As I write this piece, my big heart goes out to all the loving pet parents in this world like me. The journey isn’t easy but you know better that it’s priceless! Nothing is measurable living a good life with our furry companions, including how we define success. In fact, having them in our lives is the very reason for our wellness. To many of us, these furry angels are great therapists.
It’s amazing how some pet parents are able to bring their pets on short and far vacations. But, it’s quite hard to see that many are not privileged to do the same and I can relate to this group because I, myself, am under the same circumstance.
This is why most pet parents find vacations as a big challenge! But let’s not allow this to hinder our well-deserved R and R and keep in mind that our beloved pets need it too – of course in the company of their foster parents. So, it’s about time we as pet parents change the way we view vacations as just a leap of faith.
Did you know that the Philippines is blessed with numerous passionate hotel owners who purposely had their accommodations uniquely designed and built with pet-friendly facilities? You’ll be surprised to know that they are actually spread all over the country. In fact, it’s a trending and thriving business culture believed to achieve sustainability in the many years to come.
Let me take you through the top 12 unique pet-friendly accommodations that I find most committed to embracing and looking after the needs of both their human and pet guests. They have been very instrumental in delivering solutions to the vacation goals of all pet owners.
119 Barangay Tipakan, Lipa City, Batangas
Considered the “Holistic Health and Wellness Sanctuary”, this 5-star eco-luxury resort will definitely put you into great shape. If you’re up to a physical and mental healing to rediscover yourself, a worthy stay at The Farm at San Benito is one of the finest gifts you could give to yourself.
Nothing recharges someone quite completely as being around nature and this hotel can exactly fulfil that need for you! You may also like to consider, that, part of the healing process which The Farm at San Benito provides is all the foods served are purely vegetarian to condition your mind and body for an authentic rejuvenating holiday.
Now the best part. You believe your beloved dog also requires fresh air, serenity, and healthy food as well. Then don’t hesitate to bring them along with you because they are totally welcome at The Farm at San Benito. Remember, a healthy dog is a happy dog and a happy dog is a blessed pet parent.
From Manila, it’s about a two-hour drive to the hotel. You can take a bus from Manila for two hours and 30 minutes and get-off at Lipa bus stop and take a cab for about 3.5 kilometers to The Farm at San Benito. It’s a pretty exclusive place so you may want to arrange for a private direct transportation if you’re not driving.
Book your stay now at THE FARM AT SAN BENITO
Aguinaldo Highway, 4120, Tagaytay City
Did you know that Cabins by Eco Hotel plays a big part in saving the environment and the wildlife? It’s a Green Service Hotel with an innovative renewable lodging that is completely different from the typical hotels.
With a business model that is deep-rooted towards the eco-principles of renew, reduce, and recycle, Cabins by Eco Hotel is able to achieve intrinsic strength, wide availability, and significantly low cost materials for its entire lodging.
The hotel uses upcycled materials for its exteriors and repurposed furniture for the interiors. You’ll have no doubt that being the nature and wildlife lovers this eco hotel portrays, it certainly allows dogs to come and sleep with you in their comfy rooms!
It will take you about an hour and 45-minute drive to Cabins by Eco Hotel from Manila via South Luzon Expressway. By bus, the travel time is approximately 3 hours from Manila. Get-off at Olivares Plaza-Batangas bus stop.
Book your stay now at the CABINS BY ECO HOTEL
Pulong Bunga, Brgy. Balite 1, Silang, Cavite
It is a place surrounded by coffee fields and pineapple farms. What a perfect accommodation for guests with pets who are looking to escape the turmoil of urban life.
The best feature of Banio Kreek Farms is the tour of the pineapple farm and it is fully equipped with facilities to accommodate the needs of guests and their pets.
From Manila, Banio Kreek Farms is accessible via the Sta. Rosa exit from the South Luzon Express Way or from Aguinaldo Highway at approximately an hour and a half drive.
If you are taking a bus from EDSA, Quezon City or Pasay City, take the one that goes to Tagaytay and will pass by Silang, Cavite. You can ask the driver to drop you off in Silang (Estrella area). Here you can take a tricycle going to Banio Kreek Farms in Pulong Bunga. Ask the tricycle driver to drop you at the entrance of the resort proper.
