This Holy Week, you may want to hie off to Tagaytay for that much-needed respite from the big city. Whether you’re up for a degustation treat, rejuvenation of the mind and body, some quiet time or a spiritual quest, an hour’s ride can transport you to a completely new environment.
Summit Ridge Tagaytay offers attractive packages for the entire family. Operated by Robinsons Land Corp., Summit Ridge is perched on the highest point of the ridge so that all 108 rooms come with a balcony that offers a sweeping view of Taal Lake. Each suite is fully furnished with kitchen facilities, and living and dining room spaces. Free Wi-Fi is also available in all rooms and at the hotel lobby.
As the wellness hub of Tagaytay, Summit Ridge has a well-equipped gym, an infinity pool and an in-house spa service, Seri Asia Spa. Health and recreational facilities also include an indoor basketball and badminton court. Zumba classes, with licensed instructors, are offered free to guests.
For a moveable feast this Holy Week, Summit Ridge offers the sumptuous buffet of C2 Classic Cuisine on the ground floor. Operated by the Cravings Group, the casual dining restaurant prides itself of its signature fusion dishes such as Bibingka Souffle, an interesting twist on the classic Filipino pastry favorite cooked the French way.
“We want guests to experience our hotel like every day is a weekend… This is a lifestyle brand and we are geared toward experience,” said Pops del Rosario, hotel manager of Summit Ridge Tagaytay.
Within the property is a promenade, a supermarket complex lined with familiar restaurants and snack bars; and just around the bend is the famous Mahogany Drive, with fresh farm harvests and catch of the day.
There’s the pillar-less ballroom space, making it one of the best and biggest ballrooms in this side of the country, said Del Rosario. There are function rooms on the first and second levels for private family affairs or celebrations.
Holy Week packages include daily breakfast for two for Standard Room (children below 7 eat for free); and daily buffet breakfast for four for Summit and 2BR Suites, hotel turndown, Zumba session, open-air movie showing and afternoon tea/coffee/cocktails.
On Easter weekend, packages will include lunch and tickets to the hotel’s Easter activities for two for Standard Room, and for four for Summit and 2BR Suites. Activities lined up include a magic show, balloon twisting, arts and crafts session, face painting, cotton candy and popcorn station, photo booth, traditional Easter Egg hunt, and animal petting of bunnies, lambs and miniature pony.
The Easter Egg hunt will come in two batches—for smaller children and bigger kids—so that each child will have an equal chance of finding an egg.
The Summer Fiesta buffet at C2, priced at P499/pax, offers dishes from various regions in the country, such as bagnet and laing, available until May. Easter Sunday Brunch, P799/pax, highlights seafood dishes like grilled squid; while Mother’s Day, P699/pax, will have international cuisines such as pasta and baby back ribs. There’s also an unlimited cake and coffee deal for only P199 at the hotel lobby.
Caleruega
Another Easter attraction is the Visita Iglesia. Among the churches to be visited is the picturesque Caleruega Church of the Dominican fathers, a favorite for altar-bound couples and of nature lovers and garden aficionados, just a 30-minute ride from Summit Ridge. Aside from its chapel and prayer nooks, the spiritual retreat complex has a hanging bridge, koi pond and manmade fountains surrounded by lush greenery and pine trees.
“The city’s other interesting must-see places are its many churches and spiritual retreats that attract both devotees and pilgrims in droves, especially on religious holidays,” Del Rosario said.
There’s also the Chapel on the Hill, a 45-minute ride from the hotel, with its unique circular structure that offers a 360-degree view of the valleys of Tagaytay and the West Philippine Sea. The church has wooden accents, native-inspired chairs and stained-glass window.
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, a 10-minute ride from Summit Ridge, is of modern architectural design. It has a high ceiling with chandeliers and white walls. It also has an outdoor grotto.
The hotel staff will gladly provide maps and directions.
For more info, call Summit Ridge at 02-2406888 and 0922-8526800, or visit www.summitridgehotel.com.