Ka big time ni Tatay, Nang libre pa ih!😂 Labyu nay, tay! #taalvistahotel #taalvista #tagaytay #taal #taalview #taalvolcanoview (at Taal Vista Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByPPOUXB1rNGUCTEE9vWqOXT20fyMHMrBqEDnw0/?igshid=xgin6ut540jo
We meet again - “Pocket Garden!” #8thWonderoftheWorld #TaalVista https://www.instagram.com/p/BssDPulBSfV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11mbrktjw7q0v
Taal Vista Hotel: A Landmark Destination in Tagaytay
For Filipino families and travelers planning a vacation to Tagaytay, there is always one hotel that first comes to mind. Taal Vista Hotel has been a landmark destination in Tagaytay ever since busy city dwellers started flocking to this cool and refreshing mountain escape. Despite the many new resorts and attractions located all around the country, Tagaytay has always been a short and easy drive for Metro Manila residents who long for a relaxing change of pace. It had been a very eventful 2018 for me, especially with my recent Hip Replacement Surgery and all the exciting activities I was still able to do, so I decided to start the new year right with an invigorating three-day vacation at Tagaytay’s most popular hotel.
Taal Vista Hotel has been the desired home of many Filipino families and vacationers ever since it opened all the way back in 1939. I enjoy going to Tagaytay because it is just a short one hour drive from Metro Manila (two if you are from Quezon City), so I don’t get too tired from the ride itself. Taal Vista Hotel is located right along the main Aguinaldo Highway, just beside the Sky Ranch theme park which you surely won’t miss. The parking area is quite spacious so we just parked the car right in front of the main entrance and got ready for another rejuvenating stay.
We arrived early on a Sunday, which is the busiest day of the week in Tagaytay, so we could escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Checking in was a breeze at the front desk in the main lobby so we had lots of time to explore and roam around the hotel grounds. This is my third time to stay at Taal Vista Hotel but I still feel excited each time I visit.
Taal Vista Hotel is part of the history of Tagaytay City itself. It was constructed during the Commonwealth Era when President Manuel L. Quezon decided in 1935 to develop Tagaytay into a tourist destination. He even held cabinet meetings at Taal Vista Lodge, as it was called back then, after it was built along the Tagaytay Ridge which holds a stunning view of the famous Taal Lake and Volcano. After surviving the Japanese occupation in the second World War and going through several other Philippine presidents, it was bought in 2002 by SM Investments Corporation of Henry Sy, who as a young man used to sit by the Taal Vista gardens to gaze out and dream. 2019 is a special year for the hotel as it is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
The sprawling hotel has a total of 261 rooms spread out on two separate wings. The Mountain Wing was the first section constructed and has a more serene and private surrounding. This area is a bit farther from the hotel’s public areas so you can experience a more peaceful and quiet stay. The Mountain Wing has undergone a major renovation in the past years, including most of its rooms which now come with more modern designs.
We checked in at their newly renovated Mountain View Deluxe King which comes with a magnificent view of the ridge and a partial view of the famous Taal Lake and Volcano. This is my first time to stay at the Mountain Wing since I usually book my rooms at the newer Lake Wing, but since these rooms have just been renovated, it comes with that vibrant and refreshing feel to it.
The Deluxe King room comes with a comfortable king-sized bed and includes all the necessary amenities to complete your vacation such as a flat screen TV, workdesk, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facility, and complimentary wifi all throughout the hotel.
I love the light blue and green pastel colors inside the room which perfectly blends with the amazing view outside the window. This view is what I woke up to each morning and it is really a great change of scenery from the usual buildings and traffic that I see outside my house.
The bathroom also comes with modern facilities including a heated rainshower complete with toiletries.
Taal Vista Hotel is a huge property and it is nice to just walk around the tranquil gardens and explore its many amenities. The Swimming Pool is located just below the rooms at the Mountain Wing and this is a great spot for kids and families to get together.
The Fitness Center can also be found in the Mountain Wing for those who prefer to get a little workout even while on vacation. They also have the Asmara Spa which provides relaxing massages and treatments to soothe your aching muscles.
Children will be happy to stay inside the Kids’ Corner and Game Room with its colorful toys, mini ball pit and slide plus kiddie art activities. There is also a billiards room just beside it where the adults can hang out.
The most popular area at Taal Vista Hotel is definitely the Viewing Deck with its amazing and unobstructed view of Taal Lake. This is just in front of the Lake Wing which features more modern designs and amenities, although there are usually more guests staying and roaming around these areas. The Premier Rooms at the Lake Wing come with a balcony that gives an extravagant view of Taal Lake, and this is what I booked before during my previous visits to Taal Vista. The Sky Ranch Tagaytay is just beside this area and hotel guests get an exclusive express entrance to the theme park.
You can get a closer view of Taal Volcano itself by using any of the telescopes at the Viewing Deck. Here’s a quick trivia. Do you know that the Taal Volcano is actually not that small volcano we usually spot in front? That’s actually a different hill called Binintiang Malaki and the real Taal Volcano is located behind it in that middle island. I only found out about this a few years ago after several trips to Tagaytay.
There are so many Instagram-worthy spots around the hotel where you can get a great souvenir photo with Taal Volcano as a photobombing backdrop. I really liked how the Taal Vista placed all these nice and subtle objects around the viewing deck without compromising its serene and majestic surroundings.
I was happy to find out that it was still Christmas in Tagaytay! It really felt like an extended Christmas vacation with all the Filipino families and balikbayan guests at the hotel. I also saw several foreign guests checked in so it’s good that they have also discovered the beauty of Taal Vista Hotel.
