I've been hearing so much about Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay ever since it became an open secret. Hidden in the Buck Estate, it certainly was a bit off the beaten track, and coming to the place personally felt every inch like rediscovering some magic in Tagaytay.
For one thing, I've never seen one place with so many flora and fauna, I couldn't even identify the unfamiliar ones. The lush, sprawling landscape felt very much out of Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden," one of my favorite children's stories.
The amazing thing about all these beautiful plants is how useful they all are, aside from serving as Sonya's main decor. Everywhere you go at Sonya's, you can really smell the flowers. And when it comes to food, almost every meal began with salad, with vegetables all from the inn's garden. All the drinking water, juice, and tea were garnished with tarragon or mint leaves, which lend a more refreshing twist to every drink Sonya serves. When it comes to drinks, though, it's Sonya's signature hot chocolate which any visitor should taste. The mix of rich chocolate and milk is really like nothing else--powdered chocolate just pales in comparison.
Sonya's also just recently expanded, so there are more cottages available for those who'd want to stay overnight (about P3,000 per head on weekdays and P3,400 on weekends, including full breakfast with complimentary dinner or lunch). The biggest by far was the Lavender Cottage, which I was lucky enough to be assigned to along with four fellow journalists. It was so spacious and felt more like a mansion than a cottage, we could have easily fitted six more people in! It was also very easy to feel at home there, what with the very homey atmosphere that made us feel like we were visiting a favorite lola.
'I fell asleep just listening to the music of crickets, the soft clink of shells from the curtains as the cold breeze shook them, and a cow mooing in the distance'
And with such a peaceful atmosphere, needless to say, dropping off to sleep on the warm, white beds was too easy. I fell asleep just listening to the music of crickets, the soft clink of shells from the curtains as the cold breeze shook them, and a cow mooing in the distance. I felt a bit sorry when my alarm rang in the morning because I really wanted to stay in bed longer and just bask in the wonder of not waking up to the sound of honking cars outside.
Of course, there's more to Sonya's than all these. You can also avail of their spa services, and even learn some free lessons like basic gardening, compost making, plant propagation, flower arrangement, wreath making, and cooking with herbs. Sonya's also has its own bakery, which sells delicious bread you can't find anywhere else (the cheese hopia was really unforgettable), and a Country Store where you can buy souvenirs, trinkets, and even linens and home decor if you want to give your home a Sonya feel.
Honestly, an an overnight stay wasn't really enough, and I'd love to come back to Sonya's soon to re-sync. Should you plan to visit it, too, just take the South Super Highway and turn to the Sta. Rosa exit, then turn right upon reaching the main Aguinaldo Highway. Sonya's is about 10 kms. past the rotonda, and is very near the Splendido Golf Course. Make a right turn at Buck Estate, and look out for Sonya's gate at the left side.
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