Balesin Pines
Balesin
Pines
Alphaland’s Latest Addition to its Posh Portfolio
23 August 2025
Photos: Balesin Pines
When you feel nostalgic for the bygone days of Baguio, when it wasn’t bursting with tourists and became an urban blur, there’s a new destination for you.
Tucked 1,400 meters above sea level within the posh Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges is a rustic countryside sanctuary called the Balesin Pines. Tranquil and exclusive, it offers breathtaking vistas of the mountain ranges of the Cordillera.
Just 17 minutes from Baguio City via the scenic Ambuklao Road, Balesin Pines features 18 sumptuous one-bedroom suites and two signature restaurants: Yum Cha, which serves Asian cuisine, and La Réserve, which offers continental fare.
“Balesin Pines is one of the properties that is part of Balesin Key, a membership that unlocks three properties,” explained Joanna Ongpin-Duarte, the Balesin spokesperson. “As a member, you have access to three properties, namely, Balesin Island, Balesin City, and Balesin Pines. You have eight free villa nights that you can use in any of the properties.”
Balesin Key is the only private membership in the Philippines that offers a comprehensive luxury lifestyle across three exclusive destinations: Balesin Island – a private tropical escape off the coast of Quezon Province; Balesin City (formerly The City Club) – a hub for modern work-life balance in Makati; and Balesin Pines – a serene mountain retreat in Baguio.
Balesin Pines guests can also enjoy the broader amenities of Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges such as The Clubhouse Inn, which features eight cozy rooms, a grand fireplace, a restaurant (indoor and al fresco), lounging areas, and a karaoke room; a 1.2-kilometer hiking trail, with seasonal closures during rainy months, where guests can spot coffee plants and sapinit (Philippine wild raspberry); a mini sports center with a multi-purpose court for basketball or badminton; an open-air photogenic Catholic chapel; and two helipads.
“Balesin Pines is like one building inside that village [Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges] but it serves as [a place] where the Balesin Key member can access. The idea really is when you have a Key membership, you're able to have these luxury-type vacations that are very different. You can do the city, right? You can do sports, you can do business there, socials. You can do the island, which is the beach. And you can do Pines, which is mountains. So, with one membership, you have different flavors. With one membership, you have three different experiences,” Ongpin-Duarte said
At the three Balesin properties, there may be subtle but unmistakable unifying hints like the color scheme of the interiors or the choice of décor that make them distinct.
“So, you can see there are signature elements to the design, but it's more of the service and the experience. Balesin is so unique in the sense that where can you find a membership that gives you access to three properties, right? And our flagship, Balesin Island, it's so unique in the sense that it's only 30 minutes away from our bay. But when you arrive there, it's like 500 hectares of so many different varieties and villages,” said Ongpin-Duarte.
The island has seven restaurants with different smells such as Indonesian, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Italian, and Greek.
“So, it's very unique in that sense that you can do so many things, and there's so much variety. So, you can stay a whole week, two weeks, without repeating a restaurant. Or even if you’ve been repeating it, you won't get tired,” Ongpin-Duarte assured.
“So that's the difference between Balesin and maybe going to a luxury resort in Cebu or in Palawan where normally it's one resort, one hotel with just three or four restaurants,” said Ongpin-Duarte. “But normally, these island resorts have only one restaurant. And just after two or three days, you’ve done everything. In Balesin, after one, you haven't done everything.”
A Posh Portfolio
Alphaland Corporation, which is engaged in real estate acquisition and development, considers itself “unique in that we are very selective in the property development projects that we undertake. We focus only on high-end and top-of-the-line properties.”
And, its dictum is: “We do not intend to be, and will never be, all things to all people.”
Indeed, the latest addition to its posh portfolio, the Balesin Pines, situated within the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges, is as exclusive as it gets. Part of the covetable Balesin Key, members get to enjoy the soothing vistas of the Cordilleras. Less than 20 minutes from Baguio City via the scenic Ambuklao Road, it offers much-needed respite from the frenetic urban pace.
