The ‘ber months have officially begun, and you know what that means in the Philippines: Christmas is just around the corner! A lot of great holiday suggestions are coming your way from KUBO, and among them are recommendations for where to go for a quick vacation with your family and friends.
If you happen to be staying in or near Metro Manila, Tagaytay is one of the best destinations you can add to your 2024 Philippine travel list. Want to spend a whole weekend or a night or two in this cool destination? One of the Tagaytay hotels we can recommend is Twin Lakes Hotel.
Twin Lakes Hotel by Megaworld Hotels and Resorts is a sprawling hotel located within the integrated tourism estate development of Twin Lakes in Laurel, Batangas—right along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway. You’ve definitely passed by the entrance to the property if you’ve driven to or from Tagaytay.
As you drive along the path that leads to the hotel from the highway, one of the first things you’ll notice is the grand hotel façade that makes you feel like you’re entering a villa in a European vineyard. In fact, you’ll soon notice this theme throughout property, even in framed paintings of vines and grapes in rooms, the wine cellar, and the spa.
Entering the hotel driveway and then the lobby of Twin Lakes Hotel will fill you with a sense of calm. Read on for the reasons we recommend booking a night or two here if you’re planning a trip to Tagaytay.
1. Spacious rooms with 180-degree view of Taal Volcano and Lake from your balcony
Each of the 122 rooms at Twin Lakes Hotel is guaranteed to be comfortable and spacious, all with balconies offering captivating views of lush landscapes. You can choose from a Superior, Deluxe, or Premier—all at 36sqm; or a Two-Bedroom Suite at 106sqm. They also have two PWD-friendly rooms, while Premier rooms are pet-friendly and have the biggest veranda.
We stayed at a Deluxe Room with a King bed (you have the option to get a room with two twin beds). We instantly loved the peaceful ambiance of this generously-sized room. The private veranda had a stunning 180-degree vista of Taal Lake and Volcano, as well as the surrounding vineyard and organic botanical garden.
All room types have Wi-Fi access, a writing desk, coffee and tea-making facilities, electronic safe, cable TV, chiller, hot and cold shower, hair dryer, and bathtub (except the PWD rooms). Kids and those who want a luxurious bath are sure to enjoy the bathtub.
Another thing you’ll enjoy doing in this room is in-room dining. We got the afternoon tea set in our room (available from 3PM to 5PM at Twin Lakes Café), and we highly recommend it. The kids and anyone with a sweet tooth will delight in the savory bites and delectable pastries that are part of this set—Twin Lakes Hotel certainly has a talented pastry team!
Speaking of pastries, we especially loved the raisin bread—if you like getting this from Baguio, you’ll be happy to know you don’t need to drive that far anymore; the one at Twin Lakes is just as good! Don’t forget to get an entire loaf (or two or three or more!) at the lobby bar.
2. Heated pool and other family-friendly amenities, including for little kids
Tagaytay is such an ideal place for family bonding, and Twin Lakes Hotel has amenities and facilities that elevate your bonding experiences—you wouldn’t want to leave the hotel.
Guests’ favorite part of the hotel is the heated infinity pool. However you feel about the cold, swimming in cool Tagaytay—even at night—is comfortable here. It definitely feels more relaxing, as you can swim while also taking in panoramic views of nature, including the stunning Taal Lake and Volcano, rain or shine. Enjoy comfortable lounge chairs, shaded areas, and poolside service as you order refreshing beverages and snacks from the pool bar. It’s open daily from 7AM to 10PM.
While it may be hard to get your little ones out of the pool, another area of Twin Lakes Hotel that’s made especially for them is the Kids’ Corner, a play room filled with fun activities and games for little ones. It provides a safe space for children to run around and make new friends. It’s open from 8AM to 6PM.
Meanwhile, bigger kids and adults will want to hang out in the Game Room, where you can play chess, foosball, and billiards. You can also just unwind with a good book and a cup of coffee in one of the comfortable sitting areas. It’s open daily from 8AM to 9PM.
If you want to get a workout in while on vacation, you can do your routine at the Fitness Center, which is equipped with the latest exercise machines and free weights. It’s open daily from 7AM to 9PM.
And if you’ll ever need a venue for your reunions and other celebrations like birthday parties, they have a variety of function rooms and ballrooms for your private events, small or big—even weddings!
3. Get signature Filipino pampering at their in-house L’Uva Vineyard Spa
Another facility at Twin Lakes Hotel that deserves its own category is its must-visit in-house spa. Here, you can slip into full wellness mode and welcome a nurturing experience that you can only find in a luxurious spa in the Philippines such as this. Experience pampering that goes beyond skin-deep in this calming space where you can choose to have indulgent full-body massages and renewing scrubs, among other offerings.
Tip: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment, so you have enough time to prepare, change into the spa robe and slippers, and enjoy their facilities to the fullest, which include a steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi. (They also provide disposable underwear for your comfort and convenience.)
Since you’re in the Philippines, we recommend getting the L’Uva Hilot Massage (PHP2,300 nett for 60-minute treatment), a full-body treatment based on the ancient Filipino art of hands-on healing, hilot. This promotes supreme muscle relaxation through deep strokes that involve intuition. You won’t be able to help it, you’ll likely fall into a deep sleep. They use Ilog Maria massage oil.
