Nurture Wellness Village
Barangay Maitim II, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Rates start at P6,944
At a Glance
Room: Simple.
Food and drink: A great balance of indulgence and healthy eating.
Staff: Nothing beats a mother's care.
Why you should stay: It's almost an oasis in the middle of an urban jungle.
(SPOT.ph) At the height of the pandemic in 2020, most of us were forced to adjust to work-from-home set-up, never mind that our own Internet connection sucks, our tables and chairs are far from being ergonomic, and our home life just isn't conducive for a 9-to-6. Plus, there's the fact that a health crisis is happening outside our doors. But we eventually got used to it and welcomed this "new normal" with open arms. Two years later, just as we've spruced up our WFH stations and doing just fine with our workload, the government wants us to return to our cubes and take in again all the stress that comes with it. If you're looking to take a break, a weekend at Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City is enough to keep you going for the next five days (and then you have to de-stress again).
Also read:
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Here's what you need to know about this Tagaytay resort:
What to Do
The first thing to notice at Nurture Wellness Village is the lush greenery, which you don't normally see in Metro Manila. Owner Cathy Brillantes-Turvill explained to us that they made sure that the wellness resort was built around the trees that were already there.
This complements the Tagaytay resort's distinct brand of ecotherapy or "healing by and through nature." They also matched this with a wellness culture that's already innate among us Filipinos: our own practice of hilot, herbal medicine, and farm-to-table dining.
The owner also made sure that most of their therapists are mothers from the vicinity, explaining that skills can be taught but a mother's healing hands are incomparable. Guests can feel this distinct soothing stroke during massages. Therapists are not only licensed by the Department of Health but also trained based on international industry standards.
Nurture Wellness Village takes pride in its variety of Filipino spa services, which all use Amu'in massage oils created by the resort's chairman and chemist Dr. Mike Turvill. Treatments range from Hilot Kagalingan (P1,400), which is an indigenous therapeutic massage that uses banana leaves, herbs, and coconut oil; to the Hiyas Spa Package (P4,800), which is a combination of the Mayumi Coconut Body Polish, Manggang Yakap Body Wrap, and Aruga Signature Body Massage. They also have foot treatments, which we probably need with all the walking and queuing at the MRT stations. There's the 60-minute Dagdagay (P1,200), which uses bamboo sticks to stimulate the soles; and Hele (P1,100), which implements wrapping and massaging in special oils.
Weekend travelers can also avail full-blown wellness packages. We tried out the Stress Buster (P18,000 for single occupancy and P31,000 for double occupancy), which is recommended to...well, bust the stress. It includes overnight accommodation, healthy meals, wellness treatments (such as the foot spa and massage, full body massage, infrared sauna, etc.), wellness activities (such as Tai Qi exercise and a farm tour), and provision of fresh juices between treatment sessions.
But if a fixed itinerary stresses you out more, they also have room packages with dining credits and flexible treatment options. Prices start at P10,800, which is already good for two (Magkasintahan Package).
Where to Eat
Just in 2021, Farmer's Table by Raintree Hospitality Group took over Nurture Wellness Village's dining service. It boasts a farm-to-table concept with about 80% of its menu sourced locally. There's even a small garden with herbs right next to the restaurant. The place, which is open to overnight guests and walk-ins, is divided into three sections: the Boutique Market, the Artisanal Bakery, and the Al Fresco Garden Bistro.
The Boutique Market features not only signature products from the Village, but also harvests from their organic farm as well as local products from nearby communities—a fridge stocked with pints of Carmen's Best ice cream included! Al Fresco Garden Bistro is the main dining area, which is packed during the weekends, so it's always best to reserve a table ahead of time if you plan to drop by.
Guests who avail of wellness packages are prescribed healthy dishes to match their detox retreats; otherwise, you're free to mix and match your meals. That means you're more than welcome to order their Giant Pork Belly (P695), then balance it out with the Hothouse Crispy Cauliflower & Broccoli (P350).
Brillantes-Turvill explained to us that they're not really strict when it comes to their programs. They hope to match wherever guests are in their own wellness journey, whether you're just trying out a balanced diet or are well into your commitment as a vegetarian. This is why Farmer's Table's menu has a great mix of meat, vegetables, juices, and carbs. Yes, they have their own Bone Marrow Bulalo Soup (P995). This is Tagaytay, after all.
How to Get There
Nurture Wellness Village is near the border of Tagaytay City and Silang in Cavite. It can be accessed either through the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road or Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, then through the Tagaytay Bypass Road.
Nurture Wellness Village is in Barangay Maitim II, Tagaytay City, Cavite. Rates start at P6,944. For more information, visit Nurture Wellness Village's website.