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The Country Feel
By Cathy Paras
I rediscovered the meaning of "retreat" at Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay City.
I knew that our stay there would be markedly different as soon as my friend and I entered the welcoming area. We were warmly greeted upon our arrival by resident manager Sherwin Lucas and his ever-attentive assistant A.C. Barrios. They instantly treated us like very important people, making me think, So this is what celebrities feel like when they check in to hotels. As if on cue, A.C. deftly ushered us onto plush seats so that we could enjoy our frosty flute of fresh mango juice--a welcome afternoon treat after the heat and the 1.5-hour traffic that trailed us from Manila. They told us to unwind, to savor the remarkable view from the balcony area, and to feel "at home." With the cozy fireplace to our right and the gentle breeze calling from outside, I couldn’t help but yield to the idea of leaving everything behind.
How Suite It Is
Our Saint Tropez suite was absolutely exquisite. The décor was inspired by the sunny hues of the Mediterranean coastline, held together by the spirited yellows and cooling blues of the beddings and the rest of the interior. Our expansive glass windows looked out into the outdoor jacuzzi and heightened the fact that we were surrounded by the lush greenery of the mountains, enveloped by fresh air and the stillness of solitude.
Country Suites has single-handedly revolutionized the concept of bed and breakfasts in the Philippines by setting the standard in both impeccable service and luxury accommodations within this niche. A guest at Country Suites can choose from seven uniquely themed rooms: the Moorish Spanish influence of Andalucia; a garden level Ceylon suite; a Northeastern American feel in the Nantucket room; a Japanese motif in the Nara suite; the French Riviera in (our very own room) the St. Tropez; a tapestry of tropical colors in Siam; and the crème de la crème of master suites--the Oxford room, with its impressive bathroom vista and dark wood furniture, evoking the splendor of an English manor.
The Warmth of a Country Home
If there’s one place in the Philippines where you can expect to be treated like a long-lost friend or relative who is returning from an exhausting journey, it’s definitely at Country Suites, where one need not leave her room in order to enjoy all the amenities of this comprehensive inn.
Feel like a movie? You can pick from a generous selection of current flicks from their in-house DVD library to watch while you’re comfortably tucked into your goose down comforter. And there's no need to bring your toiletries bag because a welcome potpourri basket of luxe L’Occitane products (along with toothbrushes, razors and loofahs), awaits in the bathroom vanity table for your convenience.
My favorite part of our stay arrived at 9:00 p.m., right about the time when we had finished showering and were getting ready to watch “Mona Lisa Smile.” We were served our complimentary cup of warm milk and freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies by a lovely server in a French-maid’s uniform.
It took all of me not to tiptoe into the kitchen to ask for another serving.
So the next time you plan on escaping for the weekend with your loved one, with a few friends, or to get that much needed "alone time"-–go ahead and book that dream suite of your choice. At Country Suites, you won’t be disappointed. And I can guarantee that you won’t miss home.
Visit discoverycountrysuites.com for more information on pricing, room sizes, facilities, ammenities, and directions to Country Suites, Tagaytay City. Sherwin Lucas, Resident Manager, can be reached at (046)413-4567 for further inquiries and reservations.
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