If you are looking for an exclusive and relaxing five-star vacation atop the cool mountain ridge of Tagaytay City, then there is no better place to do this than at the Discovery Country Suites. I have made several trips to Tagaytay and have tried different hotels and lodges there but the Discovery Country Suites has been the best one so far, offering a grand view of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano right from its rooms and garden areas.
Discovery Country Suites can be found right along the main highway that you can reach from the Sta. Rosa exit of the South Luzon Expressway. Located at 300 Tagaytay-Calamba Road, it is just a kilometer or two away from the main Tagaytay Rotunda and is easily accessible from all points of Tagaytay City. This boutique hotel sits on the scenic Tagaytay ridge and is actually one of the best bed and breakfast hotels in the country. It is owned by the Discovery Leisure Group which also operates several other hotels and resorts in the country like the Discovery Suites in Ortigas and the multi-awarded Discovery Shores in Boracay.
There are only 7 suites in Discovery Country Suites so each guest is treated like a VIP right upon check-in. Each room actually has its own theme and design so make sure to choose your room and make reservations early since these rooms are always limited and in demand.
Restaurant Verbana is the first that will greet you once you enter the hotel. The place actually feels more like a vacation house with its cozy wooden interiors and a relaxing comfortable feel.
A fireplace sits by the restaurant to warm the nights when it gets too cold. The place is just so charming and it would be so great to have weekend getaways here with the family and loved ones.
I was booked at the Saint-Tropez suite which is located on the lobby level floor just close to the front desk.
The 37-square meter Saint-Tropez suite gets its inspiration from the sunny colors of the Mediterranean coastline. It has two big double beds which can fit from three to four guests. Since there are only seven suites, you do not have the option of choosing king sized or double sized beds for your room as each suite is designed with its own theme and capacity.
Yellow and blue colors bring about a cheerful and lively ambiance reminiscent of the atmosphere along the French Riviera. The room has big wide spaces to roam about freely with couches and tables scattered about. An LCD television with a DVD player is available for the guests.
Coffee and tea-making facilities are provided as well as a welcome platter of fruits (not pictured). You also have an iPod dock, a personal refrigerator and a safety deposit box for your own use.
The bathroom is just as luxurious with its all-glass rain shower and exquisite Acca Kappa toiletries from Italy.
While I was not able to see all of the other rooms at Discovery Country Suites because they were occupied, you can view them individually at their Official Website. Each room offers its own unique ambiance and location, with a few rooms offering a direct view of Taal Volcano. Some suites are more suited for couples while others are better for families, so choose your room properly, or better yet, try them all!
I took a leisurely walk around the hotel to see all of its other public areas. They have this DVD rack where you can pick movies you can watch inside your suite for that romantic movie night.
Here is another fireplace down here at the garden level which has access to the garden and outdoor jacuzzi at the back of the hotel.
There are also several rooms at this level which opens up to the refreshing garden. Doesn’t it look so cozy and inviting?
The Ceylon Suite is actually one of the most popular rooms at Discovery Country Suites because it has direct access from the road as well as to the jacuzzi and garden. This 33-square meter Suite is more commonly booked by couples who want more privacy and it comes with a King-sized bed and a day bed.
The pathway from the Ceylon Suite leads directly to the outdoor jacuzzi.
The jacuzzi may not be as big as other swimming pools but with this scenery facing you, it doesn’t really matter. Since there are only a few guests at this bed and breakfast, you won’t be bumping into them quite often and you really feel like this is your own private vacation home away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Disovery Country Suites also has a treat for all its guests with its complimentary Wine and Cheese selection offered at sundown. Here you can try their assortment of cheeses with a glass of wine, perfect to set the mood for that romantic dinner date or a night out in Tagaytay city.
But if you prefer to just stay inside Discovery Country Suites for the entire evening, and I wouldn’t blame you, then you can have dinner at Restaurant Verbana which is their multi-awarded restaurant serving contemporary fusion cuisine with ingredients from farm-fresh country food.
Restaurant Verbana offers breakfast, lunch and dinner services so you will never have to leave the hotel once you step inside.
When I got back to my room, I had another surprise waiting for me, Milk and Cookies! These are also given to all the guests of the hotel and it is a fitting bedtime treat that I truly appreciated. Their warm Vanilla milk is also one of the best tasting drinks I have ever had! I will definitely be off to a deep slumber with everything that Discovery Country Suites has provided.
The next morning, a delightful breakfast setup was prepared at Restaurant Verbana to greet all the guests a good morning.
You can get all the breads, pastries, cereals, fruits and beverages that you want which are all part of the breakfast. Then you can order one main breakfast dish from their menu which will be cooked especially for you.
Of course, I ordered the meatiest dish that I could find and that was the Breakfast Steak and Eggs! The steak was so juicy and tender with the two sunny side eggs providing a perfect backdrop for this hearty breakfast. This will definitely energize you for your adventures in Tagaytay throughout the day. So whenever you have plans of traveling to Tagaytay, check out Discovery Country Suites and you might just decide to extend your stay.
