have stayed glued to my table all morning, sipping that coffee and staring at the view.
Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant
- Yes, yes, yes! They have some options, I'm not the most adventurous eater, so I mostly stuck with the basics. A decent salad and a decent soup.
Poolside Bar, Bar, Snack Bar: I tried to hit the bar for happy hour, but let's just say my timing was…off. (Curse you, Baguio traffic!) I did, however, snag a quick snack.
Room service [24-hour]: This is what really saved me. Late-night snack cravings? Yep. Cold feet because I was tired of going out? Yep.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Because You Need to Unwind After Braving Baguio!):
Right, the relaxation part. This is a biggie.
Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap:
Okay, the pool situation. They advertise a Pool with a View. This is worth its weight in gold. Seriously, after a day of trekking around Baguio and dealing with my usual physical clumsiness, a swim in the pool with that view was pure magic. And the sauna? Steamroom? Bliss. Absolute, unadulterated bliss. The gym did a solid impression of existing, the main thing is that the amenities are there, and they work.
* Massage: Oh, yes. DO IT. Seriously, treat yourself. The spa was lovely, and the massage was…transcendent. My shoulders, which normally carry the weight of the world (and my phone), were soothed. I could have fallen asleep there. And wanted to. I still think about that massage.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, Well, We Were Living In A Pandemic…):
Okay, this is important.
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment:
I'm a little neurotic, so you know what I was looking for: I was looking for ANY indicator of bad hygiene. Nope. The hotel was spotless. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wore masks, and things felt… safe. They seemed to genuinely care. And that, in this day and age, is a major plus. Big props to them.
Services and Conveniences (Because You Need Someone to Pamper You!):
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center:
All kinds of useful stuff. The concierge was helpful, the housekeeping was efficient, and the elevator worked. The gift shop was…well, it had souvenirs. I'm not sure about the 'shrines', but if you're into that.
For the Kids (Because Family Holidays Are a Thing!):
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal
I didn’t bring kids, but the hotel definitely seemed family-friendly. I’d recommend calling ahead and getting the specifics on the kids' facilities.
Getting Around (Because You Need to Get Back to Reality Eventually):
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking
They have parking! That's a win in Baguio, trust me. They also offer airport transfers which would be a lifesaver. They even have car power charging stations! But I recommend Uber to get around instead.
The Verdict (And the Big Emotional Finale!):
Okay, so, Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio. "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits"? Honestly? They weren't lying. It's not flawless. The accessible features need work. But the overall experience? Wonderful. The view, the coffee, the spa, the fact that it was clean… it’s what makes Baguio truly special. Did it live
Escape to Paradise: Fujino Kinjo, Fujikawaguchiko's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is a Baguio adventure, done my way, and trust me, it's going to be a chaotic, wonderful mess. Hotel Cosmopolitan, here we come!
Baguio Boogie Woogie: A Hot Mess Express Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & A Thousand Smiles (and Probably Also, Tears of Exhaustion)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up? More like stumble out of bed after approximately four hours of panicked sleep. Packed everything the night before, or so I thought. I'm already bracing myself for the "oops, forgot my toothbrush" moment. (It's a classic for a reason.)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Honestly, I'm not even sure what I'll be consuming this early. Hopefully, it’s not just instant coffee. I’m praying for a proper Filipino breakfast.
- 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: The long and bumpy ride to Baguio. (Hopefully, I have some seasickness meds in my bag. Fingers crossed). I’m planning on a playlist that's a rollercoaster of emotions: upbeat tunes followed by some melancholic folk music, just for good measure. Expect some serious car karaoke.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: FINALLY! Arrived at Hotel Cosmopolitan. Checked in. Omg, the lobby is actually kinda glamorous. Maybe this won't be a total disaster after all! The check-in lady was super nice, which is always a win.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Hotel Room Revelations. Dropped my bags, immediately started to unpack (or at least, attempt to unpack). The room is a bit…cozy, but clean. Thank heavens for that. Admiring the view… which, honestly, is mostly other buildings. Minor setback. Quick power nap on the bed as the travel hit me.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Lunch at a recommended restaurant near the hotel/ Session Road. Let the eating begin! I was looking for a place with local flavors and a lively atmosphere. This is also where I'll probably experience the first "oops, I ordered something I can't pronounce" moment. (It's part of the charm, right?)
