Friday, November 2, 2018

Tagaytay Hotels with Garden

It was a long weekend.  My husband and I wanted some R&R during those times.  We just thought of a staycation or anywhere near the metro just to relax.  We thought of Tagaytay as it has been quite a while since our last visit there. It was already days before the weekend when we scouted for available hotels. Although, we knew that there are a lot of accommodations available in Tagaytay. There are a number of hotels and lodging that we first chose to stay: Chateau Hestia, The Lake Hotel, Crosswinds, Theodore Hotel and Joaquin’s Bed and Breakfast. If you are familiar with these hotels, their common denominator is that they all have gardens outside their rooms.  My husband and I prefer to have a relaxing garden view in the absence of a beach, which I mostly preferred when we’ll be on a vacation.  Since it’s a long weekend and last-minute booking, we definitely won’t be able to get an available accommodation on nearby beach resorts (READ: Batangas).

Chateau Hestia seems like a nature inspired accommodation with cottages and cabins that are made of wood, bamboo and various Filipino inspired materials. From their website, it seems very relaxing as it is surrounded by a garden. However, it doesn’t seem to have any aircon on their rooms. Though weather in Tagaytay can be cooler than in Manila, it can still get hot during noontime at summer season.  So, an aircon is a must! Also, its location is not near the Tagaytay center.  You may check their rates here.

The Lake Hotel is quite known for an events place for weddings. They have indoor and outdoor rooms with the view of Taal Lake. For the accommodation, their standard rooms have mini garden while the others have veranda and lake view room.  This hotel is quite pricey or maybe its summer season and only days before our preferred stay date that makes the price higher than usual.  You can check their prices here.

Crosswinds Resort Suites is located inside Crosswinds Tagaytay village which has a Switzerland inspired house.  It is far away from the busy and usual Tagaytay center so the place is more peaceful and relaxing.  The hotel is more like a condotel where each room is equipped with kitchen area.  All rooms have wonderful view of the mountains and nature.  The Swiss inspired surrounding will make you feel like you’re in another country.  We’re considering this hotel but it’s quite pricey.  Check out their room rates here.

Theodore Hotel is a bed and breakfast accommodation with only 5 rooms.  Each room is designed based on its theme with artsy decors.  Rooms have balcony with garden and Taal Lake view.  This hotel is cheaper than The Lake Hotel.  Unfortunately, it’s quite confusing whether this hotel is still operational or has changed name.  When browsing through goggle, the hotel is tagged as permanently closed but further research, I found that this has been renamed to Basilisk Hotel.  Both names can still be found in booking sites.  Just to be sure which is operational, I tried calling them but there was no answer.  UPDATE: I believe Theodore Hotel has been renamed to Basilisk Hotel according to their signage.  Not sure though if management has changed and if there were renovations made.  Check out Basilisk Hotel rates here.

Finally, I landed at Joaquin’s Bed and Breakfast, which is almost beside The Lake Hotel and also near Theodore Hotel / Basilisk Hotel.  Joaquin’s Bed and Breakfast is a small hotel with just 8 rooms.  Each room has its own veranda where some have mini garden while some just have a balcony.  All have a good view of Taal Lake.  Upon landing on their website, we fell in love with its rustic design and of course your very own garden in your room!  And so we chose this hotel among those mentioned above.  Their room rate is quite expensive when booked directly from their website so it’s best to book from various travel websites.  Check it out here.  I’ll review this hotel in my next blog post.

Do you have any other recommendations for hotels with garden or garden view.  Please do share as we love to explore more of these in Tagaytay.