Escape to Paradise: El Renzo Hotel's Tagaytay Magic Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: El Renzo Hotel Review - Tagaytay Magic (and a Few Quirks!)
Alright, folks, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to El Renzo Hotel in Tagaytay, and let me tell you, this place… well, it's an experience. It's not perfect, it's definitely got some quirks, but it's got a charm that'll stick with you. And look, I'm no travel blogger, I'm just a regular person who loves a good vacation. So, consider this your brutally honest, stream-of-consciousness review.
(SEO Note: We’ll sprinkle some relevant keywords throughout – think: Tagaytay hotels, El Renzo Hotel, Tagaytay staycation, hotel review, accessible hotel, Tagaytay spa, Tagaytay with a view, romantic getaway Tagaytay, family-friendly Tagaytay, hotel amenities Tagaytay).
First Impressions (and the Steep Hill We Had to Climb!)
Getting there… well, Tagaytay’s always a bit of a trek from Manila. But the location of El Renzo is mostly worth it. You're right in the action, close to all the restaurants and attractions. But be warned: some rooms might require a bit of a hike because of the elevation. Not ideal if mobility is an issue.
(Accessibility - Hmmm…)
- Accessibility: This is an area where El Renzo could definitely improve. While they say they have facilities for disabled guests, I didn't see a ton of readily apparent evidence. (SEO: accessible hotel Tagaytay) If you have specific needs, CALL AHEAD and ask detailed, pointed questions. The elevator is a good start, thankfully!
- Wheelchair accessible: I didn't see any specific ramps everywhere, but I'm not in a chair personally. Ask, if you're a wheelchair user!
Once Inside: Rooms, Views, and That Damn Blackout Curtain!
Okay, first things first: the views. Glorious. Especially if you snag a room with a balcony. Seriously breathtaking. You're talking sweeping vistas of the Taal Volcano, perfect for those Instagram shots.
(Available in All Rooms - The Nitty Gritty)
- Air conditioning: Thankfully, yes. Essential in the Tagaytay heat.
- Alarm clock: Yep. Though I used my phone.
- Bathrobes: Comfy and plush. Big plus!
- Bathroom phone: Seriously? Who uses those anymore? Still there though.
- Bathtub: My room, thankfully, had one. Bliss after a long day.
- Blackout curtains: Ah, yes…the bane of my existence. These things work. Like, really work. You can sleep until noon, but good lord getting them open is like wrestling a grumpy alligator.
- Closet: Standard issue.
- Coffee/tea maker: Nice to have.
- Complimentary tea: Score!
- Daily housekeeping: Efficient and friendly – my room was always spotless.
- Desk: Useful for working, and for piling up all the snacks I bought.
- Extra long bed: Very comfy!
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Functional. Not the best, but it does the job.
- High floor: I asked for one, and I got it! The view was worth it.
- In-room safe box: Secure.
- Internet access – LAN/Wireless (Wi-Fi [free]): Worked well! Solid connection for streaming.
- Ironing facilities: A godsend, as I’m forever crumpled.
- Laptop workspace: See desk.
- Linens: Clean and fresh.
- Mini bar: Decent selection.
- Mirror: Plenty.
- Non-smoking: Everywhere!
- On-demand movies: Didn't use 'em.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Needed these.
- Refrigerator: Handy for cold drinks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Fine
- Seating area: Comfy.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Double score!
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Slippers: A nice touch!
- Smoke detector: Phew!
- Socket near the bed: Essential for phones.
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Soundproofing: Pretty decent, given the location.
- Telephone: See bathroom phone.
- Toiletries: Basic but functional.
- Towels: Plush and plentiful.
- Wake-up service: Use the alarm!
That Spa Life (and My Encounter with a Body Wrap)
Alright, now for the good stuff. El Renzo has a spa, and I’m a sucker for a massage.
(Ways to Relax/Spa - Oh, Yeah!)
- Body scrub: You just know it's got to be good.
- Body wrap: Okay, I'm not gonna lie. I’m a bit of a wimp. I'd never had a body wrap before. But I figured, "Hey, I'm on vacation. Embrace the weird!" And you know what? It was AMAZING. I emerged feeling like a brand new, slightly less-stressed version of myself. (SEO: Tagaytay spa, El Renzo spa services) Highly, highly recommended!
- Fitness center: Didn't use it. Sorry, not sorry.
- Foot bath: Sounds relaxing, but I never got around to it.
- Gym/fitness: See fitness center.
