Sonya’s summer blooms

Sonya’s Garden offers a healthy fare of salad and pasta.

It has remained a top choice for many vacationers looking for a quick weekend getaway.

It seems that the City of Tagaytay has never lost its appeal after all these years, with its quaint and rustic vibe amid the city’s inevitable modernization. And while there are no beaches to soak in and sand to leave one’s footprint, Tagaytay remains a favored destination as it offers weary urbanites that much needed breathing space.

Offering relief

As temperatures start soaring, more urbanites are starting to head to Tagaytay to enjoy the city’s cool, balmy breeze, which easily provides relief to many.

Add to that the city’s picturesque views, lush greenery and the various dining destinations offering a wide range of cuisine and dishes—all of these can readily satisfy one’s discerning palate, appetite for the arts and one’s hunger for nature

While there are a number of places one could visit in Tagaytay and its neighboring cities, one destination would usually stand out not only for its pristine beauty but also because of its unique ability to allow individuals to experience that serene and calming vibe—now considered by many as luxury.

Stress-free

Sonya’s Garden, for decades now, has served as venue to a number of unions and reunions. Since it opened its doors in 1998, Sonya’s Garden has already witnessed countless proposals and receptions, and has likewise served as refuge for weary souls.

This flower laden garden destination tucked in the quiet side of Tagaytay has romance and relaxation written all over it, and this is what makes owner Sonya Garcia truly proud of her place.

“Most individuals are going through so much stress so here at Sonya’s we try to offer respite. Here it’s deadline free, there are no deadlines, and this is really where you learn and subscribe to the art of doing nothing and just rest,” Garcia said in an interview with the Inquirer.

Here, guests can simply relish and enjoy its famed salad and other sumptuous dishes that Sonya’s Garden is known for. Or for those wanting to temporarily take a break from the pressure and stress of city living, they can do so by spending a night at one of Sonya’s quaintly designed cottages.

All the bed and breakfast cottages at Sonya’s are named after flowers and herbs which, like the owner’s garden, reflected the owner’s love and appreciation for aromatic things.

Private sanctuary

According to Garcia, she did not intend for Sonya’s Garden to be a commercial enterprise, as it started out with only a table for two, meant for a friend of a friend wanting to propose. But word had spread and soon, the dining area was expanded to accommodate guests, whose insistent pleas also gave birth to the bed and breakfast facility.

“It was in my grandma’s garden where I was happiest so I replicated her garden but of course I overdid it. Building this place also gave me satisfaction and made me happy again. Sonya’s Garden started out really small with only a table for two but my friends really loved it and eventually the others heard of it and people started coming,” Garcia related.

Soon enough, vacationers started to come by the droves, all reveling in the beauty and stillness of the place. Since then, many of the guests have returned and made Sonya’s Garden their secret sanctuary.

Indeed, a stay at Sonya’s Garden is guaranteed to give you that much needed calm and rest, with each cottage exuding that quaint vibe and the bay windows opening to the calming view of nature. Nothing beats the feeling of waking up to a serene surrounding and an undisturbed solitude that’s considered a rarity nowadays.

What further makes Sonya’s Garden the ultimate haven is its spa, where guests can experience ultimate pampering and indulge in the services of the well-trained staff’s healing touch.

Sonya’s Garden also recently included in its list of services the hydrotherapy massage which is said to be an effective tool for treating a variety of conditions and is believed to improve blood circulation. The process helps rid the body of toxins, that are sometimes due to unnecessary stress.

Given all of Sonya’s Garden’s treats and the calming surrounding that it provides, summer is sure to be a lot more fun.