'High' in Tagaytay

MANILA, Philippines - Tagaytay is the destination when one wishes to get away from the fast-paced city life and the scorching summer sun. One doesn’t need to travel far and drive long to get that much-needed break.

The perfect place to stay down south is the five-hectare Taal Vista Hotel where the past meets the present. One’s childhood memories of Taal Volcano, picnic grove and Tagaytay’s chilly warm weather come back like everything just happened yesterday. The best part, however, is one can share these with the younger generation.

“They have fond memories and you get to see them back here with their families,” says hotel GM Bernardo Corpus Jr. of Tagaytay and the experience that comes with it. “It is a perfect place for peace and quiet. Here, you commune with nature. You see the mountain (range) and the waters. You also feel the breeze. The air is still fresh. The wind is relaxing. It cleans your lungs.”

This begins with the panoramic, picture-perfect Taal Volcano. And the English Tudor Mansion-style hotel gives every visitor a good vantage point of the smallest volcano in the world. He sees the island from atop and the communities surrounding it.

One of the well-appointed 261 rooms

“I would compare Taal Vista to an eagle’s nest,” says Corpus. “You’re like atop of a perch where you could see the whole 360 degree. In some other areas, you could see the volcano. But then if you look to the east or the west, it is blocked. Unlike here on the ridge, you can see the whole thing.”

Beyond that, the view and the air soothe each visitor and relax his wandering mind. The well-manicured view deck behind the hotel is good for meditation and catching up with loved ones. He can stay in one of the well-appointed 261 rooms and avail a massage from Asmara Spa to prepare himself for trekking, horseback riding or walking. 

Part of relaxation is food. He can choose from a wide array of authentic local dishes and international bestsellers. The hotel has a chef who promotes Filipino taste by using produce like pineapple in the vinaigrette and coming up with common staples with a twist like Adobo sa Tubo. Taal Vista sources out its stocks from nearby communities. Café on the Ridge is a place for a weekend gastronomical bonding with family, while Lobby Lounge is for a weekday business meeting with clients.   

If you don’t feel like going out, Taal Vista offers activities that make your hands full for the day. You can either go to the game room or swim in the pool. Children can play and read books at the Kid’s Corner. You can touch base with your friends here and abroad as the hotel is worldwideweb connected. From the gift shop, you can buy a hand-crafted souvenir to surprise that special someone.

Kids and kids-at-heart take a dip in the hotel’s pool

What makes the stay in the first-class hotel extra special is the courteous staff. They greet you with a smile the moment you step in. You can feel the hospitality with sincerity. They do it with a happy heart.

Tagaytay is indeed synonymous to relaxation and so is Taal Vista Hotel. After all, Taal Vista Hotel is Tagaytay and vice versa to a first-time or frequent visitor.

Visitors can have a good vantage view of Taal Volcano