THIS PROPERTY FROM BRITTANY CORPORATION GIVES YOU A TASTE OF EUROPEAN STYLE LIVING IN THE SOUTH
Tagaytay will always have a special place in my heart because it is where my partner Lou and I first had our staycation many years ago, when we were both just starting out (and struggling).
It was a few days before my birthday and we took a bus and our booking was at some hidden hotel because that was all we could afford.
I think the only time we splurged a bit was for dinner at Leslie’s which was just walking distance from our hotel. We couldn’t go far because we don’t know how we would be able to commute back. Those were the simple times but it actually made me appreciate our most recent staycation at Crosswinds Resorts.
I remember telling myself that someday we’ll be able to try out the most luxurious accommodations and dine at the most popular and restaurants without computing the prices first.
Well, now I could cross out Crosswinds Swiss Luxury Resorts from that list.
This time we didn’t have to take the bus and drove just an hour an a half from Quezon City via the new SLEX and CALAX expressways. Toll fee was about P500+ but it was definitely way more economical than taking the old route which take us through EDSA traffic and use up more fuel.
If you were to ask me to picture my ideal lifestyle, it would be waking up to beautiful scenery and being able breath in the fresh air. It would be living in a place surrounded by trees and nature where I could take leisurely walks among grassy fields with idyllic mountains yet still remain close to all the modern conveniences.
That is exactly what Crosswinds Luxury Resorts is about.
Dubbed as the one and only “pine estate” in the entire country, Crosswinds is a rare temperate paradise amidst a tropical country. Blanketed by 35,000 home-grown pine trees that enhance not just the aesthetic value, but also the air quality and the atmosphere of the locale. Crosswinds treats you to the other side of Tagaytay — not the usual lake view but the beauty of rolling green fields and pine trees that perfume the air with its sweet scent.
As soon as you enter the gated community, you’ll be transported to a totally different world surrounded by the picturesque view of the lush terrains of Tagaytay City and the royal feeling amidst Swiss-inspired luxury homes, situated along the very natural slopes of this breathtaking place.
We checked in on a Monday which turned out to be a good decision as the receptionist told us they were usually booked during the weekends. Our home for the night was at the Grand Quartier Tower 2 and we booked a 1 bedroom suite.
There are three Grand Quartier Tower and there is a mix of residents and visitors, the reception area is just a little corner so don’t expect a full-sized hotel lobby.
Crosswinds Resort Suites has a total of 51 rooms that can give you the pine trees and Mountain View composing of Studio Double/Queen, One, Two and Three Bedroom Suites. Rooms are located within the three (3) towers.
The rooms are quite spacious ranging from 38sqm for studio to as big as 209sqm for a 3 bedroom suite–which is even bigger than some homes.
Accommodations include access to Crosswinds Tagaytay and Hotel’s Premises; daily Replenishment of Two (2) Complimentary Bottles of Water per room; Daily Housekeeping Service; Use of the outdoor swimming pool and Playground; Shuttle Service within Crosswinds (subject to availability) kitchen, 24 hours Security, LCD Television (Cable Ready), Internet Access; access to the Lounge area at the 2nd floor Banquet Hall which has a mini-library and board games for kids and adults. While there is no designated parking area, you are allowed to park along the street, and we could easily see our car from our room.
ROOM AMENITIES include a fully equipped kitchen with Microwave oven Rice cooker and crockery
Kitchen Utensils, electric Kettle, Chinaware, Glassware and Cutleries. There is also a big refrigerator an In Room electronic safety deposit box Hair Dryer while you can request an Iron and Board.
The fully equipped Kitchen is great for those who are staying for a few days since they can cook meals or maybe just reheat their baon. It is a plus especially if you just want to stay inside your room. Just make sure you shop for your groceries before checking in.
Check-In time is 3:00 pm and Check-out time is 12:00 noon.
LIKES:
Spacious rooms
The fully-equipped kitchen
Comfortable bed and pillows
Fresh-smelling linen and towels
Nice view from your private balcony
Water temperature is easy to set
Very cold airconditioning
There’s a big dining table good for 6 to 8 people
DISLIKES: Since the hotel has been around for around 10 years, the fixtures are not that new anymore. The bathrooms are clean but it does some need a bit of sprucing up. During our stay they were painting the building so I guess renovations are underway. Some of window blinds have been damaged. No room service for food. Swimming pool is located far and you need to wait for shuttle service if you don’t have a car. There is also no Gym for now.
It is also worth noting that you get a set of toiletries that are still in mini bottles. If you are particular about your shampoo and soap it might be a good idea to bring your own. The toothbrush is sturdy and better than other hotels but you get the tiny toothpaste tube. There is a shaving kit so that’s kind of a bonus. There is no laundry bag, so better bring one for your used/ wet clothes if you do decide to go swimming. If you do plan to squeeze in some work, there is a desk and chair and the WiFi is fast enough to answer emails and browse the internet. The lighting of the room is also adequate considering you can open the windows if you want more light to come in.
