Spot Stays: This Bacolod Hotel Has Luxurious Suites for Less Than P5,000
It's a block away from Lacson Avenue.
Stonehill Suites
18th Street corner San Agustin Drive, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Rates start at P4,200 (best available rate)
At a Glance
Room: All rooms are suites, which means you have plenty of space to relax after a tour of Bacolod and nearby cities.
Food and drink: Negrense dishes with a twist.
Staff: It's not called the "City of Smiles" for nothing.
Why you should stay: It's within walking distance from Bacolod's main road, making it a good jump-off point for exploring the rest of the city.
(SPOT.ph) Traveling to Bacolod, no matter how many times you've been there, is always a sweet experience. And we're not just saying that because it's Sugarlandia, but because its people really live up to its moniker as the "City of Smiles." You can easily see this in the quality of service delivered by one of the city's hotels, Stonehill Suites.
What you need to know about Bacolod hotel Stonehill Suites:
Stonehill Suites is a block away from Lacson Avenue, Bacolod City's main thoroughfare lined with many homegrown restaurants. Its proximity to public transportation makes it an ideal home base for a tour around the Negros Occidental's capital, as well as nearby cities and municipalities, like the heritage town of Silay and the beach town of Sipalay.
In an interview with SPOT.ph, Stonehill Suites' Concierge Guide Aljay Paul Balgos pointed out that all of the hotel's accommodations are suites, from the 20-square-meter Deluxe Suite to the 65-square-meter Presidential Suite.
"This is a testament to our commitment to providing an elevated and memorable stay in Bacolod. We believe that a touch of luxury adds to the overall experience, allowing guests to relax, unwind, and create lasting memories," he added.
This elegance is also seen in Stonehill Suites' interiors, although wear and tear are evident on the wooden doors and other wooden corners. The contemporary style, specifically white-washed walls, patterns of black and white on the floor, and artworks as centerpieces and decorations, is seen throughout the hotel.
Also notable are the black-and-white photographs hanging on the walls, each showing day-to-day scenes in Bacolod, such as kids playing around the farms or fisherfolks getting the day's catch. Not to be missed, of course, are scenes from the city's famous Masskara Festival, a colorful event that embodies the Negrense's resilience.
"Our interiors reflect the vibrant culture and heritage of Bacolod, featuring a tasteful fusion of contemporary aesthetics and traditional elements," Balgos said.
Also read:
The Best Things to See and Do in Bacolod in 48 Hours
10 Drool-Worthy Delicacies to Try in Negros Occidental
What to Do
While Stonehill Suites does not have a pool or an in-house spa service, they can easily attend to guest requests for city tours or countryside tours. They partnered with Southwest Travel & Tours, a tourist transport service that has tour packages in Western Visayas. Just don't forget to put on your seatbelt and always remind the guide to drive safely if you're availing of their service.
After a day of tours, you can relax in the hotel's many common areas. You can just plop on its many sofas and couches found on every floor, which are private and quiet enough if ever you suddenly have a Zoom meeting or if you just want to browse mindlessly on your phone.
Where to Eat
Stonehill Suites' F&B outlets are all found on the rooftop, where you can have a view of the busy city. The all-day VUE Restaurant, with Executive Chef Jastine Loreno at the helm, serves local and international cuisines. But their claim-to-fame, of course, are the classic Negrense dishes. Chef Loreno explained that Negrenses are very particular about familiar and comfort food, especially the sweet taste that is common in their dishes—even the ones that are supposed to be spicy or sour.
Not to be missed are their Kadios Baboy Langka (P460 for sharing), a classic Negrense food that's also known as KBL; Stonehill Cansi (P510 for sharing), which is made from beef shank and batuan; and the Negrense Pancit Molo (P280). VUE Restaurant also takes pride in getting local ingredients, especially for their Spicy Sipalay Tuna (P280); and Negrense Crab Cakes (P440), which is made from local blue crab.
Outside VUE Restaurant, there's the Sky Deck and Sky Bar, where you can enjoy cocktails while taking in a view of the city lights.
How to Get There
Stonehill Suites is about 30 minutes away from the Bacolod–Silay International Airport. You may arrange airport pick-up. Bacolod is also accessible via sea from Iloilo and travel time is about 1.5 hours through a fast craft.
Stonehill Suites is at 18th Street corner San Agustin Drive, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Rates start at P4,200 (subject to change, best available rate). For more information, visit Stonehill Suites' website.