THE DIPLOMAT HOTEL 

THEN AND NOW 
Location: Dominican Hill, Diplomat Rd., Baguio Benguet 
Wayback 1920’s

DID YOU KNOW?!
*The Dominican Hill Retreat House, also commonly known as the Diplomat Hotel
*In 1911, Domican priest made plan for the construction of a vacation house for them
*It was started construction in 1913 and inaugurated in May 1915
*It was designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño (the same architect of the main building of the current campus of the University of Santo Tomas UST)
*It also used to a school named Colegio Del Santissimo Rosario (1915-1918)
*Historically, Dominican hotel was the first building ever built in the city of Baguio
*During WWII, Japanese Forces invaded the property and turned it into their Hedquarters
*It was occupied by the fleeing refugees from the Japanese anrmy forces
*American Forces bombed the place and partially hit right wings of the building while japanese forces committed suicide
*Between 1945-1947, the building underwent restoration
*The Diplomat hotel Inc., acquired ownership of the property in 1973 and the hotel was managed by Antonio Agapito (he died in 1987 of the ailments) And since his death the hotel ceased operations and was abandoned
*It is one of the most hunted abandoned hotels in the world
*It is now undergoing rehabilitation through the efforts of the city government
*In April 5, 2005, the Diplomat hotel property was conveyed to City Government of Baguio
*In 2013, The entire property was declared as a National Historical site by NHCP
*The whole property on which it stands has been renamed as the Dominican Heritage Hill and Nature Park
*Today, the place is a favorite spot for photography, film making, and one of popularly tourist attraction in baguio