Your stay — Desierto Residence
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The Property — Desierto Residence
A no-frills base camp in the hills, Desierto Residence trades frills for location and functional rooms. The lobby is small and tiled, with a front desk that gets you keyed in fast; the real draw is the balcony view of the pine trees and the cool mountain air. It suits independent travellers and budget-conscious families who want clean, simple accommodation within walking distance of Burnham Park and Session Road. Don't expect a pool or restaurant — this is a place to sleep, shower and head out.
Chronicles of Baguio
Baguio was founded in 1900 by the American colonial government as a hill station escape from Manila's heat. Architect Daniel Burnham designed the city's layout, centred on a ring-road system and the man-made Burnham Park, completed in 1908. Its pine forests and cool climate earned it the nickname 'Summer Capital of the Philippines', and it remains the country's top domestic tourist destination for long weekends. Today the city's identity blends American-era wooden cottages with modern concrete high-rises, while its markets and cafes reflect a vibrant mix of Igorot and migrant cultures.
Best Time to Visit
Full Baguio guide →Best months
MarchAprilMay
Peak / festival surge
March (Panagbenga Festival, two weeks of parades and flower floats), hotel prices double or triple, advance booking essential.
Budget shoulder season
May (end of Panagbenga, still dry, cheaper rates), September (start of cooler dry season, low demand).
Weather & packing
Baguio is famously rainy year-round, but July sees the onset of the southwest monsoon — expect daily downpours and 18-24°C temps. Pack a waterproof jacket and closed-toe shoes; leave the umbrella behind because it won't hold up against the wind.
Live City Briefing — Baguio
- Session Road is currently undergoing a six-month pedestrianisation trial on weekends — expect road closures and reroutes from Friday evening to Sunday night.
- The Baguio Public Market has new operating hours (6am to 6pm) under a city ordinance to reduce congestion; plan your vegetable and souvenir buying accordingly.
- La Trinidad's strawberry fields, 15 minutes from downtown, are in off-season (July) so expect fewer berries but lower prices for dried strawberry products.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Desierto Residence, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay, as the first two floors may be noisier due to the hotel's proximity to Session Road, a busy street. The higher floors are likely to be farther from the street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first two floors, as they may experience more noise from the street and potential noise from the on-site parking area.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Session Road doesn't offer a clear view of the surrounding mountains or countryside. However, rooms on the north side might have a glimpse of the cityscape.
Quietest floors
3rd-4th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise from Session Road, which can be busy and noisy, especially during peak hours. The hotel's on-site parking area may also generate some noise.
Insider tips
Arrive early to secure on-site parking, as spaces are limited and first-come, first-served. Take advantage of the free WiFi, but be aware that the speed may not be suitable for heavy data usage or streaming.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Desierto Residence
Free for all guests (single network), average speed 15 Mbps download; no login constraints, just accept terms on browser
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (must ask front desk for code); no physical papers
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00, early bag-drop from 10:00 (free if room ready; otherwise hold luggage). Late check-out fee: PHP 500 until 16:00, subject to availability
Available at front desk; free for day of arrival/departure; PHP 200 per bag per day thereafter
Step-free main entry via ramp; lift to all floors; but no grab bars in toilets and some corridors narrow (under 90 cm)
On-site parking: PHP 250 per night (first-come, first-served, about 20 spaces). Nearest public car park: Burnham Park Car Park (5-min walk), PHP 50 per hour, PHP 300 overnight. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: PHP 100 per night per room
Deposit & card hold: Required advance deposit of one night’s rate (non-refundable after 7 days before check-in); incidental hold of PHP 2,000 at check-in (card only)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Grace Bible Church (170 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Saint Joseph The Worker Parish Church (273 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Novitiate House (536 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Holy Spirit Retreat House (592 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Porta Vaga Mall — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Pacdal Circle Park — 315 m · ~4 min walk
Presidential Museum — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Little theatre — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Navy Base Playground — 594 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco de Oro — 599 m · ~7 min walk
Modern Palengke Pharmacy — 546 m · ~7 min walk
T. R. Pimentel Store — 190 m · ~2 min walk
GL Trans - Baguio Terminal — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Philippine Peso, PHP
ATMs are widely available and give fair rates; avoid airport exchange counters and tourist-area bureaux due to poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards accepted in most hotels, malls, and mid-range restaurants; smaller eateries and market stalls are cash-only. Contactless and mobile pay (GCash, Maya) are common among locals.
Not expected but appreciated: round up or leave 10-20 PHP for café/restaurant bills, a few coins for taxi drivers, and 50-100 PHP for hotel staff who assist with bags or room cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Brewed coffee at a bakery or carinderia costs about 30-50 PHP.
