Staycation Chronicles: Bayleaf Cavite

I hardly consider Cavite as a location for a quick getaway. In fact, I couldn't think of a single thing to do in the area. But who would have thought that there's a gem waiting to be found along the long Governor's Drive? 

Hello, Bayleaf Cavite.

Bayleaf may not be exactly a new name in the hospitality industry as its Intramuros branch has been around for over five years. Built as an extension to Lyceum of the Philippines, Bayleaf served as the culinary arm of the university. And it was not long after the success of Bayleaf Intramuros when the Laurel family decided to open another one, this time in Cavite.

The three-star hotel is easy to spot in the city given that there are not a lot of high rise establishments in the area. 

After parking our car, we headed straight to the reception area where check in was a breeze. All I had to do was present my ID and we were set. 

We got a Deluxe Room (PHP4,100) which has basic amenities. Our room is equipped with a queen size bed, cable TV, work desk, safety box and private bathroom. It has ample sockets for your gadgets and its internet connection is decent. 

Basic toiletries and bedroom slippers are also provided. 

We had to move to another room though after two hours though as there was loud music being played by the pool and we couldn't nap at all. Thankfully, we were promptly moved to another room on the next floor facing the other side. 

Since the hotel isn't exactly that near any restaurant (aside from fast food chains Jollibee and McDonald's), we opted to dine at Fields, one of Bayleaf Cavite's dining outlets. 

There were not a lot of diners past 8 p.m. but service still takes about 20-30 minutes. 

We opted to go with Truffled Penne (PHP400) and Grilled Bacon Carbonara (PHP280). I also got Iced Mocha (PHP130). 

While waiting, we were given some dinner rolls and butter. And the fragrant bread sure whet my appetite. 

I was pleasantly surprised that my Iced Mocha was served on a (really) tall glass making it bang for the buck. And despite it being drizzled with chocolate syrup, the drink's not that sweet. 

Our bowls of pasta were served 15 minutes after my drink and both were actually good for sharing. 

My Truffled Penne was delightful. The taste of truffle was prominent despite lacking in aroma. Pasta was al dente and the garlic bread on the side was superb as it had garlic bits! 

R's Grilled Bacon Carbonara was good too though I would have preferred that they used spaghetti or fettuccine to go with carbonara sauce. The sauce tasted egg-y which was beautifully complemented by the smoky flavor of the bacon bits. It would have been more delicious though if the bacon chunks were crisp for extra texture.

Though there were not a lot of people dining at Fields, the ambiance was not that relaxing as there were a bunch of rowdy kids running around. I understand that the staff has no control over this but it would have been great if the parents were more considerate of the other guests. 

Before heading back to our room, we decided to check out the hotel's bar across Fields. 

There were not a lot of guests there too. But there's a live band and the ambiance seems nice for a night cap. There are also a wide selection of bar chow to choose from. 

As night owls, it was so hard for us to wake up for breakfast. We literally dragged ourselves out of the bed at 9 a.m. and made our way towards the second floor restaurant.

The selection, though limited, was pretty good. In fact, everything we got were delicious. Simple yet well-cooked. It would been better though if there are more fruits to choose from. 

We lounged by the pool after breakfast and took us a long while before we decided to take a quick dip. R tricked me though after I got in as he opted not to join me after realizing how the frigid water made me not want to submerge my whole body in. 

Check out time was quite strict as we couldn't check out late despite the low occupancy of the hotel. We were only given an additional 30 minutes, enough for a power nap. 

Allow about 5 minutes for the staff to check your room upon check out or call them in advance to have the room checked as soon as you leave for the lobby. 

Overall, Bayleaf Cavite is a nice place to consider for a family staycation. It is very accessible from Manila yet far enough to serve as a sweet escape from the city. 

Bayleaf Cavite is located at Governor's Drive, Barangay Manggahan, General Trias, Cavite.