DIPLOMAT HOTEL
In May 1911, the councils of the
province of the Dominican order voted to construct a vacation house in Baguio on
a 17-hectare property they had acquired when the American authorities were
encouraging people to come here. Actual
work started in 1913 under Fr. Roque Ruano and the building was inaugurated on
May 23, 1925. To take advantage of
the tax exemptions a school called Collegio del Santissimo Rosario was opened in
June 1915 but due to the very small enrollment the school opened in June 1915
but due to the very small enrollment the school closed in 1927, reverting the
building to the original vacation house.
During
WWII it was first occupied by refugees. Later
the Japanese Army Liberation Forces had to bomb out the refugees from the
buildings. The five hits left very
extensive damage and for a time it was left unprepared.
Reconstruction was started in 1947 and completed in 1948 with most of its
pre-war grandeur and beauty restored.
In 1973, Diplomat Hotels, Inc. Acquired ownership, remodeled the interior into a 33-bedroom hotel with modern facilities, but retained the unique and distinct personality of the Dominican Hill. In the 80’s, the hotel ceased operations due to the death of one of its majority stockholders. Plans are underway to develop this historical religious landmark into a tourist resort.