A taste of Tagaytay at Summit Ridge

This Lenten season, giving up the good things in life (especially food) can be a big sacrifice. While many Catholics have scrapped desserts or meat items from their diet, there are those who have opted for a “cell phone and social networking fast” as these, they admit, are far bigger sacrifices than a big fat slab of steak or a good cup of coffee.

However, if you’re still suffering from Instagram or Facebook withdrawal syndrome, it’s best to pack your bags and take the whole family for a short drive to Tagaytay as the city’s refreshing environment and cool crisp air will not only take your mind off what’s going on in your 2,000 plus “friends’” lives, but will also allow you to reflect on God’s words.

Perched on the highest elevation overlooking the serene environs of Taal Lake, Summit Ridge Hotel is one of the best family staycation places to be this Lent/summer. The nine-story edifice on Kilometer 58, along Aguinaldo Highway, is part of a large mixed-use complex built and run by Robinsons Land Corporation.

The hotel has an unobstructed vista of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, allowing one to appreciate more the serenity of the surrounding countryside. It’s also a short drive away from the Transfiguration Chapel of Caleruega, the Chapel on the Hill, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, and Madre de Dios Chapel where the faithful can commune with God and nature.

It’s Fiesta time

Whether for barkada or family outings, Summit Ridge Hotel’s Holy Week and summer packages boast a number of tailor-made dining options.

C2 Classic Cuisine (Summit Ridge Hotel’s food and beverage provider for events and meeting banquets), which is run by the Cravings Group, has prepared a fiesta-themed menu for local and foreign tourists alike.

For lunch, chef Rob Angeles treated us to a dizzying array of popular Pinoy dishes such as spicy laing,Pinakbet Ilocos with pritong galunggong, tinumis (a pork dish popular in Nueva Ecija, which tastes and looks like dinuguan), chicken inasal, pancit bam-i, among others. Everything on the buffet table not only looked good, but tasted good as well.  

“We want to capture the spirit of Tagaytay in our culinary offerings. Most of the ingredients we’re using are sourced fresh from Mahogany Market, which is just 10 minutes away from Summit Ridge,” noted chef Angeles.

The Summer Fiesta Buffet is offered at C2 Classic Cuisine until May for P499 per person.

With calories to burn, we trooped to the pool area at 3 in the afternoon for the much-needed Aqua Zumba workout. The water was freezing cold even if the sun was at its brightest.

Rowena Aquino-Jose, a licensed Zumba instructor, gives new meaning to the idea of a refreshing workout. Integrating aquatic fitness disciplines, Aqua Zumba blends it all together into a workout that’s cardio-conditioning, and body-toning, but so tiring.

Aside from the infinity pool, Summit Ridge Hotel also boasts health and recreational facilities like the gym and indoor badminton and basketball courts.

The suite life

One day may not be enough to enjoy the culinary offerings, sights and sounds of Tagaytay and to fit in all the bonding activities lined up for the whole family, which is why a weekend stay is definitely in order.

For next week’s long weekend (April 17 to May 18), Summit Ridge Hotel treats guests to its Holy Week promos — Summit Suite (P17,999), Two-Bedroom Suite (P15,999), Twin/King Deluxe (P10,499), King Classic (P9,499) and Twin-Classic (P9,499) — inclusive of daily breakfast for two (standard rooms), daily buffet breakfast for four (Summit Suite and Two-Bedroom Suite), hotel turndown, Zumba session, movie showing, and afternoon tea/coffee/cocktail at the event’s lawn.

For those who’ll check in on April 19 (Black Saturday), the accommodation comes with an Easter Lunch also at C2 Classic Cuisine, which entitles guests to fun activities such as a magic show, balloon-twisting, and Easter egg-hunt for toddlers and kids.

Go ahead, take as many “selfies” as you like as your FB “friends” and Instagram followers will definitely be looking forward to your new posts come Easter.

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Summit Ridge is at Km. 58, General Aguinaldo Highway, Maharlika West, Tagaytay City.

For reservations, call 240-6888 or SMS 0922-8526800.