This is the hardest part – Reception Venue hunting. Aside from hotels in the city, we also inquire every events venue in Tagaytay. We wanted a place with Taal volcano view since this is popular in the area, aside from a cold weather it entails specially in December. Yet, we were frustrated to know that good places like Casablanca Private Mansion, Villa Ibarra and Balai Taal are already reserved as early as December 2012 for December 2013 events, which is also actually the same date as ours!
We have scouted the following venue still available for our wedding:
Summit Ridge Hotel
When I first received the wedding package from Summit Ridge Hotel, I was delighted that their package is not so expensive, be it for 50 or 200 guests. However, their set up is too standard and would cost us much, if we want to achieve the mood and set up we are eyeing for our venue. Taal view is only for the room accommodation since the hotel is a high rise building that is overlooking Taal volcano. Ballroom area is just near the hotel entrance/reception where hotel guest can also stroll within the hall. Space for cocktail hour is also small to accommodate 150 guests. It might not be a good place for our reception, but I recommend this hotel for our guest who wants to stay overnight in Tagaytay as they have a really nice and comfy rooms.
Taal Vista Hotel
Taal Vista would have been perfect choice. It has a complete package and amenities for a wedding: cozy room accommodation, cocktail hour area with taal volcano view and spacious ballroom for reception program. I would have booked this venue with eyes closed for the value (hehe). The cost is fair enough for 100 pax, but their package for more than 100 guests would overshoot our budget.
The Lake Resort Hotel
Lake Resort Hotel also offers what we require for our reception venue: a breath-taking Taal volcano view, garden for cocktail hour and a good wedding package. They have 2 reception areas available: one can accommodate 150-200 guests and their executive area that can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests only. I like the latter as it is like a glasshouse overlooking Taal volcano. However, my chosen area can’t really accommodate 150 guest and seems that 100 guest would be too crowded. Besides, I would love to see our guests dance with us, so we will need a little space for the dance floor as well.
Taalena/Tagaytay Ridge
Taalena is a 2-storey restaurant with common entrance for restaurant and reception area. Interior is somewhat classic pinoy house with wooden capiz windows and some brick walls. It has a small garden outside with a view of taal volcano and can accommodate 150 guests but with table set up outside the reception hall. (not ideal for our set up). Honestly, I am not quite impressed with this venue, but when I saw the set up from Town’s Delight, I’m having a second thought and inquired about the location since TD’s post is Tagaytay Ridge a.k.a. Taalena.
Clearwater Rest House
Clear Water Rest house truly has a panoramic and breath-taking views of Taal Volcano yet the venue is quite pricey. Accommodation at The Inn is also superb. My cousin Andrei and Jeff held their wedding reception here and it is indeed a perfect venue. However, this is not for us.
Crosswinds Swiss Luxury Resort, Tagaytay
Save the Best for Last!
After a long and tiring day, we still haven’t found the “Perfect” place for our reception venue. Crosswinds Tagaytay is the least on my list. No Taal Volcano can be found in this place! Yet, on our way back to Laguna, we still took our chances to visit the place, hoping it will give us a different chill even in the absence of taal volcano sight I am wishing for.
Gate entrance is impressive, promoting the stunning Swiss-inspired architecture. The way to the hotel is quite a challenge as the road was so steep and sloping street would surely give a thrill. The environment dazed me, pine trees are all over the area, landscape is amazing and seems that we are in a foreign land.
The hotel has a function hall that can ideally accommodate 150 persons, it’s not like a ballroom type just like in any other hotel but it’s spacious enough for our requirement. The hall is so new, curtained, well painted and may easily be converted into a mood that we fancied for. It also has a large veranda overlooking the Swiss-inspired structure of the hotel. Indeed impressive, the place mesmerized me and unconsciously made me smile every single minute.
I am only reluctant by the steep and slope road, where a good conditioned vehicle is a must to arrive safely in the hotel. I also worry that the function hall may be too crowded in case we exceed 150 guests. Nonetheless, this venue already got me fascinated by the surroundings. Even at the second time I visited the place for an intense ocular inspection, it still offered me the “THIS IS IT!” feeling I’ve been waiting for to affirm that we have found our place!