I can’t believe that this garden is the same area where Henry Sy used to daydream while looking at the Taal Volcano. Now he owns the hotel itself and is the richest man in the Philippines. It’s such a romantic location so I think I’ll stay here a little bit longer while I contemplate on my own daydreams.
After walking around the hotel’s scenic spots, it’s time to have lunch! The Veranda is Taal Vista Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant which offers a wide selection of local and international cuisine. The bright and spacious restaurant has a cheerful ambiance to go along with the lovely setting. They offer weekday lunch buffets (P1100 per person) plus weekend lunch and dinner buffets (P1350 per person), as well as an à la carte menu.
We availed of their Sunday lunch buffet and started with some rolls and maki from the Japanese Station. Salads, breads, and various appetizers were also available.
The Grill was sizzling that afternoon and you can have your orders of beef, chicken, pork and shrimp skewers prepared for you a la minute. I particularly liked the juicy beef skewers and the grilled shrimp. They also have a Pizza station and a Noodle station where you can customize your own noodles and pasta dishes.
There were several other viands on the buffet table including pork sisig, beef kaldereta, and chicken inasal, paired with lechon fried rice or garlic rice. They also have an Heirloom section featuring Filipino family favorites such as dinuguan, pata kare-kare, guinataang langka, and laing. A separate Kid’s Station also offers treats children will like such as chicken fingers, beef sliders, and more.
The centerpiece of the buffet was the Porchetta with its crispy skin and tender slices of pork belly. Douse it in lechon sauce or gravy for the ultimate Filipino feast.
Desserts are equally exciting with their native kakanin delicacies like bico, sapin-sapin, and kutsinta combined with halo halo, leche flan, cakes, and ice cream.
The atmosphere at Veranda is akin to a Filipino fiesta as guests are serenaded with classic and contemporary songs while dining on their tables. This musical trio is here everyday to cater to all your song requests.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the Bughaw Folkloric Dance Group provides a festive and colorful folk dance performance that tells of the vibrant history of our Filipino ancestors. This is a great way for balikbayans to reconnect with their heritage and for foreign guests to discover more about the Filipino people.
Daily breakfast buffet is also served at Veranda for checked-in guests as well as walk-in customers. My breakfast routine consists of hot garlic rice topped with sardines, corned beef, longganisa, dried fish, and other Filipino breakfast favorites.
The egg station is always busy during breakfast. You can ask for your eggs done however you want. I like mine as an omelette and sunny side up. They also have breads, fruits, cereals, salads, and pancakes on the buffet stations. Of course, don’t forget the endless slices of crispy bacon that should give you plenty of energy for the day.
If you are just looking for a quick coffee break or a relaxing merienda spot, the grand and iconic Lobby Lounge is the answer. Underneath the remarkable Tudor-designed rooftop is the hotel’s classic lounge that comes with a wondrous view of Tagaytay. You can sit by the cozy fireplace as the piano is being played while enjoying their selection of beverages, pastas, sandwiches and desserts.
From 6:00pm to 10:00pm on Monday to Saturday, you can also listen to the live band playing at the Lobby Lounge while having your nightcap. I enjoyed my glass of chardonnay while listening to modern renditions of popular hits. This is the best way to end the evening.
For those lazy days and nights where you don’t really want to get out of bed, there is also an option to just order Room Service! My bed was really so comfortable so on our first night, I just decided to call for room service and ordered their Bulalo, Nasi Goreng and Chicken Nuggets plus the Leche Flan with Macapuno as a dessert. This is available 24 hours a day so you can even call for a midnight snack if you wish.
For a more private and romantic dining experience, Tāza Fresh Table is the newest dining outlet at Taal Vista Hotel which offers a more secluded setting. Taken from the Arabic word Tāza which means fresh, the restaurant offers laid-back dining featuring garden-to-table vegetables and dishes.
Chef Jayme Natividad brings out Mediterranean-inspired cuisine highlighted by sustainable, natural and organic ingredients. They use vegetables from their own garden for their dishes, while getting other ingredients from nearby local farms to support local farmers. But don’t worry, they also offer a selection of meaty steaks that will satisfy even the biggest carnivores.
I ordered the Lobster Fettucine (P700) which came with a succulent Batangas lobster on top of tomato-based fettucine and garden-fresh tarragon. I chose to have it as a Set Menu (P1300) which includes a Taza Salad, Mushroom Soup, and the Molten Chocolate Cake for dessert.
Steak lovers should go for the NY Strip (P1900) which comes with 300 grams of Australian Gress-fed Angus Steak cooked sous vide and served with beer-battered onion rings and herb butter. A selection of beverages, teas, wines, and cocktails makes this a beautiful spot for those romantic Tagaytay dates.
I would like to thank Michael Anthony Sagaran, Taal Vista Hotel’s marketing communications manager for hosting us during our stay and providing us with the complete Taal Vista Hotel experience. The newly renovated Mountain Wing is definitely a good reason for couples and families to visit Taal Vista this year. They also have their refurbished Ridge Rooms, which I will probably try next time. I’ll see you again soon!
Here’s a comparison of the first and second day view of our rooms in Taal Vista. We moved to another room so we can have 2 twin beds instead of 1 queen bed. Tinanong ko yun receptionist, maganda din ba view sa isang room? She said, ok lang sir, pocket garden view. Ganda pakinggan pero napakalayo naman sa itsura! #TaalVista #ViewFail https://www.instagram.com/p/BsKxCyah5ey/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1iw4blkbf7azw
When your parents are in the room, and you have time for a mimosa! #mimosa #spritzer #taalvista #tagaytay #happyisbjørn #drikkervin (at Taal Vista Hotel)
