Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Pina Colada Resort in Tagaytay!
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Pina Colada Resort in Tagaytay! - A Review That's (Hopefully) More Fun Than a Trip to the Dentist
Okay, so let's talk Tagaytay. That breezy, slightly-chilly-but-oh-so-romantic-and-Instagrammable mountain escape that's basically a requirement for any Filipino couple (or anyone who's seen a rom-com, really). And amidst all the bulalo joints and overpriced coffee shops, there's Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Pina Colada Resort. The name alone promises sunshine and sugary goodness, right? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I'm about to spill the (slightly-salty) tea. This isn't your perfectly curated travel blog post. This is real life, with Wi-Fi that sometimes thinks it's a chameleon and a longing for a really good banana daiquiri…
First Impressions: The Arrival and Accessibility (or Lack Thereof, Honestly)
Let's be honest, getting to Tagaytay is half the battle, depending on where you're coming from. Forget the fancy airport transfers (though they do offer those – Airport Transfer) – the traffic can be a beast. But hey, scenic views, yeah? Once we finally arrived, the resort itself was… well, it had character. It wasn't exactly the pristine, polished paradise the photos promised, but hey, who is, am I right?
Accessibility: Okay, here's the bummer, folks: It’s not exactly a wheelchair wonderland. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but based on my experience, it probably wouldn't be the easiest experience. There's an Elevator, which is a plus! But navigating the grounds might be a bit of a chore. This is something that could REALLY affect the overall experience. (I'd recommend contacting the resort directly if this is a key need. Maybe I'm missing something.)
Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private]: We opted for private, because who doesn't want to feel fancy? And the staff were definitely friendly, and the check-in was smooth. Which is always a win, right? No one wants a long, drawn-out process after a long drive.
The Room: Comfort and Convenience (with a side of Ambiguity)
Our room? Non-smoking (thank heavens!), spacious enough, and… well, it looked like the pictures, mostly. Air conditioning was a godsend. Blackout curtains? Essential for sleeping in (which, let's be real, is the whole point of a weekend getaway). It had all the basics: Desk, Closet, In-room safe box (always a good idea), Mini bar (though I can't vouch for the prices). Complimentary tea and Free bottled water, which I appreciate (especially when you're dehydrated from the stress of Manila traffic).
Available in all rooms: This felt like a good thing. Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Bathroom phone, Carpeting, Coffee/tea maker, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Big Wi-Fi Lie (and Other Internet Adventures)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is the dream, right? Being able to upload those all-important sunset selfies without racking up massive data charges. The reality? Well… let’s just say Wi-Fi is like a fickle lover in this place. Sometimes it's there, strong and reliable. Sometimes it's… MIA. You might have to wander around the courtyard, searching for a signal that feels less like a mirage. Internet [LAN] access is available, which is a nice backup. Internet services were listed. Which is good in theory? Overall the Internet was… there.
Things to Do (Beyond the Pina Coladas, If That's Possible)
Okay, let's be honest again: Tagaytay is all about R&R. But Escape to Paradise does offer some options.
Ways to relax:
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom: YES, sign me up! I didn't indulge in all of these (budget constraints, people!), but the massage was heavenly. The spa itself wasn't the most luxurious I've ever seen, but the therapists were skilled, and the experience was genuinely relaxing.
- Pool with view and Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool is a highlight, especially with that classic Tagaytay view. Perfect for lounging around with a book (or pretending to read while secretly people-watching). It was a little chilly at times, but you’ll be enjoying this one.
Other Amenities and Services: The Good, The Bad, and The Bulalo
Cleanliness and safety: The resort seemed clean. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays (thank you, COVID!), are all reassuring. They even had Hand sanitizer readily available.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
- Restaurants: There are restaurants on site, offering a mix of options.
- Breakfast [buffet]: My review would NOT be complete without a dive into the breakfast buffet. Food coma imminent. Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: So many options! The food was decent, nothing mind-blowing, but satisfying.
- Poolside bar, Snack bar, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement: The Poolside bar was awesome to sit and relax with a Pina Colada.
Services and Conveniences:
- Cash withdrawal: Convenience is key.
