Taal Vista Hotel offers guests a quick getaway for city folk, not only providing them with a breathtaking view of Taal Lake, but a delicious selection of dishes to feast on as well

The Welcome

As I opened the car door to alight, I immediately felt the cool air of Tagaytay welcome us into Taal Vista Hotel. It had been a while since my last visit to Tagaytay, and it was refreshing to experience the weather of this city again. Our check-in was quick and hassle-free, and after dealing with the paperwork, we were escorted to our Premier Queen room at the Lake Wing of the hotel.

The Scene

Of course, we went out of our room to explore the historic property, and while we visited the pool, the gym, and the game room, my favorite spot would have to be the View Deck. It is the best spot to take in both the Taal view and the Tagaytay weather, and is also the best place to take some photos.

The Room

As the name of the hotel suggests, the best part of staying at Taal Vista Hotel is the view that it provides. From our room’s balcony, we had an unobstructed view of the Taal Lake and Volcano, and the areas surrounding it, including the Skyranch, which is just literally next door to the hotel.

Welcoming us to our room was a slice of cake topped with a macaron, as well as a fruit basket. The rest of the room was spacious enough to fit my two companions and me, as it came with one queen bed and one single bed. The whole laid-back ambiance was conducive to relaxing, which was what we did for most of our stay.

The Food

Another must-try at the hotel is the food at Veranda. The newly-renovated restaurant now features a brighter and more inviting design, but still serves the delicious meals it is known for.

Open from 6 AM to 11 PM, not only is the complimentary breakfast buffet served here (definitely try their selection of breads which are baked in-house!), but also both Filipino and international cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Menu standouts are the Quattro Stagioni Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Wings, and Pork Sinigang (which is perfect for cold Tagaytay nights). Their shakes and smoothies are also must-tries. Maybe this is just me being a stickler, but I also really appreciated that they served their tea in kettles and did not directly place one tea bag in a small cup of hot water.

At Checkout

It was a quick overnighter, and we wished we could have stayed longer. Although checkout was at 12 NN, our original plan was to leave the hotel by 11 AM, so I was secretly delighted when I was informed that our ride back to Manila was running late, which meant we had an extra hour to stay at the hotel.

Checkout was just as easy as checking in, and the rest of our wait time was spent at the hotel’s gorgeous lobby lounge, where the staff still attended to us (serving us water) even if we had already officially checked out.

The Verdict

After a stay at Taal Vista Hotel, it’s not a surprise that it has remained a top choice for city folk when looking for a quick vacation away from the chaotic metro. With relaxing views that are hard to beat, and hearty food that can make even the pickiest of eaters happy, Taal Vista Hotel definitely lives up to its name and reputation. No wonder it’s always full during weekends!