Canyon Woods Resort Club

Canyon Woods Resort Club is an expansive kid-friendly property with gorgeous views of Taal Lake in the distance. The resort consists of several recreational facilities for travelers and 96 guest rooms located in a brown, high-rise building that towers over the treetops. Inside The Peaks, the hotel, common areas are sparse and outdated-looking, with bare yellow tile, walls, and ceilings in the reception area and minimal decoration. The multifloored Clubhouse, where the main dining room and some recreational facilities are located, is a little more embellished, thanks to patterned tile floors, interesting wooden architectural features, and big windows with pretty vistas. Outside, facilities are marked through signposts with arrows, and shuttles are available to take guests around the large property. The resort tends to draw mostly Filipino guests, and the vibe here is more about having a quiet, relaxing getaway versus a schedule packed with the resort’s activities.

Canyon Woods Resort Club is secluded, located at the end of a winding road near Taal Lake. It’s situated off the Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway in Laurel, a 35-minute drive from Tagaytay’s center. From Manila International Airport, the resort is about a two-hour drive away (longer if travelers hit traffic in the capital), and having a car is strongly recommended. Once on site, the property is sprawling, though a shuttle is on hand for guests who don’t have their own car.

The property’s hotel is located in a building called The Peak -- a high-rise tower that offers lovely views over trees and Taal Lake from some rooms. Rooms are spacious and clean, albeit a bit dated and on the simple side, with old-fashioned wooden furnishings, bare brown tile, and white linens accented with a leaf-green throw. Rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, work desks, mini-fridges, sitting areas, safes, ironing facilities, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Executive Suites add sofas, dining tables, and microwaves. All rooms have balconies, and those on the higher floors facing Taal Lake have the best vistas. Bathrooms are on the small side, but they have showers, hairdryers and hotel-brand toiletries.

The hotel’s Main Dining restaurant is located in the top floor of the Clubhouse, and it serves Filipino and international dishes in a somewhat formal space. Buffet breakfasts and a la carte lunch and dinner fare receive mixed reviews from guests. Some guests complain that the restaurant is too far away from their hotel room, so guests with mobility issues might consider specifically asking for a room closer to dining.

Canyon Woods Resort Club has ample features for both adults and kids, with highlights being both indoor and outdoor pools, including a large Pavilion Pool that’s surrounded by loungers and has underwater chairs. Another pool, Peak’s Pool, is encircled by the building containing the guest rooms. Guests are required to have a swim cap to use the pool, and they’re available for purchase from the hotel. A large recreational program and gym-like center offers volleyball, tennis, racquetball, badminton, and indoor basketball. Like in the gym, some facilities are due for a renovation -- the floor near the basketball court is well-worn, and the ping-pong table has chipped paint.

The low-frills Elements Spa has a simple reception area and chairs for pedicures separated by slight partitions. There’s also a hair salon with two washbasins and cutting stands. The wellness area houses a whirlpool, steam room, and sauna. In the gym area, there’s a full range of workout equipment, but some of the pieces are in need of replacement.

Canyon Woods’ golf course, a 12-minute drive from the property, features nine holes that rank among the most challenging in the area (thanks in part to the mountainous terrain and ravine-spotted course). Players are welcome to host their own private tournaments on the course.

Guests can also catch a film in the small cinema room, or play a round of billiards in the large pool room (there are plenty of tables), as well as foosball or karaoke. Fishing on the lake can also be arranged. Kids can take advantage of the playground or their own area indoors with motorized kiddie cars and play equipment; if parents want a date night, supervised childcare is available for a fee.

The hotel has a chapel and can host weddings and receptions, and there’s also a gift shop on-site. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property, though it can be slow or nonexistent in rooms. Guests can self-park for free.