Tagaytay City – One-Armed Wanderer

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7 Best Hotels in Tagaytay City Philippines

Posted on May 28, 2017August 12, 2017by One Armed Wanderer

Located in Cavite, Tagaytay city is just few hours away from Manila. Its proximity from the bustling Manila makes this city the most popular travel destination in the south. Apart from its location, Tagaytay city is known for its cold weather and not to mention its various tourists attractions such as Residence Inn Zoo, Tagaytay People’s Park, Skyranch and Picnic Grove.

Tagaytay City will also fulfill your gastronomic adventures. Don’t miss their delicious bulalo in Mahogany Market and nearby South Streat Gourmand Food Park and Twin Lakes. And of course scenic views of Taal volcano which can be enjoyed through various restaurants and hotels in the city.

If you are visiting Tagaytay, here are the 7 best hotels in Tagaytay that will truly make your vacation memorable:

1. Taal Vista Hotel

Taal Vista Hotel is the most popular luxurious Tagaytay hotel in this list. Rooms provide guests with mountain view or lake view. On lake wing, you can choose from a two-bedroom deluxe suite, premier queen, deluxe king, deluxe queen, premier king and Batangas suite, On the other hand, mountain wing rooms consist of one-bedroom deluxe suite, superior twin, superior king, premier room-mountain wing, deluxe ridge, deluxe king, Taal suite and Tagaytay suite.

Guests at Taal Vista Hotel will enjoy a showcase of Filipino folkloric dance every Fridays to Sundays at 12:30 PM. The hotel also has a souvenir shop called Culture Butik for those who want to bring home Filipino souvenir items.

Taal Vista Hotel has an outdoor pool, garden, gym, view deck and a recreation facility.

Room price starts at 5,200 Php. You may book your Taal Vista Hotel room HERE or HERE at a discounted rate.

2. Lee Boutique Hotel

If you are into small and more private hotels, Lee Boutique Hotel is the perfect place to spend your night in Tagaytay. Accommodations in this chic and hip hotel are superior room, deluxe room, executive room, regency king, junior suite, 2 bedroom suite and family room.

It is highly recommended to try their delicious special tapa and boneless bangus.

Room rates start at 2,515 Php. Book your Lee Boutique Hotel room at a discounted price HERE or HERE.

3. Discovery Country Suites

Discovery Country Suites belongs to the most-coveted Travelers’ Choice 2017 of TripAdvisor.

This hotel offers luxurious lobby and suites with a panoramic views of Taal volcano. Accommodations in this high-end Tagaytay Hotel include an English themed Oxford suite, Nantucket Suite and Nara suite. Room rates start at 6,500 Php a night.

Book a Discovery Country Suites room at a discounted price HERE or HERE.

4. Nurture Wellness Village

If you want relaxation and rejuvination, Nurture Wellness Village is the perfect Tagaytay hotel for you. Nurture Wellness Village offer various services including Filipino Spa & pampering, corporate wellness (business and team building venue), wedding and intimate event venue, detox & holistic weight loss and other holistic health services.

Nurture Wellness Village was awarded Certificate of excellence by TripAdvisor from 2014 to 2016.

Accommodations in this unique Tagytay hotel include Ifugao spa suites (7,900 Php), Superior garden view room (6,200 Php) , Deluxe forrest view room (7,900 Php) and the Family room (2,500 Php).

Discounted Nurture Wellness Village room rates HERE.

5. T House

T House is one among the few Tagaytay hotels with modern architecture and vibe. This hotel boasts its restaurant with locally sourced food. On their menu are Filipino dishes to Asian cuisine. All ingredients used on their menu are locally sources from neighbouring farms.

Accommodations at T House are Garden room (4,850 Php), Courtyard room (5,200 Php), Luxe room (5,950 Php), Serenity suite (6,800 Php), Serenity balcony suite (7,200 Php).

T House discounted room rates HERE.

