After lunch and a brief meeting, we headed to Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay in our family car filled with bags and excitement. I was waiting for this day for ages! The anticipation didn’t prevent the kids from dropping off to sleep, though. They did wake up upon nearing the venue. Since we used a Deal Grocer coupon, the check-in was a breeze.
Hotel Kimberly was a bright four-storey hotel decked out in indigenous design materials and furniture. It’s not the city-type hotel that’s a skyscraper, which is sleek and modern. I kind of expected the latter, though, complete with a hotel stationery and pen, which they do not have. Despite that fact, our room was clean, very spacious since the voucher was for four, and had two queen size beds. It’s perfect for our family of five. I was also glad there was a bidet! Next time, I need to remember to request a T&B with bathtub. 😀
Hits:
- Huge hotel room
- Two queen size beds
- Bidet in the clean bathroom
- Small balcony with a table and chairs where one could opt to have coffee, write or draw
Misses:
- No letterhead paper and pen
- Tiled floor in the room, not carpeted
- Faulty telephone shower holder
- Unreliable Internet connection
- Tricky TV and channel box
While it was still very sunny and hot outside, we rested for a bit, perused the slow Internet and the children had snacks. When I have slathered sun block on the kids, it was time to head outdoors to the playground and to the farm. To give in to their repeated requests for playtime under the sun. They loved to climb and slide. They also tried the three-swing set made with old tires.
Playing was followed up with a long visit to the petting zoo. Once the kids entered the rabbit and guinea pig enclosure, it took quite some time for them to come out. Including me! We just love the rabbits and bunnies. They’re super soft and adorable! Feeding them leaves and stroking the soft fur were our favorite activities. We’re thankful to the farm hand who gave us bunches of leafy branches and took out a frisky baby rabbit for us to hold. It kicked about that we were scared we would drop it. But, it was 100x cuter and softer, with still small ears, beady eyes and tiny nose. Kakagigil!
bunnies… so fluffeh!!!!!
“I thought you’re a man”, my eldest said. She was talking to the sheep which bleated in a low and manly sound. Haha! These rams also had a share of the leaves.
I went over to photograph the horses and a pony. I had the scare of my life when the baby trotted over to me, sniffed my forearm and bit it! Yikes!
this li’l dude swiftly rose up from a relaxed pose to “attack” the photographer, haha!
Little time was left to feed the chicken, ducks, turkeys and geese before drops of rain pelted us. We ran across the grass to the safety of the hotel restaurant where we claimed our welcome drinks – four glasses of iced tea. It was on day two that we visited the rest of the animals. There were pot-bellied pigs, peacocks, a cockatoo, and a wildcat.
Hits:
- Sizable grassy area for the kids to run on
- Numerous activities on the playground
- Adorable rabbits and guinea pigs
- Roaming horses and sheep, plus a good variation of animals
Misses:
- The pig area was littered with garbage
Dinnertime came suddenly and we drove to Leslie’s Restaurant to have local food. The streets greeted us with thick fog. Bulalo, chicken-pork Adobo, and Pancit Canton greeted our famished tummies.
After a filling dinner, we ventured to the new Starbucks in Twin Lakes 11 kilometers away. It was said to be the most beautiful Starbucks store in the Philippines. Light rain was falling so we decided not to sit outside anymore, lest the kids get wet.
A cup of hot cappuccino and a sweet banoffee pie were my perfect caps to a day of adventure.
I cannot wait to wake up to a delicious breakfast.
Usually, I get excited for hotel breakfasts. I was! Until I saw and tasted the spread. I just had garlic rice, scrambled eggs, salty hotdogs and cloyingly sweet sausages. It was a bit disappointing. I was hoping for pancakes, cereals and milk for the kids. And bacon. ;-P
Well, we just swam it off in the kiddie pool! So glad it was a sunny morning since the water’s a bit cold.
Hits:
- Kids’ pool in addition to the adults’
Misses:
- The breakfast had limited options
- And somewhat unpalatable
We had a final visit to the farm (petting the rabbits, mostly) before heading home from our short escape.
Would you visit Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay? Why or why not? 🙂
Thank you for this review. We’re excited to go to Tagaytay with our toddlers and have booked at this hotel 🙂 I hope the weather will be great and better breakfast 😀
You’re welcome! Hope you and your family enjoy. My kids wanted to go back because of the cute rabbits. 🙂
The zoo is a major plus! Although sad ang mga hotels with slowinternet connection. =(
I know, right? Hope they could improve on that.
Ooohh, not carpeted? Sayang. With two toddlers, the flooring is one of the many things I consider when going on vacations. But I love the petting zoo, though 🙂
Ayi recently posted..Momma Life: “Mommy, Let’s Play!”
I know. What if the kids fall out of bed?
Looks like the farm and playground are a great place for kids, nice to see animals, grass, trees and recreation options… at least away for awhile from the bustling of the city 🙂
Balot’s Chatter (@lotusshiella) recently posted..Jiggy turns 4
That’s true! The city could sometimes be so suffocating.
Seems like a great place for a staycation, even with the misses! 🙂
Rowena Wendy Lei recently posted..The best gift you can give your kids…
Yes, in fact, we will go there again in a few months. 🙂
Looks like a fun place to be in! 🙂 Too bad about the misses though… Hope the hotel will address those.
Meikah Ybañez-Delid recently posted..That’s What Being Married Is Like!
I know. I guess they will if the reviews on Trip Advisor have the same complaints.
Will consider Hotel Kimberly when we go to Tagaytay with the kids. They’ll sure love the farm! Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
Shane of Purple Pieces recently posted..Why Babies Love Sophie the Giraffe Teethers
Kids who like animals will like the farm.
Definitely! Love the playground and and the petting zoo! I regret not knowing about it when we were in Tagaytay.
Maan recently posted..Wanted: Yaya!
Next time, you can stay there when you set foot in Tagaytay. 😀
Ohhh, I didn’t know Hotel Kimberly had that huge of an outdoor space. Good to know they have activities kids can enjoy. And yes, I agree with you. A hotel breakfast that does not have bacon is very disappointing! BACON!!!
monica recently posted..My Favorite Places for DIY Party Shopping
I hope the food improves next time. 🙂
Oh nice! Didn’t know they have a mini zoo! For sure it’ll be a hit to the kids (or my kids!) (: Thanks for sharing!
Yes, if they like animals, they would surely have fun in Hotel Kimberly.
We we’re actually planning to go there last weekend kasi nga it has a playground and petting zoo.. Thank you for your honest review and thanks for sharing! We’ll try to go here next time we get the chance 🙂
Hope you get the chance!
Hmmmm.. I’ll definitely visit if given the chance.. I want the kids to see the farm animals.. 🙂
January/Janzcrystalz recently posted..International Coastal Cleanup and Mangrove Tree Planting 2015
Based on your blog post, I definitely want to visit! I’ve been hearing about Hotel Kimberly for a while now, but was kinda 50/50 about it. Yours is the first writeup about the hotel that made me go “Okay, I really want to bring my family there!” Thanks for being honest about the hits and misses! It’s a great way to manage expectations. 🙂
Toni recently posted..My Son Turned 6 Today
Welcome, Toni! Timmy would enjoy the farm animals!
Thanks for sharing this review Ceemee! I’m putting Hotel Kimberly on my list as our next destination in Tagaytay.
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