Taal Vista Hotel is the oldest hotel in Tagaytay and the second oldest in the Philippines. Officially opened in 1939, the historic property overlooking Taal Volcano and Taal Lake has managed to survive WWII, volcanic eruptions including the most devastating eruption in January 2020 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Now that the volcanic activity has settled down and travel restrictions from the pandemic have eased, people are traveling again for leisure and rediscovering Tagaytay. It’s good to know that the hotel continues evolve and come up with new offerings, while still retaining its timeless charm.

Beyond being a hotel where guests can enjoy overnight or weekend staycations, Taal Vista Hotel’s dining establishments are also open to all guests, even those who aren’t checked-in. This could be a good option for breakfast or lunch rides for motorcycle riders coming from Manila, especially for rider groups who don’t mind spending more for comfort and privacy and want to ensure there’ll be enough space and secure parking for their rides.

It’s also good for families and road trippers traveling to Tagaytay on day trips or staying overnight elsewhere who and want to enjoy a great meal and view at the hotel minus the crowds in the usual bulalo joints and coffee shops. Taal Vista Hotel’s restaurants are ready to welcome walk-in fully vaccinated guests of all ages, including seniors and kids (no vaccination or RT-PCR or Antigen requirement for minors). Groups can also reserve a table online in advance just to be on the safe side.

The hotel has a range of indoor and al fresco dining areas and new promos where visitors can enjoy glamorous picnics or dine under the stars including in IG-friendly Himalayan Domes with a view of Taal Volcano. With summer, Holy Week, and Easter coming up, it’s best to plan your family road trips and staycations ahead of time.

P.S. I think it would be great if Taal Vista Hotel could add a bike-friendly space or bike parking by The Ridge and breakfast promos for cyclists in the future. The overlooking view here is just perfect for posing with bicycles. 🙂

Here are some of the dining options you can experience at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay as of March 2022.

Veranda

Ideal for: Families with kids and seniors, couples, barkadas, business travelers, everyone

For guests at Taal Vista Hotel who are staying overnight, the Veranda is the main dining space that serves buffet breakfast, with both indoor and outdoor dining areas. But aside from the buffet, you can also order a la carte dishes for lunch or other times of the day at here.

For lunch right after checking in, we got to try some of the restaurant’s comfort food favorites including Seafood Pasta, Pan Seared Salmon, and Fried Chicken served with potato wedges. The resto also has a special kid’s menu for families with kids.

We also had our breakfast meals here. Instead of the self-service buffets in the past, the hotel has changed its set-up into a managed buffet where you can choose what you want, but the servers will dish out the food for you. 

You can always go back and ask for more, but as part of the The Sustainable Diner project, under WWF-Philippines’ Sustainable Consumption and Production, to prevent food wastage, guests are asked to only get enough food that they can finish.

Afternoon Tea Time at The Lobby Lounge

Ideal for: Business travelers, couples, girl groups

The hotel is currently offering a free guided walking tour, where guests can learn all about the rich history of Taal Vista Hotel, Taal Volcano, and Tagaytay City. The walk takes guests around the hotel’s different sites, including The Ridge, function room areas, poolside, and a garden area where fresh vegetables are picked for use in the hotel’s different restaurants. 

The History Wall now includes updates on the impact of the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption and the COVID pandemic, when the hotel functioned as a quarantine hotel for OFWs.

After walking around, guests can can enjoy Afternoon Tea Time at The Lobby Lounge, the Tudor-designed classic lounge that offers a stunning view of Tagaytay, a cozy fireplace and live piano music. 

The Afternoon Tea Time set includes a selection of Filipino and international delicacies. Enjoy 3 plates of special tea time pastries and your choice of either brewed coffee, hot chocolate or tea.

Rate: Php 695 good for two persons (inclusive of service charge and applicable taxes). Available only from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Glam Picnic at the Lawn

Ideal for: Families with kids, barkadas (serves up to 4 persons), couples

Al fresco dining and garden picnics have really become a trend during the pandemic. But not everyone has a garden, and there’s a lack of green and open parks and spaces where you can enjoy a nice picnic setting with a view in Metro Manila.

One of the newest and most popular offerings at Taal Vista Hotel is the Glam Picnic at the Lawn. Bask in the beauty of nature with friends or family and enjoy Tagaytay’s cooler weather in the afternoons while waiting for the sunset. 

