Your stay — The Half House
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The Property — The Half House
The Half House in Baguio feels like a quiet artist’s refuge, all exposed brick and muted wood, with a small lobby that smells of coffee and old paper. It’s a three-star place that leans hard on character: local art on the walls, a record player in the corner, and a courtyard where guests eat breakfast under corrugated-iron eaves. It suits solo travellers or couples who value atmosphere over amenities, and who want a base that feels like a friend’s flat rather than a hotel.
Chronicles of Baguio
Baguio was laid out in 1900 by American colonial planners as a hill-station escape from Manila’s heat, its streets following Daniel Burnham’s park-and-lake design. The city grew around pine forests and a gold-mining boom, with its villa-and-chalet architecture a legacy of that era. Today it’s known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, a university town and weekend retreat where Session Road still buzzes with students and tourists. The city’s identity is a mix of Igorot heritage, American-era nostalgia and a contemporary creative scene in cafes and galleries.
Best Time to Visit
Full Baguio guide →Best months
December to February: crisp air, clear skies, and the city feels alive without the kind of crush you get in peak season.
Peak / festival surge
March to May (especially Holy Week and Panagbenga Festival in February): hotels at double normal rates, roads jammed, queues at every attraction. Panagbenga’s flower floats bring huge crowds.
Budget shoulder season
June and July: rainy but cheaper, with hotel discounts of 20–30%, fewer tourists, and the greenest pine forest views. You’ll need an umbrella but you’ll have the city to yourself.
Weather & packing
Baguio is famously unpredictable: you can have sun, fog and drizzle all in one morning. Pack layers – a breathable waterproof jacket, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes – and always carry a light jumper even in July.
Live City Briefing — Baguio
- Baguio’s short-term rental crackdown continues: unregistered Airbnbs are being shut down, so check your booking’s permit number if you’re not in a hotel.
- The Baguio City Walk Tour program now covers more heritage sites, including the old Mansion House and the BenCab Museum shuttle – book a guided walk at the tourism office.
- Traffic on Kennon Road remains restricted to one-way flow during weekends; use Marcos Highway instead for smoother access in and out of the city.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Half House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing the rear courtyard, away from T. Bugallon Street. These rooms will be quieter and have better airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor (1st floor) rooms and those facing T. Bugallon Street directly – expect street noise from jeepneys, tricycles, and pedestrians early morning until late evening.
Best views
No significant views from this address – T. Bugallon Street is a narrow urban road with mixed residential and commercial buildings. Upper rear-facing rooms overlook a courtyard or neighbouring roofs.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4, especially rear-facing rooms. The hotel is a low-rise building without a lift (typical for 3-star in Baguio), so upper floors are quieter but require stair access.
🔊 Noise notes
T. Bugallon is a busy local street with jeepney routes, tricycle stands, and foot traffic. Expect noise from 6am to 10pm. Also potential noise from lobby or any ground-floor business (common in Baguio 3-star hotels).
Insider tips
1. Bring earplugs if you must take a street-facing room – the jeepney horns are relentless. 2. Book direct and ask for a 'rear courtyard room' – the hotel may not advertise this, but reception can assign it if available.
- 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 — The Half House
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 5 Mbps, suitable for email and browsing); no premium tier; login provided at check-in, one device per room
No lift; all rooms on second and third floors via stairs—no ground-floor guest rooms
Free digital access to Inquirer.net on a shared lobby tablet; no physical newspapers; no PressReader or FT
Check-in 14:00–22:00 (early bag drop available from 10:00); late check-out until 13:00 costs PHP 500, after 13:00 full night charged
Free luggage storage in reception area during your stay; not available for off-site storage
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps, no ramp; no accessible bathroom on premises
No on-site parking; nearest public parking at SM City Baguio (PHP 40 per hour, PHP 200 overnight); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: PHP 20 per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required 3 days before arrival via bank transfer or card; PHP 1,000 incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Gateway Community Church (204 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Bibak Bible Church (389 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Baguio Chinese Baptist Church (425 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Baguio Cathedral (464 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Baguio Center Mall — 181 m · ~2 min walk
Veterans Park — 601 m · ~8 min walk
SLU Museum of Igorot Cultures & Arts — 419 m · ~5 min walk
CCA Theater — 358 m · ~4 min walk
FantasyWorld — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BPI — 121 m · ~2 min walk
Generika — 61 m · ~1 min walk
7-Eleven — 65 m · ~1 min walk
ESO-NICE Baguio UV Express Terminal — 517 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Philippine Peso, PHP
Travellers can exchange money at the airport or in the city, but rates are often poor. Currency exchange centers like Travelex or local banks like BDO offer better rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Baguio, especially in tourist areas. Contactless payments are also available in some restaurants and cafes, but not as common as cash transactions.
Tipping is generally not expected in Baguio, but rounding up the bill or leaving 10-20 PHP for good service is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found at a local street vendor or a 7-Eleven store for around 40-50 PHP.
You can get a budget lunch at a local eatery like a carinderia or a food stall for around 100-150 PHP.
A affordable dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 200-300 PHP for a main course.
The Burnham Park area has a variety of street food options, and Session Road is another popular spot for affordable eats.
SM Supermarket and Robinsons Supermarket are common supermarket chains found in Baguio.
The Baguio Public Market has a variety of affordable shopping options for clothing and souvenirs.
A day pass for the Baguio City jeepneys costs around 20 PHP. From the airport, a tricycle ride costs around 100-150 PHP.
Use the jeepneys or tricycles for transportation instead of taxis, which can be expensive.Avoid eating at touristy restaurants and opt for local eateries for better prices.Shop at local markets or public markets for affordable shopping options.
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 The Half House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BPI — 121 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Generika — 61 m · ~1 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 The Half House?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing the rear courtyard, away from T. Bugallon Street. These rooms will be quieter and have better airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Half House?
Avoid ground-floor (1st floor) rooms and those facing T. Bugallon Street directly – expect street noise from jeepneys, tricycles, and pedestrians early morning until late evening.
Is The Half House noisy?
T. Bugallon is a busy local street with jeepney routes, tricycle stands, and foot traffic. Expect noise from 6am to 10pm. Also potential noise from lobby or any ground-floor business (common in Baguio 3-star hotels).
Which rooms have the best views at The Half House?
No significant views from this address – T. Bugallon Street is a narrow urban road with mixed residential and commercial buildings. Upper rear-facing rooms overlook a courtyard or neighbouring roofs.
What are insider tips for staying at The Half House?
1. Bring earplugs if you must take a street-facing room – the jeepney horns are relentless. 2. Book direct and ask for a 'rear courtyard room' – the hotel may not advertise this, but reception can assign it if available.
What time is check-in at The Half House?
Check-in at The Half House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Half House have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 5 Mbps, suitable for email and browsing); no premium tier; login provided at check-in, one device per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Half House?
PHP 20 per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near The Half House?
You can get a budget lunch at a local eatery like a carinderia or a food stall for around 100-150 PHP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Half House?
A day pass for the Baguio City jeepneys costs around 20 PHP. From the airport, a tricycle ride costs around 100-150 PHP.
When is the best time to visit Baguio?
December to February: crisp air, clear skies, and the city feels alive without the kind of crush you get in peak season.
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.