Country Staycation Weekend at Discovery Suites

We decided to continue the tradition of welcoming the Chinese New Year in style.  This year, we spent our CNY Staycation weekend at the Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay.  This city, with its cool and breezy weather, always evokes peace and tranquility.  A perfect getaway for families looking for a break from the daily grind.  Discovery Country Suites (DCS) under the Discovery Suites hotel chain, is an elegant country- side Bed and Breakfast retreat that offers a great view of the Tagaytay ridge and Taal lake and volcano. I like the idea of simply chilling out and doing nothing.

Misty mornings at Country Suites

Facade of the Discovery Country Suites

Our suite opens to this loft

There are seven suites at DCS and each comes with a unique theme. The rooms  are spacious and comfortable enough for a family of four. We had the Spanish-themed Andalucia suite located at the loft level.

This window overlooks the lake... and the Starbucks beside DCS

Bold colors dominate the Andalucia suite

The Verbena restaurant is cozy and intimate setting that extends to an enclosed balcony. Sumptuous breakfast is served here.  Select a hearty breakfast of your choice from their extensive menu and the chef will cook this for you.  There is an accompanying spread of bread, cheese, jam and fresh fruits and juices.  I selected the very tempting steak and eggs breakfast. Every calorie was worth it!

Guests also are treated to a wine and cheese platter every afternoon at the Verbena restaurant.  Perfect for an afternoon chit-chat with hubby while we excitedly ponder our plans for 2014.  The youngsters get to have cookies and milk for an afternoon snack.

My brekky of choice- Steak and Eggs.
Will worry about the calories later.

Sumptuous breakfast at the balcony.
I'd love to wake up everyday with this.

  

Wine and cheese afternoon with hubby while we ponder our 2014 plans

After breakfast, we also did a bit of exploration around. There is a small garden that overlooks the Tagaytay ridge and a family sized jacuzzi pool, if you dare to jump in and brave the surrounding cold weather!

Small backyard garden for an afternoon stroll

The lake and volcano -- visible when its not too misty

Jacuzzi pool looks tempting. But not in this weather.

A quiet staycation - just what we needed

Likes

• Intimate setting - with maximum of seven rooms, you are not plagued by an abundant, rowdy crowd
• Perfect for those looking for a peaceful retreat
• Tasty and tempting food choices at Verbena restaurant. 
• Close to Starbucks for your caffeine fix
• Lots of other places to see around Tagaytay, if you feel like going out

However,

• I would not go there again on a holiday weekend though. Traffic was a bummer!
• I appreciate peace and quiet.  At some point, the place was way toooooo quiet.
• The bathroom amenities and towels need some upgrade. I expected better given the price of an overnight stay.

Overall, it was a weekend well spent.  Just what I needed just before the stressful weeks ahead at work!

Pasalubong Heaven

We went to hear Good Friday mass at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay. On our way home, we made sure to stop by Rowena’s. I’ve been to Rowena’s once, going home from Punta Fuego and my friend Zarah was the one who introduced this to us.

Kyla went with me inside the store but not before I took a photo of Kyla beside no less than the store owner herself in front of the store, cheerfully greeting her throngs of customers! She smiled gamely as I took a picture. Rowena’s is a quaint nook with red and white awnings and they now have Rowena’s Café as well!

Rowena’s is literally a universe of pasalubong goodies – sweet, sour, salty and more sweets! Their flagship product are their scrumptious tarts which comes in buko, pineapple, mango and ube. They also have the usual colorful boat tarts as well that comes in variety of flavors.
For me, their best sellers are the Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts, Strawberry Cheesecake Tarts (I’ve bought both) and the Chocolate Mousse Tarts. Each comes in a box of 6.

I also love their Sylvannas! When we went back during Holy Week, it’s been wiped out already! I tried their Buko Pie and although I must admit that my loyalty for Buko Pie is with Lety’s and D’ Originals, I am actually an instant fan!

Going around the store, Kyla and I spotted a whole variety of “munchables” and treats for the sweet-toothed ones which range from the Southern Tagalog delicacies (sweet and spicy tamarind, espasol, okoy, cassava pie, ube, all sorts of pies, nuts and crackers) as well as regional delicacies (piyaya, chicacorn, meringue, chicaron, pastillas, candied fruits, tahong chips, coffee beans to go and bottled juices and honey).

I spotted at the left most side of the shop, they have a few wooden table and chairs for the sprouting Café. I glanced at the menu idly and I saw locally brewed coffee and pasta dishes (my favorite). Next time, we’ll give it a go!

Next time you go to Tagaytay City, make sure you pass by Rowena’s, along Manila-Tagaytay Road for your hoards of pasalubong goodies. If you are heading to Tagaytay, you will find it on the left side of the road. Just make note when you start seeing a few vehicles queueing along a red and white nook. Chances are, you landed at Rowena’s. It’s truly a pasalubong heaven!

View their website at http://rowenas-tarts-tagaytay.com