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All the Philippines Baguio Old Diplomat Hotel

Old Diplomat Hotel

This eerie abandoned building with a dark history is said to be one of the most haunted places in the Philippines.

Baguio, Philippines

Added By
Kring Demetrio
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The east wing inner gardens from its top floor.   Kring Demetrio / Atlas Obscura User
West wing door porch.   Abigail Misalucha
Abandoned swan boats behind the ruins.   Abigail Misalucha
The fountain in its east wing inner gardens viewed from the ground.   Kring Demetrio / Atlas Obscura User
An old fireplace from one of its abandoned suites.   Kring Demetrio / Atlas Obscura User
Lobby of the old haunted hotel.   Abigail Misalucha
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About

Though it was originally built as a retreat house for friars of the Dominican Order, much of this dilapidated building's history has been anything but peaceful.

The Dominican Hill Retreat House was built in 1913 atop a hill in the famed Philippine City of Pines. With the outbreak of World War II, it became a camp for refugees escaping the Japanese army, but was eventually invaded. The Japanese secret police, the Kempeitai, committed terrible acts of brutality, massacring, raping, and torturing many of the inhabitants, and even decapitating nuns and priests. 

In the 1970s, the wartorn building was converted to the sophisticated and beautiful Diplomat Hotel, but the hotel was shut down by the '80s, and left abandoned. The deserted, deteriorating building became infamous for being one of the most haunted ruins in the country. Various folklore and ghost stories surround its gray and washed-out red walls. Many people saw headless apparitions at night, and reported hearing screams, cries, banging on doors, and other strange and desperate noises. Some believe the building is haunted by the restless spirits of its grim history.

The supposedly haunted ruin attracted an influx of visitors, and the old hotel is now under rehabilitation by the national government as a Heritage and Nature Park. The hotel has two floors and an accessible roof deck with a panoramic view of the city, and its west wing has been cleaned and remodeled as an event space. It's now a place to experience both beauty and eeriness in Baguio City's cold climate.

Related Tags

Haunted Hotels Abandoned War History World War Ii Military

Know Before You Go

It is advisable to take a cab to get to the infamous ruin. Cabs are easily accessible and abundant in Baguio city. There is a small cafeteria outside of the main building for anyone who gets hungry. The site is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

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Added By

Kring Demetrio

Published

November 2, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.aswangproject.com/baguios-haunted-diplomat-hotel/
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attraction_Review-g298445-d5973416-Reviews-Diplomat_Hotel-Baguio_Benguet_Province_Cordillera_Region_Luzon.html
Old Diplomat Hotel
Diplomat Road
Baguio
Philippines
16.403864, 120.586636
Get Directions

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