*Welcome to our #SleepcationSeries where we do not just review features and facilities but also how comfortable or conducive the room is for sleeping. This is based on the quality of bed, pillows, bedsheets as well as the number of times we wake up during the night, the total hours of sleep we got and even the creepiness factor.
SLEEPCATION REVIEW
For those who just want to stay in the room and sleep. Crosswinds is an ideal choice. The place is very quiet with only the soothing nature sounds as your background. Rooms have good soundproofing so you won’t hear noises from the hallway or other rooms.
I haven’t been able to get the thread count of the blankets and pillows, but I found them quite comfortable with just the right firmness. The sheets smell nice without the overpowering scent of fabric conditioner again another plus.
The queen sized bed has four posts and I think some have curtains, for what ever purpose you might want to use them. There are two cabinets with hangers with enough shelves should you want to take out all your luggage and arrange them.
So how was my sleep?
I took a quick nap at around 5:30pm on the sofa, facing the TV. The couch was big enough and I was able to stretch out, great for afternoon siestas.
We slept at around 12:00am and because it was very quiet falling asleep was fast and easy. Quality was pretty good as well and I felt quite rested. I only woke up once at around 5am to go to the bathroom and was able to sleep again until 8:00am.
If you just want to stay in and catch some zzz’s at any time of the day, CrossWinds is a great place to do that.
The next day we had breakfast at the 2nd floor banquet hall located in the same building as Andersen’s Cafe.
Plated Breakfast is available from 7:00am – 10:00am
Breakfast Menu choices include Rice Meal with either Fried Chicken; Beef Tapa or Daing na Bangus
Rice meals include: Garlic Rice, Ensalada, choice of either Scrambled Egg/ Sunny Side up, Fresh Fruits Tea/ Hot Coffee/ Juice
You can also opt for Continental Breakfast with the choice between Pancake or waffle Continental Inclusions are Sausage, Hash brown; Bread; Scrambled Egg/ Sunny Side up; Fresh Fruits; Cereal (Koko Crunch) + Tea/ Hot Coffee/ Juice
We were able to try the Bangus and Tapa Rice Meal as well as the Pancake. Serving size is enough, meaning you’ll be full by the end of your meal. I do prefer the Bangus as it was cooked very crispy. Didn’t like the ensaladang talong though.
Rooms for direct booking includes 2 Complimentary Breakfast for every room type. Additional breakfast is 400 pesos per head.
For snacks and coffee you should visit Andersen’s Bakery and try out their delicious pastries, perfect for those drizzling afternoons. Its also a nice place for pasalubongs, check out the Almond Kringkle, which I heard is the favorite of former Senator Manny Villar himself!
We had planned on taking a quick dip at the pool but unfortunately it wasn’t available due to maintenance. If swimming in the cold weather is a priority you might want to check its availability first.
Besides swimming though and the kids playground right beside it, the best thing to do at Crosswinds is to chillout and relax maybe take a walk and enjoy the scenery, (afternoons are best because it is cooler).
You can visit the Alpine Greens view deck, where you can see the Tagaytay mountain range spread out in every direction. You can hike the Pinecone Trail, visit the Giant Throne, marvel at the Lucent Stone Pillars, take Instagrammable shots of the Windmill, relax at the Brook Park, and discover the beautiful scapes of La Verne Woods.
You can also do a food trip and check out the popular restos inside the area. There’s Yama if you are craving for something Japanese, the WindMill for American cuisine, Andersens Bakery for pastry or you could head back near the entrance for the Coffee Project, Ruined Project, Cafe Voila or NAPA. Just be ready to shell out about P500+ for each person if you plan on ordering main dishes.
Overall, Crosswinds Tagaytay by Brittany Corporation offers is a great destination for those who want to enjoy a slice of European/Swiss luxury lifestyle and the exclusivity and beauty in an awe-inspiring landscape atop mountains of lush greenery and cold crisp air. Its best for those who are looking for a some peace and quiet, a place to rekindle their romance or maybe treat their senior parents loved ones to a relaxing weekend.
Here are a couple of packages you might want to check out:
FURCATION PACKAGE
For fur mom and dad; Booked a room and add 1,000 pesos on top for pet companion; Inclusive of pet treats eg. Dog food, dog tag, bone toy, and others.
CELEBRATIONS AT CROSSWINDS: Studio Room for 9,500 inclusive of room set-up depending on occasion. Includes Balloons, Wine, Banner, Breakfast for Two (2), Dining Voucher for Two (2).
MOVIE NIGHT 8,500 NET RATE: With Movie Night 5:00 pm registration, With Popcorn, Nachos and 1 round of Juice
Two (2) Complimentary Breakfast, Two (2) Dining Vouchers Fruit Platter upon Check-in For normal booking additional 99 pesos to avail movie night. Scheduled movie is posted at the front office per day.
Crosswinds Swiss Luxury Resorts is located at Crosswinds Subdivision, Tagaytay-Calamba Road Bgy. Iruhin Central, Tagaytay City 4120. For more information you can call ( 046 443 9072| 0917-571-4325 or email [email protected] I [email protected]
