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Vacationing,
Manor-Style
by Terrrie B.
Fucanan
Reprinted from The Sunday Times Magazine, 13
February 2005
The cool breeze, lush greenery and the
majestic view of the Taal Lake are not all that makes Tagaytay
City an enduring paradise. It still bathes in rural charm
despite the rapid growth of tourism; its mysticism is kept
intact with the presence of retreat homes, private villas and
small places of worship.
There is, however, one
fascinating sight in this southern city that has caught the
fancy of travelers for years. It is the long line of huge
vacation mansions dotting the ridge. In the 1990s, it was a
sight of common interest primarily because the hangout places
and restaurants in the area were still few and far between.
Coming in Victorian, ranch-style, cosmopolitan or
country-inspired architecture, these houses intrigued tourists
so much that they would often pull over the ridge to take
pictures. Others would go down from their vehicles to take a
closer look and marvel at the structures.
Since these
were private homes, their beauty inside was hidden from view
and left to the passerby’s imagination.
But tomorrow,
Valentine’s Day, one of Tagaytay’s beautiful mansions will
finally open to the public.
The house is actually
fresh from several months of painstaking remodeling, converted
by Discovery Suites (the business hotel in Ortigas Center) to
serve as a bed and breakfast inn for families and travelers.
Discovery Country Suites will, at long last, give vacationers
the first-hand experience of how it is to vacation,
manor-style.
Today, as part of its soft opening, the
hotel’s Verbena restaurant will serve the Sumptuous Bliss
special set menu for dinner. It may be enjoyed indoors or al
fresco in the garden with a sweeping view of the Taal Lake.
Private Suites
The bed and breakfast property
is an intimate seven-suite country home with an abundant view
of the lake, endless pineapple fields, cut flowers dotting the
streets and fresh vegetable gardens.
The
accommodations ensure a homey stay – the beds come with plump
goose down pillows, there’s always a cup of hot chocolate and
cookies at bedtime, and at the fireplace and library, guests
can enjoy a quiet chat, choose from a good selection of books
or even watch a movie.
Resident manager Sunshine Rocha
is always around to make sure breakfast goes on smoothly, as
well as the wine tasting treats that the hotel holds at
cocktail hours.
There are seven choices of themed
suites to choose from: Oxford is the Victorian-style master
suite, Andalucia is Spanish, Saint-Tropez is French-Tuscan,
Siam is Thai-Malay, Nara is Japanese, Ceylon is Sri Lankan and
Nantucket is American.
All the rooms have cable
television, air conditioning, telephone and private baths.
Those who wish to go swimming should check out the whirlpool
in the garden, which has a lakeside view that makes the entire
experience even more relaxing.
Recreation, anyone?
For travelers who want to see more of Tagaytay’s
attractions, Discovery Country Suites can arrange for a trip
to the area’s historical sights, nature trails, the flower
patches at Ponderosa Leisure Farms, the Coffee Creek Farm, and
Tagaytay Highlands where you can play golf or go fishing.
Food lovers on the other hand may check out the
hotel’s main restaurant, Verbena (named after the lemon herb)
to sample its contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Executive
Chef David Pardo de Ayala is responsible for the restaurant’s
breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, as well as its wide range of
wines and cheeses.
It’s a shame that this charming hotel did not open in time for
the Valentine season. Discovery Suites’s communications
manager Gemma Batoon said management wanted to ensure that
every detail in the new property is refined before the place
fully opens in March. “We don’t want to open without being
certain that guests would get only the best service,” she
said.
At least, Tagaytay vacationers wold have something to eagerly
look forward to in the summer.
For inquiries, call
Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay at (63 46) 413-4567 or
Manila Reservations at (63 2) 683-8383 or e-mail
rsvn@discovery.com.ph
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