Hiwang Native House Inn & Viewdeck

Lola Gloria was lovely when she helped us check in, and she shared useful information about the area and what there is to see. The sunrise is unbeatable, and we had a great stay in Banaue. Just read the rules before you arrive and be sure you’re comfortable with the setup, since some parts feel a bit like camping. There’s one family-run restaurant up there and not much else, so stock up in the main town, about 15-20 minutes away.

The views from the steep paths up to the huts are stunning, and the place made for a really unique stay. Our group of seven was picked up at Cauayan airport in a van by our tour guide and driver. The nearest village is only a few minutes away by car and has what you need, including medical care, which one person in our group needed. We stayed one night in Huts 1 and 2 on the lower level. We hadn’t realized the viewing deck was farther up the steps by the highest huts, and since we left early, we missed the best view. The upper paths are steep, so don’t bring heavy bags if you can avoid it. We had everything else we needed. The shower’s hot water wasn’t working for us, though it probably could have been fixed if we’d asked, and it wasn’t a major problem. Our host was easy to contact and spoke pretty good English. There’s a family restaurant just below the huts where you can order meals and breakfast and buy drinks, but it’s separate from the accommodation and costs extra. We visited in early November and didn’t have mosquito trouble inside, though we used repellent outside. There’s a bonfire pit, and a young man can light a bundle of wood for 200 peso, cash only. It was raining by the end of the night, so we skipped it. The check-in time is restricted, and we understood why once we saw the narrow, steep, winding roads, with some single-lane sections. Traveling after dark seems unwise, as delivery vehicles need the road clear.

I slept so well in Hut #6, then got up at 5 to watch a sunrise I can hardly put into words. The climb left my legs sore, but it’s a stay I won’t forget. We came from Cagayan before heading to Baguio, and these native Ifugao huts made for a very different kind of hotel. On the way up, the Banaue Rice Terraces are to your right and the highway runs along the mountain ridge to your left. The place was absolutely clean, and the owners were welcoming and very nice. I’d worried about the bathrooms, but each hut has its own separate one, which you lock so nobody else uses it. Ours was spacious, with a heater, shower, and BIDET, and we had no water problems. There’s a small eatery below with tasty food. Parking can get crowded. Check-in is at 10am and check-out at 9am. The narrow baranggay road runs beside a cliff, so take care. Mid-size SUVs and vans fit, but only one vehicle at a time.

They made our time in Ifugao unforgettable, and the service was especially thoughtful considering how high up we were. We stayed in a lovely native hut. During our visit the temperature dropped to 11C, and watching fog and clouds roll in was amazing. The food was good and brought right to the hut, where there’s a table, bench, and stools underneath for eating. Wi-Fi worked well. There was no hot water, though, so the water was ICE COLD.