You’re driving up the McArthur Highway, past the sprawl of Tarlac and the endless rice fields of Pangasinan, and eventually, the air starts to smell like salt. Most people heading to San Juan, La Union, have one thing on their mind: surfing. But there’s a specific crowd—families, corporate teams, and travelers who’ve outgrown the hostel bunk-bed life—who skip the beachfront shacks for a massive, white-and-blue building that sticks out like a thumb. That’s Awesome Hotel La Union.
It’s an interesting place.
Honestly, the name sounds like something a middle-schooler would pick for their Minecraft base, but it works because it’s literal. It isn’t trying to be a "boutique sanctuary" or an "artisanal retreat." It’s just a big, comfortable, four-star resort sitting right on the sand. If you’ve spent any time in the surfing capital of the North, you know the vibe is usually gritty, loud, and very "hippie-chic." Awesome Hotel is the outlier. It’s the place where the air conditioning actually freezes you out and the towels are thick enough to hide a small child in.
Is Awesome Hotel La Union actually in the "surfing" part of town?
This is where people get confused. San Juan is the surfing hub, and while the hotel is technically in San Juan, it’s tucked away in the Ili Norte area. This is a bit north of the main Urbiztondo strip.
If you want to be in the middle of the chaos—the late-night parties at Flotsam and Jetsam or the crowded lineup at The Point—you’re going to be about a five-to-ten-minute tricycle ride away. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it’s a godsend. You can actually sleep here without hearing a bass drop at 2:00 AM.
The beach right in front of the hotel is much quieter than the main beach. It’s better for swimming because you aren't dodging longboards every five seconds. The sand is that classic grey-gold volcanic mix typical of the region. It’s wide. It’s clean. Most importantly, it feels private, even though all beaches in the Philippines are technically public.
The Room Situation: Big, Bigger, and "Wait, Is This a Suite?"
One thing you’ll notice immediately about Awesome Hotel La Union is that they didn’t skimp on square footage. Most hotels in the Philippines, especially at this price point, tend to be a bit... cozy. Not here.
The Superior and Deluxe rooms are massive. You could probably do cartwheels in them. The beds are Western-style—firm but plush. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a massive win. You aren't tripping over suitcases. They also have these "Awesome Suites" that come with a bathtub right by the window. You can soak while watching the sunset over the West Philippine Sea. It’s a flex, for sure.
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- Amenities that actually work: The Wi-Fi is surprisingly stable for La Union.
- The Fridge: It’s a real mini-fridge, not those thermoelectric coolers that barely keep a soda lukewarm.
- The View: Try to get a sea-facing room on the upper floors. The ground floor rooms are convenient for the pool, but you lose that horizon line.
What most people get wrong about the price
People complain that it’s expensive. Compared to a PHP 800 hostel bed? Yeah, it is. But when you look at the landscape of La Union hotels, the value proposition is different. You’re paying for the infrastructure.
La Union has a notorious problem with brownouts and water pressure. When the power goes out in San Juan (which happens more than the tourism board likes to admit), Awesome Hotel’s generators kick in instantly. You’re still in the AC while everyone else is sweating through their linen shirts. To a lot of travelers, especially those with elderly parents or toddlers, that reliability is worth the premium.
The hotel usually sits in the PHP 6,000 to PHP 12,000 range depending on the season and the room type. It’s pricey for the area, but it’s consistently full. That tells you something about the demand for comfort in a town built on "roughing it."
Eating and Drinking Without Leaving
The in-house restaurant is... fine. It’s not going to win a Michelin star, but it’s reliable. They serve a mix of Filipino staples and international stuff like pizzas and burgers. The breakfast buffet is usually the highlight. Think garlic rice, longganisa, eggs made to order, and some surprisingly good pastries.
The real draw is the pool bar.
Sitting in the infinity pool with a calamansi martini while the sun dips below the horizon is the quintessential Awesome Hotel experience. It’s one of the few spots in town where you can have a "resort" experience without the pretentiousness of a high-end Manila club.
The "Family Factor" and Corporate Events
If you’re a solo traveler looking to meet people and party, honestly, don't stay here. Go to Urbiztondo. You’ll be bored at Awesome Hotel.
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But if you are bringing the whole clan? This is the spot.
It’s one of the few places in La Union that is genuinely PWD-friendly and accessible for seniors. They have elevators—a rarity in the smaller surf hotels. The pool has a shallow section for kids. It’s safe. It’s fenced. You don't have to worry about your kid wandering off into a crowded bar.
