Tagaytay

The Lake Hotel, Tagaytay

July 22, 2012 / Filed Under: anniversary, hotel, Tagaytay, travels

Our 5th anniversary last May was celebrated at The Lake Hotel in Tagaytay. I found a deal with a 51% two weeks before and grabbed it. It was sizzling hot in Manila and the cold weather in Tagaytay was a welcome escape.

It was easy to find because it’s nestled in the food strip of the city.

The deal was for a Deluxe room which normally costs ₱8,000 but which we got for P4,300 plus a massage. It was both warm and welcoming. It could also be fit for honeymooners. Can you see the shower and bath tub behind Ykaie?

The veranda also opens to an amazing view of Taal Volcano and the lake.

I reserved two rooms because we took my MIl and FIL with us so they can have a relaxing day as well.

Our 4th at One Tagaytay Place

June 30, 2011 / Filed Under: anniversary, hotel, swimming, Tagaytay, travels

Tagaytay is one of my favorite places to go on a micro- vacation. The primary reason is because of the cold weather and second because it is only less than two hours away from Manila.

When peanutbutter♥ arrived for his one month vacation, we left for One Tagaytay Place the next day. The reservation was made months ago. I wanted to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary there. I was very satisfied with the place, amenities and service when I celebrated my birthday there last year.{<<click}

Last year, we had two pitchers of welcome drinks but last month they gave us a pitcher of Dalandan Juice and a plate of fresh fruits. We were there for a relaxing two days, occupying the Penthouse Suite Adore.

It was all room service, rest and bonding the whole day the first day we were there…

The next morning, after having coffee we went down for a very nice breakfast at the Azalea Restaurant located at the lobby of the hotel.

Daddy and darling daughter ykaie went horseback riding after breakfast.

They went on a nature trail..

After the horseback riding our lazy bones got the better of us and we just decided to go back to the hotel.

Ykaie wanted to go for a swim too. late morning was a very good time to do so because of the cold weather plus it rains in the afternoon.

Ykaie and mommy

I enjoyed taking photos of peanutbutter♥ and ykaie having fun in the water…

Family time, bonding, laughs and good food ~~ a wonderful way to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary!

Piña Colina, Tagaytay City

April 6, 2011 / Filed Under: resorts, swimming, swimming pools, Tagaytay, travels

I just got back from our two-day vacation and is still haunted by the cold Tagaytay weather as I share with you the place where we stayed.

We stayed at the Piña Colina Resort.

“Piña Colina” is a Spanish phrase which means “Pineapple Hill”. As what the name means, this resort is located atop a hill surrounded by Pineapple plantations.

Ykaie even found a baby pineapple inside the resort!

This is our Casita

What made this resort our first choice was that it is very affordable. The kids wanted to go swimming and we wanted a really nice place to take a vacation. This Casita accommodates 8-10 people and costs P5850 per night on weekdays {P6,500 on weekends}. It is a two-storey unit with a living room, kitchen, two beds, two bathrooms with hot and cold shower, dining table, daybeds, pull-out beds, TV and refrigerator. There is also a grill outside, in case you want to have a barbecue. Guests exceeding 10 will be charged 500 per head.

at the front terrace

We were also charged a 10% additional because we brought food to cook. There is also a corkage fee for beer and wine. I think it’s P5 per bottle of beer and P50 per bottle of wine.

The bedroom on the second floor

They provided extra beds to accommodate 10 people. Each room at the casita was very clean and the staff are very approachable and nice. The room doesn’t have an air conditioning unit. Well, you won’t really need it since it is very cold in Tagaytay. I think it’s even colder in Piña Colina because it is located on top of a hill.

I am wrapped in a blanket most of the time we were there!

Right: The bedroom terrace overlooking a pineapple plantation Top Left/Bottom: makeshift bedrooms, 2nd floor living room and 1st floor entrance and under the stairs.

The toilet and bath which has water heater

The Kitchen

I told you that they charge an additional fee if you’re bringing food and cooking because they provide some cookware, dinnerware and utensils. They provided kettle, pots, pans, plates and glasses.

The dining area

The swimming pools

Piña Colina has two small swimming pools. The bigger one is 4ft to 5.5ft deep and the other one is the kiddie pool.

The kiddie pool is 2-3 ft deep.

at the kiddie pool

I wasn’t able to go swimming for a long time because the water was freezing. Well, actually, the adults couldn’t stand the freezing water but the kids were able to. I allowed ykaie to go swimming a little longer than me so she can enjoy it with her cousins.

There is also an elevated jacuzzi which you can use for a fee of P1,200 per hour. 10 people can fit in that jacuzzi.

The cottages beside the pool where you can rest or eat a snack while swimming.

I think Piña Colina is more of a rest house resort than a swimming resort. It provides a relaxing atmosphere for couples or families or even individuals who wants to go away and leave the busy life for a while. The pool is just an a bonus.

I had a wonderful time. Made me miss peanutbutter♥ a lot.

Curious about the food we prepared? Check them out here:

Day1 Lunch; Day1 DinnerA; Day1 DinnerB

Day2 Breakfast
Day2 Lunch at Bag of Beans

Day3 Breakfast

Piña Colina
Tolentino Ulat St., Baranggay Francisco,
Tagaytay City