Sonya's Secret Garden: Escape to "The Art of Doing Nothing"

Tagaytay is the one of the must-go-to places especially if you want to chill out or just relax and take a break from reality. It's a perfect getaway for those who don't want to travel too far.

Living inside one huge garden, filled with beautifully designed landscape with no Wifi connection, and no other modern things; Just you and your loved one/s enjoying a breathtaking view of the houses and other scenery, is Sonya's Secret Garden.

It all began when Ms. Sonya invited her friends over for lunch. They got so captivated by the beauty Sonya's garden exemplifies and they told her that it's time for her to put up a restaurant in there and share to other people her haven . And so she did.

Years later, she expanded until she got cottages (more like a small houses already), reception areas, and so much more.

If you plan to stay in for the night, you may or may not choose your desired cottage. But no matter what they give or what you choose, no matter how big the cottage is, it still has the same rate. Their cottages are named after different plants. Lavender, Thyme, Basil, and the list goes on. For only Php 3,000.00 on weekdays/ Php 3,400.00 on weekends or holidays, you and your loved one/s can enjoy a full day loaded of events and feel so rejuvenated and refreshed the next day.

Your Php 3,000.00/Php 3,400.00 already includes:

* 1 huge beautifully designed cottage complete with 1 or 2 beds, living room, bath, books to read, and more.
* Full course lunch or dinner. All of which are refillable, in case you finished everything.
* Buffet Breakfast
* Garden tour which you can do all over again and again.
* (if you go on a mating season) Firefly watching

Once you check-in, someone will guide you to your cottage. We were assigned to a cottage called the Marjoram. The Marjoram cottage was incredible and perfectly decorated. It gives you a feel that you  transported back in time where everything else is simple.

The Marjoram has 2 huge beds,

a  neatly designed restroom

a mini living room filled with books!

If you are the nature-lover type of person, you will fall in love with this place.

You also have a little space at the entrance where there are complimentary drinks, coffee, and where you can find their mini pot of water filled with flowers. You can see these mini pots all over the place. The staff told us that this is a stress buster. Some people relieve their stress by placing flowers they have picked in the garden to the mini pot.

Take a stroll at Sonya's extensive garden with a friendly tour guide. Enjoy picking flowers, and in fact, you can eat some of their flowers which are of course perfectly safe and edible. Explore, and as much as possible, maximize your stay by just enjoying the surroundings and don't be afraid to ask the guide if whether or not you can go to a certain area.

At first, we thought we weren't allowed to go around their green houses (which are extended now just in front of the entrance). But the staff are pretty much happy to assist us and let us pick some of their planted fruits, flowers, leaves, vegetables, etc.

Staying in could be a bit pricey but think of the beauty, the serenity, and the environment, Sonya's garden gives you. At the end of the day, every dime you spent will all be worth it. We promise.

Aside from the wonderful cottage that will be given to you, you will also get a full course complimentary buffet lunch and/or dinner, and breakfast.

For lunch and/or dinner, get your stomachs ready for some one of a kind meal serving. You don't get to choose your entrees for this meal. They will serve you anything you need, believe me. All their ingridients are fresh and straight from their garden.

 For appetizer, you get to have an enormous plate of salad with a lot of dressings to choose from. Their dressings and other sauces were specially made and by them. If you have finished everything, and if you still want more, you can actually ask for a refill of any of the dressings and even the salad itself. But I don't really recommend that. Because, the salad itself can make you full already. Unless, you are a heavy eater.

You also don't get to choose your drink BUT it is a MUST to try (yes, emphasis on the word 'MUST' is necessary) their incredibly refreshing Dalandan juice served with a mix of mint leaves and honey. It is just home-made goodness.

For the main course, enjoy another big serving of pasta with different homemade sauces and toppings. Again, if you want to refill any, you can always ask for it. Don't be shy.

For dessert, they went light, but there's always an option to ask for more. A slice of chocolate cake and three pieces of one of the most infamous Filipino desserts, Turon, to top off their meal set.

Some may say, that's it? That's all? Well, my friend, you have to be there to know. After, you will feel light but so full at the same time. It's a bit weird to feel but definitely a good thing. The best part is, if you loved some of their toppings or dressings, you may bring them with you to your cottage. Just ask the servant or the staff to assist you.

The next morning, take time to endulge the quietness and fresh air outside your cottage. Stroll a bit and don't forget your complimentary breakfast buffet! In the dining area, you will welcomed with such delicious sight. It's as if these food came from heaven. 

 But the one that stood out the most in the buffet was the dessert. It was enticingly beautiful that's very pleasing to our stomachs. They even placed some of their edible flowers on it. 

Now, if you want to meet Ms. Sonya, this is your time! She eats her breakfast in the same dining area where all the guest eats. But you have to be there early! She is scheduled to have her breakfast at around 7:00am - 9:00am. She's open to anyone who would like to take a picture with her or to those who would like to have her book(which you can purchase at the reception/front desk) signed. Too bad we didn't catch her but the staff said that it was a daily thing for her.  

Aside from the amazing food and the garden tour, what you can also do in Sonya's Garden is to take a peaceful and relaxing massage. As soon as you enter their place, it's as if you were brought to a hidden place in China with a mellow background music. They have a list of massages they can offer.

 No matter what you choose, you will feel de-stressed and recharged after because of their accommodating and nicely trained masseuses. Sonya even has a specialized massage that we would like to recommend, The Sonya's Signature Massage which is AMAZING. 

After the massage, you will be given a cup of hot Taragon tea mixed with honey. If you haven't tried it, you better! One of the best there is. If you can't finish the tea, you can also bring it to your cottage. 

The thing about Sonya's Garden is their keen eye to detail and extremely amiable and helpful staff. As you stroll around the garden, get ready to be amazed with the beauty of the place. From the bright and romantic walkways to the the little directional signs, name of the cottages, and warning signs, you will surely fall in love with this place.

On another note, their staff is really one-of-a-kind. It is like they just know what to do to make you feel home and as if you're like a queen/king or a prince/princess (whichever) that they need to take care of 24/7. They treat everyone with respect no matter how old you are with all smiles on their faces all the time. They will definitely lift your mood. 

THE VERDICT:

If you are looking for a place to stay wherein you can unwind or have an intimate/romantic getaway with your loved one/s, Sonya's Garden is the perfect place for you. Every bit of this place can offer, will surely give you the most relaxing stay ever. There's a euphoric feel after and you will experience separation anxiety already before you leave because it gives you nothing but extreme regeneration. 

We give this a 5 out of a 5 stars :)

If you want to know more about Sonya's Secret Garden, visit their website: www.sonyasgarden.com