Hotel and Inn Review: Hotel Monticello (Tagaytay City, Cavite)

Date of Stay: December 2-3, 2017

RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)

Location: ******

Rooms: ********

Condition and Cleanliness: *********

Staff Performance: ********

Room Comfort: ********

Food and Beverage: ******

Other Amenities: *******

Value for Money: *******

Hotel Monticello

This fairly new, 5-storey boutique-type hotel, opened last April 2015, is a quiet, luxurious and comfortable sojourn just an hour and a half away from Metro Manila. 

Nicely laid out, awashed in dark wood motifs and fitted with contemporary wood furnishings, their 41 rooms and suites are bigger than usual 5-star hotels, with enough space to move around. 

The hotel lobby

All have  individually controlled air-conditioning, 42-inch flat-screen LED cable TV, wi-fi internet access, coffee/tea maker, mini-chiller, mini fridge, ice bucket and electronic safety deposit box.  The beds and the pillows were very comfortable.  

The private en suite bathrooms were equally spacious and have shower a room with hot and cold water, shampoo and bath gel dispenser with extras including bath robes, hair dryer and hamper (laundry bin).  If the person does not have an electronic key card they cannot use the elevator to return to the room.  

Superior Quad (Room 308)

Their 10 types of comfortable, well appointed and modern rooms  all have a touch of luxury. Certain rooms include a balcony and a seating area for you to relax in. The 26 sq. m. Deluxe King  has a king bed and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults and 2 children.  

The 26 sq. m. Deluxe Twin has 2 single beds and can accommodate a  maximum of 3 adults and 2 children.  The 30 sq. m. Veranda King has a king bed and balcony and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults and 2 children.  The 30 sq. m. Veranda Twin has 2 single beds and a balcony and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults and 2 children. 

Elevators

Second floor lounge area

The 30 sq. m. Superior King has a king bed and can accommodate a  maximum of 3 adults and 2 children.  The 30 sq. m. Superior Twin has 2 single beds and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults and 2 children.  

The 48 sq. m. Superior Quad, the room that we stayed in (Room 308), has 4 single beds and can accommodate a maximum of 5 adults and 2 children.  The 52 sq. m. Penthouse Firenze has a master and 2 single beds and can accommodate a  maximum of 6 adults and 2 children.  The  83 sq. m. Penthouse Capri has a master and 2 single beds and can accommodate a  maximum of 6 adults and 2 children.  The 112 sq. m.Penthouse Amalfi has a master and 2 day beds and can accommodate a  maximum of 6 adults and 2 children.

Front desk

The hotel also has a 24-hour front desk, a small but well-equipped fitness gym (open 7 AM to 9 PM), massage spa, business center, function rooms, multipurpose lounge, grand ballroom (VIA) and a gift shop and offers room service and luggage storage.

The temperature-controlled swimming pools

Fitness gym

The very cozy and clean lobby was huge, with lots of comfortable sofas provided. An atrium in the middle lets in natural light to all floors of the hotel. There are also a lot of lounge areas even on room floors. Their piano bar (Roma), only open on Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 11 PM, offers ice-cold drinks and delicious appetizers.  Their pianist’s repertoire was more of OPM and pop-jazz.

Function room

Roma Piano Bar

The bar's pianist

The outdoor, 25 m. long adult lap pool and children’s wading pool, both major attractions and a rare find in Tagaytay, were both warm (it’s temperature-controlled), good sized and relaxing and had a poolside lounge. Open 7 AM to 9 PM, it is a fun place to dip in, even in the cold weather. 

Hotel Monticello’s Soleil Garden, an open pavilion, can accommodate up to 150 persons. Free private secured parking (outdoor and basement) is available on site. Their pretty decent wi-fi is also free to use in the public areas.

Cafe Mercedes

However, their coffee shop (Cafe Mercedes) was small and you might have to wait for our turn to be seated if all tables are occupied.  Welcome drinks were served here. Their breakfast buffet tasted good enough but was limited to only four choices of viand (alternating with longganiza, tocino, dilis, danggit, sausage, corned beef, daing na bangus, hotdogs, etc) plus champorado, rice (plain or fried), soup, a few cereals, bread, brewed coffee, juice (pineapple and orange), hot tea, cucumber infused water, fruits (watermelon and ripe mangoes) and an egg and salad station. The servings from their ala carte menu could do with a bigger portion. The table setting was very clean. The staff was friendly and courteous and their service was prompt.  

Breakfast buffet

Gift shop

Located after Taal Vista Hotel. Skyranch (1 km.) and the PAGCOR Casino (500 m.), the  hotel is located 9 kms. from Picnic Grove, 11 kms. from  People's Park in the Sky and 10 kms. from Taal Volcano (no view of this from hotel as it is on the other side of the road).  

It was also near famous dining places like Joel Torre's Manukan, Cafe Carmencita, JP's Inasal, Mushroomburger (500 m.), Balinsasayaw and Bag of Beans. There aren't any malls or supermarkets close by.  Their room rates are a bit pricey for the location. However, altogether, it was a relaxing family getaway.

Soleil Garden

Hotel Monticello: Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway (past Km. 60), Brgy. Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City 4120, Cavite.  Tel: (+63-46) 413-1111 and (02) 552-5238. Mobile number: (0977) 831-0088. Email: info@monticello.ph. Website: www.hotelmonticello.com.ph.