Unbelievable Baguio Getaway: Metro Pines Inn Awaits!
Unbelievable Baguio Getaway: Metro Pines Inn - My Honest, Messy, and Maybe Slightly Unhinged Review!
Okay, folks, lemme tell you. Baguio. The City of Pines. My own personal Everest of traffic, but hey, worth it for the cool weather, right? And Metro Pines Inn? Well, that was an experience. Buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this isn't your average Travelocity-fueled puff piece. This is my unfiltered, possibly caffeinated, and definitely opinionated take.
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First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Getting there, oh boy. Baguio traffic. I swear, sometimes it feels like a sentient, asphalt-based beast. But finally, we arrive! The entrance felt… welcoming. Not sprawling, not imposing. More like, "Hey, come on in and try not to trip."
Accessibility: They do make an honest effort to seem accessible. Elevator? Check! (Phew, because lugging my suitcase up multiple flights of stairs is not on my list of fun activities.) Facilities for disabled guests? Marked as available, but how truly accessible the rooms are? Let's get real, it's still the Philippines. Sometimes, the definition of "accessible" is… flexible. I didn't personally need a wheelchair but looked around, and some areas felt a bit tight. More on that later.
Now, for the big ones. The internet! This is vital, people. We’re in the digital age. My lifeblood is Wi-Fi and thankfully, they boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Free Wi-Fi in public areas! I also spotted Internet [LAN], which, honestly, made me giggle a little, because who even uses ethernet cables anymore? But hey, options! And just for the record, in reality, the Wi-Fi was decent. Not amazing, not lightning-fast, but serviceable enough to, you know, keep me from losing my mind (and my job). This is crucial for me.
Rooms: Cozy, Comfy, and a Little Bit… Vintage? (The Best Kind!)
Okay, so, the room. It wasn't vast. It wasn't a penthouse suite. But it was…comfortable! The Air conditioning was effective (praise the heavens, because Baguio can still get stuffy), the bed was comfy, and the blackout curtains were my best friends for sleeping in. The desk was actually usable (huge plus for working!), and they even had a complimentary bottle of water waiting for us. Bonus points!
Inside the Room Rambles:
- The Bathrobe: Fuzzy. Soft. Made me feel like a pampered hotel baron.
- The Slippers: Another touch, I feel like I lived the high life
- The Refrigerator: Stuffed it with snacks I regretted later.
- The Mirror: Did its job. Showed me my tired face.
- The Smoke Detector: (Deep breath). Essential for a good nights sleep
- The Kettle: The complimentary tea was a welcome wake-up
- The View: The Window that opens showed a somewhat obstructed view. But, whatever.
There were the usual amenities: a coffee/tea maker, a hair dryer, and toiletries. The towels were clean. The shower was decent, and I had plenty of hot water.
My Personal Room Observation: The small nuances makes a difference. Like the socket by the bed. Someone thought of us, the people who love to crawl into bed and scroll on their phones until the last drop of battery. A true win.
Things to do, Ways to Relax, and… Spa?
Alright, here's where things get interesting. Metro Pines Inn has all the bells and whistles of a hotel that's trying hard to be a luxury. Fitness center? Check. Sauna? Check. Spa? Uhhhh…
The spa. That's where it all went gloriously sideways. I saw their brochure, and the prices were… reasonable. So, being a fan of all things pampering, I booked a massage! Let me tell you, the massage was a whole experience. The masseuse was lovely, bless her, but the room itself was… let's call it "charming." It probably hadn't been updated since the disco era. And the ambient music? It was just… odd. Think vaguely New Age-y elevator music combined with the faint hum of the air conditioning unit battling against the Baguio chill. I swear I almost fell asleep due to the massage, the ambience, and the relief of the pressure from my body.
I went for the Body scrub option and it was divine. However, the foot bath was just a bucket, which was also fine.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Adventures in Food
Restaurants: They have a main restaurant, a coffee shop, and a poolside bar. Okay, the poolside bar wasn't technically poolside (it was more of a near-the-pool situation), but the cocktails were surprisingly good! The Happy hour was a welcome treat after a day of battling crowds. The Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant were both available and the food was decent.
Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, but do not expect an absolute extravaganza. It's a classic "bread, eggs, bacon, and a few sad-looking pastries." Which is fine! It did the job and the Asian breakfast was a pleasant addition. I especially appreciated the Coffee/tea in restaurant, and also the breakfast takeaway service which helps with the lack of space in your stomach. I did enjoyed the Desserts in restaurant, and the Salad in restaurant.
Now the real story. The food! Okay, I'm sorry, but this is where I felt a bit let down. I'm a sucker for hotel food. But, the food in the restaurant was, mediocre. It wasn't bad, per se, but it wasn't amazing. And I swear, one day, the waiter, who I think, was just starting told me that the soup was the best they had.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitization Warriors!
Okay, so this is the important part. With everything going on, I was HYPER-aware of cleanliness. Metro Pines tries hard. They have Daily disinfection in common areas, and seem to embrace hygiene certifications. You see the hand sanitizers everywhere, which, honestly, is comforting. They also offered the Room sanitization opt-out available but I was alright with a clean space. They also have Safe dining setup with the distancing of at least 1 meter.
I saw the professional-grade sanitizing services, and, in general, felt pretty safe. They had CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Okay, and the "Hmm…"
Cash withdrawal? Yes! Convenient. Laundry service? Yep. Concierge? Available, and helpful with local recommendations. Car park [free of charge]? Woohoo! Always a bonus in a city like Baguio. Invoice provided: Check. Daily housekeeping? Yes, and they were efficient.
They also had Facilities for disabled guests, but I'm not entirely sure how deeply those facilities are implemented.
The "Hmm…" moments: The Souvenir shop wasn't much of anything. Just a handful of trinkets. The Business facilities were probably fine, but I didn't use them.
For the Kids: Family Friendliness in Action!
They're definitely family-friendly! They had a Babysitting service (though I didn't use it), and Kids meal available.
Check-in/out [express]? Didn't feel it was super express, but wasn't a major issue.
Getting Around: The Car Conundrum…
Car park [free of charge] is a massive win! Car park [on-site]? Yes! But driving in Baguio is… a challenge. Be prepared for traffic. They also offer Airport transfer at an additional charge.
The Verdict: Messy, but Worth It
Metro Pines Inn isn't perfect. It has its quirks, its limitations, and its moments where you raise an eyebrow and think, "Well, that's… interesting." But, honestly, it's a good choice. It's comfortable, clean, and the staff is friendly. Yes, some areas needed a bit of polish, but the effort to be accessible, and the focus on safety, is commendable.
Would I go back? Yeah, I probably would. Especially for the price. And maybe, just maybe,
Unbelievable Hotel in Cluj-Napoca: Hotel Univers Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We're diving headfirst into my chaotic Baguio adventure, a whirlwind of pine-scented air, questionable food choices, and the existential dread of a solo traveler. Metro Pines Inn, here we come!
Day 1: Arrival Hysteria and a Questionable Sisig Revelation
1 PM - Arrival at Metro Pines Inn: Okay, first impressions? The lobby smells vaguely of pine and desperation, which, honestly, is perfect. Found the place alright, thanks to the helpful lady in the front desk, though as I was about to reach the hotel, I found lots of vehicles that blocked the streets. Found a hard time to find the entrance. The room itself? Tiny, yes, but hey, it’s clean-ish and the view? A brick wall. Sigh. My luggage? Still in my backpack. (I've become a master of travel with nothing more than a backpack and sheer stubbornness).
2 PM - Lunch at "Oh My Gulay!" (Yes, that's the name): This place… wow. Vegetarian heaven, they say. Me? I'm a carnivore at heart, but Baguio vibes, right? So I go. The ambiance is straight out of a fairytale, like hobbits are about to emerge from behind the giant ferns. I ordered the "Magic Mushroom" something or other, and it was… interesting. Tasty, but my stomach is already starting to rumble in protest. This is a risky gamble.