6. The Lake Hotel Tagaytay

The Lake Hotel Tagaytay´s Medditeranean-inspired structure makes it unique among other hotels in the city. Rooms in The Lake Hotel are standard, superior, deluxe, deluxe lake view, junior suite, one bedroom suite and two bedroom suite.

Among the many facilities are indoor pool, Shamble garden, Lake Cafe restaurant, bar and kiddie playroom.

Book your discounted The Lake Hotel Tagaytay room HERE.

7. Domicillo Design Hotel

Last on our list is Domicillo Design Hotel. This hotel reminds me of BRblock Boutique and Residences in Makati City, minimalist, industrial and modern. What makes Domicillo Design Hotel unique is its refreshing ambiance. The lush greens in the garden is truly relaxing.

Book your discounted Domicillo Design hotel room HERE.

Cavite
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- Travels

Do Not Visit Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky Until You Read This

Posted on June 26, 2016February 25, 2017by One Armed Wanderer

Old structure tagaytay people's park in the sky

Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky is located in the summit of Mt.Gozales in Tagaytay City, Cavite. The park was originally an unfinished mansion known as the Palace In the sky which was built during the Marcos era. What’s left today is the unfinished and rusting structure of the supposedly mansion.

During our second day in Tagaytay, Jen and I left Crisanta’s Bed and Breakfast early to catch the sunrise at Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky. We arrived at the park at around 6:30 AM and soon found out that it opens at 7:30 AM. As we waited, tourists started pouring in. We ended up falling in line as the park opens.

Schedule: opens everday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM

People's park tagaytay entrance — Park Entrance

Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky Entrance Fee

I was surprised that the park has a 30 Php entrance fee. Aren’t public park supposed to be free? Among all the Philippine public parks I’ve visited, it was only Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky chargers entrance fee, I told my company Jen. We proceeded anyway thinking that the entrance fee might be for the maintenance of the park.

Just behind the park’s gate are jeepneys that bring visitors to the highest point of People’s Park in the Sky. Fee is 5 Php each and 40 Php for special trip. Alternatively, you can walk on your way up to the peak.

Since the park just opened and the jeepney that brings guests to the peak was fully occupied, Jen and I decided to walk. While walking uphill, I noticed a number guests taking groupies and selfies with the plain view as their background. At that point, I was just focused on reaching the highest peak. I did not stop to take any photos as there was no Instagram worthy view.

People's park tagaytay city — Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love

We reached the Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love. Built in 1974 and was formally inaugurated by Bishop Luis Tagle in 2003, the shrine is one among the most photographed spot in the park.

Cottages at People's Park in the — Cottages

If you get tired and hungry, there are a number of stores selling drinks and snacks.

I was dismayed that the use of cottages are charged 100 Php given that this is a people’s park.

Jen and I continued walking uphill until we reached this rustic old structure which is supposedly the unfinished “Palace in the Sky”. Well, the structure looks old and abandoned but it I actually liked it. It looks hunted but can be a good location for professional photo shoots.

The Views From Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky

As we entered the structure, we were welcomed by the beautiful panoramic view of Tagaytay.

The breathtaking panoramic view compensated my earlier disappointments with Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky.

View of the open threatre

View from the side side of the old structure

If you are looking for activities, there is nothing much to do in People’s Park in the Sky. Well, except for sightseeing and having your photo taken while riding a horse for 20 Php.

How to get to Tagaytay People’s Park the Sky?
commute: From Tagaytay circle, take jeepneys bound to the park. Fare is 17 Php.
by car: From Tagaytay circle, head to northeast of Tagaytay via Tagaytay-Calamba road.

People’s Park in the Sky Map

Well, I should say that expected too much before visiting Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky. There are fees everywhere. From the parking to the entrance and even the use of their cottages were a bit off. The park could have been better if there is a proper maintenance and efforts to improve the place. The only highlight of our Tagaytay People’s Park in the Sky tour were the beautiful views.

