Where to Stay in Tagaytay | Taal Vista Hotel
Despite an increasing number of hip Airbnb’s and trendy boutique hotels rising up in Tagaytay, one hotel still remains as one of my favorites. The historic Taal Vista Hotel, a hospitality institution where some of the country’s who’s who of yesteryears have stayed before, is where I love finding myself whenever given a chance to spend a few nights in this cool weather place.
Around a year and a half after its last major eruption, I returned to Tagaytay with a few close friends for another relaxing long weekend getaway. Being my third time here, it was indeed an added charm. I still have fond remembrances of my first Taal Vista stay several years back with my then girlfriend and on another occasion with a handful of travel writer friends. After a string of rewarding but draining travel writing assignments, I was more than ready to unwind and delight in the cozy atmosphere and delectable food offerings of the place.
I figured, I needed to kick back and not worry about writing a story for a change. And relaxing and soaking in Tagaytay's quaint mood is exactly what I did for two nights and three days.
A Hallway with Stories to Tell
Before I tell you about my room, a Premier one that comes with a balcony and an unimpeded view of Taal Volcano, I want to acknowledge the museum-like features of Taal Vista.
Many interesting stories about the hotel's history since its construction in 1939 — after President Manuel Quezon encouraged investors to develop Tagaytay as a tourist destination in 1935 — can be learned from the framed photographs, paintings, and newspaper clippings that line the hallway connecting the hotel's two lobbies.
If you would like to hear these tales, Taal Vista can provide a guide who will gladly tour you around the property. Sheen, our young lady guide who is also part of the hotel’s marketing staff, seemed well-versed in telling us the rich and fascinating history of Taal Vista.
Going through the visual display and by listening to Sheen, we learned that Taal Vista served as an officer's barracks for the Japanese soldiers during WWII and that numerous world leaders and even their wives—such as US First Lady Lady Bird Johnson—gathered in Taal Vista for the 1966 Manila Conference on the Vietnam Conflict.
A painting depicting the story of how the town of Tagaytay got its name is sure to get a few laughs from visitors, as the young child in the painting looks remarkably like the late comedian Mahal. According to Sheen, that reference doesn’t escape the observation of most guests.
A Room with a View of Taal
I also stayed in this same room that opens to a wonderful scene of the volcano during my first stay here in 2015. Nevertheless, the breathtaking imagery I see when I step out to the balcony never gets old.
Having everything I want in a hotel room; a spacious king-sized bed, flat-screen TV, a working desk, minibar refrigerator, and a comfortable couch, my Premier room is easily my favorite in Taal Vista Hotel.
I would have stayed in my room all throughout if it weren't for Karla and Tina’s plea for us to explore the surrounding attractions, such as the adjacent Sky Ranch Park.
Foodtripping on the Ridge
Most people go to Tagaytay to indulge in culinary delights, especially at restaurants located on the ridge so as to enjoy both a fine meal and the spectacular view of Taal Volcano.
At Taal Vista, there’s no need to go far as the property houses premium must-try dining venues namely: Taza Fresh Table, the Lobby Lounge, and Veranda Restaurant. To top it all, they can also set up a custom glam picnic spot complete with charcuterie pleasures, perfect for capturing the golden sunset hours.
To sum it up, we experienced all their dining offerings. For lunch and dinner, we satisfied our gastronomic whims by taking turns at the extensive choices of the buffet and the well-curated à la carte menu of the casual all-day dining Veranda Restaurant.
Come breakfast at Taza Fresh Table, we fueled up for the day with dishes celebrating the freshest ingredients sourced right from the property's own vegetable patches and carefully selected local artisanal suppliers.
On our second afternoon, we occupied one of the highly Instagrammable white dining domes as we awaited the sunset glow to magically light up Taal Volcano, over fine wine and delectable bites from an assortment of selections served on a curated charcuterie board.
By nightfall, we would be downing shots of craft cocktails at the Lobby Lounge as a live performer beautifully belted out jazzy tunes and swinging ballads. For three days, our stay was completed with laughter, storytelling, premium food, a little bit of deep history, hard-hitting drinks, a fancy glam picnic, and deeply restful sleep.
I guess that’s exactly the kind of immersive and pampering hospitality experience that Taal Vista has been known to seamlessly deliver to their guests for many decades now. No wonder when one asks about “Where to stay in Tagaytay?”, the resounding answer continues to be, “Taal Vista Hotel”. I second that suggestion in a heartbeat.
