Claude Monet (photo from wikipedia)
Claude Monet was a founder of French impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement’s philosophy of expressing one’s perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscape painting (wikipedia)
Many years back, I went to his house in Giverny, now a major tour destination in France. Easily the most memorable images the visitor will have are the many beautiful spots in his garden. The bridge, the lotus pond, water lilies . . . . The garden was his workshop where he taught other aspiring artists, and has become the subject of presumably thousands of paintings by impressionists, including Monet himself.
Such was the influence of Monet to me that when I saw a construction in John Hay that was to be called Le Monet, I told myself that I will stay at least a night in this new hotel once it opens. And so here I am.Le Monet is next door to the Filling Station, a row of restaurants offering burgers, pizzas, Japanese food, and ice cream, among others.
The lobby gives one a preview of what to expect from the hotel rooms. Not grand. Just nice, clean, and impressive.
The famous Dinelli has moved from the Filling Station to the hotel, and is now its coffee shop.
The lobby cafe has a glass window that opens to the pine trees on the road.
And, quite naturally, there is abundance of art, by the masters no less. National Artists all.
Ang Kiukok
Jose Joya
THE ROOMS
There are two types of accommodations. De luxe at P5,500 a night, and Junior Suite at P7,000. I would rate the room 4-star, and I dare say my de luxe room is better than the room I used to stay in at The Manor Hotel.
my de luxe room with a forest view, at P5,500 less 30% (off peak)
there’s cable TV at the bathroom
complimentary coffee and tea – – where’s the other cup?
the other cup was at the veranda, as I had coffee
pine trees all around
the view from my room
The Junior Suite
forest view bath tub in a Junior Suite
Room rates include a sumptuous breakfast for 2 at Dinelli. My breakfast consisted of macaroni salad, greek salad, and quail egg salad and tender beef tapa, longaniza, corned beef and tocino. Whew, I thought I ate more than I should !
Le Monet is also the only hotel I have been to in the Philippines where there is television in the toilet, separate from the plasma on the wall in the bedroom.I also loved having my morning coffee at the veranda with a forest of pine trees and a view of the mountains. I missed having a drink at the Malt Room, the hotel’s bar where smoking is allowed.Le Monet has wifi, a spa, and a swimming pool (soon). The horse riding trail, the butterfly sanctuary, the eco trail, and picnic tables are just outside the property.
There is a Le Monet Garden being created at the side and the back of the hotel.
how I wish Giverny would be re-created here
I only wish they would re-create Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny. And then the hotel and its garden will truly be a destination.Giverny garden or not, I still love this hotel and will surely recommend to friends and fellow travelers.
WHAT I MISSED :
Cotton buds, cotton balls, and a safe in the room.
Contact Details:
Le Monet Hotel
Ordonio Drive, Camp John Hay
Loakan Road, Baguio City
Trunk Line : 074 6610208
Manila Sales Office
Telephone 3765059
UPDATE : I received an email from Le Monet announcing the special rate, as follows :
Greetings from the City of Pines and Le Monet Hotel!
We have great news for you, your family, and friends. From
June 15 to October 15, 2012, Le Monet Hotel will offer its “VALUE PLUS
PROMO.”
The following are the details of Le Monet Hotel’s Value Plus
Promo:
*Deluxe accommodation for two (2), for as low as Php3,850
net, inclusive of buffet breakfast
*Free accommodation for children age 12 years and below,
when sharing room and bed with parents
*50% discount for children age 5 to 12 years on buffet
breakfast
*Free breakfast for children age 4 years and below
Prior reservation is highly recommended, to ensure
availability of rooms! (end of mail)
THE FILLING STATION
What an appropriate name. Here is where you fill up when you are hungry. And the whole complex is connected to the hotel.
al fresco dining or coffee at the veranda of the Filling Station, with direct access from Le Monet Hotel
pizzas, Japanese, and ice cream
the roadside al fresco seating
LAKWATSA 