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Exploring Session Road in the afternoon. The bustling streets are so full of life, right? It's got a very old vibe: the stores, the street food vendors, and the shoppers. There was a lot of traffic and so many people! I'll probably get lost once or twice, but that's half the fun, isn't it?
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner somewhere with a view. Perhaps a rooftop restaurant, or a place with a cozy ambiance. I don't want to sit around and think about the stresses of life!
- 8:00 PM onwards: Embracing the chaos! Maybe some late-night street food? Or maybe just crashing in bed, fully clothed, and giving in to the jetlag. Either way, this day is going to be legendary.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Coffee Coma
- 7:00 AM: Woke up from my slumber. I was feeling refreshed. I skipped breakfast. I just had coffee.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Tam-Awan Village Tour. Apparently, it's a cool place with traditional Ifugao houses. I'm expecting some seriously Instagram-worthy pictures (as long as my phone doesn't die). I'll try to strike a balance between appreciating the culture and not being that annoying tourist who hogs all the photo ops.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Mines View Park. Let the panoramic views commence! It's a tradition to get a photo with the background. (even if the weather sucks). Also, I'm on a mission to find the perfect pasalubong (souvenirs) for everyone back home. My goal is to find something truly unique that they will love.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back to Session Road. Hopefully, it'll be easier to order this time.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Burnham Park. Strolling in the park and enjoying the views. Might even try to rent a bike or a boat, depending on my energy levels.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Coffee and Craft Hunting. I'm planning a visit at a local cafe where I'll indulge in some local coffee. Also, I will be scouring the local craft shops for some unique finds. Fingers crossed I find something cool.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Maybe try a different cuisine. I am still in the pursuit of the perfect meal.
- 7:00 PM onwards: Free time. After that, I'll head back to the hotel and relax. Or, it's possible I'll start packing. I might just hit up the hotel's bar for a nightcap. Or face-plant into the pillow. The possibilities are endless.
Day 3: Saying Goodbye (…Maybe)
- 8:00 AM: Last chance for a proper Filipino breakfast. This is not negotiable.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Last minute souvenir shopping. I'm also attempting to squeeze in a massage.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Check out. Saying goodbye to Hotel Cosmopolitan. I'll probably leave something behind (my toothbrush, maybe?).
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Trip back to Manila. This time, I'll be attempting to sleep through most of it.
- 3:00 PM onwards: Home! I'll spend the rest of the day catching up with people, unpacking, and planning my next adventure. Because, let's be real, wanderlust never ends.
Key Considerations:
- Pace: The schedule is a suggestion, not a rule. I'm notoriously bad at sticking to plans. Embrace the spontaneity!
- Budget: I'm trying to be budget-conscious, but…I'm also terrible at resisting impulse buys.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Expect highs, lows, moments of sheer joy, and moments of near-panic. That's travel, baby!
- Weather: It's Baguio. Expect rain, sunshine, and probably hail. Pack accordingly.
- Food: I'll try to document my various culinary adventures. Expect both deliciousness and potential digestive distress.
- Honesty: I'll tell it like it is. No sugarcoating here. If something sucks, you'll hear about it. If something is amazing, you'll hear about that too.
- Enjoy the Ride: Most importantly, I'm going to try and enjoy every single, messy, imperfect moment.
So, there you have it. My Baguio itinerary. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. And hey, maybe I'll actually remember my toothbrush this time. (Maybe.)
Uncover the Hidden Gem: Lodge Raichoso Toyama's Unbelievable Secrets!
So, is this "Hidden Paradise" thing real, or just marketing fluff? Because honestly, I'm jaded.
Alright, let's cut the crap. Look, the "Hidden Paradise" is… well, it's a *bit* much. It's not some secret Atlantis you stumble upon. It's a luxurious hotel in Baguio City, which, let's be real, is hardly a "hidden" anything. But, and this is a big BUT, it *does* have a certain charm that feels a little… exclusive? Like, the kind of exclusive where the staff almost *anticipates* your needs before you even realize them. One time, I was wandering around the lobby, completely lost in thought about the existential dread of laundry day, and BAM! a perfectly chilled glass of calamansi juice appeared. Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was the "hidden paradise" magic. I'm leaning towards the second.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they, you know, *worth* the price tag?
