Tagaytay Getaway: Unbelievable CozyStaycation at WINDResidences Rushmore40!
Tagaytay Getaway: Wind Residences Rushmore40! - My Cozy Staycation, Unfiltered (and Possibly Rambling) Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the "Unbelievable CozyStaycation" at WINDResidences Rushmore40 in Tagaytay. Prepare for a messy, honest, and opinionated review – just like me! And yes, I’m totally gonna tell you if you should book this or run screaming for the hills. Let's get this show on the road!
First Impressions (aka, Getting There and Getting In):
Accessibility: Okay, so I arrived. The building itself, within the larger Wind Residences complex, felt… gigantic. Finding the right tower and the Rushmore40 unit took a bit of wandering at first, like wandering through a maze. However, once found, the elevator system was super accessible, which is a massive plus for anyone with mobility issues or even just lugging suitcases (which was me!). The signage could be a little clearer within the complex, but hey, I got there eventually. Thankfully, after a long drive the building felt inviting. They offered free car parking, which is a godsend, especially in Tagaytay.
Check-in/out [Express & Private]: The check-in was advertised as "express", and they weren't lying! It was smooth, efficient, and the staff were genuinely welcoming. I’d heard horror stories about complex check-ins at other places, so this was a breath of fresh air. Bonus points for the Contactless check-in/out option – crucial in today's world. There was an option for private check out but I didn't need it.
The Room: My Cozy Sanctuary…ish?
Available in all rooms: Okay, the room, which I should say in advance, it wasn’t perfect. But, let's get specific. Air conditioning? Absolutely a necessity in the humid Tagaytay climate, and it worked like a charm. The Wi-Fi [free] was solid, which is vital for someone like me who needs to stay connected (and, cough, watch Netflix). Everything was clean. However I want to mention quickly the bathroom. It was a little dated, the water pressure wasn't the best, and I'm not going to lie, the shower felt a bit cramped… I’m a bigger guy so it was noticeable. But, let's be real, I'm not living in the shower.
Speaking of the room, here’s more detail:
- Air conditioning? Yup, blasting cool air, perfect for a Tagaytay afternoon.
- Alarm clock - check. Although I woke up on my own the second day.
- Bathtub - Nope, just a shower.
- Blackout curtains- yes, I slept in
- Coffee/tea maker - there, which is essential. I like my morning routine.
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk - perfect for catching up in the morning.
- Free bottled water - always appreciated, especially after a long drive.
- Hair dryer - check, yes!
- In-room safe box - if you have valuables.
- Internet access – wireless - YES!
- Ironing facilities - check, but didn't need
- Mini bar - yes, but I just used the fridge for my essentials.
- Non-smoking - thankfully.
- Refrigerator - Yes
- Satellite/cable channels - I watched Netflix, so I did not
- Seating area - yes.
- Shower - good enough.
- Slippers - I had my own.
- Smoke detector - always a positive.
- Sofa - nice plus
- Telephone - I did not use
- Wake-up service - check!
Cleanliness and Safety: A Sigh of Relief
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was HUGE for me. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? The smell suggested they’d been scrubbed within an inch of their lives! Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were wearing masks and seemed to have been trained in safety protocol. They even had doctor/nurse on call, just in case (knock on wood, I didn’t need it). They had Daily disinfection in common areas, too. I felt genuinely safe, which allowed me to relax and enjoy the stay, which is the most important thing.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Foodie Paradise (Maybe?)
Restaurants & Bars: Look, Tagaytay is full of great places to eat. Within the Wind Residences complex itself, there's a decent selection of restaurants. There wasn't much in the way of Happy hour or a Poolside bar, which would have been a nice touch. They have restaurants in the building itself, however I did not try them. I spent my time exploring Tagaytay, and with a car, it's easy to get around. Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver.
Things to Do and Relaxing: The Real Reason to Go!
Pool with view - yes, there is a pool with a view! It's a stunning view, and being able to swim while looking at the lake was a great experience. Swimming pool [outdoor] - same pool as above. Fitness center - yes. Did I use it? Nope. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom - I did not use. Massage - there were options for massages. Ways to relax: Seriously, the best part of this stay was just relaxing. The comfy bed, the quiet, the view…it was the perfect escape from the usual hustle.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty Gritty
Services and conveniences: They definitely covered all the basics. Concierge was helpful, but there wasn't a huge range of services - it's not a five-star hotel. Luggage storage was offered, which was great. Laundry service was available, which is a bonus.
For the kids: While I don’t have kids, the facilities seemed pretty Family/child friendly with a Kids meal option, which is great. There was also Babysitting service.
