Ion Hotel

From the fifth floor, the window looked out toward Orchard Hotel and SM Baguio. The room itself was spacious and comfortable, with a comfy bed, futuristic buttons, and a safe. There was a big breakfast selection downstairs when I woke up, though I wasn’t keen on the breaded pork. I had cereal instead. Ion hotel was so good, probably a good place to stay.

We booked a family room and standard rooms while holding an event here. For the event, they ask for a 50% down payment. The place is reasonably priced, neither too costly nor shabby, and I’d still recommend it. Family rooms have plenty of space, a desk for work, a smaller one for makeup or other things, a small fridge, and a little cabinet for food. Some windows look onto an emergency shaft and a wall when you open the curtain, so those rooms don’t really have a view. Standard rooms are a decent size too, but I’d choose a family room if traveling with kids. Prices are more competitive than other hotels. They refill small bottles of drinking water daily, so it’s useful to bring your own supply. There’s a small convenience store nearby and plenty of places to eat, including Route 55. The lobby is clean and spacious, and they take credit cards. One cloth-upholstered seat smelled like sweat, though, and could use some care. Breakfast is okay. It’s a buffet with about four viands, pancit and rice, eggs made how you like them, bread, jam and butter, a small salad bar, and brewed coffee. Parking was sufficient, with basement spaces and an open area.

The price felt just right and parking was convenient. Apart from the first room, the hotel was okay. We were initially put in room 402, which looked filthy, and the sliding toilet door wouldn’t close all the way, so you could be seen from the foyer. They moved us to room 415, which was perfect, except the soak soap and shampoo weren’t filled and didn’t make much bubble.

The rooms are cleaner and more relaxing now than when it was Holiday Inn, which I didn’t like as much back then. Amenities are complete and the front desk is open 24 hours. It works for a short or long stay in Baguio. Booking online may get you a better rate than walking in, with buffet breakfast included. A couple of drawbacks: outside food isn’t allowed, and they charge 10% of the total amount for it. The restaurant and room service also aren’t available 24/7.