Visiting Tagaytay? Online hotel booking here.

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Cavite
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- Food

Where to Eat Cheap Bulalo in Tagaytay?

Posted on June 26, 2016June 26, 2016by One Armed Wanderer

Looking for a place to eat the cheapest yet delicious Bulalo in Tagaytay? Skip the famous and fancy restaurants as Tagaytay’s Mahogany Beef Market and Bulalohan is the right stop if you are on a budget.

tagaytay Mahogany Beef Market and Bulalohan

Mahogany Beef Market and Bulalohan is located along Mahogany Avenue and is just few minute drive from Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway.

Tagaytay Mahogany Market Map

Since I have visited Mahogany Market back in 2013 and I knew that it was the best place to eat affordable yet delicious Bulalo in Tagaytay, I didn’t hesitate to suggest the place to Jen (my Tagaytay travel buddy) for our dinner. We left Crisanta’s Bed and Breakfast and immediately headed to Mahogay Market.

Upon reaching the Mahogany Market, I was surprised that the food stalls offering delicious Bulalo have been transferred to a new building. The entire market has expanded and now has ample parking space for visitors.

Tip: Parking easily gets occupied during weekends. If you are having dinner at Mahogany Market, I would highly recommend to visit at around 8 PM or 9 PM.

The fresh meat market is now located on the ground of the 2-storey building. On the second floor are the wide array of Bulalohans.

Barboza’s at Mahogany Market

I blogged about the Barboza’s Kitchenette in Mahogany Market in 2013. I told Jen that we’ll have to look for Barboza’s kitchenette stall as I wanted to meet the owners who commented and invited me to visit their stall again. Well, that was in 2013, 3 years have passed and the entire Mahogany Market has changed a lot! As we reached the second floor, we easily spotted Barboza’s kitchenette. Unfortunately the owners were not around when we visited Barboza’s.

We ordered bulalo, crispy crablets and crispy shripms.

cheap bulalo in Tagaytay — Bulalo at Barboza’s Kitchenette Mahogany Markot – 350 Php

After 3 years, it was surprising that the price of Bulalo at Barboza’s did not change! At 350 Php, an order of bulalo in Mahogany Market is undoubtedly the cheapest bulalo in Tagaytay! Since we were only two, we were overwhelmed by the generous serving which is actually good for 6 persons.

Tip: Bulalohans in Mahogany Market Tagaytay do not serve single bulalo meals. So better bring your friends or be overwhelmed with the huge serving of their bulalo.

Crispy Crablets Tagaytay — Crispy Crablets – 200 Php

The crispy crablets was okay and could have been better if they were carefully chosen . There were a couple of crabs on the serving that were no longer “crablets”.

Tip: Expect some sort of odd smell in the area since bulalohans at Mahogany Market are just above the beef market and is nearby the cow slaughter-house. Nonetheless, the smell is tolerable.

Crispy Shrimps at Mahogany — Crispy shrimps – 200 Php

I loved the crispy shrimps! It was perfectly cooked, very tasty and crispy!

Cheap Bulalo… but the rest?

Jen and I did not bother to ask for the prices since we were confident that items on their menu are cheaply priced. The bill surprised us. We felt that the crispy crablets and shrimps were a bit overpriced. Well, our orders were actually good for 6 persons and we barely consumed everything. If we were six, the 890 bill could have been 149 Php each.

Bulalo – 350 Php
Crispy crablets – 200 Php
Crispy shrimps – 200 Php
2 rice – 40 Php
1.5 litre coke – 100 Php

Total – 890 Php

If you are looking for the cheapest yet delicious bulalo in Tagaytay, I would definitely recommend Mahogany Market! Just make sure to bring your friends or family with you as the servings are generous and the Mahogany Market bulalo experience is better when shared. Visiting Tagaytay? Book your Tagaytay hotel here.

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