Book your stay now at BANIO KREEK FARMS
Agawin Road, Brgy. Dingin, Pagsanjan, Laguna
You will be dazzled the moment you step-in at the 11-hectare Villa Socorro Agri-Eco Village and Farm Resort and enjoy its position at the foot of Sierra Madre mountain range bounded by Balanac river. At the heart of its lush vegetation are air-conditioned cottages in ranch-style, a pavilion, conference rooms, a recreation hall, and many other features fitting for you and your pets.
From Manila, it’s approximately two-hour drive. If you’re more adventurous, you can take a bus from Manila for about two and a half hours ride going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna up to its end terminal. Ride a jeep going to Pagsanjan and a final tricycle ride going to the hotel that is located along Agawin road.
Book your stay now at VILLA SOCORRO AGRI-ECO VILLAGE AND FARM RESORT
Circle Road, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union
To anyone who has visited the Circle Hostel La Union absolutely believed that the “there are no strangers” mantra is what makes it interestingly unique apart from its famous surf town vibe, an artisanal third wave coffee, a brick oven pizza, and an artsy, hipster, laid-back feel.
The hotel is a secure and cozy place encouraging their guests to hang out together. Usually, the varied sets of guests ultimately end up as buddies.
Can you believe it – their mantra also applies to furry friends too? It’s amazing how Circle Hostel La Union managed to set up its common area to accommodate our four-legged family member and they did it exceptionally well. What an awesome discovery for all pet parents out there who prefer the company of dogs to their own kind. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind relaxing getaway you must try with your puppers.
The hotel is a 4-hour and a half drive from Manila via North Luzon Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. By bus, you can take the trips bound to Laoag, Vigan, or Abra and get-off at San Juan Surf Resort, San Fernando, La Union. It’s about 6-hour travel.
Book your stay now at THE CIRCLE HOSTEL LA UNION
Rizal Street, Dagupan, Pangasinan
Pangasinan is towards North of the Philippines where Lenox Hotel is said to be one of the finest. It has a contemporary and comfortable setting that makes a perfect place for a family vacation including pets or a getaway adventure with your friends.
Hats-off for its handicapped-friendly and pet-friendly facilities. It’s about three and a half hours drive from Manila to the Hotel via North-Luzon, Subic-Clark-Tarlac, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressways. Lenox Hotel is also accessible via regular public transport route from Manila.
Book your stay now at LENOX HOTEL
55 Socrates Road, Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Subli Guest Cabins is uniquely blessed with a soothing and laid-back environment where guests can enjoy extreme outdoors and quality bonding moments. One of the outdoor must-haves is cooking barbecue for dinner at the cabins’ exotic cooking huts.
Subli Guest Cabins prides itself with pet-friendly facilities and has a spacious garden where guests can spend time with their pet babies and love ones.
The Cabins highly promote outdoor and water activities so get out of your shell and be adventurous. You can also arrange with Subli Guest Cabins for other exciting outdoor activities with your beloved pets.
This hotel is centrally located at the heart of the city in Puerto Princesa and is only a short distance to Mendoza Park, Hartman Beach, San Jose New Market, and Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum. It is an hour and 25-minute travel from Manila via plane.
Book your stay now at SUBLI GUEST CABINS
80 Buton St, Baler, Aurora
This is considered one of the most prominent and pet-friendly 4-star hotel and resort in Central Luzon, Philippines with state-of-the-art facilities. Imagine its vast and luxurious property, with 102 suites located along Sabang Beach, is the preference getaway for those looking to catch some waves in the surf capital or stroll around the beauty of the Philippine sea with your furry babies.
Costa Pacifica is great for both adventure and relaxation. Its Junior Premier Suite gives your pets a bigger space to play around and view the hotel’s glorious landscaped garden.
Drive down to Costa Pacifica Baler from Manila for about 6 hours via Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
Book your stay now at COSTA PACIFICA BALER
Sirangan Street, Barangay Tawog, Caramoan, Camarines Sur
If you want a warm and cozy ambiance of home away from home, La Casa Roa Hostel won’t fail you. It is also the perfect choice for accommodations if you plan for an exciting Caramoan getaway. Do you want to enjoy the island with cliff diving, trekking, paddling, bouldering, rappelling, and island hopping? Then La Casa Roa Hostel will arrange it all for you.
