Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner

Arrival in Baguio: Tired, Grateful, and Present

Hi everyone. 🤍

We arrived in Baguio City for a short one-night stay, completely exhausted after waking up at 4:00 AM. This trip wasn’t about luxury—it was about presence, rest, and time with my mom. We checked into Lafaayette Luxury Suites on Military Cut-Off Road, and the city air already felt different—cooler, quieter, calmer.

There was a small city view from the room, the kind that feels cozy more than grand. The room had basics—safe, blankets, slippers, a minibar (very expensive, of course 😅), and a quiet atmosphere that felt conducive to sleep. Nothing dramatic. Nothing overwhelming. Just stillness.

Sometimes that’s enough.

Mother-Daughter Moments

These trips are never just about the destination. They’re about the little things:

– My mom exploring the room
– Her commenting on everything
– Laughing at her one-liners
– Helping her unpack
– Making sure she’s comfortable

There’s a softness in traveling with your parent that hits differently as an adult. Less rush. More patience. More gratitude. More presence.

We rested, planned dinner, and let our bodies recover.

Morning in Baguio: Slow Breakfast, Quiet Joy

The next morning felt gentle.

Breakfast looked good—fried rice, veggies, chicken, frittata, danggit, soup, coffee. Simple Filipino comfort food. I enjoyed it because I’m Filipino. The flavors felt familiar, grounding, nostalgic.

We talked about our plans:
– Camp John Hay
– Botanical Garden
– Mines View Park
– Just walking and exploring

No rush. No pressure. Just being.

Honest Review: Lafaayette Luxury Suites

This is my honest review of Lafaayette Luxury Suites in Baguio City.

I was genuinely excited for this stay.

As an overseas Filipina worker visiting home—and someone who dreams of eventually retiring in the Philippines—I had high hopes. The hotel promised luxury, aesthetics, and an “Instagrammable” experience at a reasonable price.

But honestly… I was disappointed.

The rate was about $120 per night, and the experience didn’t match the price—especially compared to hotels I’ve stayed at in other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

What Didn’t Sit Right

1. The service felt transactional
There was no warmth, no personal connection, no sense of hospitality. For a hotel branding itself as luxury, I expected basic human connection—simple things like:

– “Is this your first time here?”
– “Do you need recommendations?”
– “How can we make your stay better?”

None of that happened.

2. The experience didn’t feel welcoming
WiFi access was frustrating. We were told to scan a QR code, but connection wasn’t smooth.

I was also asked twice if I was part of a conference group, which made me uncomfortable—especially since there were very few guests around.

There was also a promised welcome drink that we never received.

3. The towel incident
The most uncomfortable moment was being charged an extra fee for “misuse” because face and hand towels were placed on the floor—something that was never communicated.

I’ve never experienced this at any hotel before.

Being told we could “just take the towels home” felt humiliating.

It wasn’t about the money—it was about the treatment.

4. Breakfast experience
Breakfast was decent, but not comparable to experiences I’ve had in Thailand or Vietnam.

When my mom asked for her omelette to be cooked a bit more, the response felt dismissive—almost as if we didn’t know what we were talking about.

Bigger Reflections: Tourism, Infrastructure, and Reality

This experience made me reflect on something deeper.

I love the Philippines. I advocate for tourism here. I want to see it thrive.

But the truth is:

The quality-to-cost ratio often doesn’t match what you get in other Southeast Asian countries.

In Thailand and Vietnam, I’ve stayed in beautiful hotels for $30–$50 that delivered true five-star service. In Baguio, I paid more and received less.

Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics.

It’s about:
– Warmth
– Hospitality
– Service
– Respect
– Human connection

Transportation, Access, and Inequality

One thing I appreciate about the Philippines is public transportation efficiency—especially buses. Traveling to Baguio was smooth, frequent, and accessible.

But I also recognize that this system is only accessible to me because I’m Filipino.

I speak the language. I have family here. I understand the system.

For foreigners, navigating public transport is extremely difficult.

Google routes can turn a 4-hour drive into a 12-hour public transport journey due to inefficient routing systems and lack of clear information.

This creates invisible barriers to tourism.

The Hard Truth

We can’t talk about tourism without talking about:
– Infrastructure
– Leadership
– Corruption
– Resource mismanagement

Filipinos are resilient. We survive storms, floods, calamities, and crises.

But resilience shouldn’t replace good governance.

Money exists.
Resources exist.
OFWs send billions home.

Yet systems don’t improve the way they should.

And that affects tourism.

It affects hospitality.
It affects infrastructure.
It affects perception.
It affects experience.

Final Thoughts

This is not an attack.

This is honesty.

I love the Philippines.
I believe in its beauty.
I believe in its people.
I believe in its potential.

But we deserve better systems.
Better service standards.
Better infrastructure.
Better leadership.
Better hospitality culture.

Because real luxury isn’t design.
It’s dignity.
It’s respect.
It’s warmth.
It’s how people are treated.

Baguio is beautiful.
Nature is healing.
The land is rich.
The people are resilient.

And I still believe the Philippines can do better.

This was my honest experience at Lafaayette Luxury Suites, Baguio City.

Thank you for reading 🤍