Le Monet: Your Gracious Host In Baguio City

Finally, after almost five years, my husband and I are back in our favorite city in the Philippines. Fun fact: Baguio is where we first dated outside Mindoro and Manila without a chaperone or third wheel. It was also the first time we fell in love with Camp John Hay. Since then, no visit to Baguio is complete without stopping by or staying at Camp John Hay.

There are three hotels in Camp John Hay. We’ve been to The Forest Lodge before, and we dream of staying at The Manor soon. Today, we decided to check in at the most budget-friendly choice, Le Monet.

With the refreshing scents of pine and sweeping views, Le Monet Hotel is a place where one can be rejuvenated by nature. The hotel combines beautiful landscapes, sophisticated interiors, and exquisite service, adding to the allure of the Philippines’ summer capital.

The hotel staff were friendly, but they sometimes missed the mark. When we entered, we were immediately greeted and directed to the reception area. However, after that, no one accompanied us to our room, leaving us unsure of where to go. We almost entered the wrong elevator. Despite this, the rest of our stay was pleasant, and the employees were prompt with our requests.

The room was actually elegant for its price. The interior evokes an old American style, making it feel like we were staying in a 1940s hotel. The only cooling systems provided were a ceiling fan and an air cooler, yet the room was well-ventilated due to the cool Baguio breeze. The unit could be noisy at times, though. During one afternoon nap, I thought someone was knocking on our door, but it was the maintenance team repairing the door of the room across from ours. It was disruptive.

It seems that the designer wasn’t able to fully achieve the desired flair in the bathroom. The shower area displayed a mix of styles that didn’t blend well together. Although it was equipped with basic toiletries, it lacked some essentials like cotton buds. On the bright side, the shower was modern, and the toilet was high-tech, featuring a bidet, hairdryer, closet, bathrobes, and even a remote for the flush and a television.

We were fortunate to have our room upgraded to a deluxe room with a forest view, giving us a balcony overlooking Camp John Hay’s forest bathing zone. The terrace was simply furnished with an outdoor dining table and chairs, but the view of the lush pine trees helped me overlook the issues I had with the hotel, including the sticky sliding patio door. We kept it open to enjoy the cool breeze.

Despite being a boutique hotel, Le Monet manages to have three dining options. The Lobby is the flagship restaurant, located in the same room as the reception area. The Malt Room is a bar and lounge offering craft cocktails. Outside the hotel, Le Monet Bakery displays artisan pastries, cakes, and breads. We only visited The Lobby for our complimentary breakfast.

The breakfast buffet wasn’t grand. I skipped the main course section since it consisted of dishes we commonly cook at home, and instead sampled the other offerings. The pancake wasn’t fluffy, though the syrup helped moisten it. The soft bun was also hard. However, the dried fish was nicely washed, with minimal saltiness. I liked the three kinds of eggs they offered. The sunny-side up and scrambled were both runny while the omelette was cheesy. My favorite was the charcuterie board, which featured quality cheese and cold cuts, despite the limited selection. I also enjoyed the rye bread when I buttered, toasted and sugar-coated it. My husband liked the picadillo and longganisa.

I decided to write a separate review for the Strawberry Champorado and Ube Champorado, as I believe these are their specialties. We ordered them through room service. It was the sticky kind of champorado that it almost felt like Bibingkang Malagkit. They were unique and delicious, but didn’t taste entirely natural.

Le Monet might be a step ahead of The Forest Lodge and The Manor when it comes to amenities. Le Monet has an indoor pool, and I don’t recall the other two hotels having one. However, I take back that rating because the pool was closed during our three-day stay. Although I didn’t plan on swimming due to the cold weather, I would have liked to see and feel the water.

Le Monet is located in the beautiful paradise of Camp John Hay. Whenever we visit Baguio, we never leave without spending time at Camp John Hay. In fact, during this trip, we spent all three days there. Pine trees, sweater weather, fun activities, and a homey ambiance—Camp John Hay truly offers the best of Baguio. If you think Baguio is crowded and overrated, you’re missing out on the best part of the summer capital. You haven’t seen Camp John Hay. And yes, that’s me and my husband celebrating our first wedding anniversary here. We’re truly thankful to Le Monet for being a part of it. It was indeed a wonderful experience for us.