Alfonso Hotels

Alfonso is an upland district in Cavite, Philippines that is an ideal getaway destination from the stressful metro life. With its cool and breathtaking scenery, Alfonso is the absolute go-to place for sudden road trips with friends or romantic surprise treat for your special someone.

Most of the time, Alfonso is mistaken as a part of Tagaytay or even as a part of Batangas. But this municipality has put itself on the map with its string of popular theme restaurants, country clubs, and spa resorts. It is also a favorable location for well-off people to build their vacation homes for its peaceful and natural environment. In addition, unlike its other neighboring popular towns, Alfonso is still not crowded. It even has forested areas unrecognizable to GPS and Waze.

How To Go

By land transportation

The most accessible way to get to Alfonso is via bus. There are different routes to choose from depending on which terminal in Manila are you coming from. You can take a bus at the ground floor parking of Coastal Mall in Parañaque City or catch the trip going to Mendez, Tagaytay in Lawton, Baclaran, and Parañaque terminals. Once you reach Mendez, Tagaytay, ride an ordinary bus or jeepney going to Alfonso at SM Savemore.

If you are driving, it is an hour or two drive from Manila via South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, and Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).

Getting Around

Alfonso is much appreciated with transportation such as jeeps and tricycles or cycle rickshaw. There are no taxis available around town.

Tourist Attractions

Alfonso offers a variety of unique attractions fitting for a meaningful “me-time” or bonding time with your loved ones. Such as experiencing Christmas time all year around in the dream like Gingerbread House. This popular establishment  in Upli-Palumium Road is inspired by Hansel and Gretel tale but fear not, this is a fun and warm place for visitors. You can buy your gingerbread treats and DIY gingerbread house kits for you or your kids or dine in and order some pastries and snacks.

If you’re after a more action packed action packed activity, go to Reptiland Adventure in Palumlum. You can interact with moving dinosaurs, turtle, cobras, and crocodiles and enjoy a show of mascots and reptiles during weekends. It also has a Haunted Forest with operated ghouls and for machine for an extra scare feel.

Well known for team buildings and school outings, Alfonso Farm in Pajo boasts of organic produce and farm animals and also visitors can go trekking, swimming, and horseback riding.

And for an alternative healing option and well-being improvement, you can visit the Academy of World Healing Foundation located in Sikat Road that caters both local and foreign patients. It offers therapies like high-body temperature healing, large doses of vitamins, and infrared light therapy as well as spiritual counseling. Spa, massage, acupressure, and vegetarian cuisines are available too.

Top Things to Do

Braving the traffic to Alfonso is all worth it after you are welcome by the heavenly dishes and comforting ambiance that await you on some of the most popular fine dining restaurants in town. Don’t miss the chance to experience dining in Sonya’s Garden, Lime and Basil, and Marcia Adams’ and be sure to remember your name after.

Somewhere in Metro Tagaytay is where you’ll find Island Rose, the country’s largest single producer of roses and cut flowers. Express your love through its distinctive French and Dutch variety of roses by sending a piece or bouquet of flowers to your special someone and they will deliver it anywhere in the country. Island Rose also entertains agriculture and botany students for educational trips as well.

Color the town red in the Sanghiyang Festival every third Sunday of January and witness the firewalkers in the Sayaw Sa Apoy, where people walk and dance barefoot over burning coals and fire. Visitors are welcomed with its native delicacies such as Palutang or glutinous rice balls, Tabliya or native chocolate, Salabat or ginger tea, and Kapeng Barako during the festival.

Where to Eat

One of the pioneers of the garden-themed restaurants, Sonya’s Garden in Buck Estate should be included in your food trip list. This rejuvenating sanctuary offers more than herbs and organic vegetables as the menu includes roasted chicken to pair your greenies. Order the eat-all-you-can set meal or try its specialty baked products such as Hispanis Bread and Cheese Hopia. After your hearty meal, pamper yourself with reflexology or body massage.

Another hidden yet easy to get to garden restaurant is Marcia Adams’ in J.P. Rizal Street, a Tuscany-inspired restaurant that’s all about flavors and simplicity. The daily menu is a 3-course Mediterranean meal with your choice of main course. Breads, lavender tea, and lettuce chips with hummus are served for free.

For a taste of authentic Thai comfort foods, Lime and Basil in Sikat Road offers a casual and relaxed dining experience where food are fresh from the farm to your table. One of the crowd’s favorite dishes is Tom Yum Goong.

Nightlife

Coming to this town are some margaritas, sangria, tapas, taqueria, and paella at Clotilde in J.P. Rizal Street. There will be a celebration of wholesome day to night fiestas on Wednesdays to Sundays.

Where to Stay

To complete your perfect getaway, Alfonso has hotels to accommodate you such as Alfonso Hotel, Abagatan ti Manila, and Shalom Hotel. For a different ambiance, you may try special lodging and resorts and residential lodges in the area like Sarah Bed and Breakfast .

Travel Tips

• Aside from your selfies, tell your travel story through the photos of the scenery you are in (on the road, in a restaurant).

• Your OOTD (Outfit of the Day) should keep you warm.

• Always keep your cool on the (heavy traffic) road. Appreciate your journey as much as your destination.