Gone are the days when you have to travel for long hours and inconvenient distances just to get to a heavenly destination away from the noise in the metro. Now, with the comfort of transportation and hype of vacation tours in the Philippines, people are more ingrained to travel and see the beauty of the different parts of their own country. The next question posted thus is WHERE TO GO NEXT? given the bounty selections hither and tither.
Last week, I didn’t have any agenda set for my weekend other than wushu practice and blogging. So when an invitation to visit a new haven came, I didn’t hesitate to say yes right away.
Know where we drove to?
It’s here. Here at The Puzzle Mansion!
Thanks to Gina Gil-Lacuna, owner of The Puzzle Mansion and also holder of the Guinness World Records certificate of recognition for having the worldβs largest jigsaw puzzle collection in shape, size and number, this humble mansion/hotel/resort/museum opened its doors to the public in late 2012.
Located about five kilometers away from the primary road of Tagaytay, The Puzzle Mansion can be easily found when you’re armed with a map for direction and when your eyes are good enough to follow and track about 10 stand posts with signages left and right guiding the way there. The Puzzle Mansion also offers free shuttle service to fetch guests from the main road of Tagaytay.
The hotel has 11 rooms now, a museum, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, relaxing massage services and many more facilities.
May this post serve as my first ever hotel/museum review, with personal recommendations and comments not found in their website. π
Review of The Puzzle Mansion (Tagaytay City)
Ambiance: β β β β β
Upon entrance, we felt freshness of air going into our nostrils. I could vividly smell the fragrant flowers and herbs sold in the reception area.
Mommy Gina told us that sellers park at the entrance and do business without having to pay rental space. This is part of the community service she is fulfilling to give back to society. These vendors sell freshly squeezed pineapple juice; fruits like mangosteen, pineapples, etc.; plants in pots like gotu cola, basil, aloe vera, mint, stevia, etc. and other souvenir items.
From there, we proceeded to the garden to see the wishing well and various types of plants for sale as well. I love plants and being in a solemn garden where I can stay peaceful and take my time without worrying about anything else. So this setting is definitely a winner for me! π
Out from the kitchen, Mommy Gina called us bloggers and asked us to pronounce our names one by one. Seeing her for the first time, I was a bit struck that the lady talking lively in front of us is already Gina Gil-Lacuna herself!
She led us to the kitchen where all food are cooked and prepared. The kitchen was indeed spacious, with minimalistic design and clean counters. The view was stunning! We could see the vast plantation also owned by her from inside.
Next was our puzzle museum tour. Ambiance of the museum plaza can instantly provide visual interest for guests. Each passage and wall was filled with hanged frames of finished puzzles in different sizes and forms. I didn’t know that jigsaw puzzles can take shape not only in the regular flat surface but also in 3D and 4D!
The Puzzle Museum contains a lot of interesting collectibles and conversation-starter pieces that are realistically designed.
Most puzzles consist in the paintings of famous artists, pictures of landscapes, famous places all around the world, personal photos converted to puzzles, Coca-cola products, Disney characters and animals. Each indicates the completion time (number of hours it took Mommy Gina to finish), the number of pieces, and the name, dimension and origin of the jigsaw puzzle.
We didn’t intend to go for an overnight stay, but we were still given a twin room where we can relax and put our belongings. The rooms were charming and homey, with a queen-sized bed, wall-mounted flat-screen TV, chairs and tables, ceiling fan and aircon. Each has a personal toilet which was not miserly in space; it was nearly the same size as my room in Singapore back then. The mattress was soft and bouncy though, which is not exactly my type.
Service: β β β β β
Allow me to divide “service” into three parts: transportation, museum tour and dining.
Transportation
We were fetched by Mommy Gina’s company driver and rode in a Ford E-150 from Shangri-la Mall in Shaw to the Puzzle Mansion in Tagaytay at 8AM-10AM without cost. The same driver took us back to Shangri-la afterwards. Everything was well provided!
Museum Tour
In normal occasions, there’s a tour guide in the Puzzle Museum who tells mini stories behind each puzzle to the guests. But we were lucky to have Mommy Gina take the lead in touring us. I look up to her as unlike other masters and business owners, she went up ahead and volunteered to provide service with consistent vibrancy and high energy. We can totally feel her presence throughout while she told us anecdotes regarding the origins of the puzzles and reasons why she chose such puzzles to bring into their collection.
She showed us those puzzles which are highly remarkable like her first ever one, the 5000-piece Disney puzzle she bought for her son 27 years ago. It was her first masterpiece and from then on she thought she could start putting pieces of jigsaw puzzles together.
