Located in the central part of Vigan, Villa Angela is a charming, beautiful old house built in the middle of the 18th century. It is still filled with traces of the past, as it was not subjected to major renovations since its construction. The two-story house nestles at the end of a small, quiet garden. A stone staircase leads to a terrace, then to a vast entrance hall divided into several rooms; a spacious and bright music-cum-reading room and four other rooms. A part of the entrance hall was transformed into a dining room. Everywhere, the plank floors are made from magnificent gleaming dark wood.

The high-ceilinged salon, with pale blue trompe-loeil walls, opens onto the street through large capiz windows. Wood and wicker sofas, planter’s chairs, rocking chairs, and wooden chests inlaid with mother-of-pearl, jostle alongside musical instruments, pianos and harps. Family portraits hang on the walls, a well as a large Venetian mirror.

The large rooms with four-poster beds are very romantic, though only one is air-conditioned with ts own bathroom. As such, it must be reserved in advance. However, this is a little importance given the great opportunity if staying in an old villa such as this one.

The kitchen is welcoming, with its well-polished wooden table, white walls adorned with an odd assortment of kitchen utensils, green-colored crockery and an original collection of wood and wicker hats.

Depending on your mood, you may chose to eat your meals in the garden, in the kitchen or in the dining room… though why not try all three? It may be interesting, if you are with a large group, to rent the whole villa, and take advantage of the available special rates.

The manager, knows Vigan perfectly well; Villa Angela belongs to her family. She can help you in your discovery of Vigan, notably by providing a guide, enthusiastic about the history which you will encounter in the old houses that are normally not open to the public. She can also arrange to take you in a carriage — a pleasure in itself — to visit her workshop that makes reproduction of antique furniture and a pottery shop producing baked earthware — a specialty of the region.

How To Get There

By air and land, 55 minute flight on PAL (4 weekly flights) from Manila to Laoag. 1.5 hours by the hotel’s chartered van from Laoag to Vigan (80km).

By land, 407 km from Manila, Take North Expressway at Balintawak and get off at Dau exit. Take North Diversion Road to MacArthur Highway. Before reaching the coastal road along which Vigan is located, you will pass by Angeles City, Tarlac, Urdaneta, Pozzorubio and Rosario. Then proceed further north passing by San Fernando (La Union) before reaching Vigan.

More photos here

About the Author: WayPH

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