Resorts & hotels in San Juan, La Union
The province of La Union has plenty of beaches facing the West Philippine Sea. But for surfing in particular, tourists are drawn to a particular town, San Juan, peppered with gastronomic finds, bars, and surf spots.
With everything it has to offer, this surf town will make you want to stay for as long as you can. So for those who simply want a good place to crash or looking for great amenities and food, we’ve listed below La Union resorts and hotels to check out for your next beach vacay in San Juan.
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How long is the travel from Manila to La Union?
Travel from Manila to La Union takes about 5 hours by car, provided you take the expressways.
By bus, it usually takes 7 to 8 hours from Cubao or Pasay, though Genesis Transport Service offers a quicker travel option that gets you to La Union in under 5 hours.
– La Union resorts and hotels-
1. Kahel Resort – cosy, peaceful resort with great food
Image credit: @kahelresort.launion via Instagram
Kahel Resort is located a five-minute drive away from the party and surfing strip, making it a peaceful place to spend your vacation in San Juan.
This small, beachfront resort that opened in July 2020 has a modern exterior design and mirror glass windows on the exterior that reflect the sunset which is perfect for photos.
You get to choose from garden, sea-view, and seafront rooms starting at P6,000 (~USD109.82), depending on what you find more relaxing.
Poke stackÂ
Image credit: @kahelresort.launion via Instagram
You also won’t need to go to the party strip to get good food when staying at Kahel Resort. Previous guests have spoken highly of this resort’s food, such as their poke stack – fresh tuna, mango, pineapple, tomato salsa, house-made sambal, and sesame-nori aioli on stacked, crunchy wonton.
Kahel Resort also has complimentary breakfast options.
Contact: 0917 328 7272 | website
2. San Juan Surf Resort – has a surf school and a surf shop
Image credit: @sanjuansurfresort via Instagram
True to its name, San Juan Surf Resort makes the ideal accommodation for those who want to try surfing, with professional surf coaches and an internationally accredited training program. This La Union resort offers beginner and advanced lessons paid per hour.
It has ocean-view rooms (starting at P3,580 ~USD65.53) for three, seven, and eight people, as well as other types of rooms. Plus, it’s just several steps away from the beach so you can surf or swim whenever you like.
Kids as young as four can learn how to surf at San Juan Surf Resort
Image credit: @sanjuansurfresort via Instagram
According to the resort, the best time to visit if you want to surf is from July to March.
The surf resort is also home to the plant-based cafe Seabuds serving healthy homemade snacks, smoothies and bowls, sandwiches, and rice meals.
Contact: 0917 887 5470 |Â website
3. Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa – offers diving lessons, golfing, and tours
World War II tank
Image credit: @diveunion_ph via Instagram
If you want to have more options for activities during your vacation, then you should check out Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa. Besides providing surfing courses, the resort is accredited by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors to provide diving lessons. They also give diving tours to World War II shipwrecks.
Their staff can also take you to a golfing spot in San Fernando, La Union overlooking the bay. Or you can go on a tour around La Union or to other places in Northern Luzon, particularly Vigan and Baguio.
Resthouse
Image credit: kahunaresort.com
For accommodations, they have Filipino-Balinese-inspired rooms (starts at P6,450, ~USD122.95) and even a whole 3-bedroom and 3-bathroom rest house if you want a space all to yourself.
As the resort’s name implies, there’s also an in-house spa for treatments and massages so you can emerge from your vacation well-rested.
Contact: 0917 830 0363 |Â website
4. Patio by Balai Norte – affordable private rooms and a breakfast buffet
Image credit: @patiobybalainorte via Instagram
If you don’t mind an accommodation without a pool, since you’re already close to the beach, consider Patio by Balai Norte.
This La Union hotel offers private rooms at affordable rates starting from P4,180 (~USD75.02). Plus, they have an in-house restaurant serving a breakfast buffet and a delectable all-day menu featuring scrumptious seafood dishes.
Image credit: @patiobybalainorte via Instagram
Located just a 2-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the Urbiztondo resort strip in La Union, it offers a quieter ambiance compared to the other La Union resorts and hostels on this list.
