By Carla Mortel-Baricaua
As the newest place to be in Tagaytay, Hotel Monticello rises as a welcome retreat for travelers seeking comfort and luxurious stay in a boutique hotel that combines European style with warmth of Filipino hospitality.
With 41 well-appointed rooms, three food and beverage outlets, a grand ballroom, function rooms, swimming pools, gym and spa facilities, guests of Hotel Monticello can look forward to affordable accommodations and meals while enjoying the relaxing and cool atmosphere of the Tagaytay ridge.
While the name is from an Italian phrase meaning small mountain, the hotel is owned by the enterprise that runs the PATTS College of Aeronautics.
It was Jose Eduardo Valdez, Hotel Monticello’s general manager, who hatched the idea five years ago of putting up a small facility wherein Tourism students of PATTS College can train and practice their skills. His parents, Atty. Ambrosio Valdez Sr. and Ma. Felisa Valdez, nurtured his idea with great enthusiasm until it became a big dream turned reality.
“We broke ground in 2010 and started construction January 2011. Then came Typhoon Glenda and we sustained a lot of damage, but we bounced back stronger with a healthy respect for Mother Nature,” Valdez said.
Upon entry in this European-style boutique hotel, guests are greeted by the twin grand staircases, the high ceiling, crystal chandelier, the Atrium awash with natural lighting and the fresh, slightly sweet scent. Prepared exclusively for Hotel Monticello, the hotel’s scent was chosen by CFO Ma. Felisa Valdez. “We want our guests to build memories with us here in Hotel Monticello. We want to join them in their life’s most important moments, such as weddings, debut parties and reunions. So, we made sure the design has that homey feel with optimum space and delightful comfort.”
After its soft opening in April, Hotel Monticello has been receiving good reviews, especially from the weekend crowd. Compliments go to their warm and friendly personnel, as well as to their guest rooms and penthouses, and culinary offerings.
“Given the temperatures in Tagaytay, our 25-meter pool is kept warm at 30 degrees Celsius, while the kid’s pool is slightly warmer. For relaxation, there’s the spa for massages and our fully equipped gym to burn those calories from the good food prepared by Chef JR Royol, the first winner of the MasterChef Pinoy Edition,” Valdez added.
Recently appointed as executive chef, Royol promises to bring something different from the kitchen of Hotel Monticello. He envisions of introducing dishes revolving around the native cuisines he grew up with: Bicolano and Igorot. “I call it bigorot, the food concept I came up with when I was still competing in the Pinoy MasterChef. With fresh produce and abundance of livestock in Tagaytay, we will be coming up with exciting and unique dishes to keep dining interesting and worth the trip.” During the hotel’s grand opening, guests and media friends were treated to Chef JR’s creations, such as the Dinakdakan toast, Itag flavored soup and the Tapa Barako.
Hotel guests can dine all day at Café Mercedes, where they serve international and local cuisines, or spend relaxing moments while listening to live music at the Roma Piano Bar. By the poolside, snacks and meals are served at the Trattoria Maria.
For social events, the VIA Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 200 guests. The Annika and Bianca meeting rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 100 participants. For an outdoor gathering, the Soleil Gardens has a large gazebo that can entertain around 150 guests.
“We also host business meetings and conferences. We have a business center, multipurpose hall and several function rooms. We are more than ready to meet their requirements, whether the event is a small meeting or big convention,” Valdez said.
Tucked in the heart of Tagaytay, Hotel Monticello may be small in size but it’s big on service, luxury and hospitality that welcome every guest that come their way.
2 comments
In the means of wealth of nations the thwart of mother nature and an Earth governed by laws not by police is a much of a potence to contradiction of conflict to society. The ethereal fact is that righteous in a pretend for nothing, not far from a notwithstanding depict of royalty may God be in glory against angst of sentiments which trying hard to console of no buts and a poise to create in creed though a no no and is decadence in thwart of a futility of shabbiness in emotions to console the means of a useless mistress to be dump away.
In the means of wealth of nations the thwart of mother nature and an
Earth governed by laws not by police, is a much of a potency to
contradiction of conflict to society. The ethereal fact is that
righteous in a pretend for nothing, not far from a notwithstanding
depict of royalty; may God be in glory against angst of sentiments which
trying hard, to console of no buts and a poise to create in creed though a
no no and is decadence in thwart of a futility of shabbiness in
emotions to console the means of a useless mistress to be dump away.