Guests can enjoy the beautiful set up on the grassy area with a view of Taal Vocano and the lake with the shade of the Himalayan Domes without having to worry about the food and set-up.

The Glam Picnic, which can serve up to four people, includes 1 Margherita Pizza, 1 Hawaiian Pizza, a cold cuts platter, a cheese platter, afternoon tea time treats, and pitcher of chilled juice (choice of four seasons, orange, mango, or pineapple). 

This is a fun choice for families and friends celebrating birthdays or who want to try something new. Be sure to wear comfy clothes suitable for sitting on the grass.

Rate: Php 5,500 for up to 4 persons 

Dine Under the Stars

Good for: Couples 

Aside from “Glam Picnics on the Lawn” in the afternoons, guests can also choose to “Dine Under the Stars” in the same romantic open-air Himalayan Domes at Taal Vista Hotel at night when the weather is colder. 

The romantic moonlit dining package includes a special set menu for two persons, fresh herbal tea, bottle of sparkling wine, praline chocolates and a bouquet of roses. 

The menu includes:

• Amuse-Bouche: Shrimp Ceviche with ricotta, basil and tomatoes
• Soup: Cauliflower soup pureed and roasted cauliflower
• Salad: Field Greens with cherry tomatoes, radish, aged kesong puti, beets and lemon truffle vinaigrette
• Appetizer: Mushroom Risotto with truffle oil, parmesan cheese, shiitake, button and oyster mushrooms
• Sorbet: Lemon Basil and  Mint Sorbet

• Choice of main course: 
  • Fish Fillet with crushed potatoes, olives, tomatoes and sweet & sour shallots; or
  • Pan-Seared Spring Chicken spatzle, asparagus and chicken jus; or
  • Strip Steak sauteed market vegetables and crispy marble potatoes 
• Dessert: Triple Chocolate Mousse, milk chocolate, dark chocolate and Alfonso tablea

This package was a hit last February for Valentines dates, and is ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special celebration with loved ones. According to hotel staff, it’s become increasingly popular for wedding proposals. This is probably the most romantic date we’ve ever been on!

Rate: Starts at Php 8,800 per couple (set-up ranges from the Dome, Gazebo, or tables by the Ridge)

TĀZA Fresh Table

Ideal for: Families, ladies who brunch, couples, business travelers, seniors

Tagaytay is known for its surrounding farms that supply fresh fruits and vegetables to local restaurants. For those who want something a little bit lighter and healthier, TĀZA Fresh Table is your best bet.

The a la carte restaurant serves a seasonal menu of the freshest local organic produce. Taken from the Arabic word of Taza, the meaning of fresh in their dishes contains natural sources from our best local suppliers. The meals here are made with garden-fresh ingredients.

Dishes here range from salads, flatbreads, hearty brunches, tasty entrees, steaks, and more.

Some of the delicious meals we had for lunch and dinner at the restaurant included the Taza Salad, Caesar Salad, Mezze starter, Four cheese flat bread, Grilled Turmeric Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach Maltagliati and Lemongrass Iced Tea.

After what felt like non-stop eating, meals here actually felt very fresh and cleansing.

Grill at the Ridge

Ideal for: Families with older/teenage kids, barkadas, couples

One of the reasons Tagaytay is popular as a weekend getaway is the cooler weather. It’s starting to get unbearably hot in Manila, but Tagaytay still gets cold and foggy at night.

Cap your getaway with ice cold beers and bar chow with a view in the late afternoons and watch the sunset or chill out with a nightcap after dinner. You can enjoy barbecued meat and seafood with beer or cocktails with friends, relaxing views and live music with the Grill at the Ridge packages.

Diners can choose from among a selection of grilled meats, seafood or surf & turf packages, to enjoy with local beer or cocktails. Taal Vista Hotel also carries 3 variants of local craft beer brand Engkanto Brewery, their Pale Ale, Lager and Blonde Ale. 

Rates: Starts at P1,200 (good for up to two persons) for Grilled meat; five bottles of local beer costs P750. Engkanto Beers at P290 a bottle. Grill at the Ridge is available every Friday-Sunday from 4PM to 8PM.

Thank you to Taal Vista Hotel for the invitation to stay and experience all of these different dining options. For more details, the latest travel guidelines in Tagaytay, and to book table reservations or staycation packages, visit: www.taalvistahotel.com