However, they provide complimentary transport service to their private beach, Alaia, also in San Juan, so you can still enjoy the beach experience.
On top of all these, the hotel is also pet-friendly – just pay a minimal pet fee!
Contact: 0927 434 2776 | Facebook
– La Union hostels –
5. Vessel Hostel – aesthetic hostel made with repurposed items
Image credit: @vesselhostel via Instagram
Vessel Hostel is a vintage and surfing-themed hostel a walking distance away from the beach, designed by surfer architects. It’s made with shipping containers and other repurposed items.
It has a modern use of wood and jalousie windows yet the place still feels cozy and nostalgic, like an upscale, chic version of your grandparents’ provincial home.
Image credit: @smart_masonry via Instagram
Besides dorm rooms (from P1,100 per person, ~USD20.15) , the hostel has two private rooms (starting at P3,500, ~USD64.07) available. Both are good for 2 to 3 people with a queen-sized bed with a pullout, en-suite toilet and bath, and a smart TV. Vessel Hostel also provides a complimentary continental breakfast for its guests.
Contact: website
6. Lokal Home – homey, nipa hut-inspired hostelÂ
Image credit: @michicalica via Instagram
Experience living like a local at the La Union hostel Lokal Home. Inspired by the traditional Filipino house – the bahay kubo or nipa hut – it has open-air rooms (starting at P600, ~USD11.00Â per head) that let in the sea breeze.
Despite this, guests don’t need to worry about mosquitoes. There’s a mosquito net for every bed. They also have air-conditioned rooms available for those who want to rest in a cold room during the day.
Common area
Image credit: Lokal Home via Facebook
The hostel also has a common area and common kitchen with a fridge, stove, rice cooker, and kitchen utensils which Kubo room guests are free to use.
Lokal Home’s friendly owners give it a more homey vibe. One of them is even a tattoo artist, which is convenient if you plan to get inked during your trip.
Contact: Facebook
7. Flotsam & Jetsam Artist Beach Hostel – artsy social hostel that hosts parties on weekends
Image credit: flotsamandjetsamhostel.com
Flotsam & Jetsam Artist Beach Hostel is an artsy, social hostel, perfect for those who want to recharge their creative juices and be inspired by new people. The hostel is colorful and lively, strewn with tasteful furniture, and colorful Indian and Turkish lanterns.
It’s also a great place to party with live music by a DJ on the weekends. You might even see Filipino bands and artists such as Ebe Dancel live at Flotsam & Jetsam.
The kitchen-bar’s outdoor area
Image credit: @kathleanotes via Instagram
Mats and coffee tables are also laid out in the space in front of the kitchen-bar decorated with fabric lanterns, so guests can feel the beach party vibe.
As for accommodations, the La Union hostel has a wide range of rooms to suit different requirements – from dorms to suites – starting at P980 (~USD17.94).
Contact: 0917 802 1328 |Â website
8. Rada Hostel – has co-working spaces in a convenient location
Image credit: @uynate via Instagram
Rada Hostel has high-speed internet and common areas on each floor that double as co-working spaces, in case you need to do some work during your vacation.
It’s also great accommodation in San Juan if your motto is “work hard, play hard”, with a roof deck with tables where you can drink ice-cold beer from the nearby convenience store.
Roof deck
Image adapted from: @paulinemaec/@radalaunion via Instagram
This La Union hostel also has a convenient location across the street from the beach. This lets you check in as soon as you get off the bus to San Juan.
What’s more, every spot you want to visit on the San Juan’s resort strip, including restaurants and bars, is within walking distance from the hostel.
The three-story container van hostel has air-conditioned dorm rooms (starting at P1,500, ~USD27.46) and private rooms (starting at P2,500, ~USD45.76).
Contact: Facebook
9. SORA La Union – minimalist Japanese-inspired hostel
Image credit: @soralaunion via Instagram,Â
If a beach vacation and a minimalist Japanese-inspired room are your perfect recipe for relaxation, book your stay at SORA La Union.
