Note: Use booking code “OurAwesomePlanet” to get 15% off Best Available Rate (applicable to weekday stays [Sunday to Friday], valid until October 28th 2022).
TAAL VISTA Hotel is one of the heritage staycation destinations in Tagaytay because of its iconic vantage point of the Taal Volcano. It’s awesome to see how the hotel survived the eruption and the pandemic as it continues to be part of our family’s memories for years to come.
Here is a staycation guide on what not to miss, what to eat, and how best to experience it.
TAAL VISTA HOTEL
Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Philippines
📞: (+632) 7917 8225 / (+6346) 413 1000
📱: (+63) 917 809 1254
🌍: www.TaalVistaHotel.com
FB: www.facebook.com/taalvistahotel
TW: @TaalVistaHotel
IG: @taalvistahotel
Related Blog Posts:
• TAAL VISTA // Best of Tagaytay Staycation (2022)
• TAZA: Fresh Table Weekend Brunch in Tagaytay @TaalVistaHotel (2015)
• TAAL VISTA HOTEL: Enroute to Becoming Tagaytay’s First 5-Star Hotel? (2013)
• Taal Vista Lodge // The Best View of Taal Lake! (2005)
• Taal Vista Hotel Reinvented — Amazing! (2005)
A WALK THROUGH TIME
Guided Tour Schedules 11AM | 3PM | 4PM | 5PM
₱3,200 for 2 persons (One-hour guided walking tour, set meal at Taza Fresh Table)
₱3,200 for 4 persons (One-hour guided walking tour, tea timel at Lobby Lounge)
I love how Taal Vista leveraged its status as the “second oldest hotel in Manila” next to Manila Hotel by telling stories from the time it opened in October 7, 1939 as Taal Vista Lodge up to the time it survived the Taal Volcano eruption and the Covid Pandemic lockdown.
The walking tour goes through the history panel, the viewing deck, and a tour of the hotel. This is best as an educational tour for kids or a historical perspective for balikbayans or guests.
As an entrepreneur, I love this photo, and it is so inspiring for me to hear the stories of how Tatang aspired to own and, consequently, operate this iconic spot in Tagaytay.
Growing up, they used to say Taal Volcano was active but we never really believed until it erupted last January 12, 2020. I remember the panic, the scary feeling that the world was about to end, and the endless stories of people in the south who were trapped or who drove in zero visibility because of the ash fall.
TAZA FRESH TABLE
TAZA MENU: Salad, Soup, Mezze, Fat Breads | Pasta, Entree, Steaks, Sharing, Dessert, Sides | TAZA Specials | Beverage List | Cocktails and Wine
TAZA Fresh Table is a farm-to-table garden fresh restaurant created by Chef Jayme Natividad in 2013. Most of the items in the menu are still the same, executed with the same garden fresh quality through the years.
You can check out the Taza Specials menu for something new and ask for off-menu items like their desserts. We tried most of the items in the menu, and here are our favorites.
starter set choice of 4 items (₱900)
• Sautéed Chorizo in Garlic (₱350)
• Sauteed Chicken Liver with Garlic (₱250)
• Boquerones (₱220)
• Olive Tapenade (₱220)
• Hummus (₱230)
• Baba Ganoush (₱220)
The Mezze platter is still the best and one of the favorites at Taza. Get the chorizo, boquerones, and the chicken liver and add the hummus or baba ganoush.
Romaine,arugula, cucumbers, peppers, local ricotta salt, roasted vegetable vinaigrette
TAZA (₱395)
Quinoa, cherry tomatoes, wild arugula, farm-fresh romaine, micro greens, Cebu dried mangoes, radish, beets, a la minute tarragon-white wine vinaigrette
Always start with the fresh salads like the Kale and their signature Taza salad.
Trio of Tagaytay mushrooms (oyster, shiitake and button), creme fraiche, truffle oil
Duck and Mushroom Lasagna (₱680)
Laguna duck, trio of Tagaytay mushrooms (oyster, shiitake and button mushrooms), béchamel sauce, parmesan
The pastas are good, even the simple carbonara, but our favorite is the lasagna with duck and mushroom and the creamy mushroom pasta. Kids love this.
Handcut fries, market vegetables, poivre sauce
Tomahawk Pork Chop (₱890)
Caramelized onions and bananas, salsa verde, pork jus
Taza is the place to celebrate your special occasions at Taal Vista or in Tagaytay in general because of its well executed steaks and pork chop. The steak is quite tasty, cooked medium with a good meat to fat ratio. Make sure to also try the pork chop served tomahawk style.
