One weekend, we wanted to enjoy the heat of the crowded San Juan in La Union, but also stay somewhere we could really chill and have some quiet time afterwards. Luckily, we found Hillside Hostel, a new hostel in Elyu which is perfect for what we envisioned! It is situated in Bacnotan, La Union – just a 5- to 8-minute tricycle drive away from La Union’s surfing capital. See how laidback and cool it is:
The hostel’s well-ventilated common area
Hillside Hostel got its name simply from the reason that it’s beside a small hill.  The whole place is painted white and black accented with rustic furnishings. It makes the hostel Instagrammable in every corner!
Meet the resident of Hillside Hostel, a D&D guitar.
They’ve got plenty of card games, board games, and books to read by both local and international authors.
One of the rooms with four bunk beds
The hostel has several rooms with bunk beds of four, six, and eight on its ground floor, ideal for groups of friends and family. The second floor (with more bunk beds) is currently in the works. More bunk beds in the hostel mean a lot of new friends to make!
Nice and decent accommodations for only Php700
For only 700 per head per night, you can sleep comfortably on a bunk bed in an airconditioned room with a towel, an electric fan, and a lamp beside your bed. You’ll also get a personal locker to keep your stuff safe in while you roam around La Union, the staff can lend you padlocks.  It’s sulit whether for a solo traveler or for a group!
Photo by Eye Know Right
Surfer’s breakfast
Your accommodation also comes with a surfer’s breakfast that includes hot malunggay pandesal, a banana and unlimited brewed coffee from El Union. This is the hostel life you wouldn’t mind getting used to!
The hostel’s dining area
Photo by Eye Know Right
A black and white comfort room
We were very impressed to see the shared comfort rooms down the hall. It comes off as minimalist yet very aesthetic! The owner, says that they want it to be ‘straightforward’. The good news is that the comfort rooms also come with toiletries and bidets!
Photo by Eye Know Right
Cheers to the weekend!
Our favorite part of the hostel, though, is the rooftop. Hillside Hostel’s rooftop is one of the most relaxing places I’ve been to! If you want to watch the sunset in peace while drinking your favorite beer and playing various board games and cards, this hostel is perfect for that! Imagine capping off your day with that scenario while the cool breeze of Elyu adds to the laidback vibe.
It’s right beside Riverfarm restaurant/farm.
To get there, just think of it as going to San Juan. Ride any bus going to La Union and tell the bus driver to drop you off at Riverfarm in the town of Bacnotan. Hillside Hostel is just a few steps away from there! The hostel is also near a hidden gem we recently discovered called Immuki Island, a beach with blue-green lagoons and natural pools. It’s just 30 minutes away from the hostel!
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That was an unforgettable weekend! We were so happy to discover a place away from the loud crowd just when we wanted to relax and enjoy some quiet time.
Hillside Hostel
White Building KM 281.7, National Highway, Bacnotan, 2515 La Union
Instagram: @hillsidehostel
