Too often, a view of the primeval Taal lake and volcano makes a location a definite tourist magnet, and would guarantee it to be a prime property in Tagaytay. Surrounding the ridge, speckled by coconut groves, pineapple and coffee plantations, and vegetable and herb gardens, the hinterland has been largely left unvisited and unexplored. The lack of interest from visitors to discover this part of Tagaytay has left it in isolation.

However, it is this sense of seclusion and privacy that gives Anya Resort Tagaytay the delight that’s akin to discovering a hidden treasure. Located at the end of a meandering country road hemmed by wild undergrowth, farmsteads and private gardens, Anya Resort Hotel is unlike any sophisticated resort.

From afar, its structure is unimposing: beige stone walls crowned with hip roofing of taupe shingles rise in the middle of Chinese bamboo grove and ornamental foliage. Inside, the absence of a grand lobby is readily conspicuous. There is no grand staircase here, nor gilded balustrades and heavy rococo chandeliers ablaze with lights. Instead, one enters a charming living room bathed in sunlight coming from tall, glass windows. The linear light brown couches nestle plump pillows in white and gray. On this afternoon before Yuletide, only the slender Christmas tree by the window and its shiny trimmings provide the vivid exclamations of color.

As it turns out, Anya Resort’s homey atmosphere that invites one to lounge on the seats and simply while the afternoon away is intentional. The disarming refinement of the ambience introduces the newcomer into a world of serene settings, flavors that speak of refinement, and an experience of life’s unhurried pleasures – like the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze, the arch of a wooden footbridge, and the flow of a running stream over an unmoving bed of rocks.

“Anya” in Sanskrit means limitless. For Anya Resorts Tagaytay, this means offering boundless comfort and hospitality. “The owners wanted to create a very unique experience. We all know about Filipino hospitality – it’s warmth and sincerity. Here at Anya Resorts, everything has been designed to incorporate the highest international standards of service with traditional Filipino hospitality. The approach is to never say ‘no.’ When the customers request for something, we make sure that it happens,” says Anya general manager Peter D’souza.

As such, the lobby has been designed as a welcoming living room where lifestyle assistants entertain guests and ascertain every aspect that will make their stay singularly pleasurable – from the fragrance they prefer in their room to the kind of food they want to have for lunch or dinner, to the type of bed that would give them ultimate rest. “We also have seven types of pillows to choose from,” informs D’souza. “That’s what we want to give guests – the endless desire to fulfill their wish, and the consistency to do [so] with excellence in mind.”

Built on a 7.2-hectare rolling terrain, Anya Resorts Tagaytay offers a spectacular view of picturesque gardens, scenic landscapes and the majestic Tagaytay terrain. It’s the first luxury resort in the area and is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The resort features an unparalleled beauty and personalized services that suit each guest’s discerning taste.

Anya houses 10 villas with 8 suites, each boasting of exclusivity and bespoke services. The villas recall the stately Filipino bahay na bato (stone house) that incorporates white-washed stone of the ground floor with dark hardwood of the upper floor. The capiz panels in front mimic the translucent windows of old Filipino houses, and reiterate their quiet elegance and warmth.

Inside, the rooms offer spacious cocoons of comfort. The dark mahogany walls provide a stark contrast to the immaculate beds and pillows. On the wall above the bed is a panel of taupe linen with a geometric embroidery in white – bringing to mind the painstaking needlework on the traditional barong Tagalog. Wooden louvers keep the sunshine out and make the room pleasantly cool.