- Massage: Booked one. Bliss.
- Pool with view: Absolutely. Though it can get crowded. But with that view, who cares?
- Sauna: Didn't try it.
- Spa: Yes! See above.
- Spa/sauna: Double yes!
- Steamroom: Nope.
- Swimming pool: See pool with view.
- Cleanliness and safety: The hotel really seemed to be following COVID protocols and all.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Mishap)
(Dining, drinking, and snacking)…
- Breakfast [buffet]: Decent selection. International and Asian cuisine available.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
- Bar: Yes. Good for sunsets.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always!
- Poolside bar: Perfect for chilling.
- Restaurants: Multiple choices.
- Room service [24-hour]: Amazing – especially when you're lazy.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Always ask if you have any special requests.
- Snack bar: Perfect for daytime munchies.
- Desserts in restaurant: OMG. The desserts!
- Western cuisine in restaurant: YES!
The food at El Renzo, in my very humble opinion, is… well, it's a mixed bag. The breakfast buffet was pretty good, but that dinner I ordered from room service at 2:00 AM? Let's just say it wasn't their finest hour. But hey, you can't win 'em all! I have to say, though, the coffee was consistently strong, which is a win in my book.
Important COVID Stuff (Because, You Know, The World)
(Cleanliness and safety, etc. - Safety First!)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good
- Breakfast takeaway service: Yes!
- Cashless payment service: Convenient!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Appreciated.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful.
- Hygiene certification: They looked pretty on it.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly enforced.
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed professional!
The hotel really seems to be taking safety seriously. They followed protocols, but it still felt relaxing.
Things to Do (Besides Staring at the Volcano)
(Things to do…)
- Car park [free of charge]: Big plus.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always handy.
- Gift/souvenir shop: If you need last-minute gifts.
- Indoor venue for special events: Could be useful.
- On-site event hosting: Business or pleasure!
- Outdoor venue for special events: Nice!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your meticulously crafted, Instagram-perfect itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. My chaotic, possibly disastrous, and utterly wonderful plan for a weekend at El Renzo Hotel in Tagaytay. Prepare yourselves, because we're about to get messy.
EL RENZO HOTEL TAGAYTAY: A Weekend of Questionable Choices (and Hopefully, Some Good Food)
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Sickness (Maybe?), and a Quest for the Perfect Sinigang
1:00 PM - Arrival & Initial Panic: Okay, first things first: traffic. Ugh. We left Manila at a "reasonable" time, but that quickly devolved into a crawl of bumper-to-bumper misery. I'm already sweating. Are those butterflies or the beginnings of altitude sickness setting in? Pray for me. Finally, we arrive at El Renzo. The lobby is… well, it's something. A little dated, maybe? Hoping it’s charming in a "grandma's house" kind of way. Check-in should be easy, but I bet they'll lose my reservation. They always do.
1:30 PM - Check-in Catastrophes: Called it! The front desk agent, bless her heart, seems slightly overwhelmed. Lost my reservation. Turns out I was under a different name than I thought. After a solid 20 minutes of frantic phone calls, receipts, and the ever-present fear of sleeping in the car. We did it! Room key in hand!
2:30 PM - Room Inspection (Expectation vs. Reality): The website photos were probably taken in 2008. The room… is spacious! Not necessarily in a good way. The bedspread looks like it’s seen things. Oh well, as long as the aircon works and there are no creepy crawlies, I'm good. But, hey! The view from the balcony is surprisingly stunning! Soaking in the view of Taal Volcano really makes me feel alive!
3:30 PM - The Great Sinigang Hunt: I've got one mission today: find the best sinigang in Tagaytay. It's an obsession! I've heard rumors… whispers… of a place called Balay Dako. Apparently, the view is phenomenal. Which is a good start. We’re willing to gamble on that 1-hour wait.
4:30 PM - (Balay Dako) Sinigang Verdict: The view was breathtaking! Seriously, worth the wait. And the sinigang? Chef's kiss. Tangy, savory, and the perfect comfort food after a stressful drive. I would have taken a 4-star hotel to let the view be the same. I need a moment.
5:30 PM - The Aftermath: I basically inhaled my sinigang. Now I feel like I need a nap. But, Tagaytay sunsets are famous! So, we shall… attempt a leisurely stroll. Unless my stomach decides to rebel.
6:30 PM - Sunset Shenanigans (or, Let's Just Admire the View): We’re still walking around. The sunset is happening! It’s gorgeous. I take a million pictures. The wind is a little chilly. I'm starting to feel relaxed. Maybe this altitude thing isn't so bad after all.
