Casa Vallejo Hotel Baguio Review: A Stay in a 1909 Historic Building

I turned 41 last month. And I didn’t plan a party.

Funny how we treat birthdays like milestones, when it’s really a stroke of luck that we were conceived at all, let alone survived the swim out into the world. Yet, a life is a gift. And perhaps, that alone might be worth celebrating.

Whatever the reason people celebrate or don’t, my 40th was different. I traveled.

This Casa Vallejo Hotel Baguio review starts there: two nights in September 2025, a building from 1909, and a brownout I did not see coming.

Just me, my sister, and Baguio

I went with my sister, who I hadn’t spent much time with lately. She’s the easiest person to convince, because she doesn’t have kids or a husband (yet). I believe as a woman, mom or not, one needs girl time and tons of pictures (without anyone complaining).

So we went uphill. No kids in tow this time, though the trips with them are fun in their own way.

No plan, on purpose

We had no itinerary. Just a plan to chill in Baguio.

A hike.

A walk to the nearest coffee shop.

A stroll through a mall with no air conditioning. Random wanders in a real park (Burnham Park), the kind every part of the Philippines should have.

We biked, we hiked, and we walked in the rain, because it was September and the rain was part of the deal.

Some mornings, after cycling at Burnham Park, sheets of rain soaked our clothes, shoes and socks. Other times it was just a drizzle, spraying enough water to keep our skin cool on the Camp John Hay trail.

Baguio is busy and bustling, but the air is cold and fresh. It’s so walkable, with hiking spots, gardens, and small, cute coffee shops everywhere.

Why I picked Casa Vallejo

Honestly? Budget and location.

Casa Vallejo sits on Upper Session Road, close to SM Baguio and right next to food spots, including our favorite place for a thick, warm chocolate drink, Tsokolateria Artisanal Cafe. It’s a low building, not a high-rise.

Everything is made of wood and smells like it. The floors are shiny but old, the furniture matches, and there are books everywhere. It’s like a library pretending to be a lobby.

We stayed in the Honeymoon Suite, a 25 m² room with a big bed and a street view. It’s only a queen, but it was big enough for two adults our size. We crashed the moment we arrived, like we had jet lag from the 6-hour bus ride from Cubao to Baguio.

A little history

Casa Vallejo was built in 1909 as a dormitory for the workers who helped develop Baguio during the American colonial period. It became a hotel in 1923. Later it sheltered foreign nationals during World War II, and after the 1945 bombing of the city it served as temporary classrooms.

Today it’s one of Baguio’s oldest surviving historic buildings. Sleeping there felt like staying inside the city’s story. (Source: National Historical Commission of the Philippines, 2019.)

Power outages: what remote workers should know

I was working remotely when the power went out. My work depends on strong WiFi, and that went out too.

We were told the hotel doesn’t have a generator because it’s a green property. Whoa. A hotel with this much history, and no backup power.

The brownout was short, though. We thought about going out for a walk but decided against it. Instead, I told my boss I had to sit it out and would send an update once the power was back. If you need nonstop power for work, plan around it and bring a power bank.

Breakfast

Breakfast was a set meal, and it was great. An omelet. Silog. A fruit platter. The typical, done well, and delicious.

What should be just an ordinary breakfast was made extra special by the high ceiling and a view from the large windows in the restaurant.

What it cost

When we stayed in September 2025, we paid about ₱3,390 a night before taxes for the Honeymoon Suite. That was ₱6,780 for two nights, or ₱7,594 in total with taxes and fees, and it included breakfast, free WiFi, and parking.

Today, Agoda shows Standard Rooms from around ₱1,960 a night on a weekday, and the Honeymoon Suite from around ₱2,700 a night, before taxes and fees. Breakfast is now optional at ₱600 per person. Rates change by date, so check current prices.

Who this stay is for

• Travelers who care more about location and character than a fancy lobby.
• Anyone who wants to walk to food, coffee, and SM Baguio.
• History lovers who like sleeping in a building from 1909.
• Girl trips, couples, and solo travelers who like a no-plan weekend.

Maybe skip it if you need guaranteed power for work, or if you want a big modern hotel with every amenity.

Quick facts

• Stay: Sep 2 to 4, 2025 (2 nights)
• Room: Honeymoon Suite, 25 m², one queen bed, street view
• Rate then: about ₱3,390 a night before taxes (₱7,594 total with taxes and fees)
• Included then: breakfast, free WiFi, parking
• Location: Upper Session Road, Baguio, near SM Baguio
• Built: 1909
• Power: no generator, and we had a short brownout
• Booked through: Agoda
• My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

My verdict

I didn’t plan a celebration, and I still got a birthday I’ll remember. Cold air, good food, my sister, and a very old building that kept the lights off just long enough to make a story.

Would I stay at Casa Vallejo again? Yes. I’d just charge my laptop first. And my hotel rating? I give it 4.5 stars.

Check rates for Casa Vallejo on Agoda (affiliate link: I may earn a small commission at no cost to you).