High in the mountains of Itogon, away from the bustle of Baguio City, Alphaland’s latest offering is quietly taking root.
Opened in May, Balesin Pines is a members-only lodge designed to bring guests back to “the Baguio of 50 years ago”—cool, quiet, and surrounded by pine trees.
Located 4,590 feet above sea level along scenic Ambuklao Road, the property is part of the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges estate. With only 18 one-bedroom suites, Balesin Pines was built with exclusivity and retreat in mind.
The structure is clad in imported pinewood from Europe, with some rooms featuring Japanese-style soaking tubs. Furnishings feature carved woodwork and handwoven accents, many crafted by artisans from Northern Luzon.
“There are a lot of local touches,” said Alphaland vice president for Marketing and Special Projects Emerald Banares-Torres.
“You have the Narda’s [handwoven fabrics], the carved pieces from Ifugao, and the staff uniforms by Renee Salud using Mountain Province patterns.”
Members can dine at two signature restaurants: Yum Cha, which serves Asian cuisine, and La Réserve, which offers continental fare. Starting September, the property will introduce raclette and fondue to the menu, adding a seasonal alpine flair.
“It was part of RVO’s plan,” said Balesin spokesperson Joanna Ongpin-Duarte, referring to the late Alphaland chairman Roberto Ongpin.
“Before he died, he planned this out. Because our members were saying, ‘We want to also use our nights in Baguio.’ So, the idea actually came from our members.”
She was referring to the free villa nights that come with Balesin Key membership—originally redeemable only on Balesin Island. The lodge was developed to meet the growing demand for highland stays.
The lodge sits within Alphaland’s 82-hectare Baguio development, though Balesin Pines itself occupies only a portion. Guests also have access to the broader amenities of the Mountain Lodges, including a hiking trail, a sports court, and an open-air chapel with panoramic mountain views.
“This used to be a farm,” Ongpin-Duarte said, adding that sustainability remains central to how the property will grow moving forward.
“We get our vegetables from the local market, but I think now that everything is built, we can start [growing produce] again.”
With only 18 rooms available, the property has already seen high weekend demand since its soft opening.
“We were almost sold out last weekend,” Ongpin-Duarte said. “People are coming…,” Banares-Torres added.
While no expansion is confirmed, Ongpin-Duarte acknowledged that interest could eventually lead to more rooms if demand continues.
A spa and indoor pool are under construction and expected to open before the holidays, but the current experience focuses on thoughtful design and a sense of place—without flash or crowding.
Marketing is intentionally low-key. “Most of our sales are actually done by word of mouth,” Ongpin-Duarte said. “It’s not a hard sell.”
Balesin Pines is open only to members of Balesin Key. This lifetime membership grants access to three exclusive properties: Balesin Island in Quezon, Balesin City in Makati, and now, Balesin Pines in Benguet.
When asked what kind of lifestyle the membership caters to, Ongpin-Duarte said, “It’s for people who enjoy going out of town… They want to go to places like the island or here, where they feel part of a community, where it’s safe, not too many crowds.”
With its blend of rustic charm and exclusivity, this highland escape offers an alternative for those seeking a quieter side of Baguio—one that still smells of pine, hums with stillness, and feels like coming home.
