Hotel Veniz

Rooms and decor

Picture a 3-star that has stood in the middle of Baguio for years, right on the corner at No. 1 Abanao Street — that's Hotel Veniz. The building is an older style that has weathered plenty, carrying the feel of a downtown hotel that generations of travelers have come to know. Rooms come in several types, from a compact standard for couples or solo travelers up to a roomier family option that sleeps more. The look is plain and unfussy, leaning casual and easygoing — more like staying at a relative's place in a cool-weather town than a plush hotel. Open the curtains in some rooms and you'll see the busy downtown buzzing below, which suits anyone who likes being right in the middle of the action.

Food and amenities

It's an older-style hotel, but Hotel Veniz still covers the basics for an easy trip. The front desk runs 24 hours, which helps a lot if you arrive late or want a hand calling a car and asking for directions, and plenty of reviews call the staff friendly and helpful. The highlight many guests like is the in-house massage spa — handy for resting your legs and back after a full day walking Baguio, with no need to hunt for somewhere outside. There's an in-house restaurant for breakfast and simple meals, plus free Wi-Fi, parking, and laundry service for longer stays. Overall the amenities are simple and straightforward, just enough to make this a solid base for getting around town.

Location and getting there

If there's one ace here, it's the location. Hotel Veniz sits on Abanao Street, the dead center of Baguio, and a few minutes on foot from the door gets you to Burnham Park, the central park with a lake for paddle boats and space to ride a bike. Turn a little further and you hit Session Road, the main walking strip lined with restaurants, cafes and dessert shops. SM City Baguio and the evening night market — where they sell winter jackets and cheap souvenirs — are all within walking distance too. Put simply, stay here and you barely need to call a car: walk out, sightsee all day, and come back to sleep right in the center. For anyone who wants to do Baguio mostly on foot, this spot is hard to beat.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide — the most common gripe is the dated, worn feel of the building and rooms, since this is an older hotel that's been part of town for years. Furniture and bathrooms in some rooms aren't fresh, so anyone expecting spotless modern polish may find it plain. The other point is noise: it sits in a very busy central area, and rooms facing Abanao Street can catch the racket of the market and traffic — if you're a light sleeper, ask for a room facing the interior. And as an older-style 3-star, the facilities are simple, with no swimming pool or fancy gym like a newer hotel. If those matter to you, look elsewhere; if location and price come first, these limits are easy to live with.

Our take

After reading through plenty of real guest reviews, our team sees Hotel Veniz as a hotel that sells a central Baguio location and a friendly price with full confidence. If the trip in your head is walking to Burnham Park in the morning, grabbing coffee on Session Road, shopping for souvenirs at the night market in the evening, then coming back to sleep in the middle of town without blowing the budget, this is a tidy fit. But if you're expecting a new, plush room and full facilities like a higher-end hotel, the building's age may feel off. Overall we give it 8.0/10 — best for walkers, budget travelers and families who value a pinpoint-central spot and good value over a brand-new room.