The Concorde Hotel is in the hills, in a pleasant neighborhood on the outskirts of town center. The large five-story brick building is well constructed, its red roofs emerging from the pine trees. The common areas are very congenial with superb dark, well-polished wooden floors, rustic furniture, statues and Ifugao basketry decorating the corridors of the different floors.

On the first floor, at the back of the reception area is a large window-paned bar where a pianist play in the evening. Also located here are the two restaurants of the hotel: a Chinese restaurant and the Denise Café. The latter has a warm atmosphere with its red terracotta tile floor, wood-beamed ceilings and its terrace with hanging plants and orchids. It has the added attraction of being open 24 hours a day.

A glass-enclosed elevator goes up to the labyrinth of corridors which led to the rooms. The 138 rooms which make up the hotel are comfortable, although the furnishings differ, depending on the categories.

The standard rooms are not recommended as they don’t have windows, only high slots directly opening onto the corridor which can be quite noisy. It is better to reserve a room at the back of the hotel, far from the bar, as the rooms are not soundproof.

The Classic Rooms are the best choice though, these are more expensive than the standard rooms. More welcoming and cheerful, these rooms have French window opening onto a pleasant wooden balcony with a view of the pine trees.

You also have to take a look at the Honeymoon Suite just for curiosity sake. It is furnished with beautiful antique furniture, including an impressive wood and red-brick alcove over the bed

How to get there

By land (7-8 hours) 250 km away from Manila via Kennon Road. Victory Liner has a terminal in Pasay City along EDSA for hourly departures in the morning. By car, take North Expressway at Balintawak and get off at Dau exit. Pass by Tarlac, Urdaneta and Pozorrubio. Before reaching Rosario, take the junction to Baguio (Kennon Rd.)