- Concierge: Helpful, but maybe not the most efficient. They tried!
- Daily housekeeping: The room service was prompt and friendly.
- Dry cleaning
- Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Meetings, The resort seems to cater for the special wedding / event crowd which is great.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service and Family/child friendly: Definitely seems geared towards families.
- Kids meal
The Verdict: Should You Escape Here?
Look, Escape to Paradise had some imperfections. But also charm. It's not the most luxurious resort in Tagaytay, and the Wi-Fi situation is a gamble. HOWEVER, for the price, you get a decent room, a beautiful view, a spa, and that essential Tagaytay experience of "relax, breathe, repeat."
The Deal-Breaker (That Almost Was)
One night, post-massage bliss, I decided to order room service. The menu promised a decadent chocolate cake. The reality? Well, let's just say it arrived looking a bit… deflated. It tasted… okay. It was a sad, lonely little cake. But this is the beauty of a review, yeah? A real one! 🤣
My Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Plenty of room for improvement, but still a solid choice for a relaxing Tagaytay getaway.
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A Compelling Offer (Because I'm Not All Cynicism):
Escape to Paradise: Your Unforgettable Tagaytay Getaway Awaits!
Tired of the same old routine? Craving breathtaking views, pampering spa treatments, and the ultimate escape from the everyday? Then book your stay at Escape to Paradise in Tagaytay!
Here's why you need to experience this:
- Breathtaking Views: Wake up to the stunning scenery that Tagaytay is famous for.
- Relax and Unwind: Indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, take a dip in the pool, or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere. *
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into my Pina Colina Resort Tagaytay adventure. This isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. The messy, hilarious, "did I really eat that much?" version. Get ready for some unfiltered joy… and maybe a little bit of hangry.
Pina Colina Resort Tagaytay: Me vs. The Mountain (and a Whole Lot of Lechon)
Day 1: Arrival… and Instant Regret (Kidding! …Mostly.)
1:00 PM: Landed in Manila. Traffic? Oh, it was a MASTERPIECE. Like, seriously, I think I aged five years stuck in that car. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we ARRIVED at Pina Colina! My first thought? "Wow, this place is legit, like, actually beautiful. Pics DIDN'T lie." Relief washed over me, mixed with a healthy dose of "did I remember to pack deodorant?".
2:00 PM: Check-in. Smooth sailing, thank God. The staff are genuinely friendly, which is a HUGE bonus when you're already travel-weary. Got our room, a cozy little cottage with a balcony overlooking… well, something green and lush. I'll take it. The air smells amazing, way better than the exhaust fumes of Manila.
2:30 PM: The Great Unpacking Debacle. Let's just say I'm not a minimalist. There were clothes, mostly ones I probably wouldn't wear, but I packed them anyways. Then, I was in a dilemma for which clothes I will wear, "Should I wear red or blue? What if I encounter someone I know? Are they going to laugh at my style?" After a full 15 minutes I finally choose!
3:00 PM: Pool time! OMG, the pool! Pictures do not do it justice. It's sparkling, inviting, and cold enough to jolt me back to life. Spent a good hour just floating, pretending I was a glamorous movie star. (Spoiler alert: I am not.) Saw a couple of kids splashing and thought, "wow they're living their best life, and they're probably not even aware of it."
4:00 PM: The Food… OH, THE FOOD! It was my first time being in the Philippines, and I was so excited to try out their cuisine. First, I grabbed some 'kakanin' (like, sticky rice cakes) and they had this distinct taste i'll never forget. Then, I realized the hotel had a resto, so I went to try their menu items.
5:00 PM: Pre-dinner drinks. Had to! A sundowner cocktail on the balcony? Yes, please! Watched the sunset paint the sky in shades of pink and orange. This is what living is all about. So, I ordered a drink and I spent a good fifteen minutes trying to identify the flavors of the drink.
7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Ordered way too much. (I'm sensing a theme here.) Lechon (roasted pig) and adobo (braised meat) were my main course, which was the best dish I have eaten throughout my trip. I was like, "I never want to leave this place".