Bordeaux Blanc, AOC Bordeaux
Escudo Rojo, BPR (₱3,900)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
They have a decent wine list to pair with the steaks and garden fresh specialties.
With Don Papa rum glazed Tagaytay Pineapples
Napoleones
(special off menu dessert)
Make sure to get Taza’s signature dessert, the Olive Oil Gelato, and the off menu Napoleones. 🙂
Congrats to Chef Rico and the Taza culinary team for executing the dishes well and for maintaining the Taza quality even without Chef Jayme.
Batangas Suite Two-Bedroom
This view never gets old and it appears closer to the ridge in the morning. The actual mouth of the volcano is behind the volcano-like small hill in front.
The Lake View Rooms are the best because of their room view of Taal Volcano.
Make sure to get the Batangas Suite Two-Bedroom with spacious master bedroom and bathroom with bath tub. Try to get the higher floors like the 3rd floor to get a good view of Taal Volcano.
Our kids loved the living room area because they could have their own quiet nook for “studying”.
The adjacent room was big enough for the kids, and there was enough restroom space for the family.
Served with garlic rice or plain rice, two farm-fresh eggs, archaea, your choice of one cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate
Nothing beats breakfast inside the room to enjoy every moment and for the family to be safe. The kids loved the Pork Tocino while I loved the tapa and daing with vinegar. We love our eggs, runny and scrambled. Order their Chocolate Batirol for the kids and the Barako coffee for the parents.
The kids could swim all the way to the mountain wing on the other side of the hotel. It is a bit cold so best to do some exercise and go in the afternoon when it feels good to dip in the cold pool.
The kids playroom, with a pool table and board games, is also on this side.
The best part of the staycation is an in-room massage from Asmara Spa. Make sure to book the last massage slot around 9pm.
VERANDA
Veranda Menu: Heirloom Menu, Noodle, Sandwich, Appetizer, Salad, Soup, Breakfast | Pasta, Comfort Food, Pizza, Dessert | Beverage List | Cocktail, Wine
It’s been a while since we last went to Taal Vista, and we were surprised at how “maaliwalas” Veranda restaurant was. This is where they provide the breakfast buffet and all-day dining.
Veranda serves Filipino Comfort Food, especially Tagaytay’s specialty—Bulalo. Love the soup.
Sometimes, the kids are just into chicken nuggets and fries with ketchup.
No, this is not tawilis, but it tastes like one. It’s crispy throughout, and you can dip it in a special sweet vinegar concoction. You can eat the whole fish, but I usually remove the head.
There are times you just want to enjoy the view of Taal Volcano with Halo Halo sa Buko! Sarap. 🙂
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, we enjoyed our relaxing escape at Taal Vista Hotel, especially our meals at Taza, the Filipino comfort food at Veranda, the in-room Filipino Breakfast, and the educational walk through history. It was raining almost the entire time we visited, and we enjoyed our room more with the foggy Tagaytay weather.
I love how Taal Vista was able to nurture their employees over the years and how they took care of them throughout challenging times. It’s always fully booked here during the weekend, so make sure to book your staycations for the BER season as early as you can.
Since they are the second oldest hotel, expect some maintenance issues in the room. I know the hospitality team tries hard to address them. Also, I just wish they had a heated infinity pool on the ridge which would make this the perfect staycation destination in Tagaytay.
Thank you to Celine, Chef Jayme, and the Taal Vista team for the memorable staycation experience!
TAAL VISTA HOTEL
Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Philippines
📞: (+632) 7917 8225 / (+6346) 413 1000
📱: (+63) 917 809 1254
🌍: www.TaalVistaHotel.com
FB: www.facebook.com/taalvistahotel
TW: @TaalVistaHotel
IG: @taalvistahotel
Related Blog Posts:
• TAAL VISTA // Best of Tagaytay Staycation 2022
• TAZA: Fresh Table Weekend Brunch in Tagaytay @TaalVistaHotel (2015)
• TAAL VISTA HOTEL: Enroute to Becoming Tagaytay’s First 5-Star Hotel? (2013)
• Taal Vista Lodge // The Best View of Taal Lake!
• Taal Vista Hotel Reinvented — Amazing!
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Thank you to our friends from Taal Vista Hotel for the staycation experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Did you know that the Unioil gas station along Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road has the best diesel gas price? Make sure to stop to refuel on your way to Tagaytay.