This kind of pampering is great for soothing and healing our tired and stressed bodies, especially after a long-haul flight—a perfect treat to oneself after a long time working hard away from home.
Every treatment at L’Uva involves certain rituals to complete your pampering experience. It starts with the cold scented towel ritual and refreshing juice, which is part of the welcome ritual. The towel is scented with sampaguita oils; a cold refreshment will be served with it. A sanctuary of peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation, the whole L’Uva Spa actually smells like sampaguita.
This is followed by the pre-treatment Foot Ritual, where they give you a foot scrub and warm soak. The therapist washes your feet and exfoliates them using sampaguita scent-infused sea salt. For your post-treatment ritual, you’ll be served tea (ginger or lemongrass with honey) inside the treatment room while you dress up.
You’ll find L’Uva Vineyard Spa at Level 5, close to the pool area, and it’s open daily from 10AM to 10PM (last treatment is at 9PM). Make sure to book your spa appointment ahead of time so you can secure the schedule and therapist you prefer.
4. Delicious dining options, whether you’re craving Filipino faves or other cuisines
There are various dining options in and around Twin Lakes Hotel. The two must-try in-house restaurants are Twin Lakes Café, right by the new Glass View Deck Hall; and Twin Lakes Wine Gallery, with European-inspired cuisine and exclusive collection of Harveys Sherry. The Wine Gallery is open every Thursday to Sunday from 4PM to 11PM, located at the Lower Level 6, Vineyard Deck. Watch for our detailed review of the dishes we tried here soon.
They also have Zabana Bar (open from 6PM to 10PM) at the lobby and the Pool Bar, where you can enjoy drinks (including an extensive selection of wines and cocktails) and bar chow.
For other dining options and if you need to buy anything from the supermarket, there’s a commercial area right along the highway by the entrance to Twin Lakes. There’s a Robinsons Supermarket, as well as a Starbucks, and a lot of restaurants offering various cuisines.
You may opt to include breakfast with your stay at Twin Lakes Hotel, which is served at Twin Lakes Café, which lets you indulge in authentic Filipino cuisine as well as other Asian favorites. Every dish is crafted from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. With its charming ambiance, this versatile space can be transformed into an elegant event venue. Enjoy the natural light streaming through the windows and take in picturesque views of nature while savoring their delicious offerings. It’s open daily from 6AM to 9PM.
Our breakfast favorites from Twin Lakes Café include their ham and cheese omelette, which you can have cooked fresh; their wide selection of cheeses and sausages; and their soups, especially their arroz caldo.
It’s also the perfect spot for dinner, so you don’t need to leave the hotel, as they serve a wide variety of a la carte dishes.
A trip to Tagaytay will not be complete without ordering Beef Bulalo (PHP1,050), which Twin Lakes Café has, of course—in a huge bowl with broth loaded with veggies and corn, good for four people! Their broth is rich, flavorful, and perfectly umami, while the beef is tender—it almost melts in your mouth. You know the drill: Eat it while it’s hot.
We also tried their Pinakbet with Bagnet (PHP580), made of sauteed native vegetables, shrimp, anchovies, topped with crispy fried pork belly. Their take on pinakbet is truly delicious, lasang lasa ang gata (you can really taste the creamy flavor of the coconut milk). It’s slightly sweet, and the bagnet has tender meat yet sinfully crispy and savory skin. You might want to ask for bagoong (shrimp paste)—theirs is thick, rich, and sweet—which made it even better! Get the meat that’s really soaked in the gata and buried under the veggies; that’s the most flavorful!
For some local fish, we tried the grilled maliputo, which has a delicious, fresh taste. It has nice charring that gave it a good smoky flavor. It’s off-menu, but in the menu you’ll find Kinamatisang Maliputo (fish in sour tomato soup, PHP800), another version you can try.
They also have a special Sampaguita Menu, from which we tried the Bistek Tagalog (PHP550): roasted beef belly with vegetables, sampaguita caviar, and caramelized calamansi. This beef dish is tender, too; have this with some patis (fish sauce)—mas masarap (more delicious)! Kids and kids-at-heart have a fondness for this dish.
To wash it all down, order their ripe mango shake (the mango they use is really sweet) and in-house iced tea, which has a refreshing, sweet, and freshly brewed taste.
5. A stay here is relatively more affordable than at other popular Tagaytay hotels
Now is the perfect time to book your stay at Twin Lakes Hotel because they have an ongoing September Sale, where you can purchase e-vouchers (here) to save on your next getaways and celebrations. All are valid for over a year, until October 31, 2025! (Blackout dates and terms and conditions apply, of course.) Rooms start at PHP5,000 nett for an overnight stay in a superior room only, valid every Sunday to Wednesday. If you want an overnight stay in a Superior Room with breakfast for two on any other day, it’s just PHP6,500 nett. An overnight stay at a Deluxe Room with breakfast for two (like we had) starts at PHP8,000 nett.
Overall, we had a wonderful stay at Twin Lakes Hotel. We know you, too, will enjoy the property, the facilities, the massage, and all meals you’ll choose to have here.
Twin Lakes Hotel is located along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Laurel, Batangas, Philippines. You may call their trunkline, +6343-3021688, or reach them via +63917-8537468, +63917-8461389, or [email protected]. Visit their website for more info and to book.