4 PM - Session Road Strolling (and Existential Crisis): Session Road is the beating heart of Baguio. I expected… I don't know, more heart? It's a bustling, honking, and chaotic affair. The smell of street food is intoxicating, which is a blessing for my empty stomach. Took some photos, bought three souvenirs, and started to think that maybe my backpack is so heavy.
7 PM - Dinner at "Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant" (and the Sisig Incident): Okay, this place. Legend. A Baguio institution. It's the size of a warehouse, smells of pure deliciousness, and is packed with people. So I ordered the sisig. Oh lord, the sisig. I've had sisig before, but this… was an experience. It was the most glorious, sizzling, fatty, chili-laden, porky explosion the world has ever known. I inhaled it. And paid the price. The next hour was spent pacing my tiny hotel room, clutching my stomach and regretting every single life choice that got me to this moment. It was amazing. And awful.
Day 2: Panagbenga Bliss (and Near-Disaster)
8 AM - Breakfast, or the Lack Thereof: My stomach is still waging war. Ended up buying bread in a bakery. Feeling a bit pathetic, but hey, at least I'm alive.
10 AM - Panagbenga Festival (Attempt 1): Okay, Panagbenga. The Flower Festival. Supposed to be a riot of color and joy. Found my way to the parade route, which was a nightmare. Seriously. People. Everywhere. I'm pretty short to begin with, so the view was of backs and bobbing heads. Eventually, I gave up and retreated. Feeling defeated, but determined.
1 PM - Lunch at "Cafe by the Ruins Dua": Regrouping and refuelling. This place is gorgeous. Cozy, chic… basically the opposite of yesterday's sisig-induced trauma. Ordered the chicken, which turned out to be the best chcken that I've ever had.
3 PM - The Wright Park Horseback Riding Debacle: I decided to be adventurous at Wright Park. I found a horse and rode it and I was so unprepared, and I'm not sure if the horse was happy. I'm pretty sure I looked utterly ridiculous. My balance? Nonexistent. I wobbled, the horse trotted, and I just held on for dear life, my face contorting into a grimace of pure, unadulterated terror. I definitely didn't look cool.
After a while, I decided to go down and go home
6 PM - Dinner in a small restaurant: I got lost and tired and decided to go and try another restaurant. I was expecting for their food to be good but I was wrong, It did not satisfy my hunger.
Day 3: Goodbye, Baguio, You Crazy Place
9 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble: Baguio market, my friend, is insane. Crowded, chaotic, and full of vendors hawking everything from strawberry jam to fake designer bags. I bargained for a scarf, spent too much on some local coffee, and felt a pang of sadness: this is my last day.
11 AM - Mines View Park: Beautiful views. The place that is famous to Baguio. Took all the photos. Found a nice spot to enjoy the sceneries.
1 PM - Lunch, Last Hurrah: Found a small local restaurant, and tried their food. It tasted good, not exactly what I was expecting but it did the work.
3 PM - Departure: Back to the stressful city life. Did the trip make me better person? I don't know but I'm glad I did it.
Final Thoughts:
Baguio, you were a rollercoaster. A chaotic, messy, sometimes terrifying, but ultimately beautiful rollercoaster. I ate questionable food, almost broke my neck on a horse, and dealt with an amount of people. Am I better for it? Maybe. Will I be back? Absolutely. Now, where's that sisig? Okay, maybe not.
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Unbelievable Baguio Getaway: Metro Pines Inn Awaits! (Or Does It?) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, so... Metro Pines Inn. Is it actually *that* "unbelievable"? Because Baguio's hotels can be a wild ride.
What's the room situation like? Are we talking cramped, claustrophobic hellholes, or… something better?
Location, location, location! Where is this place even *located*? I need my Burnham Park strolls!
The Amenities! What can I expect? Free Wi-Fi? A pool (doubtful, I know)?
Okay, let's get personal. What's *your* experience been? Was it a love story for the ages?
What's the best time to visit? (Besides when YOU are there, of course - kidding!)
Hidden Gems! What should I *not* miss while I'm there? (Besides the obvious.)
Final Verdict! Should I book it? Or run screaming in the other direction?