Getting Around:
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Huge win! Having free parking on-site made everything so much easier. You really need a car to get around Tagaytay, so this is a must. Taxi service: taxi services are available,
The Unbelievable CozyStaycation Verdict: Should You Book?
Okay, so here’s the deal: WINDResidences Rushmore40 at Tagaytay is a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it checks a lot of boxes. The cleanliness, safety measures, and the overall coziness are definite positives. If you're looking for a quiet escape, a comfortable place to crash after exploring Tagaytay, and a place where you won't feel like you're constantly bumping into other guests, then absolutely, book it. Just be prepared for minor imperfections, and focus on enjoying the relaxing atmosphere and the stunning views.
Now, for that persuasive offer:
Tired of the city grind? Craving a weekend of breathtaking views, cozy vibes, and pure relaxation?
Escape to WINDResidences Rushmore40 at Tagaytay and experience your own "Unbelievable CozyStaycation!"
Here's what awaits you:
- Breathtaking views of Taal Volcano.
- Immaculately clean and sanitized rooms, so you can relax with peace of mind.
- Cozy and comfortable accommodations designed for ultimate relaxation.
- Access to amazing amenities including a pool, and onsite- dining.
- Super easy and safe check-in/check-out to maximize your chill time.
- Free on-site parking, easy access to the best Tagaytay has to offer.
But wait, there's more! Book your stay now and receive:
- A complimentary bottle of wine to enjoy while you admire the sunset.
- Early check-in (subject to availability) so you can start relaxing sooner.
Don't wait! This offer is only valid for a limited time. Book your Unbelievable CozyStaycation at WINDResidences Rushmore40 today and treat yourself to the escape you deserve! (Link to booking page)
Escape to Paradise: Asia Grand View Hotel, Palawan Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup. This isn't your pristine, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. We're heading to IRPM WINDResidences CozyStaycationGroup Rushmore40 in Tagaytay, Philippines. Get ready for a rollercoaster, because honestly, I'm still recovering from planning it. Pray for me (and maybe for the sanity of my travel companions).
IRPM WINDResidences CozyStaycationGroup Rushmore40 Tagaytay: The Chaos Diary
Pre-Trip Anxiety Attack Phase (aka, the week leading up)
- Day -7 (aka, Sunday Scaries amplified): Okay, the idea of this staycation was GREAT. Cozy, overlooking the Taal Volcano, chilling with the crew. The REALITY? Packing. The existential dread is REAL. What if I forget the one thing that makes the trip complete? My noise-canceling headphones. Panic set in. I need to find them! Right now, I'm thinking. Must. Find. Headphones.
- Day -3 (aka, The Great Grocery Gamble): "We'll cook!" we said. "It'll be fun!" we exclaimed. LIES. I swear, navigating the grocery store with a list of 'essentials' (wine, cheese, a single artichoke heart because WHY NOT?) feels like a competitive sport. Did I remember the coffee? Probably not. Will we starve? Probably. Wine, cheese, and artichoke hearts. That's a meal, right? Right?!
- Day -2(aka, the last minute planning disaster): I totally forgot about the commute. The commute in Manila on a weekend is going to be a battle. This is where I start to doubt my sanity. Traffic is going to kill me. I know it!
Day 1: Arrival and the Taal Volcano Tango (aka, The Hype is Real, but so is my butt):
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Departure and the First Sigh of Relief): Finally, departure! After a ridiculously stressful morning (lost keys, forgot my phone charger - again), we're in the car. We're actually doing it. Success! Even the traffic isn't that bad (yet). This is where I secretly hope everyone enjoys the trip and that I will be able to relax but, more than likely, it won't happen.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (The Scenic Route?…Or Just Meant to Test My Patience): Okay, maybe I should have checked the navigation before we left. We're on a route that seems to be made of potholes and questionable driving. On the plus side, the scenery is STUNNING. Seriously breathtaking. Taal Volcano is already peeking out from behind the clouds. We managed to reach the location and it's just as good as the picture!
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Check-In Chaos and Happy Accident with the View): The place! IRPM WINDResidences CozyStaycationGroup Rushmore40. It's actually…cozy. The view? Unreal. Taal Volcano is practically at our doorstep. We were assigned to Rushmore40. The place is like a dream after a stressful day. The view that comes after a stressful trip is absolutely worth it.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Lunch, Laughs, and a Questionable Chicken Adobo): Time for the 'we're-cooking-at-the-staycation' lunch. Adobo. Of course. Mine always has a weird texture (blame the rice cooker). We laugh, we mess around, we realize we've already consumed half the wine. This isn't a bad start, at all.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (The Great Taal Volcano Expedition): We decided to go to the volcano. It was a great experience. The ride to the volcano took us through the water on a small boat. It was a little wobbly but it was safe. After we dock, we need to walk and get on a horse. The horse was helpful and the view was amazing!