Mommy Gina is friendly, very eloquent and gracious. At the age of 61, her memory is still very much alive and intact. She happily shared with us that the Puzzle Mansion has been featured in the Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin, two of the leading broadsheet national newspapers published in Manila. Without the use of a microphone, her voice is loud enough for everyone’s attention to be captured without losing it. π
After the tour, she proudly presented the certificate she received from the Guinness Book of World Records. Her ending statement moved me the most as she introduced herself as a wife, a mother, a friend, a retired business woman (owner of Buntis, retailer of maternity wears), and a high-school graduate. WHOA! π― Shocking leh! I am so inspired. Her brief speech was breath-taking. She said if she can do it, then so can we (in aspiring and going for our dreams in life). π
Before lunch time, we were reminded to visit the souvenir shop where puzzles in boxes, Puzzle Mansion memorabilia items such as shirts, caps, and towels, and stuff from Buntis are sold. Mommy Gina gave us a shirt of our choice and a blue/white cap as giveaways. π
Dining
For late breakfast, the helpers in kitchen sent us plates, utensils and food quickly, as instructed by Mommy Gina. For lunch, we had a self-service encounter with buffet-style food from the kitchen. Desserts were placed at our table later on. And it didn’t end there.
We were also given snacks (early dinner) before we left the Puzzle Museum. Saying we were pampered would be an understatement. The staff goes above and beyond their call of duty. Their service is everything that you can expect, and more!
Food: β β β β β
We have been graced with so much food! Let’s start with the highlights, though. The Puzzle Mansions’ fresh pineapple juice and coconut cream pie literally were FRESH and CREAMY. These must-tries deserve the special mention.
We enjoyed three meals in the Puzzle Mansion:
1. Late Breakfast – sausages, hotdogs, butter, toasted white bread and THE pineapple juice
2. Lunch – mung bean (mongo) soup with crispy pork rinds (fried chicharon), mixed adobo chicken and pork, tinolang manok (nilagang manok), rice, mangoes and THE coconut cream pies
3. Snack – crunchy turon with thinly sliced bananas and jack fruit (langka), pan de carne (recipe from Mommy Gina’s mother) and iced tea
Flavor-wise, all the dishes were simple, the lutong-bahay type of food. Proportions were big to share, but not large enough to make you question your life choices. π The ingredients were fresh and divine. Taken from their plantation, some fruits and vegetables used are organic.
Price for Value: β β β β β
Prices of the rooms range from PHp 1,500 per person to the most exquisite ones that cost up to PHp 9,880 per night for the whole family, depending on the size of the room.Β You can check their price list here for more details.
Yes, they are quite costly, considering that this hotel has not earned any star appended to its title. But maybe the things that count most here are the “matchless-ness” of the hotel’s background (I mean, you can’t find any place like it), the exclusivity of the entire space, the convenience and the quality experience.
The lunch and dinner buffet would dent your wallet a little, with PHp 450 per head at the least. But that’s enough to make your stomach super full for the day from the appetizers, main courses to desserts.
Visiting the Puzzle Museum is like a session on record. There’s an entrance fee of PHp 100 pax, by the way, to go touring in the museum. They also have a village horse which you can lease for only PHp 50 to go around the considerably big area.
To wrap up, the Puzzle Mansion is a good place to spend a company team building event or an excursion with family and friends this summer. It is pure seclusion and relaxation. It can be your go-to place when you want to clear your mind and get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.
– THE BLOGGERS –
I have more pictures you can view here in my Facebook album.
The Puzzle Mansion
Cuadra St. Brgy. Asisan Tagaytay City
For inquiries, contact 6610019, 09052250229/09178547322
Facebook
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 7AM – 7PM
Saturday and Sunday: 7AM – 8PM
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
I saw the signs of the puzzle museum all over Tagaytay and looks like it’s gonna be a big attraction in the area.
I bet it would! π
I was invited by a blogger here just last month (he’s actually in your photo). Unfortunately, i broke a bone disabling me to walk. I really wanted to see the Puzzle Mansion in actual. Γ
Whoa, I think it is the fault of that blogger who invited you..In all seriousness, this was a very nice review Roch..I am sure Gina will love it.
Haha yup, it was you!! π thanks again, Aldous. Next time ulit. π
Ohh that’s too bad. Yup I heard that from Aldous. Anyway, there’s always another time, another chance. π Hope you are recovering!
A dip from the pool in the cold Tagaytay would definitely a nice chilling experience… but the entire place itself looks amazing. especially the food!
Their pool is 7 feet deep haha so better bring life guard vest or some props of you don’t know how to swim.
The place is so cool! Considering that they hold a record of having the largest puzzle pieces, they should have lots of tourists, international and local.
Ai sinabi mo pa. Guests are like water flowing from an open faucet. Media and non-media folks inquire about the museum and the accommodation endlessly. Mommy Gina also mentioned that they had over a thousand guests last Holy Week particularly on a Good Friday.
omg those foods! i wish I can visit too! but you’re lucky enough that Mam Gina was there with you guys! xx
Yeah lucky nga! π She’s mostly there in the weekends so when you are planning to come, make sure that it’s a Saturday or a Sunday.
This is a very good addition to the attractions and resorts in Tagaytay. It would be a delight to see all of those puzzles.
Before we used to only go to Taal Vista Hotel to view the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake. Now we have another reason to go to Tagaytay.
I was also here before together with other bloggers, and other than Puzzle Mansion is amazing, ma’am Gina is really a generous host.