Becoming a Brand
“Balesin Island, our flagship development, or ‘Balesin,’ has become a household name to our target market as well as to the public. This inspired the extension of the ‘Balesin’ name to our Balesin Key properties,” explained Emerald Banares-Torres, vice president for marketing and special projects of Alphaland.
“Moreover, in response to the evolving needs of our current and potential members, and in consideration of previous member requests to use their eight free villa nights a year at Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges, we have expanded the former Balesin Island Club membership into Balesin Key,” Banares-Torres said.
The Key grants members access to three stellar properties—Balesin Island (a private island paradise off the coast of Quezon Province), Balesin City in Makati (formerly The City Club, a hub for leisure, wellness, and business in Makati’s Central Business District) and Balesin Pines, a tranquil escape in the North.
Designer Uniforms
“The concept is classic and comfortable with a local touch to pay homage to the rich culture of the North. The striped detail was based on a design we found from the Mountain Province,” bared Banares-Torres. “Balesin Key’s EVP for hospitality Alain Borgers has known legendary designer Renee Salud for a very long time and was chosen because he understands --- and delivered--- what we wanted for the staff uniform.”
Cuisine from Local Produce
“We also want to be known for our classic, tasty and elegant cuisine—continental flavors in La Réserve, and Asian flavors in Yum Cha,” said Banares-Torres. “We use local produce as much as possible from the Baguio market, especially vegetables, fruits, and spices. Our Arabica coffee is farmed inside the Alphaland Baguio property as well.”
Rustic Luxury
The upscale sanctuary boasts of 18 sumptuous one-bedroom suites. Each room is meticulously designed with local and rustic elements and offers luxurious comfort and amenities. Whether it’s a king or single bed configuration, the plush mattresses are complemented by the pillow menu that will be rolled out soon.
The warm colors, certain fabrics and design elements from Balesin Island are echoed in Balesin Pines and Balesin Key Suites, such as warm-toned upholstery, and the handwoven accent pillows made with T’nalak abaca fibers.
Most rooms include a Japanese soaking tub. Since the tub is made of pine wood, Alphaland’s late chairman, Roberto Velayo Ongpin (RVO), felt it complemented the design and would be a unique feature to have in the log homes. The traditional wooden construction allows the water to stay warm longer.
Acqua di Parma was chosen for the bathroom amenities to match the quality and look of a five-star property. The bathrobes and room slippers are also thicker compared to hotels in Manila to match the cool climate of Baguio.
Indigenous Ingenuity
Local handwoven fabric adds splashes of color, texture, pattern, and culture to Balesin Pines. These are sourced from Narda’s Handwoven Arts & Crafts known for reviving traditional Cordilleran ikat weaving and its innovative designs.
“Narda’s was founded by Narda Capuyan, a friend of our chair and founder, RVO, who discovered Narda‘s back when he was the trade and industry minister. They use inabel fabric, a traditional handwoven fabric. T’nalak handwoven cloth, made by the T’boli people of South Cotabato, is also used to decorate the Pines and the Mountain Lodges,” said Banares-Torres.
“We support local creative communities and their emerging artists and artisans. All of the wood carvings in Balesin Key properties are done by our talented Ifugao woodworkers. We also source from Red Slab Pottery for both Balesin Pines and Balesin Key Suites in Makati—they empower their local community of artisans in Tarlac,” she added.
Rest and Recreation
Besides lounging at the lobby or relishing the comforts of the rooms, members can go hiking, play sports and visit the chapel.
“We’ll have wellness activities such as yoga sessions as well as family-friendly activities at Balesin Pines. Members and guests can also look forward to seasonal offers, and the opening of our Asian restaurant Yum Cha, the Leea Spa, an indoor heated pool, and the gym,” enticed Banares-Torres.
Safety and Security
“Security personnel in Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges enforce exclusive access to the property. Balesin Pines also has standard emergency procedures for earthquake or fire incidents,” assured Banares-Torres. “Balesin Pines has 24/7 transport service available to respond immediately to medical emergencies. On-call nurses are also available 24/7 for assistance, and soon, a clinic will also be available on the ground floor.”