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (The Sunset and the Silent Plea for Nap Time): The sunset over Taal Volcano. Okay, I need a moment. It's that kind of breathtaking that makes you forget everything (even the questionable adobo). This is what we came for. The kind of scene that makes you wish you could bottle the feeling. This is when I start to drift. A nap… a serious, life-or-death nap… is calling my name.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Dinner, the Debriefing, and the Sudden Realization that I’m the Only One Who Cares About Dessert): Dinner on the balcony, stars popping out, everyone gushing about the view. We talk about the day, the horses, the sun, and the beautiful volcanoes. The wine is flowing freely at this point. I’m the only one advocating for dessert. It's the only thing missing from the meal. I may need to sneak out for a midnight fridge raid.
- 8:00 PM onwards (Cards, Conversations, and the Quiet Contemplation of How I'm Going to Pay My Credit Card Bill): Cards, board games, and late-night conversations under the stars. Everyone's relaxed, happy, glowing. Me? I'm secretly calculating how much this trip cost. And wondering if I can pawn off my noise-canceling headphones. Just kidding… maybe.
Day 2: The Pursuit of Chill (and Maybe a Little Panic) (aka, The Art of Doing Nothing (and Failing)):
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (The Struggle is Real: Coffee, Caffeine, and the Morning After): Woke up. Ugh. My head is pounding, but at least the coffee is strong. Attempt to relax, read a book. Immediately distracted by the fact that I need to check my work emails. sigh. The perpetual battle of wanting to be present vs. the nagging pull of responsibilities.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Brunch, Belated Revelations, and the Urgent Need for Fresh Air): Brunch! Scrambled eggs, bacon, and more coffee. Suddenly, the memory of the trip's expenses hits me again. Panic. We need to unwind. We decide to find a good place to get some fresh air.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Tagaytay's Tourist Traps and the Unexpected Joy of a Flower Shop): We wander around Tagaytay. We got distracted. It's beautiful but the tourist traps are real. They were still nice. We came across this flower shop! It was beautiful. I need to start buying myself flowers.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (The Search for that Perfect View and… Nap Time Round Two!): More exploring. The search for the perfect Instagrammable spot. We find it. And then…nap. The second nap is essential. It's not just a luxury, it's a survival tactic.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Late Afternoon Snacks and the Deep Dive into Netflix): Snacks, snacks, and more snacks. Netflix marathon. I want to binge-watch my favorite series and watch my favorite movies. We are just lounging and watching our shows.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Dinner and the Last Sunset Goodbye): Dinner. That amazing view. We have a good time and a lovely conversation. We all have to come back.
- 7:00 PM onwards (Packing (or Trying to Pack) and the Sudden Realization of the Real World’s Return): Packing. The dreaded moment. Reality hits. Work emails are waiting. The bills are coming. Did I even enjoy myself? …Yes. Definitely. Even though I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds and lost a few marbles.
Day 3: Departure (aka, The Recovery Begins):
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Goodbye, Taal! and the Morning After Realizations): Breakfast with a final, lingering gaze at Taal Volcano. Goodbye, you beautiful, chaotic thing. Realizations dawn: I should have scheduled more naps. I should have taken more pictures. I definitely should have paced myself with the wine.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Traffic, Tears (of Joy? Exhaustion? Both?), and the Soundtrack of Regret): Traffic. The long, slow crawl back to Manila. We listen to sad songs on the radio.
So, what *is* WINDResidences Rushmore40, exactly? Is it a hotel? A spaceship? Spill the beans!
Alright, alright, settle down. Think of it as a *condo*, but like, a REALLY nice condo unit. Rushmore40 is the specific unit, tucked away in the WIND Residences complex. It's got that whole "modern minimalist with a view" thing going on. Think sleek furniture, a balcony practically begging you to sip coffee, and... well, the view. We'll get to that. Mostly, it's a darn good place to crash and pretend you're a sophisticated city slicker escaping the rat race. Except, you know, minus the actual city slicker part (I'm more of a "slightly disorganized cat lady" myself).
The view! What’s the deal with this "view" everyone's raving about? Seriously, is it *that* good? Because I've seen some Instagram lies in my time.
