Taal Vista Hotel: where Filipino Heritage meets Timeless Views – Awesome! – Our Awesome Planet

If you’ve ever been to Tagaytay, chances are you were there to cool down, unwind, enjoy the scenic views, or maybe even to have a warm bowl of bulalo. And while you were there, you’ve probably heard of or seen Taal Vista Hotel.

You see, Taal Vista Hotel has been there long before many of the establishments in Tagaytay. In fact, it was one of the first few buildings that kicks started the Tagaytay development itself. It is considered the second-oldest hotel in the Philippines, after its sister hotel, The Manila Hotel.

Infact, the hotel itself can be considered a museum because it has survived major events in Philippine history, including wars and volcanic eruptions, while also welcoming many local and foreign officials throughout the years.

And these are the experiences that have made Taal Vista Hotel a timeless classic for Filipinos. Today, the hotel enters a new chapter with refreshed rooms and upgraded amenities, all while staying true to the classic Filipino charm that guests have come to know and love.

TAAL VISTA HOTEL
📍KM 60 Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, 4120 Cavite
📞 +63 917 809 154
📩 reservations@taalvistahotel.com
📸 @taalvistahotel
🌐 https://www.taalvistahotel.com/

STAY

Taal Vista first opened on October 7, 1939, which makes it almost 90 years old. Throughout those years, it has gone through a couple of renovations. This year, however, its entire Lake Wing, spa, and penthouse received a much-needed makeover.

For our weekend stay, we opted for their newly renovated Premiere Queen Room with an unobstructed view of the volcano from our balcony. A must whenever you’re planning a staycation in Tagaytay.

I like the fact that everything from the walls to the floors has been modernized while at the same time keeping everything timeless and classy.

Another thing I appreciate is how they kept everything simple, yet warm and cozy, just like how the original rooms were designed. Definitely a much-needed upgrade.

Even the toilets and baths have been updated with modern creature comforts, perfect for weekend staycations with the family.

But of course, design is nothing without the classic Filipino hospitality that Taal Vista has been known for decades.

As a treat, we also got to check out their newly renovated penthouse, where many notable personalities, including Philippine presidents, have stayed over the years. It’s located in the hotel’s original Mountain Wing.

And I gotta say, it has the best view of Taal Lake from its two bedrooms and bathrooms. Maybe someday we can stay here too!

HOTEL

Designed to feel like baguio the hotel property itself sits on a 700-meter-high ridge, offering unobstructed views of Taal Lake.

It’s divided into three wings: the newly renovated Lake View Wing, where we stayed; the Main Reception, which is the original building; and the Old Wing, also known as the Mountain View Wing, where you’ll find the penthouse and the pool.

The hotel was originally owned and operated by the government before eventually becoming part of SMDC. That’s also why you’ll find a Kultura boutique here, selling its own exclusive Taal Vista merchandise.

Not to mention, Taal Vista also has a variety of conference rooms in different sizes. Originally designed for large conventions, they’ve now also become a popular venue for weddings.

But my favorite part of the property has to be the History Wall, where you can book a guided walking tour and learn about not just the hotel’s rich history, but also the fascinating story of the volcano.

One of the coolest things I learned was that the original Taal Volcano was once believed to be nearly twice the size of Mayon and that the lake was also once saltwater, where Spanish galleons could enter—and it even had sharks!

Another highlight of our trip was visiting their newly renovated spa, located in the Mountain View Wing.

The entire spa was redesigned to match the fresh yet familiar aesthetic of the new Lake View Wing rooms, while also offering a much wider selection of spa treatments.

Since I was here with my parents, I decided to treat them to the signature “Awaken the Senses” spa treatment for two. It lasted 60 minutes and was definitely a must-try if you’re planning a staycation in Tagaytay.

But one of the biggest highlights of the hotel has to be its spacious view deck, dining area, and lawn overlooking Taal Volcano.

I honestly think it offers one of if not the best views of Taal Lake in all of Tagaytay.

And for the kids, Taal Vista has you covered too. It’s conveniently located right beside the famous Sky Ranch, with its own exclusive access gate, so hotel guests don’t have to enter through the main entrance.

Checked-in guests can enjoy discounted rates at the reception since both properties are part of the SM Group. So whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, or with kids, Taal Vista really has something for everyone.

EATS

As for food, Taal Vista definitely has you covered with four different dining venues. Well, five if you count the last one on this list.

Our first stop was Veranda. This bright and festive space is where breakfast is served, but it also offers an à la carte menu for lunch.

Be sure to try their signature boneless dilis and longganisa for breakfast!

You’ll also be serenaded by live musicians throughout your stay or while dining at Taal Vista. It was a surprisingly charming touch that made our meals feel even more special.

For lunch, we headed to Alta Ridge Bar, which also doubles as the hotel’s lobby lounge. conveniently located at the heart of the building, its wide, open, and naturally bright spaces made it a great spot to dine and chill as we waited for our rooms.

Here, we went for their signature bulalo, crispy pata, and pinakbet. These classic Filipino favorites are definitely a must-try for any family visiting or enjoying a staycation.

For dinner, we wanted to try something different, so we booked a table at Taza Lounge, their lunch and dinner restaurant serving Greek Mediterranean cuisine inspired by a sustainable farm-to-table concept.

One of our favorites was the tomahawk pork chop, cooked just how I like it and served with creamy mashed potatoes.

We also ordered their locally sourced Wagyu ribeye with a rich poivre sauce on the side.

To end the meal, the chef recommended a lava cake made with local tablea and paired with queso de bola. It sounded like an unusual combination, but it worked incredibly well.

And of course, I saved the best for last. No staycation feels complete without room service, so on our final night, with the rain pouring outside, we stayed in and enjoyed a meal with our western favorites from the comfort of our room.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, staying at Taal Vista felt like stepping into a time capsule, especially now that they’re slowly renovating the property one building at a time. It was nice seeing the old architecture blend with a refreshed design after so many years.

Walking through its historic halls almost felt like visiting a museum. After all, this is the first hotel ever built in Tagaytay, and that alone makes it a destination worth experiencing.

During our 3-day, 2-night stay, it rained for almost the entire trip, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying our staycation. I guess that’s one of the best things about Tagaytay. Whether it’s the rainy season or the middle of summer, there’s always something to enjoy. In the end, it’s not the weather that makes a stay memorable. It’s the warmth of the hospitality, the comfort of the rooms, and the good food that you’ll remember long after the trip is over.

TAAL VISTA HOTEL
📍KM 60 Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, 4120 Cavite
📞 +63 917 809 154
📩 reservations@taalvistahotel.com
📸 @taalvistahotel
🌐 https://www.taalvistahotel.com/

Live an Awesome Life,

NICO of Team Our Awesome Planet