7:30 PM - Dinner (Round Two): Back to town to find dinner. I'm thinking something light… but also… savory.
8:30 PM - Evening Debrief (and Maybe a Bottle of Wine): Back at the hotel, sprawled out on the (cleanish!) bed. Reflecting on the day. Success! Great Sinigang was had! And the scenery? Absolutely stole my heart. This is what a vacation is supposed to feel like, right? Maybe a little wine to solidify the good vibes.
- 9:30 PM - The Unraveling: The wine, let’s be honest is… not helping. I’m on my second glass. My head is slightly fuzzy. I can feel my brain. Going to give up on this day, and sleep like a log.
Day 2: Taal Volcano, (Another Search, and the Quest for the Perfect Bulalo)
9:00 AM - The Morning After (Probably Not Glowing): Okay, so maybe I should have paced myself with the wine. My head is pounding. Thank god for the coffee in the room! And that glorious view is still there! Time to put on my big girl pants (figuratively, because I'm already in my pajamas).
10:00 AM - Taal Volcano Adventure (Attempt 1): We are going to do this, whatever it is. We booked a Taal Volcano tour! I saw a man going there, and it was so pretty. However, my stomach has other plans, so, hopefully, I don't throw up in the boat.
10:30 AM - Taal Volcano Adventure (Attempt 2, and a slight scare): Oh, the boat ride! The water smells… interesting. The air is humid. This might have been a terrible idea. Is that… a storm brewing? I don’t know.
11:30 AM - Taal Volcano Adventure (Attempt 3, and the climb): Alright, the climb up to the crater's rim is a killer. I’m not sure what is worse: my lungs or the smell of sulfur. The view from the top? Absolutely worth it. It’s unreal. Like another planet.
2:00 PM - The Great Bulalo Hunt (Part Deux!): Bulalo! After the volcano adventure, I crave warmth and broth in my body. I have to know what is the best bulalo. Back to town! I think I know where to go.
3:00 PM - Lunch/ Afternoon: Finally, we find the best bulalo. I swear I ate a whole cow.
4:00 PM - Souvenir Shopping (or, the Art of Impulse Buying): A quick drive around Tagaytay for some last-minute souvenirs. I bought some trinkets for my family and a t-shirt for myself, because, well, I’m a tourist.
5:00 PM - Final Sunset (Optimism): The best sunset in the world.
6:00 PM - Farewell Dinner: We found another restaurant that had great food. I definitely recommend this place!
7:00 PM - Back to the Hotel (Contentment): Time to pack up my stuff, for tomorrow.
8:00 PM - Final Evening, or, the Acceptance of Mess: So, the hotel is… decent. Not perfect. But the view, the food, and the whole experience? Worth every chaotic, slightly stressful moment. I’m a happy mess.
Day 3: Departure & The Post-Vacation Blues
9:00 AM - One Last Look: Breakfast at the hotel. It was… fine. Ate some food, packed again, and cleaned up.
10:00 AM - Checkout & The Long Road Home: Goodbye, El Renzo! I’ll probably be back! Check out was painless, thank goodness! Off to Manila!
11:00 AM - Traffic - The final stage: Time to go back to Manila. The drive is a bit stressful, but I like thinking about the memories I just made.
2:00 PM - Home & Real Life: Back home. I feel exhausted but somehow… refreshed! Time to unpack, do laundry, and start mentally planning my next adventure. Because, let's be honest, I'm already itching to get back out there and make some more glorious, messy memories.
Escape to Paradise: El Renzo Hotel's Tagaytay Magic Awaits! - Or Does It? A Messy FAQ
Okay, let's cut the fluff. Is El Renzo REALLY "Paradise?" (And is Tagaytay even *that* magical anymore?)
The Room: Cozy Cocoon or Cramped Cell? Spill the Tea!
The Food: Gourmet Grub or Just… Grub? (And that breakfast buffet, *cough*)
The in-house restaurant was… fine. Nothing to write home about, but not actively offensive either. The portions were a bit small for the price, but at least they tried. We also ordered room service once, and the food actually showed up, but it was lukewarm. My friend's order wasn't the same and it wasn't a good experience.
The Pool: Oasis of Calm or a Tourist Trap?
The Staff: Angels of Hospitality or… Well, You Get It?
Is El Renzo good for couples?
Okay, so should *I* go to El Renzo?
