Mines View Park Hotel - Review

Unveiled on November 28, 2008 MINES VIEW PARK HOTEL is located along a quiet stretch of road at 1 Apostol St., Outlook Drive, Baguio City. It's stand at 1,500 meters above sea level and perched on a ridge at Baguio City’s northeast limits is —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 quarried.

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 bread-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.

“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 close to the commercial centers. The 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.

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 can open their laptops and surf to their heart’s content because the hotel is conveniently Wi-Fi connected.

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 Café 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 café’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.

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 freshly-brewed coffee, or enjoy a superb meal at the Garden Veranda. The setting under the shade of overgrown eucalyptus and pine trees provides an idyllic venue for an unhurried breakfast or lunch.

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 madding 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 the spirit, refresh the mind and energize the body to rediscover the pleasures of Baguio City.

Here's my personal review of Mines View Park Hotel:

VALUE:
With published room rates starting at P2,800 (2 person capacity) for Single De Luxe to P7,000  rate for the Attic Room (10 person capacity) MVPH offers value for your money.

LOCATION:
The 5.5 hours of travel from Metro Manila is definitely worth the wait because being at MVPH, it gives you that relaxing and serene atmosphere that will  ease the boredom brought by the long travel. When you are already in the hotel, going to Baguio's  tourist spots like Mines View, The Mansion, Wright Park, Botanical Garden, Session Road and  Strawberry Farm is just a few minutes away.

CLEANLINESS:
Though I find their kid's playground a bit dirty and the spa is not used in weeks, their hotel room is maintained very well. The bathroom is A-OK, the veranda is clean too. The surrounding is clean, the nice smell of the Cordillera mountains adds up to this exciting experience.

FACILITIES:
Mines View Park Hotel has it's own gym, spa, KTV bar and child-safe play area. Try their most talked about 'Strawberry Sinigang' and their own recipe of 'Bibingcrepe' at Zens Restaurant and Halfmoon Asian Cafe which opens from 7AM to 10PM. After dark, you don't have to go outside just to go to a bar, because Zens Bar is located inside Mines View Park Hotel, this is open from 6PM till midnight.

For business affairs, MVPH offers it's Function Hall that could accommodate up to 150 persons. It is equipped with a white screen and projector for audiovisual presentations, a sound and PA system, and basic lighting equipment. For a smaller size group of 15 to individual the hotel offers it's Board Room that has a flat-screen monitor, a projector, whiteboards, audiovisual system and video playback equipment.

ROOMS:
 The one we've tried is the Twin De Luxe (pictured above) published rates is P2,800. Inclusive of 12% VAT. The room is spacious, the lightings are OK, and the atmosphere inside is cozy enough that makes me want to stay inside the room the whole day. The room has no aircon (that's in Baguio) but it's so cold which I really like. The room we got which is Room 203, is really recommended since it has the best view to offer among all rooms.

Our room has LCD TV with cable access and for the internet junkie in you, Mines View Park Hotel offers it's free wifi internet access, yay! Surprisingly their wi-fi connection is fast especially on the hotel lobby.

SLEEP QUALITY:
 The hotel has a rule of 'silence' after 10PM, that will allow for total relaxation, comfort and convenience to all other occupants of the Hotel. Which I really experienced, so I had a good sleep for the night. Their bed is so comfortable that I don't want to get off :)

BATHROOM & SHOWER:
I'm not familiar how their shower works, so I end up experimenting on how I could use their hot shower. Luckily I did :) Anyway the water pressure is strong and their own branded shampoo/soaps is okay. Of course, they provided fresh and clean towel everyday too.

SERVICE:
 I like how they treat their guest upon arrival, makes you feel that you are welcomed. They always smile as if they're not tired, the girl at the Front Desk is so nice to me when I called her to ask for the password of the wi-fi in the hotel. She gave me two passwords even I'm not on the same floor :)

Overall, Mines View Park Hotel is a nice play to stay while you're in Baguio. Definitely, I will recommend the place because it lives up to it's tagline: "Truly Amazing, Simply Unforgettable."




Mines View Park Hotel
Address: #1 Apostol St. North Outlook Drive, Baguio City
Contact No. (6374)442-1559; (6374)424-1088
Mobile: +639922.8886392
Manila No: (632)372-3984 local 133
Website: www.minesviewparkhotel.com
Facebook Page: MinesViewParkHotel

*other photos are here and here.