It only a two-hour drive away from Manila and we soon found ourselves in front of the bare concrete and glass building of domicillo TAGAYTAY. The location is prime, as the hotel is nestled atop the Tagaytay ridge, giving it an unobstructed view of Taal Lake and the Taal Volcano. Also within the hotel’s view is the huge Ferris Wheel of the famous attraction Sky Ranch Tagaytay, which is just about half a kilometer away. Going on rides in the amusement park is a great side-trip when staying at the hotel, but we decided to chill in the hotel throughout our stay. We’ve all had a long workweek and the relaxing vibe of our room was too inviting for us to wander away.


The staff was super friendly and we were greeted by each one we encountered. We were welcomed into a very posh showroom and receiving area. They showcased interesting pieces of jewelry and handbags, which are all up for sale, made by world-class Filipino designers.
The Rooms

The domicillo TAGAYTAY Boutique Hotel is an 8-room lodging that was conceptualized from a furniture shop by Rene Alcala.

We availed of two Premier Rooms but we were able to take a peek in their other rooms. Every piece of furniture they displayed serves as a model and can be purchased for your own office or home. I was really digging their mirror-tiled cabinets, but as an ocean-lover, I do hope their shell-encrusted mirrors and lamps are sustainably-sourced.


They offer 3 deluxe rooms (one with 2 single sized bed) with a garden view on the lower level of the main floor. These rooms were designed by Tess Pasola.
All of us were crazy about this headboard made from upcycled newspapers. It’s very eco-friendly and chic that we all made a pact to get that headboard for our own homes one day.
On the same floor, we have the lounge area which can be converted into a function room for events.


Adjacent to the lounge are the 2 Deluxe Rooms designed by Milo Naval. These rooms have a balcony and lakeside view.
On to our Premier Rooms, my first impression was of pure tranquility. I’m not sure if it was the room or just my typical metropolitan stress, but felt like sleeping in our suite the whole day. Our room, which was designed by Budji Layug, was very spacious and the glass wall gave us the perfect view of Taal Lake even from the bed.



The room is very well-lit and the bed was very cozy. There are wi-fi routers in each room, which made internet connectivity very fast. There is a hidden fridge in a clever cabinet with complimentary sodas and juices.