Corporations also love this place for "Teambuilding." They have function rooms that don't feel like depressing basements. It’s a popular spot for weddings, too. If you happen to stay during a weekend, there’s a 50/50 chance you’ll see a bridal party taking photos on the lawn. It adds a bit of life to the place, though it can get a bit loud during the reception.
Nuance: The Service Quality
Service in La Union is generally "island time." It’s relaxed. At Awesome Hotel, they try to bridge the gap between that laid-back surf vibe and professional hospitality. Usually, they nail it. The staff is incredibly polite and they remember your name.
However, during peak season—like Holy Week or Christmas—the seams can show. The restaurant might get backed up, or check-in might take an extra twenty minutes. It’s the reality of a high-capacity hotel in a province. If you go in with the expectation of 5-star Makati service, you might be disappointed. If you go in expecting 4-star provincial hospitality, you’ll be thrilled.
The Surprising History of the Area
Many people don't realize that this part of San Juan was relatively quiet until Awesome Hotel anchored the northern end of the beach. Before the mid-2010s, most development was clustered tightly around the surf break.
The hotel’s presence actually helped push the local government to improve the roads and lighting in Ili Norte. It’s a bit of an anchor for the "quieter" side of San Juan. It’s also close to the Surfing Museum and some of the better-hidden food spots like Gerry’s Grill (for the familiar) or smaller local carinderias that haven't been "Instagrammed" into oblivion yet.
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Let's talk about the pool
The pool is the centerpiece. It’s an infinity pool that looks out over the ocean. It’s well-maintained, which is a feat considering the salt air and the number of people using it.
Is it the biggest pool in the world? No. But it’s designed in a way that you can always find a corner to yourself. The transition from pool to beach is seamless. You can literally walk out of the water, through a small gate, and you’re on the sand. This is a huge plus if you’re a "pool person" but your partner is a "beach person." You can see each other and hang out without having to commit to one or the other.
Technical Details You Should Know
- Parking: They actually have a parking lot. This is a massive deal in San Juan. If you’ve ever tried to park a car in Urbiztondo on a Saturday night, you know it’s a nightmare. Having a secure, on-site spot is a luxury you won't appreciate until you see the gridlock elsewhere.
- Transport: The hotel can arrange vans to San Fernando or even back to Manila. They have a shuttle service to the main surf beach if you don't want to hail a tricycle.
- Eco-Check: They’ve made some efforts toward sustainability—limiting single-use plastics—but like most large resorts, they still have a significant footprint.
Comparisons: Awesome vs. The Others
If you’re looking at Aureo or Thunderbird, Awesome Hotel sits right in the middle.
Thunderbird is in Poro Point (San Fernando) and feels more like a Mediterranean village. It’s much more secluded and further from the surf. Aureo is also big and modern but located in a different part of the coast. Awesome Hotel is the best choice if you still want easy access to the San Juan food scene but want a "real" hotel room to go back to.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
If you’re planning to book, here’s the smart way to do it.
- Skip the Weekends: If you can, go Monday to Thursday. The rates are significantly lower, and the pool isn't crawling with people. You’ll get that "private resort" feel for a fraction of the price.
- Request the North Wing: The views are generally better and it feels a bit quieter.
- Venture Out for Dinner: While the hotel food is convenient, you are in one of the best food towns in the Philippines. Grab a trike to Urbiztondo. Go to Tagpuan for some rice bowls or Sabong for the best fried chicken in the country. Seriously.
- Book the Surfing Lessons Early: Don't wait until you're on the beach. The hotel can hook you up with instructors who will meet you right in front of the property. This is better than the "surf schools" on the main beach because the water here is less crowded, meaning you’re less likely to get hit by another beginner’s board.
- Check the Tide: The beach in front of Awesome Hotel is sensitive to the tide. At high tide, the swimming is great. At low tide, you might have to walk a bit to get deep enough to swim comfortably.
Don't expect a "party vibe." Don't expect a rustic bamboo hut. Expect a solid, reliable, and yes, awesome, base of operations for exploring the North. It’s a place designed for people who want to experience the magic of the West Philippine Sea without having to sacrifice a hot shower and a massive bed.
If you’re driving back down to Manila, make sure to leave early. The traffic in the afternoon can be a nightmare once you hit the Tarlac bottlenecks. Grab some pasalubong—maybe some local honey or those dried fish from the San Fernando market—and enjoy the ride. The North has a way of staying with you long after you’ve washed the sand out of your car’s floor mats.