A combination of laid-back living and rustic charm, Tagaytay is home to lush greenery, beautiful sceneries, and lovely cool weather year round. Known for its family-friendly tourist spots, romantic dining destinations, and exciting attractions, this city is a constant favorite among families, couples, and barkadas looking for a quick weekend escape from Manila.
Located on the ridge overlooking the iconic Taal volcano and lake, Taal Vista is one of Tagaytay’s most loved hotels. With its rich history and long-standing reputation of being among the best places to stay in Tagaytay, Taal Vista is geared towards leisure seekers eager for some quality R&R paired with a one-of-a-kind gustatory adventure. Read on to find out more about the quintessential Taal Vista Hotel.
Accommodation
Taal Vista has 260 rooms and suites distributed between its two sections: the Lake Wing (with rooms offering a direct view of the Taal Lake) and the Mountain Wing. These accommodations are built around the expansive property, among the hotel’s restaurants and other amenities.
We stayed in a Deluxe King Room (check rates here) in the Lake Wing, which features a King-size bed, an en suite bathroom, a mini-bar, a workstation, and a view of Sky Ranch—a popular theme park just a short walk away.
Complimentary treats from Taal Vista Hotel awaited us when we arrived. I loved the Hazelnut Cake with chocolate ganache and a layer of what seemed like toasted coconut. The Pan de Coco was also good—these rolls reminded me of my childhood, when we would buy assorted breads for merienda. There was also a basket of fresh fruits for us to enjoy.
The bathroom is compact yet complete, featuring a vanity area, a walk-in shower, and a separate toilet area with a bidet. Natur branded toiletries are provided.
The room is simple, comfortable, and spacious, perfect for couples just spending a day or two in Tagaytay.
Dining
Even if you won’t be staying at Taal Vista Hotel, it is still worth visiting for one reason: the food. You’ve seen all those lists carrying popular dining destinations in Tagaytay—you should definitely add Taal Vista to the roster, specifically right to the top parts.
Café Veranda
The hotel’s all-day dining and buffet restaurant, Café Veranda, boasts of exquisite dishes not only in its buffet breakfast but also in its lunch and dinner spreads—which both feature incredibly delicious heirloom recipes alongside international selections.
The breakfast—complimentary when you book a room—features a make-your-own salad section, a soup section, an omelet station, a bread station, and a dessert station, apart from the spread of mains and breakfast staples like tapa, sausages, dried fish, and bacon. There’s a special glazed ham when we visited, as well as Filipino specialties like taho and champorado. I normally don’t like breakfast buffets but I enjoyed all the dishes I piled on my plate here at Café Veranda.
For lunch, we tried their signature buffet highlighting their heirloom dishes. I’m sorry to say this, but the lunch spread kicked the breakfast on the ass. IT WAS DIVINE. There’s a make-your-own salad bar loaded with fresh produce, as well as a second salad section with the restaurant’s creations—featuring Filipino salads! In a country where most hotels offer the same kind of dishes, Café Veranda wins with its strategy to give us familiar flavors like salted egg, singkamas, pako, and many more! There’s a small selection of Mediterranean mezze as well, and since I love this cuisine, I tried every single one of them.
The Grill and Carving Station features special dishes like the Porchetta (so good!) and the Chuck Roll. I must admit that after finishing my salads, I went straight to the meats. They also offer special satays (I got chicken), grilled upon order. They were delightfully smoky and flavorful.
There’s a pasta section and a noodle section for those who are craving for some Italian flavors or hearty soups. Not to be missed are the mouthwatering pizzas made from scratch and using fresh ingredients. There’s a Kid’s Section where you can enjoy curly fries, candies and other sweets. Of course, diners shouldn’t skip dessert. Aside from luscious cakes, crepes, and ice cream, Café Veranda offers local delicacies like leche flan (caramel pudding), turon (banana and jackfruit spring rolls), kutsinta (brown rice cake), maja blanca (coconut pudding with corn), and many more! I felt nostalgic munching on these Pinoy sweets!
Taza Fresh Table
Taal Vista’s newest farm-to-table concept restaurant features international cuisine made with fresh ingredients sourced from different regions of the Philippines. Everything is made from scratch—from the meats down to the sauces. I highly recommend visiting Taza even if you’re staying somewhere else or just going to Tagaytay on a day trip. Get the Tomahawk Porkchop (PhP800), an enormous bone-in pork chop with caramelized onions, pork jus, bananas, and cauli mash. It’s great for sharing and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Finish off with some Molten Lava Cake (PhP225) or Taza’s signature Olive Oil Ice Cream (PhP215), which is crazy good. Don’t forget to order some of their delicious soups and starters as well, and ask for their Seasonal Menu (changes every few months).
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Lobby Lounge
The Lobby Lounge is a cozy venue for diners who would like to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee along with a slice of cake, or a bottle of beer or a cocktail that goes perfectly with Tagaytay’s chilly weather. While this spot can be a little busy, it provides a stunning view of the Taal Lake through its huge windows, making it a nice hangout area despite the crowd.
Other Amenities
Families staying at Taal Vista would definitely enjoy the swimming pool located at the Mountain Wing. If you are alone though or spending the weekend with your significant other, I recommend waking up early and doing some swimming before breakfast if you want to have it all to yourself; after breakfast, the crowd arrives and you, in turn, can grab your breakfast before heading out and doing some sightseeing.
There’s a gym, perfect for people who don’t let vacations ruin their workout schedules. There are treadmills and cardio machines, some resistance machines, and free weights—sufficient enough for your exercise needs. Free water and towels are also provided.
Looking for a little pampering? Head over to the Asmara Spa and reward yourself with a good massage or a foot spa. The hotel also has a small recreational room equipped with a billiards table and a foosball table, for barkadas looking to chill and pass some time. Other features of Taal Vista include the Kid’s Room, the View Deck (where you can take photos of the famous Taal Lake), the Kultura Butik (for souvenirs), and the Cake Shop, where guests can purchase in-house goodies to bring to their families and friends back home. On Fridays to Sundays, there is a Weekend Market featuring locally-made products.
Taal Vista is also a popular venue for weddings and coming-of-age birthday parties. To view their packages, click here or visit their showroom at the hotel to inquire about rates and special offers.
Your Home in Tagaytay
When planning a quick weekend trip to Tagaytay, make sure you include Taal Vista Hotel in your list of accommodation choices. Its proximity to the city's popular tourist spots, its cozy rooms, and its exquisite gustatory offerings make it one of the top hotels in Tagaytay. Whether you're a family looking for some quality bonding time or a couple seeking a romantic hideaway, Taal Vista can definitely deliver—and with its amenities and varied offerings, there is practically no need to get out of this hotel. You can find everything you need here.
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Taal Vista Hotel
Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Cavite
+632.917.8225/+6346.413.1000/+63917.809.1254
reservations@taalvistahotel.com
Criteria
Facilities
Service
Dining
Ambience
Location
TOTAL | Rating
4/5
4.5/5
5/5
4/5
4.5/5
4.4
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Comments
The Deluxe Room was simple but comfortable. The hotel has complete amenities.
Friendly and skillful staff.
The food at Cafe Veranda and Taza are superb!
The hotel exudes a nice feeling of old-world charm despite the renovations.
Near popular tourist attractions, has a direct view of Taal Lake.
One of the top hotel choices in Tagaytay, and understandably so!
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Points for improvement:
- Cafe Veranda allows guests to use only one door when going to the alfresco area (for crowd control, I assume, because there are outsiders visiting the view deck). However, this makes it inconvenient for diners who are going in and out and refilling their plates.
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Have you stayed at Taal Vista Hotel? How was your experience?
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