Baguio Diaries: From Luxury Suites to Night Markets

Date: December 26–28, 2025

Route: Cubao (Denver) → Baguio City 

The day after Christmas🎄, most folks are still nursing holiday hangovers, but we were buzzing with excitement. Bags packed, we dashed to the Victory Liner terminal in Cubao (Denver side), trading Manila's sticky heat for the promise of crisp mountain air and towering pine trees. 

That bus ride is pure magic—the engine's steady rumble, hairpin turns hugging misty cliffs, and every kilometer bringing a delicious chill that creeps in, wrapping you in pine-scented nostalgia.

The Home Base: Campo Syete Transient

We skipped the tourist-packed center and headed straight to peaceful Barangay Camp 7🏠. 

The Stay: Campo Syete Transient was our sanctuary—spacious rooms, a full kitchen, and utter quiet. It felt like a cozy home, not just a rental, letting us unwind before diving into the holiday whirlwind.

December 27: The Marathon Day

Day 2 was non-stop: from elegant festivities to urban chaos.

• The Main Event

Dressed to impress for my nephew's Christening at Lafayette Luxury Suites.

  

The Vibe: Pure class—panoramic city views, impeccable service, gourmet food, and six hours of joyful socializing. A luxurious high point, but oh-so-exhausting!

• The Classic "Baguio" Breather: Post-event, we escaped to Burnham Park.

The Experience: The iconic fountain sparkled amid vibrant blooms, a quick, soul-soothing stroll despite the holiday crowds—pure nostalgic reset.

• The Night Cap

Energized again, we dove into Harrison Road Night Market.

The Shift: From polished luxury to buzzing street energy—grills sizzling, colorful ukay-ukay stalls, Christmas lights twinkling through the fog, and the thrill of haggling for bargains. Loud, chilly, smoky, and utterly alive!

December 28: Feasts, Flowers, and Fountains 🌼 🌸 ⛲️ 

Sunday was a feast for the senses, starting with indulgence and ending in light.

• The Buffet at Hotel Grande

We hit Outlook Drive for Hotel Grande's legendary buffet—endless spreads of local favorites and international dishes, served with warm Baguio hospitality. Instant food coma bliss.

• The Nature Fix: Botanical Garden

We strolled off the feast into a lush, misty world of high-altitude flora, the air thick with cool humidity and the scent of damp earth.

The Highlights: Vibrant red poinsettias blazed like festive flames against the green, their bracts unfurling in bold crimson waves that screamed holiday cheer.

Dramatic hanging Mysore Clock Vines cascaded like golden-yellow curtains, their tubular blooms dangling in playful loops, swaying gently in the breeze.

And then—the star: Medinilla Magnifica (Kapa-Kapa).

 

This breathtaking native epiphyte clings to tree trunks in the misty canopy, its glossy, deep-green leaves broad and leathery like polished shields. From them cascade massive, pendulous flower clusters—up to 50 cm long—hanging like luxurious pink-purple chandeliers or ripe grape bunches. Each urn-shaped bloom is waxy perfection: soft rose to deep magenta petals edged in creamy white, nestled in showy bracts that glow with an almost ethereal light in the dappled shade.

In the cool Baguio mist, they seemed suspended in time—rare, protected jewels of the Philippine highlands, a living masterpiece that left me speechless.

• The Presidential Route: The Mansion & Wright Park.

We kept the momentum going by heading to The Mansion for the requisite photo op at the gates of the presidential summer residence. From there, we walked over to Wright Park to catch the fountain show. Watching the water dance with the lights in the cool evening air was a relaxing way to wind down the afternoon.

•  The Last Stop:  Marcon Suites

Before wrapping up the trip, we made one final stop at Marcon Suites (located in Amparo Heights, Camp 7). It was the perfect way to end the itinerary, bringing us back to the peaceful vibe of the Camp 7 neighborhood before saying goodbye to the City of Pines.

The Finale: Perfect timing for the fountain show—water jets dancing to lights and music, mist rising in the cool evening air, a serene, magical close to the day.

Weather Notes

Baguio was in full holiday mode: mild days (21–25°C) perfect for exploring, chilly nights (15–17°C) 🥶 that begged for jackets, and a mix of fog, light rain, and crisp pine air—classic Amihan vibes that made everything feel extra festive.❄️ 

The Takeaway

In just 72 hours, we soaked up Baguio's full spectrum: the nostalgic bus climb, quiet Camp 7 nights, Lafayette elegance, Night Market energy, Hotel Grande feasts, rare botanical treasures, and Wright Park's glowing finale. Exhausting? Absolutely. Unforgettable? Beyond words 💯.