Native Village Inn in Banaue Retains the Beauty of A Simple Life
When in Banaue, living like a local should be at the top of your bucket list. One of the most popular for tourists to experience such is the Native Village Inn in Uhaj, on your way to the municipality of Hungduan.
Native Village Inn is the place to be if you and your friends are looking for native huts to stay in. It was opened by Graham Taylor, a British expat, in 2009 as a way to offer tourists a place to stay that is similar to what the native Ifugaos used to have back in the day.
Upon entering the “village”, you will first be welcomed to their restaurant, with fantastic views of the rice terraces.
Native Village’s in-house restaurant welcomes you to their abode
Wooden furnishings grace Native Village, giving off a native sophistication like no other
If you want to get a bite before you are headed for Hungduan to see the UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces cluster therein, Native Village Inn is the best place to stop over for delicious and hearty meals. It is also the last place from Banaue with a proper restaurant serving good food, so it is only appropriate to make a pit stop.
Here, you can sample their European and Filipino cuisine starting with their Chicken Curry (Php 320), with vegetables in coconut sauce, served with rice. The rice ultimately balances the kick of spice from the rich and aromatic curry, making it a sumptuous pair to begin with.
Chicken Curry (Php 320)
Don’t forget to also try their Pork Tenderloin Stew (Php 320), tender to the bite and made more flavorful with a side of crunchy hash brown and mixed vegetables. With the combination of textures and flavors, the ensemble draws you in to want for more.
Pork Tenderloin Stew (Php 320)
Everything is prepared fresh from their kitchen, so it’s best to order at least two hours in advance to have your food ready.
Simplicity and Serenity
Deeper inside the village, you will see their accommodations, each giving you a feeling of simplicity and serenity—thanks to its secluded location. It is a great place to relax and get away from everything that has stressed you out during your journey to Banaue.
Imagine waking up in this homey cottage and having the best views you can find in the province
They also installed new view decks where you can dine in overlooking the rice terraces!
Native Village Inn offers seven cottages, two of which are big enough for a family of four. You can get these cottages for Php 1,950/night (for 2 pax), Php 2,650/night (for 3 pax), and Php 3,350/night (for 4 pax).
Please keep in mind all Native Village’s regulations for your safety!
Each cottage has been fitted with modern beddings, although you should not expect a four-poster bed with lavish pillows and an expensive mattress. These are basic accommodations, all kept simple to be as close to the original as possible.
Clean, comfortable beds are waiting for you inside every native house.
Similar to other places that offer native houses as rooms, there are no private bathrooms for each of these cottages. They are separate from the house, just like the olden days. There is nothing to worry about, however, as Native Village keeps the place clean at all times.
What’s more is that not only does Native Village Inn provides good food and clean rooms, but also offers tours of the rice terraces.
So if you’re in for a Banaue full package, head on to Native Village Inn and live like a local!
How to get here
From Manila, using a private car, travel via NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX going to Banaue. This will take you 10 hours of travel time. Reaching Banaue Town Center, head towards the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road, then to Hungduan-Banaue Road. Native Village Inn is located at Uhaj Village.
Details
Address: Native Village Inn Approach Rd., Uhaj Village, Banaue, Ifugao
Check-in: 8 a.m. / Check-out: 10 a.m.
Restaurant: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Last order at 7:30 p.m.)
Contact: 0917-308-9902
This first appeared in Philippine Primer Japanese magazine’s June 2019 issue.
Written by Chin Sanigan
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