JOAQUIN'S B&B TAGAYTAY: A home away from home


Picture perfect views, fresh, cool air, and an exciting and ever-increasing array of sights, tastes, sounds, and experiences - the beautiful city of Tagaytay may not be as quiet and solitary as it used to be, but that doesn't mean you have to start looking elsewhere for a respite from the demands and stresses of urban life.

Tucked cozily between the many other lodging facilities and commercial establishments that have taken advantage of Tagaytay's favorable climate and landscape, Joaquin's Bed & Breakfast may very well hold the key to the peace and tranquility you seek.

Unlike your typical hotel, Joaquin's puts as much emphasis on the heart and soul of its ambiance as it does on the creature comforts. It steers away from the clinical whites, neutrals, and minimalist designs that so are common today; sensibly adopting a laid back, rustic style that makes it look and feel right at home amidst the pine trees and morning fog.

Originally built by the owners with the intention of making it their retirement home, the young couple decided that the place was just what the "new" Tagaytay needed - consequently naming the abode after their gentle special child, Joaquin.

The privacy of guests is obviously a priority by making available only eight suites: each one as inviting and enticing as your own ideal bedroom with oversized beds, a relaxing color palette, books, assorted knick-knacks, and weather-beaten looking furniture that provide the interiors a healthy dose of country chic. Friendly housekeepers will only come when you call.

As the property comes with a central, unobstructed view of Taal volcano, the postcard- perfect natural formation and its surroundings can be enjoyed in all rooms whether you pick one with a balcony or a charming mini garden - which, by the way, is a lovely place to have breakfast and coffee, or watch the sun set while enjoying complimentary, newly-picked tarragon leaf tea or fruits sourced from nearby farms.

But the concept and design of the place isn't all that Joaquin's can take pride in. When it comes to food and dining, its indoor restaurant, Joyce's Diner, puts the B in Bed & Breakfast with a palatable spread of Filipino favorites that can be enjoyed any time of the day.

The menu is intentionally short and composed simply of popular dishes and home-cooked Pinoy classics that even foreign guests can appreciate. Aside from maintaining the high quality of the food being served, this utilizes and maximizes the freshness of locally available ingredients for memorable and satisfying meals. Top-notch wine and liquors are likewise available those so inclined.

While the charming, curio-dotted diner can seat 70 only people, the 600-square meter garden and 150-square meter veranda can accommodate up to 700, and with ample parking - perhaps something to consider when planning your next private or corporate function.

In the future, the property may have a few more rooms, a spa, and maybe even an outdoor heated Jacuzzi; but at the moment, it's content simply being a haven within a haven.

So come to Joaquin's, and please make yourself at home!