Camp John Hay, undoubtedly, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the City of Pines. With its facilities spread out in approximately 246 hectares of lush greens and with Benguet Pines predominantly scattered all throughout, Camp John Hay is truly a mountain paradise. Hands down, it is the quintessential getaway.
From its establishment as a rest and recreation base of the American forces in the Philippines in 1903, to the time when General Yamashita and his retreating Japanese soldiers turned it to a concentration camp and, eventually, to the time when it was reverted back to the Americans after WWII, Camp John Hay has undergone major changes, yet, it has retained that charm which has lured countless visitors for decades. Camp John Hay is now owned and controlled by the Philippine government's Bases Conversion Development Corporation.
Camp John Hay boasts of a bent-grass green golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Prestigious tournaments are held there periodically. While the old Main Club had been demolished, in its place is a plush hotel called The Manor. The Manor's outside surface is made of Baguio stones and it has 177 cozy rooms that provide scenic views. Another first class hotel is the Le Monet Hotel.
Within walking distance from The Manor is the Mile Hi Commercial Center. There are stores and restaurants clustered within its flat area. Notable among these business establishments are Camp John Hay Commissary, Nike, Adidas, Levi's, Bijoux Terner, Mile Hi Diner, Brothers Burger and Carlos Pizza.
One activity worth doing within the base is walking through narrow, paved paths that snake through tall Benguet pines. Sights of lovely flowers of different colors, trimmed green grass, hanging bridges, benches overlooking a ravine never fail to arouse the romantic and poetic inclination in each and everyone.
There are about 115 thousand Benguet Pines within Camp John Hay. And they continue planting more. Camp John Hay authorities keep on finding ways to improve the mountain resort while, at the same time, preserving the natural wonders that have been there for many, many years. Camp John Hay is Baguio City's pride. It is P.I.'s priceless gem.
- Konted
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| This is Ordoño Drive in Camp John Hay. |
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| Le Monet Hotel along Ordoño Drive is a newly-built hotel inside Camp John Hay. It has 70 luxurious rooms. |
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| Beautiful garden in front of Le Monet Hotel. The hotel was named after French painter Claude Monet. It is affiliated with the World Hotels group. |
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| Transportation is not a problem inside the mountain resort. |
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| Food outlets near Le Monet Hotel |
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| Entrance to The Manor Hotel |
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| The Manor Hotel |
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| Right wing of The Manor Hotel |
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| Left wing of The Manor Hotel |
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| There is an abundance of Benguet Pines throughout Camp John Hay. |
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| Beautiful yellow and orange flowers in front of The Manor Hotel |
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| Mile Hi Center is a commercial arcade near The Manor Hotel. |
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| Mile Hi Center boasts of stores offering branded items at low prices and of restos serving good food. |
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| Mile Hi Center can be reached via the main gate at Loakan Road or through the Baguio Country Club Road. |
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| Delicious burgers from Brothers Burger |
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| Old-time favorite Mile Hi Diner |
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| It takes u back in time. |
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| Grocery store inside Camp John Hay |
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| Baguio woodcraft at Mile Hi Center |
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| The golf course at Camp John Hay is world-class. |
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| The 18-hole golf course was designed by Golden Bear International. |
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| Camp John Hay is under the management of JHMC. |
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| Beautiful paved walkway inside Camp John Hay |
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| Colorful flowers are everywhere. |
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| There is also an abundance of the Marguerite Daisy flowers inside the base. |
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| Paved walkway leads you to high quality apparel stores. |
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| Another store under the shade of Benguet Pines |
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| The walkway seems endless. |
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| The Marguerite Daisy Flowers bloom mainly in summer. |
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| Time to go, time to stop taking photos as my Baguio tour guide Peter Mabanta is blowing his horn. |
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| Old photo taken 23 years ago, a few months before a killer quake hit Baguio City. Albert was only one year old. This was taken near Scout Hill Snack Bar and Ice Cream Parlour inside Camp John Hay. |
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| Allen, then 12 yrs old, Albert, 1 yr old and Alex, 14 yrs old, with their Mom, Tita Deborah and Tito Armin. |
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