Being the most visited tourist destination in northern Luzon, famous for its mountain air, cool weather, local culture and strawberries, Baguio City has seen a robust emergence of new hotels and inns, but older ones still stand firm, some undergoing refurbishment or adding new twists.
Golden Pine Themed Hotel is becoming one of the city’s recognizable landmarks, favored for its strategic location in the city proper, near famous attractions such as the Burnham Park and Session Road. The hotel was built on a vision of Gonzalo Ong, Sr. and Charity Ong, patriarch and matriarch of the Ong family of Baguio, in late 1990s. They conceived of building a hotel on an empty lot, just two blocks away from family residence on Otek Street, and Golden Pine opened on 2 November 1999.
After several years and the area becoming busier, the family home was converted into a Chinese restaurant, Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant. On the same site and guided by Charity’s inspiration, the family expanded the property into another hotel, the Paragon Hotel and Suites, which opened in October 2014, with the restaurant becoming part of the hotel.
Over the years, the two hotels, which remain family-owned, consistently offer comfortable accommodation to visitors and locals alike as well as serving as hubs for dining and events.
“While Golden Pine Themed Hotel invites travelers into a playful, colorful, and immersive world, Paragon Hotel and Suites provides a more refined comfort and sophistication,” Golden Pine’s hotel manager Cristina Mae A. Angara said.
“At Golden Pine Themed Hotel, most of our guests are families and young travelers seeking a unique experience. Many are parents traveling with children, couples looking for a fun and memorable stay, or groups of friends who want to explore Baguio in a more playful, immersive way,” she elaborated.
She continued, “For Paragon Hotel and Suites, the profile is a bit different. It’s popular among business travelers, couples, and guests seeking a quieter, more refined experience. Its proximity to Session Road and Burnham Park, combined with the sophisticated ambiance and the well-loved Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, makes it a top choice for guests who value convenience, comfort and great dining.”
“In short, Golden Pine appeals to the heart and imagination, while Paragon appeals to elegance and practicality, giving travelers two distinct yet complementary experiences,” she said.
Aside from offering rooms, the hotels serves as perfect venues for different kinds events and have become dining destinations, particularly Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, which can accommodate about 200 to 400 diners. It has become a known dining hotspot in Baguio, because of its sumptuous menu of well-loved Chinese dishes. It is also famous for its exquisite dessert, the Snowball. This fluffy cream with mango bits wrapped in delicate skin of rice dough is a must-try when in the city.
On the other hand, Golden Pine’s Super Heroverse Café is cozier and more intimate, good for 50 to 60 diners. But their menu, which offers a mix of Filipino, American, and Chinese dishes, is surprisingly ample. The Filipino offerings are delectably prepared. What stands out about the café are the interiors — quaint and eclectic with chairs upholstered with used jeans and studded with pop culture collectibles — Lego toys, Funko Pop figures and mugs, etc. — adorning almost every nook, cranny and even walls.
Recently, Golden Pine underwent a redo, acquiring touches of colors and imagination, and also auguring the involvement of another family member into the hotel business but more on the creative side. From an overall staid look, the hotel is infused with whimsy courtesy of the founder’s grandson, Jed Steven Cunanan, a certified International Baccalaureate Higher Level Visual Artist from Brent International School Baguio, and an emerging pop artist.
In 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic reached the Philippines, restrictions on social gathering and traveling were imposed. Tourism came to a halt, and Baguio City itself closed off to visitors. The usually busy hotel was on a pause, and this became an opportunity for Jed to let his imagination free helping transform the Golden Pine Hotel to a “themed” hotel.
“Golden Pine is Baguio’s first and only themed hotel, offering an immersive stay where every one of our 38 rooms tells a story. From Marvel and DC superheroes to Disney Princesses, BTS, Blackpink, and many more, each room brings guests into a different world,” Angara beamed. “This makes Golden Pine more than just a place to stay —it’s an interactive experience, especially for families and those seeking something unique and memorable.”
She added, “Guests are often thrilled and amazed when they see the themed rooms for the first time. Many guests say they feel like they’ve stepped into another world, and children, in particular, are always wide-eyed with excitement.”
Themes for the De Luxe Rooms are Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, chocolate, Ghostbusters, NBA, Peanuts, and Looney Tunes, while the Superior Double Room themes are Disney Princesses, Dragonball Z, Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, Harley Quinn, Pokemon, Minecraft, Robin, Avengers, Hanna Barbera, Simpsons, Minions, BTS, Spiderman, Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Mario Brothers, Blackpink, Lego Batman, and Black and White Batman, while the themes of the Superior Queen Rooms are Victorian, Joker, Coca-Cola and Superman, while the Master’s Bedrooms have F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Star Wars. Choose the Executive Suite if you want a Toy Story theme. Meanwhile, the Penthouse is an homage to the Wayne Manor.
“Some of the most popular rooms are our Marvel and DC superhero rooms, thanks to the timeless appeal of these iconic characters. Our Disney Princess room and BTS room are also highly requested, especially by families and younger travelers,” she revealed. “Guests often tell us that staying in these rooms makes their trip extra special, as it becomes part of their travel story — not just a place to rest, but a highlight of their Baguio experience.”
According to Angara, the themes are an important factor for the increase in the hotel’s bookings. “About sixty percent of our guests book with us because they’ve already heard about our themed rooms through social media, word of mouth, or past visitors. Many families and pop culture fans specifically choose Golden Pine for this unique experience,” she divulged. “The remaining forty percent are pleasantly surprised upon arrival, especially those who booked simply for our central location or reputation for comfort. These guests often end up taking photos, exploring the different rooms, and promising to come back to try another theme. It’s always rewarding to see that ‘wow’ moment when they realize how special the hotel truly is.”
The hotels are still being improved, with the management continually “exploring to add more paintings and amenities to keep our offerings fresh and exciting” and “enhancing guest experiences by updating our amenities and continuing to integrate art into the hotel’s atmosphere.”
“In the long term, we hope to create a bridge between the two hotels, offering packages where guests can enjoy both experiences — a fun, imaginative stay at Golden Pine and a relaxing, refined retreat at Paragon,” she emphasized. “Our vision is to cement both hotels as must-visit destinations in Baguio, while staying true to our family’s legacy of hospitality and passion for creativity.”
She also said that plans also include “supporting the local creative community in Baguio, which has such a rich tradition of artistry,” saying that “collaboration with local artists is at the heart of Golden Pine’s identity.”
“Many of the murals and designs in our rooms were created by talented Baguio artists, giving them a platform to showcase their skills to both local and international guests. This partnership adds authenticity and vibrancy to the hotel, while also providing livelihood opportunities and promoting Baguio’s creative culture,” she explained.
While the hotels and Baguio itself continue to transform, the hotels are said to preserve their “core values of excellent service and heartfelt hospitality, while introducing creativity and innovation.” “It’s a perfect blend of past and present — where family tradition meets modern storytelling,” Angara enthused.