8:00 PM: Stumbled back to my room, food coma hitting hard. Watched some TV, and promptly passed out.
Day 2: The View, the Adventure… and More Food.
7:00 AM: Woke up to the sight of the Taal Volcano. Mind. Blown. Seriously. The view is breathtaking. The air is crisp. I feel like I'm on top of the world.
8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Went to the buffet and it was amazing. They had an entire section dedicated to local fruits. I'm talking mangoes, pineapples, and something called a "guyabano" that tasted like heaven. I swear I could eat this for the rest of my life.
9:00 AM: Time to explore! Got a tricycle (local transport) to take me to the Picnic Grove. It was so cool to be outside, and enjoy the ride! On the way, I saw so many shops and people.
10:00 AM: Picnic Grove! The zipline… I actually almost chickened out. I'm terrified of heights! But peer pressure (and a deep-seated desire to conquer my fears) got the better of me. Holy crap, that was amazing! Okay, maybe I screamed a little. Maybe I closed my eyes for a few seconds. But I DID IT! Afterwards, I told myself, "Never again!"
11:00 AM: Took a stroll and enjoyed the view. It was so serene.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant somewhere in Tagaytay. I forgot the name of the resto, but I'll never forget how good the food was!
1:00 PM: Back to the resort for Round 2 of the pool! This time, I even tried some laps. (Okay, maybe one lap.) I'm definitely more of a floater than a swimmer.
3:00 PM: Spa time! Booked a massage. I was like, "Oh my god, I'm so lucky for being here!". The massage therapist worked out all the kinks from the journey and the previous days adventures. Pure bliss.
5:00 PM: Wandered around the resort, soaking up the atmosphere. Found a hammock! Spent an hour just swinging and reading. The simple things, you know?
7:00 PM: Dinner. Ate more… I did not know I have this much capability to eat food. I was so ashamed of myself, but I didn't regret anything.
8:00 PM: Sat at the balcony and stared at the night sky for a long time.
Day 3: The Farewell (and maybe a little bit of sadness).
8:00 AM: One last delicious breakfast. I'm going to miss the food the most.
9:00 AM: Packing. This time it was easier cause I have already worn almost all of my clothes.
10:00 AM: Final swim in the pool, saying goodbye to the peaceful place.
11:00 AM: Check-out. Saying goodbye to the staff, who were lovely throughout the entire trip.
12:00 PM: Back to Manila, traffic (of course), and back to reality.
Reflections:
This trip was about escaping, I am so glad I did this. I came back happy, and fulfilled.
Final Verdict:
Would I go back to Pina Colina Resort Tagaytay? YES. Absolutely, without a doubt! (And next time, I'm getting two massages.)
Post-Trip Notes:
- I gained five pounds. Worth it.
- My phone is filled with about a million photos.
- I'm already planning my next trip!
This, my friends, is how you do Tagaytay. Messy, imperfect, delicious, and unforgettable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to order some lechon.
Milan's Chicest Hideaway: VFH Boutique Apartment (City Center)!
What is life, anyway? (Deep thoughts, I know.)
Ugh, okay, where do I even *start* with this one? Seriously. I mean, it's the BIG question, right? It's like, a swirling vortex of birth, death, and the utterly baffling choices we make in between. Sometimes I think the answer is 42, like in that Hitchhiker's Guide thing. Other times, I'm pretty sure it's just a really long, elaborate fart joke.
I had this *moment* last Tuesday, actually. Making my morning coffee, the sun hit the kitchen just *right* – you know, that golden-hour glow? And I thought, "Wow, the coffee smells amazing. Is *this* it? Just… appreciating the aroma of roasted beans?" Then the cat barfed on the rug. So, yeah. Life.
Honestly, I think it's about connection, failing spectacularly, and figuring out how to laugh at yourself when you're completely covered in metaphorical (or literal) cat puke. And the occasional good cup of coffee. That’s vital, *definitely* vital.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure it involves a lot of paperwork. Like, a *lot*. Just when you think you've escaped the relentless forms, another pops up and bites you on the… well, you get the idea.
