One Tagaytay -- my family's destination

Last 2009, my husband and I agreed to have a "tradition" for the family- that is to spend one weekend in a hotel before school year starts. This will be our way of saying goodbye to summer and our last hoorah to spend of what's left of it. Likewise, this will serve as our treat to everyone before the hectic and gruelling school year starts for our 2 kids.

Our first 'check-in tradition' was in a Makati hotel, where we enjoyed the facilities and services the hotel offers. We also went malling, ate in restaurants friends suggested to try, went to the nearby park, checked out activities we can participate in, and did all possible things to do while in Makati. We experienced worthwhile city living with all its hustle and bustle. WE tried and did everything to worth our while, most importantly our family enjoyed being together, savoring every moment. It was something we all truly enjoyed and wished would never end. An experience that I saw in my kids' eyes how happy they were, there smiles are forever in my mind.

Still having a hang-over from that first check-in, we decided for the 2nd time that we celebrate our daughter's 7th birthday in a hotel (where else!), this time in Ortigas. No, dont get me wrong, we didn't reserve a function room . We just booked for the whole weekend (Friday to Sunday) two adjoining family rooms where a dining room and kitchen area were part of its amenities (btw, the 2nd family room was paid for by my generous brother). We served heavy merienda on a Saturday afternoon for our guests - immediate family and close friends. It was a simple and happy celebration.

For this year, as the summer heat intensifies and temperature rises, we're dreaming for our next hotel conquest , it will be outside Metro Manila. But we all know that out of town trips can be a bit costly - hotel accommodation, gas and pocket money , etc and the like, with all these we cannot pursue this plan.

Then again, if money won't be an issue and we could spend a chunk of it just to have and create that fun-filled and bonding moments with the family, we will go to Tagaytay. The family will surely love to hie off here and enjoy its cool climate and get a good view of Taal Volcano. Plus, its only a good 55 kms from Manila via Aguinaldo Hi-way. With all these in mind, I believe One Tagaytay Place will be the perfect venue to check in for our dream weekend vacation. It is located in the heart of Tagaytay City. It is toward the direction of Picnic Grove and the People's Park, right on the main road, so all would be visitors will not miss it.

I googled and viewed One Tagaytay's website and was impressed with the hotel's over all appeal and what it can offer to guests like me. I already felt the warmth and welcoming atmosphere just going through the pictures. It enabled me to surmise, that it's the place where people can gather to enjoy and watch the sunrise, sip a cup of coffee and just hang out. Further, guests can relax and lounge in the sitting areas and just be soothed with the surroundings. It also made me smile that it has nice spots to have your pictures taken. SO, I already made a mental note to bring my digicam with batteries fully charged and have a pack of handy batteries as well. You will enjoy capturing the hotel's view and beauty. The room rates may be more than what you can afford, but as what I've mentioned earlier if money is not an issue, and you go for "Value for Money" then I believe this will be the hotel of choice.... Read on to see what I mean...

In any hotel, the coziness of the room is what I'm after since this will be our temporary abode. And I liked what I saw! I cant wait to spend a night or two here in One Tagaytay. The De Luxe Room or the Premiere One Bedroom Suite is very inviting. It seems that a simple, ordinary guest like me and my family can be a VIP with all the amenities -- airconditioned rooms, high quality beds, lavishly fitted bathrooms, cable LCD TV, DVD player, Wi-fi internet access, mini-bar, the works!! My kids will surely welcome the cozy and restful ambiance, while me and my husband will consider it a perfect sanctuary for our body and minds. We will definitely have a good night sleep and catch a lot of ZZZZssss here. Personally, I'm excited and looking forward to watch cable on an LCD TV (If I may share our tv at home is not like this...)

I can already envision and predict the things we'll be up to when we settle down in this room -- the kids will beat me to watching tv - channel will be in Cartoon Network, Hero Channel, Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney-- and they will forever hold the remote control. Me the ever martyr, loving mom will unpack all our stuff and put everything in order. While all these are happening, my husband has fled out of the room scouting the hotel premises....it's like surveillance or something-- checking where the fire exits are, where's the pool, and most importantly where the cafe/ restaurant outlet is! You know my husband is always a hungry man and he will for sure be dying to see the menu and what he will order. He has this appetite and adventure to try new and exciting dishes. I am so sure, that when he gets back to our room he's already raving on what food to order... And I believe for a hotel this big, their menu will be an adventure on its own :).



Speaking of facilities, I am definite my daughter and son will love their children's pool as they love to play in the water and swim. My husband and I will try the wellness spa and have our aching and stressed out bodies be massaged and pampered even for just an hour.



Since we are in Tagaytay, we can try a Trek to Taal Volcano-- I heard that for kids it can be done on horseback . We will go and visit other must see places - People's Park, ancestral home of Marcella Agoncillo, Basilica de Tours, We might even try the Tagaytay Zipline (I've been itching to try this myself), if not, the cable car will do. When there's so much to see and experience, its also good to explore great variety of food in the restaurants only found here in Tagaytay. From grills to open cafes. I'm sure it will offer a promise to fulfill our hungry stomachs to the end.

Of course nobody goes home without pasalubongs - yummy buko pie, cassava cakes, fresh fruits like pineapple, bananas, watermelons, then there's native treats such as suman, uraro.

Whew! visiting Tagaytay and staying in One Tagaytay Place, as it is equipped with all the amenities, will be part of my family's travel highlights.