The Perfect 3-Day Weekend Getaway at Brittany Hotel Villar City
Three days. No international flights. No endless packing lists. Just good food, incredible views, water that sparkles under the afternoon sun, and the kind of weekend that leaves you wondering why you don't do this more often. That's what I found at Brittany Hotel Villar City last April, and I'm still thinking about it.
Why Brittany Hotel Villar City is Perfect for a Weekend Escape
I wasn't sure what to expect when I plotted this staycation on Google Maps. Daang Hari Road, Molino IV, Bacoor, Cavite. It's south of Manila, which means traffic, but here's the thing: the moment you roll into the hotel driveway, all that gridlock anxiety just melts away. The entrance has this warm, welcoming vibe with the Gardens of Brittany stretching out beside the main building.
Location: South of Manila Made Easy
Coming from Makati, the drive took about an hour and fifteen minutes on a Friday evening. Not bad at all. For those of us based in the south, this is actually closer than Tagaytay, and honestly? The access to both the city and the province feels like the best of both worlds.
Room Comparison: Choosing Your Perfect Stay
I opted for a Premier Deluxe King at 60 square meters, and honestly, that extra space made all the difference. There's something about having room to actually spread out on a weekend getaway. If you're traveling with the whole family, the Villa at 200 square meters is absolutely stunning, but for a couples' escape or solo retreat, the Premier Deluxe strikes the perfect balance between luxury and practicality.
Room options at a glance:
- Bridge Room — 40 sqm. Ideal for solo travelers or couples seeking comfort without excess.
- Deluxe King — 40 sqm. Perfect balance of space and amenity for weekend stays.
- Premier Deluxe — 60 sqm. My pick: generous space for true relaxation.
- Premier Suite — 70 sqm. Elevated experience with separate living areas.
Day 1: Arrival and Poolside Relaxation
Friday: Check-in and Welcome Drink at Cuisine
I arrived around 6 PM, and the front desk staff had me checked in within minutes. No fumbling with forms, no waiting around. They handed me a welcome drink from Cuisine, their international restaurant with this incredible patisserie corner that I would later become dangerously attached to.
Friday Evening: Afternoon at the Pool
Saturday morning, I woke up, grabbed a coffee from the room's brewing station, and made my way to the pool. Here's the thing about this pool: it's not just a rectangle of water. It's surrounded by these lush gardens, with comfortable loungers spaced out so you never feel crowded. I spent a solid three hours there, moving between the water and just. existing. Reading. Watching the clouds drift by. Completely unlike my usual chaotic weekends.
Friday Night: Cocktails at For The Road
By evening, I was ready to eat, and I wasn't disappointed. For The Road, their in-house bar, has this intimate atmosphere with craft cocktails that are actually worth writing home about. I tried their signature service, and it was the perfect end to a travel day that could have been exhausting but instead felt like a reset button for my entire week.
"Sometimes the best vacations aren't about what you see, they're about what you stop trying to do."
Day 2: Taal Volcano Day Trip
Sunday Morning: Early Morning Departure
I set my alarm for 5:30 AM because I wanted to catch the sunrise over Taal Volcano. From Brittany Hotel Villar City, it's about an hour's drive to the Talisay side, where boat tours depart. I grabbed a quick breakfast at Cuisine first, their pandesal with kesong puti was an unexpected revelation, and hit the road.
Sunday Midday: Volcano Trek Experience
The boat ride across Taal Lake takes about 30 minutes, and the sight of the volcano rising from the water never gets old, even if you've seen it a dozen times. The trek itself is roughly 45 minutes to an hour, and it's a moderate hike, not for the faint of heart, but completely manageable. Standing at the crater's edge, looking down at the turquoise water below, I understood why people keep coming back to this place. There's a rawness to it that no photograph quite captures.
"Tagaytay gets the crowds, but the real magic happens when you get on the water and approach Taal from below. Completely different perspective, and worth the early alarm."
Sunday Evening: Return for Dinner at Salt & Fire
I got back to the hotel around 4 PM, exhausted in the best way possible. Salt & Fire, their steakhouse, was calling my name. I went with their ribeye, cooked medium-rare, just how I like it, and a glass of red wine from their selection. The restaurant has this sophisticated but unpretentious vibe, and the food absolutely delivered. This was the meal I didn't know I needed after a morning of physical exertion.
Day 3: Local Discovery and Departure
Monday Morning: Breakfast at Cuisine
My last morning, I woke up feeling genuinely rested. That's rare for me. Breakfast at Cuisine was a slow, deliberate affair, fresh tropical fruits, eggs made to order, strong Filipino coffee, and those pastries from the patisserie that I mentioned earlier. The croissants are flaky in that French-bakery way that makes you close your eyes when you bite into them.
Monday Late Morning: Explore Cavite's Emerging Districts
I had a few hours before checkout, so I took a short drive around Molino and the surrounding area. Cavite is changing, there are new restaurants popping up,咖啡 shops with actual good espresso, weekend markets. It reminded me of what Alfonso felt like fifteen years ago before everyone discovered it. If you're the exploring type, there's actually a lot to discover within a 20-minute radius of the hotel.
Pro Tip: The Bacoor Fish Market
Get up early on Saturday and head to the Bacoor public market. It's chaotic, vibrant, and the fresh seafood is unreal. Buy some to take back to the hotel if your room has a kitchenette, or just walk around and absorb the local energy.
Monday Noon: Late Checkout and Next Visit Planning
The hotel offers late checkout for Premier Deluxe rooms and above, which gave me just enough time to pack, freshen up, and linger over one last view of the Gardens of Brittany. I was already mentally planning my next visit, maybe for two nights this time, maybe during rainy season when everything is green and the pool feels even more tropical.