For over two centuries, the establishment now known as Ciudad Fernandina Hotel once served as the ancestral home of the Encarnacion family of Vigan. Don Francisco de la Encarnacion and his wife, Doña Rosa Anastacia, had the home built in 1758. The couple were Mestizos de Sangley, which meant they were of Spanish and Chinese heritage.

They would pass down the home to each succeeding generation of Encarnacion, first to Don Florentino, who was born in 1776. The next to inherit was Don Gil Encarnacion, who later became the Gobernadorcillo (municipal judge and governor) of Vigan's Mestizo quarter. Don Gil passed down the home to his daughter, Señorita Juliana Encarnacion, who made a name for herself as a successful landowner and philanthropist. When Señorita Juliana passed away in 1919, she bequeathed the property to her son, Dr. Ramon Encarnacion. The good doctor would, in turn, pass it down to his son, Atty. Ramon Encarnacion. It was Atty. Ramon who first turned the ancestral house into a hotel called the Fernandina Hotel.

In 2007, the hotel was acquired by Dr. Benito Purugganan, a celebrated surgeon from Metro Manila. Together with his wife, Yolanda, they set about modernizing the hotel while also preserving much of its historic details. As the property is part of Vigan's historic district, they made sure to follow UNESCO's guidelines in preserving the authenticity of this heritage building.

Ciudad Fernandina Hotel presents a dichotomy; its interiors, particularly the bedrooms, have been renovated into modern styles, while its exterior facade retains classical aspects.

The guestrooms offered by the hotel are more in line with the accommodations one can expect from hotels in the Philippines. They are equipped with comfy beds and decorated in familiar Western styles, with modern designer furniture. There are interior locations that still preserve old details, such as the staircases with metal banisters, and the on-site restaurant that has exposed red brick walls and wooden coffered ceilings.

St. Martha's Cafe

As a restaurant named after the Patron Saint of hospitality, you can expect a lovely dining experience here. They hold daily breakfast services, as well as offer lunch and dinner menus of local Ilocano specialties and Western-style dishes crafted with a Filipino touch. St. Martha's Cafe also handles the preparation and catering for functions held at the hotel's banquet hall and function venues.

Breakfast: 7 am - 10 am
Opening hours: 7 am - 10 pm

As a UNESCO World Heritage City of beautiful Spanish Colonial houses, Vigan is a lovely backdrop for a destination wedding. Arrange for a traditional church wedding at the Vigan Metropolitan Cathedral, a church built in 1800 in the style of the Philippines' earthquake Baroque architecture. For your reception, Ciudad Fernandina Hotel has an event hall annex building that can accommodate up to 80 guests, and a cafe restaurant with a banquet hall that can host 50 people.

Cultural Experiences

Explore the UNESCO-recognized World Heritage City of Vigan in style. Book a tour of the historic districts filled with Spanish Colonial houses while riding a calesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage. Many of these historic homes are still used by the same families that have been there for centuries, with some opening stalls and shops that sell local delicacies and crafts. Check out various local landmarks, such as Vigan Metropolitan Church and Plaza Salcedo, which is next to it.

There are also a number of regional museums, including the Padre Burgos House, the former home of a martyred Filipino priest campaigning for Catholic reforms.

Events and Other Celebrations

The people of Vigan are deeply connected to their traditions and cultural roots, so you'll be expected to join in on celebrations such as Feast Days of saints and seasonal festivities like Christmas. If you're also planning to celebrate a personal occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, you can approach the management of St. Martha's Cafe and see if they can prepare personalized services for you. They may also assist you with preparations at their venue hall should you need a larger area for the gathering. Similarly, corporate functions can also be held at either the cafe's banquet hall or at the hotel's annex building.