But much like Baguio, Tagaytay is slowly losing its countryside charm with all the
residential resorts, condominiums, malls, and restaurants popping left and right. And it makes one wonder: what did Tagaytay look like before it is the way it is now?
Beauty under the Radar
Canyon Woods Residential Resort, or simply Canyon Woods, will make you feel like you’re in an idyllic ski resort somewhere in the United States and the only thing missing is the snow. Dotted with thousands of pine trees and complete with facilities in a cabin-like structure, the property makes guests really feel like they’re far from the city’s noise and traffic.
Canyon Woods has been in operations for over 20 years but it has managed to stay under the radar of change. Despite the place being more than two decades old now, the team behind the residential resort was able to retain its beauty and maintain the facilities. This has resulted in guests wanting to stay for a long period of time without feeling the urge to go out. And who would want to go out when everything needed for a great vacation is here?
Here are some of the areas you can explore and things you can do in Canyon Woods.
A Great Time at The Peak
You will find plenty of charming houses inside Canyon Woods, but most of these homes are residential areas. Yes, it is possible to invest and live in this beautiful property (who wouldn’t?), but if you only want to stay for a night or two, Canyon Woods’ The Peak is open to accommodate guests.
The Peak is a condotel or condominium hotel that boasts of hotel-like facilities in all of its 167 rooms. The rooms are complete with comfortable beddings, toiletries, and entertainment systems to keep you comfortable and entertained during your stay.
You can choose to stay at The Peak Jr. Suite, a loft-type room that can accommodate up to four people. It has its own living room, dining area, and bedroom with two bathrooms. The condotel also has The Peak Studio Suite, a studio-type room that can fit up to two persons. Both rooms have a flat iron, a safety deposit box, a refrigerator, and coffee and tea making facilities.
The Peak also has an infinity pool for those who are brave enough to take a dip in the cold Tagaytay weather. Down at the lobby you can find pool tables and a snack bar—perfect for spending an afternoon with your family and friends in a game of billiards.
Filipino Fares and Buffets
Aside from the comfortable accommodations, Canyon Woods also boasts of its own restaurant which is located at its Clubhouse. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of Filipino favorites and a buffet menu on weekends as a treat to its residential members and guests.
For the a la carte option, one of the meals you can enjoy is the restaurant’s version of bulalo. Swimming in hot soup filled to the brim, the bulalo consists of various green vegetables and huge amounts of beef shanks good for sharing for the whole family.
The
bistek Tagalog is another favorite that is perfect to pair with rice. The meat is soft and tender and the sauce has just the right amount of sourness and sweetness. In short, it’s a classic
bistek made right.
Classic American food like burgers and sandwiches are also available at the Clubhouse. You won’t be deprived of good meat as the Canyon Clubhouse burger comes with a huge cut of beef patty and crispy bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
You can end your meal on a sweet note with Clubhouse’s turon (fried banana in a spring roll wrapper) with mango custard. This classic Filipino dessert is given a tangy twist with the mango custard dip which adds a sweet punch and hints of mango flavor.
Health and Wellness Facilities
Aside from being a place of fun and relaxation, Canyon Woods also prides itself as a place for health and wellness. You can find a good mix of these activities also in the Clubhouse, which houses various facilities to keep guests comfortable and well taken care of. Part of its health and wellness offering is a spa and beauty parlor that can also be found in the Clubhouse.
For awesome views, the Clubhouse’s restaurant lets you enjoy meals made by its in-house chef while savoring Tagaytay’s natural beauty at the same time. There you’ll get to see a great view of Taal Lake and an overview of Canyon Woods property.
Downstairs, you can find the Fun Center where you can spend an afternoon with your friends playing billiards, speed hockey, or table tennis. There’s also a facility filled with miniature slides, playhouses, and more where children can play to their hearts content.
Aside from The Peak’s infinity pool, the Clubhouse also has its own heated pool which is a great option for those who do not want to swim in cold water. There is also a Jacuzzi for those who want some extra heat. Take note that proper swimming attire and a hair cap are necessary before you can dip into the pools.
If your form of relaxation is through films, the Clubhouse has a 49-seater mini theater open on weekends that serves free popcorn. Non-members will need to pay a small fee but you’ll get to enjoy some recent flicks minus the noise you usually experience in public cinemas.
Aside from the Clubhouse, Canyon Woods also boasts of other facilities where you can make the most out of your vacation. For sports lovers, they have a basketball and tennis court, a humongous golf course, and a gym to keep you fit and active. Although most of these facilities are free of use only for homeowners, you can still enjoy them by paying a small fee.
A Haven for Nature Lovers
Unbeknownst to many, Canyon Woods spans 800 hectares, but only around 300 of it is developed. This leaves over 500 hectares of land brimming with untouched greenery—a treat for nature lovers.
Just walk outside of The Peak and pine trees will welcome you left and right. Even if you’re not into golfing, you can ask one of their shuttle services to bring you to the golf course and enjoy the natural terrains of the 9-hole mountainous course. You’ll enjoy gorgeous hills and beautiful sceneries by walking around or being driven by a golf cart.
The untouched land in and around Canyon Woods is a sight to behold. Just be careful as Canyon Woods is a really big place and you might find yourself alone in some of the areas. For the best views, make sure to visit the lake located near the Pavilion and the hanging bridge.
Aside from being the perfect breather away from the city’s pollution, Canyon Wood’s vast foliage can also be the
perfect backdrop for various events. For couples who dream of a Tagaytay wedding, Canyon Woods accepts special events like weddings or private parties. If you prefer an indoor event, they also have function rooms where you can host your party. Canyon Woods also has facilities fit for team buildings and company outings such as obstacle courses, huge outdoor pools, and the various sports facilities mentioned previously.
If you want to marvel at these spots but do not want to walk all the way, there are shuttle services available around Canyon Woods to take you to various areas inside the property that you want to visit.
Beauty that Never Gets Old
Even though some of the areas inside Canyon Woods are dated, the place has not lost its beauty. It actually gives a picture of what Tagaytay was and what it can be if it is taken care of properly. The management behind Canyon Woods continues to maintain and beautify the property and is in fact in the process of adding more facilities to give guests new things to look forward to.
Despite Tagaytay’s continuous development, it will always have a special place in many Manileños heart. And whether you’re looking for something new in this old town or just want to revisit and rediscover Tagaytay, Canyon Woods Residential Resort can be your new favorite escape from the city.
Make sure to visit Yoorekka to learn and find out more about the best places to visit in Tagaytay City.
Canyon Woods Residential Resort in Tagaytay is part of Canyon Hotel and Resort, the brand behind the Canyon Cove Residential Beach Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas and Canyon de Boracay in Boracay Island.