Yeah she told us that she has been visited by many bloggers before and that’s how she knew about blogs. π Digital marketing works for them!
You gave me a very nice idea where to treat my wife this May 1. I love Tagaytay’s weather.
Yay try to visit the place even for a day tour and surely it will be a memorable experience. π
Reading the title of the post, I was intrigued. I thought, they might have some kind of life size puzzle ground or activity room, or the place has a kind of puzzle-like design. But I think the name is very unique and creative.
They have the puzzle museum! At first the name did not click at once when I heard about it and when I read the contents of their home page. I only found out about the museum thru the posts of bloggers. π
I’ll put this in my list, I have to make sure I’ll be able to visit this place when I have a chance to go to Tagaytay again =)
It’s far from the usual experience of just dining, staying in, swimming and the like. Bring in cash as well if you want to buy puzzles from the souvenir shop because they don’t offer payout through credit cards or debit cards.
I’m sure you and the group had a great time during your stay at the Puzzle Mansion, please also post the room rates π
You can check their price list here.
This hotel is a perfect place to those who want a quick escape from the urban life! I want to visit “Puzzle Mansion” too!
Prepare swim suit for the swimming pool and the jacuzzi. π It will be more fun!
Hihihi of course sis! A trip to puzzle mansion would not be complete without my swimsuit photos! π
Haha cute mo talaga fashionista Kim. π
Also, a nice place for teambuilding events. I’ll recommend this to my boss.
Feel free to inquire and call their hotlines. Their rooms get fully booked easily.
I love the thought that they are serving “lutong bahay” meals..it makes you feel more at home..Yahweh Bless
Yeah, it’s like staying at your own place in Tagaytay. You don’t need to pay any maintenance fees or hire staff to manage the place. You would only visit it once in a while and call it home. π
Guess you were lucky to be given a guided tour by non other than the person behind these puzzle collection.
I’d like to meet her too, she must be very passionate with these puzzle.
I’m very patient myself, but I dont know if I could stand making these masterpiece puzzles on my own..
She has been featured on TV and you will see how down-to-earth and incredibly witty she is! I too am patient but I don’t think I can finish and collect all those puzzles.
It’s good to know that the Puzzle Mansion holds a Guinness Record.
The best thing is you enjoyed your stay there.
It’s also good to know that the record holder is a Filipino. π
Habang tumatagal, dumarami ang magagandang pasyalan sa Tagaytay. I might consider retiring there soon. π
I want to own a vacation house in a province in the Philippines. π
Ang cool ng place nato. balak naming mag punta ng mga frinds ko sa tagaytay this summer. suggest ko sa kanila ang place na ito. π
Tagaytay has always been a popular choice for summer getaways. Have fun with your friends. π
Never knew that Gina Gil-Lacuna (owner of The Puzzle Mansion) is a Guinness World Records title holder. I think its also one of the many reasons to visit Puzzle Mansion – to see the owner and her collections.
Sure, it’s part of the noteworthy experience. π
wow, the puzzle mansion is a really good place to go. I never thought that the owner holds a Guiness title, it’s surely a nice place to go. π
Yeah, me too! Then I wondered what record I can break or have in the Guinness. Hmmm π
Nice! I should pay a visit here soon, once I go back to manila. Is it easy to find this place when you’re commuting?
You can ride any bus bound to Nasugbu, Batangas. The trip will take around two hours, and the fare should not be more than PHp 100. Tell the conductor or the bus driver that you’ll be alighting at Radar Taas in Tagaytay. From there, ride a tricycle to the Puzzle Mansion. Fare is PHp 35.
Commuting should be easy. π
Interesting site in this mansion is the wishing well and overall it was a very good mansion
Yeah the name fits it well. π
I loved making puzzles when I was young especially the 3D ones. I hope to visit here soon.
I got inspired with the act of making puzzles. I remember the first and only puzzle we had when we were kids — it was Beauty and the Beast. Of course as kids, we lost the pieces and could not find them back to complete the picture. Haha. π
Wow! The Puzzle Mansion. I just knew about this place last night. It was featured in Rated K. Beautiful place and something to be proud of as a Filipino.
Last night? Oh I didn’t catch it! Hehe anyway, yup this is truly a beautiful place. Putting puzzle pieces together can be your way of reconstructing the world
through problem solving and reasoning.
I’ve been there! Really an interesting place to visit π
Great post btw!
We visited again last weekend and found so many tourists. Mommy Gina was there and I’m sure she delighted all the guests. π
Looks like a nice place to spend few relaxing days in total bliss!
Make that plan to get out there and see her amazing puzzle collection. Youβll only be richer for it. π
May we feature Puzzle Mansion on:
Business Flight
Sundays, 9am,
GMA News TV 11
Hosted by: Ms.Venus Raj.
we will be in Tagaytay on June 4, 2014.
may i have your contact #?
mine is +63 918 6994469
Hi Randy! Please contact the admin via these numbers: 6610019, 09052250229, or 09178547322. Thanks! π