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.

Review: Raffles Hotel, Makati

The excerpt of this review came from my TripAdvisor account.

My boyfriend and I got to celebrate our 2nd year anniversary here and they provided us with an anniversary cake! We enjoyed every detail this hotel has to offer: lovely room, courteous and helpful staff, responsive butler, personal touches, food inclusions (not only buffet breakfast but also afternoon tea and evening cocktails).

We felt very relaxed and at home during our short stay. Though butlers were very responsive, they sometimes did not meet our expectation on some of our requests but its not really a big deal. We still felt well taken care of with their personal touches. I think the only cons we experience was when we ask for their assistance in hailing a cab for us. Though its common here in the Philippines for cab drivers to choose passengers or even ask for additional fee other than the metered rate, I just hope the management will do something about this and how to address this concern. They took quite a while to get us a cab.

Overall, we still enjoyed our stay and would want to come back if time permits. I would also recommend this to friends for their relaxing staycation.

Stayed May 2014, traveled as a couple

Sharing below are the pictures of our stay.

Hotel Room - All rooms are called Suites.  We stayed in the Junior Suite  

Small Living Room with mini ref, electric kettle, snacks, utensils underneath the TV cabinet

Small Dining Area with coffee machine and tea service

Big bedroom view from the living room

Bedroom with city view

Big bathroom with bath tub, separate shower and toilet and 2 sink

Other view of bathroom

Some toiletries

Coffee maker and tea service

Alcoholic drinks area

Glasses and other utensils storage

Snack storage

Electric kettle

Other refreshments

Pool area

Panoramic View

Nice Lounges

Afternoon Tea at the Writer's Bar

Writer's Bar

Canapes, sweets and breads

My (ex) boyfriend (now my husband) and I enjoying the afternoon tea

Wall painting at Writer's Bar

    

My Tea

Bread and spread

Pastries

Yum!

                          

Evening Cocktails at Writer's Bar - cocktails and some food we ordered.

Cocktail with pica pica

Finger food

Cocktail

                                      

Pita bread with bacon

Closer pic

Small bottles of mayo and ketchup

Chicken wings

This hotel is highly recommended.  A truly relaxed staycation.

Should you wish to have your staycation here, you may book and check the rates from this link.

Review: Ace Hotel and Suite

It was a not so well planned anniversary weekend when my boyfriend and I decided spend it around the metro rather than taking an out of town trip.  Our budget was constraint yet we wanted to find a nice hotel with a relaxing pool within metro manila.

Browsing through my Belle De Jour planner, I found a coupon for Ace Water Spa. I've been wanting to bring my boyfriend there since its a one of a kind massage which I know he will enjoy.  Besides, with his stressful work, he really needs a good massage and relaxation.  Browsing further through my planner, I came across another coupon, 30% off on published rate at Ace Hotel and Suites.  The coupon already includes a free entrance at Ace Water Spa.  I think that's already a good deal!  Plus, the discounted rate really fits our budget.

Ace Hotel and Suite is quite a new hotel, located in the Pasig area.  Ace Water Spa in Pasig is also quite new as well.  I'm just not sure which of these open first or both was launched at the same time.  The location of Ace Hotel and Ace Water Spa are the same.  It's like Ace Water Spa was the swimming area of the Ace Hotel and Suite, located at the ground floor.

We availed the Junior Suite as we find it roomy and spacious unlike the Deluxe Room.  Plus, it has a mini sala perfect for our plan to have a midnight snack on that area.

It was an ordinary weekend yet customers were quite full and in line at the reception area. It didn't took us long though when we were served.  It was a smooth transaction and no questions asked when I handed the Belle De Jour coupon for the discount.  Well maybe because I have prior reservations and informed them about the coupon.  Our room accommodation is inclusive of buffet breakfast, free one time use of Ace Water Spa for two and two discount coupon on next visit to Ace Water Spa.

Even though we only have one backpack, a bellboy still assists us in our room.  I like the security of their elevator.  Only authorized people can use it or those who have their room key card.  You will be flashing the card before pressing the desired floor for it to be operated.  So I guess visitors would really have to be fetched at the reception/lobby area by the tenant.

Our room was indeed spacious and I love it.  They also provide closet with slippers, laundry bag and a safe.

work area and the sala

tv between sala and bed

spacious room

our bed with side table and closet

We have also a mini bar with coffee, tea, mineral water and wine as complimentary drinks.

work area with mini bar at the back

complimentary wine

Fruits were also served in our room minutes after our arrival.

complimentary fruits

The air conditioning in the room was great as it is strong. Our bed was huge! The bed sheets and pillow cases were clean.  The pillows were fluffy yet comfortable enough to sleep on.  The blanket or comforter was just thick enough to cover us from cold.  I like how their tv can swivel so we can watch whether we're on our bed or on the mini sala.

facing the sala

facing the bed

Complete toiletries were provided including razor, shaving cream and comb which you don't normally see in some upper middle class hotels.  They also have hair dryer in the bathroom.  They have an enclosed shower area with rainfall shower head. The toilet has an available bidet.  Our only concern though is that water easily gets clogged at the shower area.  Waters from the shower and faucet both have hot and cold temperature regulator.

enclosed shower area

organized container for toiletries placed on the sink

On their buffet breakfast, there are quite a number of choices combining american and filipino dishes, though the buffet area is not that big.  You can also ask them to cook omelette with your choice of toppings and some pasta.  Drinks are also a variety: fruit shakes, tea, coffee, water and juices.  You also have a choice to order ala carte instead of availing the buffet breakfast.  Besides, they only served it until 10am.

I will blog about Ace Water Spa in my next post.  Overall, we enjoyed our stay in Ace Hotel and Suites.  They also offer longer stays with details below.  I would definitely love to go back to this hotel.  We truly feel relaxed and we don't even have to travel far to experience it.