Okay, let's talk money. The rooms? Gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. Like, "Instagram-worthy-and-you-know-it" gorgeous. They're spacious, the beds are cloud-like (I actually had to *force* myself to get up to explore, which, for a hotel, is saying something), and the bathrooms… oh, the bathrooms! Marble, rainfall showers, the works. BUT… and this is where my practical side kicks in… are they worth the hefty price tag? Look, if you're on a tight budget, maybe not. There are perfectly lovely, perfectly *functional* hotels in Baguio that won't break the bank. But if you're looking to treat yourself, to splurge a little, to pretend you're a fancy-pants celebrity for a weekend? Absolutely, without a doubt, unequivocally YES. I mean, I *almost* cried when I had to check out. ALMOST.
Okay, let's get down to specifics. Best room to book? What's the secret? Spill the tea!
Alright, alright, you want the inside scoop? Okay, here's the deal. The suites with the balcony overlooking the city are divine. Do it. Pay the extra dough. You won't regret it. Seriously, the view at sunset… it’s intoxicating. I spent a ridiculous amount of time just *staring* out at the city lights. I’m talking, like, hours. Okay, maybe that's the alcohol talking but whatever. And the beds! I repeat, the beds are *heaven*. I even tried to, discreetly of course, check if they sold the same pillows. No luck. Now, I'm saving up for my next visit, and the balcony suite is CALLING MY NAME!
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it as divine as the reviews say?
The food... Ah, the food! Let's just say I may have gained a few pounds. Okay, more than a few. The breakfast buffet is dangerous. Absolutely, positively, gloriously *dangerous*. They have everything! Freshly squeezed juices, perfectly flaky pastries, eggs cooked to order, the whole shebang. I'm not even a 'breakfast person,' but I would wake up with the sun just to stuff my face with their pancakes. Their restaurant – it's seriously top-notch. Okay maybe not *Michelin Star* yet. But the ambiance is gorgeous anyway. I remember ordering the adobo. OMG. Seriously. I'm still dreaming about it. Okay, I'm drooling right now. And get this: they actually offer room service 24/7! This is crucial if you, like me, have a habit of midnight snack attacks fueled by existential crisises and whatever reality TV show you happen to be marathoning. Bless them. Bless them all.
What about activities? Is there more to do than just sit around, gasp at the view, and eat delicious food?
Okay, listen, if you *just* want to sit around, gasp at the view, and eat delicious food, then you're doing it right. But yes, there ARE other things to do. They have a spa. I did not go, unfortunately. I deeply, deeply regret this. I blame the lingering adobo coma. They also have a gym, which, let's be honest, I also didn't use. Look, I was on vacation! But they can help you arrange tours and activities around Baguio. They also have a lovely little lounge area where you can sip cocktails. I did do that. Multiple times. And hey, if you're feeling adventurous you can *venture outside*. The hotel is very well-located when compared to other places. But honestly? The hotel is so good, I didn't want to leave it!
Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right? Spill the dirt!
Alright, here comes the slightly less glowing side. Honestly, the downsides are… minor. Like, nit-picky, first-world-problems minor. Sometimes, the elevator takes FOREVER. And at peak times, the breakfast buffet can get a *little* crowded (I spent a good five minutes circling like a vulture waiting for a table one morning). Also, and this is just a personal thing, I wished the pool was a bit bigger. But look, these are hardly deal-breakers, right? I'm grasping at straws here! Seriously, my biggest complaint is that I had to leave. That's the biggest "disadvantage" of the Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio: it will make you never want to go home.
Overall, is Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio worth it? Would you go back?
Ugh, STOP IT! Do you *really* need me to spell it out? YES! Absolutely, unequivocally, go book it right now! Seriously. Book it. Do it. I'm already plotting my return. It's not just a hotel; it's an experience. It's the kind of place that makes you feel pampered, spoiled, and like you deserve all the good things in life. It's expensive, yes. But sometimes, just sometimes, you need to treat yourself. And the Hotel Cosmopolitan Baguio is the perfect place to do it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to start saving my pennies. Adobo, here I come!
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