So, how do you learn new things? (The REAL question.)
Alright, here's the thing. I *wish* I had some super-secret, super-efficient learning method. Like, "Just inject knowledge directly into your brain via this tiny, slightly creepy, needle!" Wouldn't that be amazing? But no. That would probably cause problems. And, let's be honest, probably make me a *lot* more sarcastic.
It's mostly trial and error, fueled by equal parts caffeine and sheer stubbornness. I'm talking about the sort of brute-force learning where you trip, you stumble, you look like an idiot... and *eventually* you *might* grasp the thing you're trying to learn. The internet is a magnificent playground for this, sometimes a chaotic waste of time too, ngl.
I remember when I tried to learn how to bake sourdough bread. Oh, the *disasters*! I mean, the *smell* of the starter alone was suspect, like a cross between old gym socks and, well, *something else* that's been left in a damp corner. I ruined so many loaves (and, yes, *almost* burned down the kitchen) before I finally, *finally*, made something edible. And even then, it was an ugly, misshapen blob. But it was MINE! And it was *edible*! That feeling of tiny victory? That's why I keep going.
Also, I watch a lot of YouTube. A *lot*. Don’t judge me!
What are you passionate about? (Besides coffee, obviously.)
Oh, boy. This opens a can of worms (metaphorically, thankfully. I *really* don't like worms). I’m really passionate about a lot of things, bordering on obsessive-compulsive for some. It's both a gift and a curse, tbh.
Definitely storytelling in all its forms. Reading, writing, watching films, listening to music. Anything that lets me escape into a different world for a while. I have a soft spot for a good, well-crafted story, even if it's about something seemingly mundane. I can get so swept up in it, and I like that.
Then there's… oh, the internet. Yes, I know, it sounds weird as a passion, but I can go down rabbit holes for *hours*. Learning about obscure historical figures, weird scientific phenomena, the latest meme trends... it's a bottomless pit of fascinating, often useless, information. I know, I know, I should get out more, but it’s just so… *accessible*!
I'm also incredibly passionate about fairness. Okay, and justice. And making sure the little guy wins, even if it's just a small, everyday victory. Gotta fight for the good in the world, even if it's exhausting, as the world seems like a mess.
What are your biggest challenges?
Oh, man… where to begin? Procrastination is like this shadowy entity that lives rent-free in my brain. It whispers sweet nothings, promising me "just one more episode" or "a quick scroll through social media." The next thing I know, it's 3 AM, and I have approximately zero things done. It's a real problem and is exhausting.
Then comes organization. Or the *lack* of it. My desk? A monument to creative chaos. My email inbox? A digital black hole. I aspire to be one of those people with the neatly organized life, but so far, I'm firmly in the "hot mess express" lane. I swear it will get better. Right?
And, of course, self-doubt. That insidious little voice that tells you you're not good enough, smart enough, interesting enough… It’s a real jerk. I'm getting better at telling it to shut up, but it still occasionally manages to sneak in and throw a wrench in the works. It's a process, I guess. A *long* process.
What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you?
Okay, this is a good one. So, picture this: I'm in college, broke, starving (the usual), and trying to earn some extra cash. I get this random gig working as a… well, let’s just say ‘human statue’ at a Renaissance fair. The costume alone was torture. Imagine a corset worthy of a medieval torture device paired with a wig that looked like a dead squirrel attempting to escape from my head. I looked and felt ridiculous. Horrible.
But the real weirdness started when I was *actually* supposed to be a statue. I had to stay perfectly still, painted head-to-toe in some kind of metallic goo, for HOURS. The sheer boredom was mind-numbing. The sun was beating down. And then, this... *thing* happened.
A bee. A rogue, incredibly persistent bee. It landed. *On my nose*. And *stayed*. For maybe ten minutes I wanted to scream. I froze still, not moving a single muscle, praying the bee would go away. People were laughing, taking photos. What was I supposed to do? *Move* and ruin the act? The bee was just *staring* me while the crowd laughed. The only thing that saved me was that the bee finally flew off of my nose, and the crowd applauded. Never again. I can't stand bees or Renaissance fairs now!
