As a traveler, you’re always looking for the best of what your destination has to offer. After all, there is something special about experiencing culture and history in new ways. However, sometimes the best way to experience history is from within—and that’s exactly what these Historic Hotels in the Philippines offer.
These Historic Hotels in the Philippines are not only places with a story to tell, they are also placed with a history to keep. So, we’ve gathered some of the most beloved heritage hotels in the Philippines to check out on your next trip!
The Henry Hotel Manila
The Henry Hotel Manila is a boutique heritage hotel located in Pasay. From the outside, it looks like a bunch of apartment heritage houses that have nothing special to offer. You’ll be surprised how vintage can be so hip!
World-renowned interior and furniture designer Eric Paras designed The Henry Hotel. So, it’s no surprise how the mid-century interiors were craftily blended with modern amenities and contemporary details.
They restored the original exterior style of the building. The wooden windows and doors are painted white instead of black as they would have been during its construction 150 years ago. The building also features an European-style façade with columns supporting an archway over the entranceway.
There’s just the perfect combination of old-world comfort and contemporary amenities, ready to accommodate modern travelers who want to have a refreshing experience. That’s why this historic hotel is worth a visit!
Peredo’s Housing Lodge
The Peredo’s Housing Lodge is one of the most notable ancestral houses in Baguio. Engr. Roque Peredo built the house in 1915, and has been a popular tourist destination since then.
This house stood the test of time. And even witnessed some key events in Philippine history. It survived the bombing of Baguio by American forces and the devastating 1990 Baguio Earthquake.
You can still see the original layout and some of the original furnishings throughout the property. Which is impressive even after several renovations and modernizations. It has two floors, a living room, a dining room, and a spacious second-floor balcony.
The balcony has a wonderful view of Baguio and its highland landscape. Plus, there’s a lovely garden just outside the housing lodge. And the best way to enjoy the chilly Baguio weather is by sitting on the porch, sipping a hot cup of coffee or chocolate.
Casa Vallejo
They built Casa Vallejo in Baguio in 1909, and it is considered as the oldest hotel in the city and one of the Historic Hotels in the Philippines. In fact, the Baguio Centennial Commission even recognized it as one of the 10 oldest institutions in the city.
The hotel is made of wood, galvanized iron, and sawali, and looks very modest from the outside. While inside, the furnishings actually made it resemble a Western country farmhouse. The ambiance is very homey and welcoming, if you ask us.
Casa Vallejo only has 24 rooms for guests. So if you want something intimate, exclusive and private, then this is the place for you to stay. We would also recommend this place if you want to be near notable destinations.
The hotel is just a stone’s throw away from Session Road, SM Baguio, Burnham Park, and a bunch of bars and restaurants.
La Casita Mercedes
Makati City is one of the most modern and progressive cities in the Philippines. So La Casita Mercedes truly stands out in this bustling city! They built the heritage structure in 1939, before the Japanese occupation and World War II.
The owners renovated the house and turned it into a charming bed-and-breakfast in 2015. What’s great about this house is that despite the renovations, La Casita’s vintage design was preserved.
The white facade and colorful tiled floors are very refreshing to look at. Meanwhile the courtyard and breakfast nook make very relaxing hangout spots during the midday. The house has a total of eight bedrooms, all of them having antique furniture.
Ciudad Fernandina Hotel
Vigan City is popular for its cultural and heritage sites. And if you’re a history buff, there’s no better way to travel back in time than to stay at Ciudad Fernandina Hotel.
The hotel was built in 1758 and owned by Don Francisco de la Encarnacion and Dona Rosa Anastacia. Ciudad Fernandina Hotel is located on Plaridel Street, within the UNESCO-protected Vigan Heritage Village.
Dr. Benito Purugganan Jr. and his wife, Yolanda Guerrero bought the property and renovated it into a hotel in 2007. Although it has become more updated and modern, they were able to keep Ciudad Fernandina’s classic and ancestral features that’s why it is one of our picks for the best Historic Hotels in the Philippines
One of the most notable (and IG-worthy) parts is the magnificent grand staircase. The hotel has suites, dormitory spaces, a function room, an in-house spa, a restaurant and cafe, a small chapel, and a charming courtyard.
Hotel Luna
Located in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Hotel Luna is a boutique hotel that will transport you back to the past. UNESCO recognised this first and only museum-hotel in the Philippines as a World Heritage Site. And Hotel Luna is now in its second century of existence!
Don Jose Florentino built the hotel in 1882 as a wedding gift to his doctor. Today, Hotel Luna is a four storey hotel that mixes old-world charm and modern aesthetics that will surely mesmerize any traveler.
The Spanish colonial architecture has been perfectly preserved. Meanwhile the inside of the hotel is filled with a huge collection of precious paintings and art pieces. Keep your eyes peeled for the 20-foot mural wall by artist Rene Robles.
There’s also an art gallery on the 2nd floor. There, you’ll see original artworks by Juan Luna and BenCab. being one of the best Historic Hotels in the Philippines, Hotel Luna is the place to be if you’re a history buff or an art enthusiast (or maybe even both!).
Sulyap Bed and Breakfast
Sulyap Bed and Breakfast is located in San Pablo, Laguna. This bed and breakfast offers a “taste of the past,” as it offers cozy accommodations and sumptuous Filipino dishes.
It has a homey feel with its two-storey heritage house and rooms that are both rustic and elegant. Sulyap embodies Antillean architecture, a type of European architecture that originated from Central America and was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines.
The two-hectare property has five casas that are restored and furnished with hardwood flooring, antique furniture, and capiz shell windows.
But this place is popular for the multi-awarded and world-renowned Sulyap Gallery Cafe. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine and beverages that truly embody the finest of Filipino heritage. There’s also a museum within the property, where you can appreciate antique collections and religious artifacts.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
For us, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is the perfect place for appreciating all aspects of Filipino culture. This heritage hotel which is one of the best Historic Hotels in the Philippines is located in Bagac, Bataan and it has 128 guest rooms and 63 carefully-restored Filipino-Spanish casas (houses).
The ancestral homes all over the property were disassembled from their original location and reconstructed. Entering one of the casas feels like time traveling to the Spanish colonial era.
And besides the beautifully restored Spanish-Filipino houses and structures, the immersive heritage tours and workshops are the best thing about Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. You can make your own fiberglass mosaic piece with the in-house artists, ride a balsa down the Umagol river, tour across the villages and ancestral houses, and even watch the in-house performers do cultural shows.
For a more in-depth review of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, check out our blog.
Interested for more Hotel Reviews? Check this one out: Okada Manila, Finest Entertainment Hub Sofitel Plaza, Rooms with French Elegance or maybe perhaps The Peninsula Manila, One of the first luxury hotels in Makati.