Okay, let's be dramatic. The Taal Volcano view? HONESTLY? It almost made me cry. No, seriously. I'm not even exaggerating! Waking up to that panorama was like someone hitting the "reset" button on my brain. It's not just a volcano; it's the *entire* lake, the islands scattered around... the sunrises were glorious. I spent a solid hour just staring, mesmerized. My inner critic, usually a relentless nag, shut up for a glorious, beautiful change. This alone is almost worth the price of admission. Almost. See, the view is the *reason* to go.
Let’s talk about the unit itself. What was the vibe? Was it comfy? Clean? Did you find stray socks of the previous guest?
The vibe? Cozy, my friends, cozy. Seriously, I felt like I was stepping into a magazine spread. The furniture was sleek and modern, but not in a cold, impersonal way. It felt… lived-in, but in a good way. Like someone actually *wanted* you to relax there. (Unlike my own apartment... let's not dwell on that mess.) The unit was impeccably clean. No stray socks, thankfully. (I'd probably have ended up wearing them... don't judge!). The bed? Heavenly. I sank into it like a marshmallow in hot chocolate. I slept like a baby… until the caffeine wore off. Then I was just a wide-awake, adrenaline-fueled maniac ready to take on the world (or, you know, order more coffee).
Okay, the Amenities? Pool? Gym? Restaurants? What can you actually *do* there besides stare at a volcano like a love-struck teenager?
Alright, potential for distraction! WIND Residences has a whole suite of amenities. There's a big, beautiful pool (which, confession, I didn't actually use as much as I should have because I was too busy wallowing in the view). There's a gym (I briefly considered going. Then I ate more pizza... and the gym idea flew out the window). And there are restaurants! Several. I ate at one, and it was decent. Nothing mind-blowing, but perfectly serviceable. I did, however, spend a solid chunk of time wandering the complex, feeling like I was in some sort of upscale resort. It's got that feel! It's ideal for wandering around and daydreaming.
Food, glorious food! Did you cook? Order in? Where did you eat and what’s the deal? Give me the nitty-gritty!
Okay, food. This is important. See, I went for the "relax and don't cook" strategy. I mean, hello, vacation! There's a small kitchen in the unit, but my cooking skills peaked at "microwaving leftovers." So, mostly, I ordered in. There are plenty of restaurants around the area offering delivery. I got pizza (because, priorities!). I also wandered around and grabbed some street food (absolutely essential!). And then, there was the coffee. The coffee situation… this is important: There's a fantastic coffee shop nearby, perfect for soaking up the morning sun and plotting world domination (or, again, just staring at the volcano). The restaurants in general were okay, but you're there for the view, so don’t be picky. Order lots of food and enjoy!
The "Unbelievable CozyStaycation" part… Did it deliver on the cozy promise? What made it "cozy" for you?
Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. The "Unbelievable CozyStaycation" – they weren’t kidding. For me, cozy is: a comfortable bed (check!), a breathtaking view (double check!), a warm blanket (check!), good coffee (CHECK!), and the freedom to do absolutely NOTHING if I felt like it... which I did. I spent a lot of time curled up on the sofa, reading a book, lost in thought. The quiet, the fresh air, the feeling of being away from the usual chaos... It was pure bliss. Cozy isn't just about the physical stuff, it's also about the feeling of being safe, relaxed, and content. Rushmore40 nailed it on all counts. In fact, if you're looking for a recharge, a break from reality, a place to just BE, this is it.
Anything you *didn't* love? Let’s be realistic. No space is perfect. What were the downsides? (Be honest!)
Okay, okay, I'll be honest. No place is perfect, and I *do* have some gripes. Parking was a bit of a pain. The complex is HUGE, so getting to your unit from the parking area can be a trek. And, this is more a personal problem, but I wish I'd brought more snacks. I ran out of my favorite cookies way too soon! (It was a trauma, honestly). Also, the Wi-Fi wasn’t the fastest in the world. But honestly? Those are minor complaints. REALLY minor. And, this might just have been my over-excited state, but it felt like there were *a lot* of people. I think. I don't know. I just kept wishing for a little more silence and space. But hey, that’s the price of a popular place.
Would you go back? Seriously? Would you recommend WINDResidences Rushmore40? Give me the verdict!
Without a doubt. Absolutely. 100%. Would I go back? In a heartbeat! I'm already mentally planning my return (hoping all those wonderful details will still be there!). I wholeheartedly recommend WINDResidences Rushmore40. If you need a break, if you need to recharge, if you just want to *breathe* and see something beautiful, book it. Just… promise me you’ll bring snacks. And maybeStay Finder Review