You’ll be pampered by getting immersed with the limestone forest, rich marine life, spectacular lakes, incredible coves, and white sand beaches. The best part for pet parents is to enjoy playtime or walk time with your four-legged babies in the hostel’s calming garden.
Caramoan is about a 13-hour travel from Manila by bus. From Naga Airport, it takes 3 hours and 30- minute drive to Caramoan. La Casa Roa Hostel is at the heart of town and 10 minutes from the port and beach.
Book your stay now at LA CASA ROA HOSTEL
Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
The hotel’s pet-friendly facilities, is what makes Nipa Hut Village a very homey ambiance where guests can feel the warm and comfy surroundings with their pets as if they are in their own homes. Styled in nipa hut village architecture, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor space for relaxing or simply spending time with family, friends, and pets.
Do you want to make it a more memorable stay in Nipa Hut Village? Then try its restaurant that serves luscious foods and escape in the garden with your precious pets.
There are daily flights from Manila to Tagbilaran, which is about an hour and a half. From Tagbilaran Airport, just take a cab to get to the hotel which is about 30 minutes. Nipa Hut Village is just opposite the Lighthouse Restaurant.
The hotel is only walking distance to Loboc River and is approximately a 45-minute drive to a popular tourist destination called The Chocolate Hills. Don’t miss the Tarsier Conservation Area and St. Peter's Church too by the way.
Book your stay now at NIPA HUTS VILLAGE
No.1 Paseo Saturnino, Ma.Luisa Entrance Road, Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu
Do you want to experience a unique vacation in the Queen City of the South? Then stay at The Henry Hotel. What makes it so unique is its contemporary, artistic and energetic interior design which speaks of an extraordinary stay not only in the hotel but also in Cebu City.
What’s even more captivating is the access to its reading room where you’ll get to appreciate various collections of good books and unique board games over a cup of free coffee and snacks to add up to your sanity. There is also an outdoor garden pool to enjoy the tropical weather of the city with your tail-wagging family member.
The on-site restaurant, named Rica's, serves luscious food that are presented with charming art highlighting the aesthetic design of The Henry Hotel. Art enthusiasts will surely fall in love with local paintings, sculptures, and photographs showcased at the Qube Gallery.
The Henry Hotel is located 10 kilometers from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It’s an hour and a half flight from Manila.
Book your stay now at THE HENRY HOTEL
President Manuel Quezon Ave, General Santos City, 9500 South Cotabato
A stay at Hotel Giorgio will take you to the enchanting boulevards of the country's "Tuna Capital." What’s so extraordinary about this hotel is that it has a separate room for your pets.
Take your fur babies to the hotel’s nearby places of interest like the Plaza Heneral Santos, Sanchez Peak Nature and Parks, and the Kalaja Karsts Eco-Tourism Park. A trek to the Amsikong Falls or a plunge at the Bunga Springs will give you a more rejuvenating adventure you shouldn’t miss.
Hotel Giorgio is approximately 30-minute drive from General Santos City International Airport. From Manila, it’s a 2-hour flight to General Santos City.
Book your stay now at HOTEL GIORGIO
For hotels that our outside Manila, relax dear pet parents. You are also allowed to bring your pet babies on planes. Check the guidelines of PHILIPPINE AIRLINES and CEBU PACIFIC AIRLINES, courtesy of PetTravel.com, regarding the proper transport of your pets on domestic flights.
next trip to one or all of these unique pet-friendly accommodations?
Can you imagine the harmony you can create between people, planet, and profit? And don’t you think these hotels deserve high recognition because of the remarkable guest experience they provide?
Will you look forward for these hotels to spread and more new hotels arise with similar business setting over the years? We all should. It will address not only in developing the bond between humans and canines but also in mitigating (if not completely eradicated) the unnecessary abandonment of pets at home.
At the same time, we become conscious of keeping the environment clean, and our pets safe and healthy with our personal initiatives and support to these unique and pet-friendly hotels. What a great way to mitigate climate change. It may seem a little effort to some but it will go a long way.
What are your thoughts?