SORA means sky in Japanese and the hostel lives up to its name. It’s perched on a hill and has a roof deck where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea.
Image credit: @soralaunion via Instagram
They have bunk beds and private rooms available, including a spacious deluxe room with a queen bed, its own toilet and bath, and a sea view. If you’re bringing some work on vacation, they have workspaces on the first and third floors.
SORA La Union is also pet-friendly so your pet can join in your vacation.
Contact: 0905 211 1109 |Â Facebook
10. The Escape San Juan – spacious bunk beds and beachfront views
Image credit: The Escape San Juan via Google Maps
The Escape San Juan is in a quieter spot on the beach strip but it’s still beachfront and a quick walk from the festivities. If you love to swim in the sea or surf, this La Union hostel is also perfect for you as it has an open shower where you can wash off sand and saltwater.
Image credit: The Escape San Juan via Google Maps
True to its name, this La Union hostel provides an escape when you’ve had enough sun. Their rooms – even those with bunk beds – are spacious, allowing for some privacy. You can enjoy a delicious, complimentary breakfast on their rooftop overlooking the sea. Plus, there’s a pool table on the rooftop so you can have fun without leaving the premises.
A room at The Escape San Juan starts at P3,961 (~USD72.60).
Contact: 0917 724 0231 | Facebook
11. Silungan Hostel – homey hostel for a peaceful retreat
Image credit: Silungan Hostel via Google Maps
Silungan Hostel‘s minimalist, tropical interiors give it a warm, homey vibe. While it’s a quick walk to the beach, it’s not on the famous resort strip so you can enjoy a peaceful beach retreat.
But if you ever decide to do some restaurant- and cafe-hopping or social drinking, the more tourist-frequented spots are also just a short drive away.
Image credit: Silungan Hostel via Google Maps
They have rooms for 2 to 7 pax (from P2,500, ~USD45.82) with their own toilet and bath. And if you have pets, they can stay at the hostel, too.
On top of these, free breakfast is served at the common dining area from 8am to 11am.
Contact: Facebook
12. Tanawan Hostel – hilltop hostel with tropical & industrial vibes
Image credit: Tanawan Hostel via Facebook
Tanawan Hostel sits atop a hill and has a rooftop kubo (hut) where you can enjoy breathtaking sea views. Despite this, it’s still just a quick 5-minute walk away from the beach.
Image credit: Tanawan Hostel via Facebook
The hostel interiors are a mesh of tropical and industrial, featuring exposed cement walls and wood, bamboo, and nipa furnishings. While it’s conveniently located near the resort strip where you can find a wide variety of dining options, they have a communal kitchen where you can prep your own food.
Prices start at just P1,049 (~USD19.23) per person per night. Pets can also stay free of charge.
Contact: 0917 133 5470 | Facebook
13. Shorebreak Hostel – hostel with its own cafe
Image credit: @shorebreakhostel via Instagram
Shorebreak Hostel is a modern industrial accommodation in La Union with its own cafe that serves iced coffee and meals, perfect for digital nomads.
When you’re ready to take a break from work, it’s also just a quick walk from the beach, restaurants, cafes, and nightlife spots.
Image credit: @billies.sanjuan via Instagram
Accommodation options include family rooms and dormitories starting from P1,500 (~USD26.94) per night. Even in the dorms, guests can expect clean bathrooms stocked with shampoo and body wash.
Shorebreak Hostel is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your fur baby along to enjoy the beach.
Contact: 0998 577 0519 | Facebook
La Union resorts and hostels for a convenient beach vacation
With these La Union resorts and hostels, you now have plenty of accommodation options on your vacation in San Juan.
For food spots to check out in the vicinity, read this list of restaurants and cafes in La Union. If you wish to go on an adventure, explore Tangadan Falls and Immuki Island in Balaoan, La Union.
Cover image adapted from:Â @sanjuansurfresort via Instagram, @soralaunion via Instagram, @kahelresort.launion via Instagram
Article originally posted on 20 April 2022, updated on 8 March 2024.