Rice + viand combo from a carinderia or food court comes to 60-100 PHP.
A filling main at a casual restaurant (e.g. sinigang or adobo with rice) runs 120-180 PHP.
Session Road and the Burnham Park area have grilled skewers, fish balls, and banana cue stalls; prices 10-30 PHP per stick.
SM Supermarket and Hypermarket are the most common budget chains; Puregold also has stores in the area.
Baguio Public Market and neighboring stalls sell affordable clothing and souvenirs; SM Baguio mall has low-priced department store options.
Jeepneys cost 9-13 PHP per ride within the city; from the airport (Loakan), take a shared jeepney/van (around 30 PHP) or a taxi (150-250 PHP) to the city center.
Eat at carinderias or the Burnham Park food strip instead of tourist restaurants; buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets rather than convenience stores; use jeepneys instead of taxis for short trips within the city.
Emergency Contacts
BaguioTourist hotline: (074) 619-4593. For general emergencies, dial 911 from any mobile.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Baguio, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Desierto Residence
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de Oro — 599 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Modern Palengke Pharmacy — 546 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Baguio City Bus Drop-off or Lourdes Proper → Lapid Transient House (near Lourdes Grotto)
💡 Take jeepney with 'Lourdes' sign from city center (Session Rd). Trike drivers may quote inflated fare — agree PHP 30 max per person.
Clark Airport → Lapid Transient House front door
💡 Use 'Baguio Airport Van' page on Facebook or ask your host. Shared vans cheaper (PHP 800/pax) but less reliable timing.
Clark International Airport (CRK) → Lapid Transient House, Baguio
💡 Book a yellow taxi inside the arrivals bay or use Grab app — avoid touts. Ask driver to take TPLEX expressway for smoother ride.
Clark Airport bus terminal (free shuttle from terminal) → Baguio City (Gov Pack Rd/Jeep drop-off near Lapid)
💡 Buy ticket at booth inside Clark — no advance booking. From Baguio terminus, take a short trike to Lapid Transient House (~PHP 50).
About Baguio
Wikipedia ↗
Baguio (UK: BAG-ee-oh, US: BAH-ghee-oh, -OH, Tagalog: [ˈbaɡjo]), officially the City of Baguio (Ibaloi: Siudad ne Bagiw; Ilocano: Siudad ti Baguio; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Baguio), is a highly urbanized city in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Desierto Residence?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay, as the first two floors may be noisier due to the hotel's proximity to Session Road, a busy street. The higher floors are likely to be farther from the street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Desierto Residence?
Avoid rooms on the first two floors, as they may experience more noise from the street and potential noise from the on-site parking area.
Is Desierto Residence noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise from Session Road, which can be busy and noisy, especially during peak hours. The hotel's on-site parking area may also generate some noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Desierto Residence?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Session Road doesn't offer a clear view of the surrounding mountains or countryside. However, rooms on the north side might have a glimpse of the cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Desierto Residence?
Arrive early to secure on-site parking, as spaces are limited and first-come, first-served. Take advantage of the free WiFi, but be aware that the speed may not be suitable for heavy data usage or streaming.
What time is check-in at Desierto Residence?
Check-in at Desierto Residence is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Desierto Residence have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests (single network), average speed 15 Mbps download; no login constraints, just accept terms on browser
Is there a city or tourist tax at Desierto Residence?
PHP 100 per night per room
Where can I eat cheaply near Desierto Residence?
Rice + viand combo from a carinderia or food court comes to 60-100 PHP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Desierto Residence?
Jeepneys cost 9-13 PHP per ride within the city; from the airport (Loakan), take a shared jeepney/van (around 30 PHP) or a taxi (150-250 PHP) to the city center.
When is the best time to visit Baguio?
MarchAprilMay
Top Attractions in Baguio
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning for the 9am mass—the choir is excellent. The small museum inside is free but ask the caretaker to unlock it.
💡 Go early on weekdays to avoid crowds. Boat rentals are cheapest before 9am. Bring your own snacks—vendors around the lake charge double.
💡 Come with cash in small denominations. The best food stalls are near the Session Road end—try the bibingka (rice cake) and fish balls. Arrive by 10pm for the newest stock.
💡 Skip the overpriced horse rides. The best photo spot is the stone staircase to the left of the main viewing deck. Come before 10am to avoid fog.
💡 The café has great views of the garden and a decent brewed coffee. Check their Facebook page for occasional free-entry Sundays.