If you’re planning a trip to Vigan and want to bring your furry best friend, check out Escolta’s Homey Lodge — a cozy, pet-friendly stay right along Calle Crisologo, the city’s most iconic heritage street. This vintage-meets-modern lodge gives travelers the best of both worlds: that charming old-Vigan vibe paired with modern comforts like AC, WiFi, parking, and warm Ilocano hospitality.
During my search for pet-friendly accommodations, I met Irene, a fellow pet lover and active member of the Pet-Friendly Topics in Manila Facebook group. She recently traveled with her adorable dog Cookie to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and stayed at Escolta’s Homey Lodge. With her permission, I’m sharing our short interview to help fellow furparents who are planning to visit Ilocos and looking for accommodations that truly welcome pets.
Irene’s Pet Travel Experience to Vigan
This wasn’t Irene and Cookie’s first trip together. In fact, they’ve already gone to Tagaytay, Baler, Baguio, and Ilocos before — proving that traveling with pets around the Philippines is definitely possible with the right preparation.
According to Irene, she starts preparing at least a month before every trip. “Dapat iniisip ko na agad yung mga dadalhin niya,” she shared. “Dibaleng magkulang ako ng gamit, wag lang sa kay Cookie.” Her travel essentials always include dog food, treats, toys, pee pads, diapers, and bath essentials like towel, shampoo, and soap.
For this trip, they stayed in Vigan for three days and two nights (3D/2N) and commuted all the way there — proof that pet travel doesn’t always require your own car. To explore the city, they rented a tricycle, which made it easier to move around with a pet.
Almost all of Vigan’s tourist spots welcomed Cookie, except Baluarte, where they left her temporarily with their tour guide. Irene mentioned that their favorite pet-friendly stops were Vigan Cathedral, Bantay Church Bell Tower, Crisologo Museum, and Hidden Garden.
The only challenge? The weather. “Super init that time, tirik talaga yung araw,” she said. “Pero mas gusto ko yun kesa umulan.”
Staying at Escolta’s Homey Lodge
Irene discovered Escolta’s Homey Lodge through Facebook, and before booking, she immediately sent a message to confirm if they were pet-friendly — and yes, they are.
Her first impression was that the place had that classic Calle Crisologo charm — an old building with wooden details and vintage vibes. But unlike some older accommodations that can feel a bit eerie, Escolta’s Homey Lodge felt warm, cozy, and homey.
“It’s super pet-friendly,” Irene said. “Walang bawal at all. Cookie can roam around, and the staff were so kind.” They paid a ₱500 pet fee, and that was the only requirement.
Their room was spacious enough for six adults and one pet, with clean beds and strong air conditioning. While there weren’t many amenities, they loved the mini garden area, a quiet spot where Cookie could hang out and relax.
Comfort, Convenience, and Heritage Charm
When asked about her overall comfort, Irene described the stay as “very relaxing.” The beds were comfy, the air-conditioning was cold, and it was the perfect place to unwind after exploring under the hot Ilocos sun.
She also appreciated the throwback charm of the building — creaky wooden floors, old architecture, and heritage-style interiors that perfectly captured the spirit of Vigan.
Location-wise, Irene gave it a 100% score for convenience. Since Escolta’s Homey Lodge is right along Calle Crisologo, everything was just a short walk away — restaurants, souvenir shops, museums, and more.
Cooking isn’t allowed (no kitchen inside the rooms), but Irene said it wasn’t a problem because there were plenty of local eateries nearby. “After a long day, gusto mo na lang talaga magpahinga at magpalamig,” she laughed.
🐶 Final Thoughts
If you’re heading to Ilocos with your furbaby and looking for a pet-friendly place to stay in Vigan, Irene’s experience at Escolta’s Homey Lodge proves it’s one of the best options around. With friendly staff, spacious rooms, and an unbeatable location along Calle Crisologo, this lodge offers comfort, convenience, and genuine hospitality — not just for humans, but for pets too.
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