Green and loving it

MANILA, Philippines — I spent a weekend in Anya Resort Tagaytay and it was like staying in a piece of heaven on earth. And that was not just because of its amenities, which were really great, too. It was because I had a talk with the general manager, Mikel Arriet, and what he plans for this resort.

“Here in Anya Resort we want to have very personalized service,” says Arriet, who was previously with Punta Fuego in Batangas for 12 years. “For our sustainability program I have to practice what I preach. And I begin with always being aware of how I use our utilities. At home I am very conscious about this.” 

It was his attitude that made me appreciate my stay at the very green Anya. With over seven hectares of breathtaking views and sprawling landscapes, the boutique resort is just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the city, offering exclusivity, unparalleled beauty and bespoke services that suit each guest’s discerning tastes.

Of course I would be lying if I didn’t say that I appreciated the comforts of my room. There were velvety-soft pillows and sheets. The bathroom was to die for because it was so clean and spacious and then there was the living room, which would allow me to entertain guests or stay comfortably with my family if I wanted to.

I must add that everything in the bathroom was sustainable, from toothbrushes made with organic wood, to reusable jars for shampoo, to organic soap and towels that were washed with organic detergent.

And once I stepped outside, there was the cool Tagaytay breeze right from my en-suite patio. You can also lie in the shade of a bamboo palm, leisurely read at the Borderless Library, book a massage at Niyama Spa, or work out at the resort’s complete gym.

Anya is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). Getting the SLH seal of approval is a feat, and Anya is just the third resort in the Philippines to receive such an honor.

Mikel Arriet, general manager, Anya Resort.

Arriet told me that every 12 to 18 months, the group sends anonymous inspectors to check if each hotel has been living up to the world-class standards SLH prides itself on. Anya recently welcomed one of these undercover guests, and garnered a score of 93.5 percent out of 100.

Going Organic

A former chef, Arriet says Anya is making an effort to make its meals organic. “Sometimes here in the Philippines it is very difficult to find organic ingredients, but if that is what our guest wants, we can have an organic meal prepared,” he says. “Our veggies and fruits are organic and they are sourced locally from here in Tagaytay.  They don’t use pesticides, or they use organic pesticides.”

From the outset, all guests who book at Anya are emailed a Preference Menu, which forms a personal guest history and dossier of your tastes, preferences, likes and dislikes. So, aside from requesting your preferred room scent or choice of pillows, you can send in your music playlist, reading materials, packing and unpacking requirements, requests for meals to be served in a particular way (you can enjoy meals not only in the restaurants but also by their heated pool or the resort’s many gardens) and shopping and sightseeing inquiries.

“Anya opened in 2017 and I am looking for as many ways as I can to make this a sustainable resort, just like what the government has done in Boracay,” said Arriet.”Here in Tagaytay, in the ridge, you cannot build higher than one coconut tree. But on the other side of the ridge there are many buildings, and with this there are more people and also more pollution.”

This is why the GM is on a mission to make Anya Resort “green,” so it won’t contribute to any pollution in Tagaytay. He laments that Tagaytay is not the same as it was 12 years ago and that if we are not careful, it will go the way of our other polluted metropolises.

“Where is the line between what is sustainable and progress?” he asks. “I would like to be in the level of ‘green’ hotel with international standards. This is what I am working for, where we will be recognized and get a certificate for our efforts. And this is the way we can teach others how to do the same.”

A Traditional Filipino Christmas

Cozy green nooks can be found all over Anya Resort.

Even when it comes to Christmas, Anya Resort Tagaytay is keeping its commitment to sustainability while celebrating Filipino traditions with indigenous materials like burlap, rattan, and recycled decors spread out around the property.

Guests can even take home a piece of Pinoy culture by purchasing alkansyas (piggy banks) made of coconut shells. Proceeds will go to the Roxas Foundation Inc. in support of their projects next year.

Beyond the advantage of its unspoiled surroundings, Anya is a lesson in what constitutes luxury today. From something tangible that makes you feel good, now luxury is more about an elevated experience — feeling good about your life, being able to reward yourself and having the time to enjoy it all. 

And, in the spirit of Christmas, for a limited time period, luxury will get more affordable. From Dec. 22 to 30, Anya is offering a special Holiday Suite Staycation promo. You can select between the Junior Suite or the Garden Suite, with their stylish living rooms, stunning bathrooms, and cozy bedrooms. These suites are surely the perfect place to have a holiday vacation, as you wake up to the comforting sound of rustling leaves and the cool December morning breeze.

From Dec. 22-23 and 25-30, inclusive of an overnight stay for two, breakfast buffet and complimentary use of resort facilities and Wi-Fi, the Junior Suite is available for P10,800 per night, while the Garden Suite is P14,800/night.

The Christmas Eve Suite Celebrations Promo is available on Dec. 24 for P14,400/night for two and P16,000/night for four at the Garden Suite, inclusive of  a four-course family style Christmas Eve Dinner, live-band entertainment, complimentary box of chocolates, breakfast buffet, and use of resort facilities and Wi-Fi.

Anya Resort and Residences Tagaytay is a project of Roxaco Land Corporation, a subsidiary wholly owned by Roxas and Company, Inc.

For more information, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/anyaresorttagaytay/ www.anyaresorts.com, call 657-1640 or 0998-577-9999, or email lsm.tagaytay@anyaresorts.com.