Metro Manila's heat can be unbearable at times and one of our solutions to beating this is to travel to somewhere colder. It's a good thing that Tagaytay is not too far a destination for a day or overnight trip. I love this city, not only for its cool weather, but also for its beautiful sceneries and very nice places of interest.
loved hanging out on our hotel balcony with a beautiful view
Recently, my family went there and it only took us an hour to get there from Alabang. Granted, it was on a Friday morning so traffic wasn't bad along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road. We headed to Max's Tagaytay first to grab some brunch then proceeded to Residence Inn to check out its new attractions. More about that visit in another blog post.
Taal Vista Hotel shot from the View Deck
It was past 1PM when we arrived at Taal Vista Hotel where we were booked for the night. I've heard good things about the place and found it to be a charming establishment with a very interesting history. They also have accommodating staff members who are always ready to answer questions with a smile.
welcome treats for weary travelers
Our rooms have a breathtaking view of Taal Lake with the famous Taal Volcano located on Mount Taal as well as its neighboring mountains. Take note, though, of the correct location of the volcano, which actually behind that small mountain with a crater-like top. Google images of the area so you'll know what I'm talking about :p
the spacious and comfortable premier queen room
Taal Vista Hotel's Premier Queen room is very spacious. It has one queen bed and one single bed with a balcony where you can while away the time and soak in the cool air and simply stare at the beauty of nature all around the hotel. The balcony is also where you might get to see a pre-wedding pictorial or pretty young ladies spreading their gowns on the expansive lawns to take groufies with their friends.
the next time I visit, I'll bring a dress with a flowing skirt, too! :D
This hotel is definitely an ideal place to hold celebrations and big events in. Not only does it serve good food, it has such amazing backgrounds, you'll never run out of good photo opportunities that can be found on almost every corner.
super love this Watermelon Salad (P295.00) with delicious calamansi dressing!
We had dinner that night at Taza Fresh Table and got to meet Chef Jayme Natividad whose delicious creations are pleasing both to the eye and on the palate. Moreover, it was great to know that Taza helps Filipino farmers by sourcing the restaurant's ingredients from local farms.
Grilled Turmeric Chicken (P550.00) made with yogurt,
fresh turmeric, ginger, cilantro, Tzatziki, and served
with coconut rice (not in photo) -- very tasty!
For instance, the vegetables come from Taal Vista's own garden and small, family-owned farms in Baguio and Tagaytay. They also make sure that their seafood (from partner suppliers in Iloilo) are fished or farmed in ways that have the least impact on the environment. Plus, the pork and chicken served at Taza were raised with natural feeds without any hormones and antibiotics.
Pizza Sampler (P720.00) with margherita, four cheese, grilled vegetable,
and salsa verde with pancetta -- every flavor tasted divine!
It was amazing, too, to find out that their beef comes from Bukidnon where Wagyu cattle are already being raised in Mt. Kitanglad. (I didn't know that!) Another interesting trivia is that Chef Jayme uses Malagos Farms artisanal cheeses from the acclaimed dairy farm in Davao. Conversely, Taza's chocolate based desserts uses tablea (cacao tablets) produced in Alfonso, Cavite.
the Tomahawk Pork Chop (P800.00) with caramelized onions, bananas,
and pork jus is lip-smacking good!
Dairy, on the other hand, is sourced from Laguna and includes fresh milk plus the traditional kesong puti. For healthier carbs, order black rice at Taza because it is high in fiber and has nutritional value and anti-oxidant properties. These are organically grown on the rice soil of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros.
Napoleon (P225.00) made with homemade mascarpone cheese,
barako coffee, and otap -- flaky and yummy goodness in a plate!
Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ate at Taza. I'll post a separate blog write up about having breakfast there, which is another foodie-haven affair. FYI, even if you're not staying as a hotel guest, you can still book seats at Taza and enjoy its flavorful dishes with your loved ones!
Taal Vista's corridors are lined with interesting photos that tells
of its colorful history and significant milestones
That night, we slept soundly on Taal Vista's comfortable beds. I tried staying on the balcony for several minutes before turning in for the night but the cold wind drove me inside. Thankfully, with the sun shining brightly the next morning, we were able to soak in some sunshine and spend more time on the balcony to enjoy the view and take more pictures.
don't forget to have a photo taken beside this creative hashtag! :)
I highly recommend a stay at Taal Vista if you're planning a trip to Tagaytay any time soon. It is just beside Sky Ranch and across Casino Filipino as well as near driving distance to and from other Tagaytay attractions. For inquiries, call (02) 917.8225, (046) 413.1000, or 0917.8091254. Taal Vista Hotel is located at Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City 4120, Philippines.