T HOUSE TAGAYTAY

I chose T-HOUSE for my husband's post-birthday celebration after seeing rave reviews on other forums. As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed with a refreshing drink. After checking in, one of the staff led us to our Luxe Garden Suite (Earth), Php 6,325.00 per night. Our room had air-conditioned with hot and cold shower, 24" flat screen cable TV and WIFI access. Ameneties such as shampoo and soap, bath and hand towels were provided. And it comes with a complimentary breakfast for two the following morning.

Outside our front door...



Upon entering our room, I was in 7th heaven when I saw our gigantic bed (I thought). Soon I grabbed and tucked into the beddings, but my delight was soon deflated, when I noticed that it was just two beds combined.


Quite frankly, although I'm a fan of modern & chic design, I also admire simplicity, but I wasn't particulary impressed with the room; bathroom fixtures and fittings were just ordinary, and the flushing system of the water closet wasn't strong enough (being a former manager myself and, hubby currently working in a plumbing bathroom fixtures industry, we should know). Needless to say, the room had no bathtub and to think that it was the most expensive room.


And much to our dismay, about late at night we were unable to receive over-the-air cable TV signals until around 10:00 am the next morning. pffft... Although the room is decorated in a Zen style, some touches are a little shabby. It's in need of a little touch-up paint and decor reinvigoration. Plus the place doesn't offer great views of the Taal Lake and city. However, the room was clean and EXTREMELY SPACIOUS which was very comfortable for us.



And my favorite place was the large canopy sofa bed with lots of pillows, just right outside at the back door to our room.


It provides a perfect setting, especially at night when hubby and I took a complimentary Good night Tea, while hearing the sound of fountains that brings peace and tranquility everywhere, gazing at trees and feeling the cold windy atmosphere.

T-House at night

My hubby and I were just goofing around with our camera.


T-House has Zen-inspired rooms and landscapes with 15-room bed and breakfast. Each room has different personality. Divided into three clusters-Fire, Earth and Water - each has its "Yin" and "Yang". For ultimate relaxation, they also offer a full body massage, aromatherapy massage, foot spa and natural facial. Advance booking is required at the front desk.

Generally, our stay was just okay. I would say this place is not for everyone but might be ideal for some!

Address:
T-House
3195 Calamba Road,
Tagaytay City
Tel. No. (046) 4830011, (046) 4830012

TAGAYTAY CITY

The next day, hubby and I went to Tagaytay City for a weekend getaway. I had made our reservations through e-mail a week prior to our trip at T-HOUSE. Originally, our first choice was Boutique Bed and Breakfast but it was already fully booked at that time.

Tagaytay is an hour and 45 minutes by car from Metro Manila via South Luzon Tollway or through the Coastal Road. There are buses ply to Tagaytay from Manila everyday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm., the BLTB and other bus companies have their terminals in Edsa, Pasay City, and at Baclaran, below LRT in Manila.



Tagaytay City is known as “The Garden City in the Sky”, famous as the grand viewing deck for the smallest volcano in the world, Taal Volcano. It is a volcano within a volcano within another lake. The place is characterized by relatively low temperature, low humidity and abundant rainfall. The whole place is endowed with an average temperature of 22.7 °C. Tagaytay is misty and is relatively cooler during the months of December, January and February. It is a vacation spot with cool and invigorating air, with accommodation ranging from simply-back-to-nature trekker to pampered lifestyle on urbanities.


Tagaytay City is located at the highest point of Cavite Province, Island of Luzon. It is linked by a national highway going to the province of Batangas and Metropolitan Manila. The place is covered with hills and mountains which are generally forest and open grasslands, while the north eastern areas are level to nearly-level areas alternating with gently sloping surfaces.



Tagaytay offers more than 200 rooms ranging from economy to superior and deluxe accommodation. Most hotels have air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold water, restaurants, and offer a good view of Taal Lake and Volcano. Convention and business facilities are available at the prestigious Development Academy of the Philippines as well as the numerous resorts and hotels. Most hotels accommodate walk-in customers. However, reservations are highly recommended especially during summer and weekends when tourist traffic is at its peak. Most major hotels have booking and reservation offices in Manila.

Most hotels have restaurants. A wide selection of food is available, from Filipino to International cuisine, plus abundant array of local fruits. "Tawilis", a small type of fish only found in the Taal Lake and "Maliputo" a prized delicacy, are served in most restaurants and are worth tasting. The "tawilis", is eaten either roasted or over hot coals or deep fried to a crisp. There are other specialty restaurants in the city that serve local and international cuisines. Most restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For "pasalubong" or take-home food, you may try Colette's store.



There are many plants, flowers and fruits sold fresh on the side streets at very affordable prices, that's why many visitors never leave the city without bringing home some.



Jeepneys are the major means of transportation in the city. Tricycles (motorcycles with side cars) ply to the shorter routes. There are also car rental services in the area. In commuting to the outlying towns, you can take the buses which pass by Tagaytay City en route to these towns.

Most foreign currencies can be changed in many of the banks in the city. Major credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants.

Island Cove Overview and Getting There

Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park in Cavite is the nearest island resort destination south of Metro Manila, Philippines. A sprawling 12-hectare island sanctuary offers, hotel, veranda and duplex/simple cottage type accommodation and complete facilities for relaxation, recreation, entertainment and fun.

Hubby and I decided to have an overnight weekend relaxation at Island Cove. And we made a reservation first. But we had a really hard time getting in touch with them. I sent 3 messages via e-mail but no one replied. I tried to call the Makati branch but no one answered. So, we decided to make a long distance call in Cavite. And thank God, that was the time we got our confirmed reservation.

Getting There:
Taxi cab was our first priority but two cabs refused to bring us there. So, we ended up taking a mini-bus ride from Zapote to Island Cove, which was a very fortunate choice. The bus fare is P20/pax only, very cheap and it's just 15-20 minute ride.

By the time we arrived, we went directly to the Front desk to get our room key.

The promo package that we got was P3,400.00, inclusive of overnight room accommodation for two, buffet breakfast for two and a free entrance at Oceana and use of hotel pool. We had the Veranda Supreme room, which was big enough for the two of us.

The air-conditioned room with private veranda is kinda old and simple, equipped with small cable tv, telephone, mini bar, private bathroom and safety deposit box.

Our room was on the seaside but I wasn't really impressed because there was tons of garbage along the seawall.

Aside from Veranda rooms, there are also Duplex and Half-Duplex units equipped with the following: living and dining area with electric fan, air-conditioned bedrooms, cable tv, NDD/IDD telephone and refrigerator.

Simplex units have the same amenities as the Duplex cottages but with a big air-conditioned living and dining area. It's P5,800.oo on weekdays and P6,600.00 on weekends (rates as of March 2007).

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