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TAGAYTAY—In
the mood for love but at a loss for words? Why not
articulate it in The Boutique—an out-of-the-box
bed-and-breakfast style accommodation whose rooms
correspond to the emotions of falling in love.
“The
first of its kind in the Philippines and the pioneer in
the world with a concept of naming each of the seven
rooms I Lust, I Dare, I Desire, I Escape, I Dream, I
Surrender, and I Love, The Boutique is a hip yet quaint,
small and very private rendezvous at the cool highlands
of Tagaytay,” Happy Ongpauco, part-owner of the
accommodation facility, told BusinessMirror.
“With
its impeccable, personalized service and creative
offerings, guests are pampered and provided with
solitude, warmth and comfortable abode.”
The
Boutique is an offshoot of the owners’ luxurious
European trips and first-hand experience of the
Westernized homey design lodgings.
“Our
fondness of frequent travel adventures in Europe and
passion for stimulating cuisine have inspired us to
bring The Boutique here in the Philippines,” shared
Allana Montelibano, Ongpauco’s co-owner of The Boutique.
A third
co-owner is Melon Santiago.
“Although it is patterned after the boutique hotels in
Europe, the hotel is an amalgam of American, European
and Asian designs and a blend of the new and old world
charm of the boutique hotels around the world.”
A
one-and-a-half hour ride of escapism from the bustling
metropolis, The Boutique is a perfect getaway for
discerning travelers who want to release the pressure
and strain of the city and immerse in its cozy ambience
of hip, intimate dwellings.
Mystifying look
FROM a
distance, the exterior look of The Boutique is both
naïve and stiff—an impression typical to a larger chain
or branded hotels.
Upon
entering the lobby of the two-story facility, however,
guests will be surprised to find out that the hotel is
furnished in a themed, stylish and inspirational manner
that makes its bubbly and less intimidating.
The
domain of its white colored walling complemented with
brown and black painted edges of the doors and windows
make The Boutique reminiscent of the old homes or inns
that popularly abound in Western countries.
Embellished with the 19th-century European-inspired
lounge chairs, humungous mirrors attached on the walls
and multi-tiered crystal chandeliers on the ceiling, the
hotel welcomes its guests with lavish environment akin
to a luxurious kind of a lifestyle.
Of
course, there’s no ignoring the breathtaking panoramic
view of Taal Lake and Volcano framed in the
sophisticated, wide-opened glass entrance of the
adjacent in-house bistro, The Hawaiian Barbeque, which
completes the pleasures of staying at The Boutique.
Room of
emotions
THE
desire of treating its guests to an escape through
quaint and private surroundings they could only dream of
dares The Boutique to not surrender to the conventions
of hoteliering by integrating a unique concept of naming
each room after emotional stages of falling in love—from
lusting after to loving someone.
“We
design each room differently from one another with fresh
colors signifying their respective names of emotions,”
Ongpauco explained.
“This is
because we want to develop among our guests the urge to
come back and check in other rooms to experience what
they have never experienced before.”
The “I
Lust” room is the upper level presidential suite with
private terrace and separate bath that ignites the
burning passion among the guests. With its camel,
escape-off white color, they will long for much
tenderness and warmth satisfaction.
“I Dare”
is raw and innocent with its brown and chocolate hues.
Sitting at the second level with a private terrace, its
nostalgic ambience brings back the memories
unforgettable for the visitors.
GET courted by the
creamy touch of "I Desire" room
Decked
also at the upper floor, “I Desire” courts the
occupants’ wildest imaginations with its brown and
creamy touch. At the breezy confine of its veranda, they
can relish what the moment brings and grab what the
future holds.
The last
choice of haven at the upper story, “I Dream,” is pure
in white that makes the lodgers fantasize all the
pleasures and niceties in life.
Housed
at the ground level meanwhile, is “I Escape,” a
clandestine sanctuary for eloping boarders. Its
chocolaty motif and lush pocket garden liberate them
from the ruling world.
“I
Surrender”—also nestled at the first floor—is a blue and
white colored suite with a patio. Here, tenants succumb
to serendipitous affair.
Book-ending the internal specialty restaurant with the
latter is “I Love,” an absolute nest for romantically
bonded interim residents. Coated wholly in beige with
four-poster bed and a porch, its commodious area and
amorous ambiance deepen their mutual affections.
High-end
amenities
ALTHOUGH
considerably smaller than a mainstream hotel, The
Boutique is a high-end class of its own.
As a
testament to its marrying the old and the new worlds,
all its intimate rooms are equipped with vintage
European furniture mixed with modern amenities such as
king size beds dressed in soft feather covers and white
parcale linen; free Wi-Fi or wireless internet access;
wall mounted LCD televisions; Ipod ready speakers or
docks; and free usage of DVD library for entertainment.
Regardless of the rates of each room, guests can enjoy
specially prepared (all-day) breakfast served in bed for
two; selections of body essentials from the home made
“pamper me” line (including shampoo, conditioner,
handmade soap, body oil, body moisturizer, body gel,
makeup, and other personal stuff); and choices of
pillows (goose down feather, micro fiber, among others)
from the pillow menu.
“All
these emanate from all the niceties of our boutique
hotel experience abroad that we want to share to our
guests. To make them feel that they have never been
pampered this much in their lives at The Boutique, we
allow them to have everything here as their personal
choice,” Montelibano said.
“With
our whole nine yards personalized level of
accommodation, services and facilities coupled by the
distinct hospitality and warmth of us, the boutique
keepers, and our people, The Boutique definitely stands
out among its counterparts the world over and even the
very structured mainstream hotels.”
The
Boutique, Bed and Breakfast, is located at 45 Aguinaldo
Highway, Silang Crossing East, Tagaytay City. For
inquiries or reservations, call (046) 413-1885, (046)
413-1795, (046) 413-1698 or book directly to The
Boutique keepers Happy Ongpauco (0917-8901225), Allana
Montelibano (0917-7777007) and Melon Santiago
(0917-9457187). |
