A Sanctuary of Comfort and Sustainability

With its focus on sustainability, warm hospitality, and culinary excellence, Anya Resort Tagaytay offers a unique
guest experience.

As soon as I stepped into the serene embrace of Anya Resort Tagaytay, I felt an immediate sense of tranquility. The lush greenery and soft sounds of nature whispered that I had arrived at a sanctuary. This is not just any resort. Nestled in the cooler climate and peaceful surroundings of Tagaytay, Anya offers an experience that is both indulgent and ecologically conscious.

This isn’t my first visit to Anya Resort, yet I am still captivated by its elegant fusion of luxury and sustainability. The lobby, aptly named The Living Room, showcases the harmonious blend of Filipino tropical theme and traditional aesthetics, highlighted by contemporary touches. The solihiya rattan chairs, ample natural light, and flourishing greenery create an atmosphere of elegance intertwined with environmental mindfulness.

For mindful travelers, one of the standout features of Anya Resort is its paperless check-in process. This small but significant step reflects the resort’s commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint.

This philosophy extends to the guestrooms, which feature local fabrics that celebrate the country’s heritage. Digital compendiums accessible via QR code replace traditional paper versions, adding to the eco-friendly experience. Guests are provided with reusable glass water bottles, while toiletries are available in dispensers made from Mt. Pinatubo ashes, effectively replacing single-use plastics.

“Our goal is to achieve nearly 98% elimination of single-use plastics,” emphasizes Mikel Arriet, the resort’s general manager.

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Top photos: Resort Manager Melody Amacio, General Manager Mikel Arriet
Bottom photo: The swimming pool, maintained with a special type of chlorine that requires significantly less than the traditional options, offers a refreshing escape. 

Eco-stewardship rooted in personal commitment

During my conversation with Arriet, it became evident how profound his commitment to sustainability truly is. “My journey toward environmental consciousness began in my childhood,” he shares. Growing up in San Sebastian, Spain, he spent weekends trekking with his family, developing a deep respect for nature. “We never left waste behind, not even biodegradable items like orange peels,” he recalls.

Over the years, Arriet’s passion only intensified, particularly through his involvement with Greenpeace at 17 and his subsequent career in hospitality. “The realization that hotels generate as much waste as factories because of the kitchens and toiletries was eye-opening,” says Arriet. This awareness motivated him to implement sustainable measures at Anya Resort.

One innovative approach at the resort involves pool maintenance. They use a special type of chlorine that requires significantly less quantity than traditional options. “This dramatically lowers the chlorine concentration in any overflow water that flows into the nearby creek and eventually reaches Laguna de Bay,” he explains.

Anya Resort’s commitment to sustainability further extends to water conservation. All suites are equipped with Grohe fixtures that vaporize water and mix it with oxygen, creating a luxurious shower experience while conserving precious water.

“Our water-saving methods are quite unique,” says Melody Amor Amacio, the resident manager. “We place empty wine bottles in the toilet tanks, which saves three liters of water with each flush.”

Energy efficiency is also a top priority, with plans to incorporate up to 20% green power sources by September. Additionally, the resort is preparing to install electric vehicle charging stations to cater to the rising demand for eco-friendly travel options. 

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The Sensory Garden is home to rabbits that feed on kitchen waste, illustrating the resort's commitment to sustainability and the circular economy 

Discovering the Sensory Garden and farm-to-table delight 

No visit to Anya Resort is truly complete without wandering through the Sensory Garden. This charming garden, nourished by rainwater, supplies fresh ingredients for the resort’s restaurants, allowing guests to savor a delightful farm-to-table dining experience.

At the heart of Anya’s sustainability initiatives is education. Young visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the sensory garden, where they can immerse themselves in the vibrant smells and textures of various plants, promoting a deeper connection with nature.

Discovering the Sensory Garden and farm-to-table delight 

No visit to Anya Resort is truly complete without wandering through the Sensory Garden. This charming garden, nourished by rainwater, supplies fresh ingredients for the resort’s restaurants, allowing guests to savor a delightful farm-to-table dining experience.

At the heart of Anya’s sustainability initiatives is education. Young visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the sensory garden, where they can immerse themselves in the vibrant smells and textures of various plants, promoting a deeper connection with nature.

Adding to the garden’s allure are the adorable rabbits, happily munching on kitchen food waste, showcasing the resort’s commitment to circular economy practices. The resort also cares for two native pigs and two goats that thrive on veggie leftovers and select plants from the garden.

By diverting kitchen scraps from landfills to feed these animals, Anya not only minimizes waste but also supports a closed-loop system that reuses resources. This innovative approach enhances environmental responsibility while providing guests with a unique and memorable experience. 

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Dinning at Anya is a delight, featuring dishes made from locally sourced ingredients that support community farmes. Their plant-based Soul Food menu burst with vibrant flavors, ensuring each bite is nourishing and delicious. 

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Executive Chef Chris Leaning 

Where culinary excellence meets holistic wellness

Anya Resort’s culinary offerings reflect its commitment to holistic well-being. In my conversation with Chef Chris Leaning, he shared insights on the resort’s focus on nutritious and flavorful dishes, particularly through its soul food menu.

“Creating the soul food menu was a natural progression,” Chef Chris explains. Collaborating with a nutritional expert, they crafted dishes that complement the holistic spa treatments offered at Niyama Wellness Center.
Supporting local farmers around Tagaytay is a priority, with fresh produce and goat cheese sourced from a nearby organic farm. “Our suckling pigs and ducks are raised locally in Cavite,” says Chef Chris. While some ingredients need to be imported, such as octopus from Spain to guarantee standard-sizes and sustainable catches, the focus remains on using local products whenever possible.

Seasonal ingredients significantly influence the resort’s menu. “Having spent considerable time here, I understand the seasonal availability of ingredients, particularly fruits,” Chef Chris shares.

Chef Chris’s extensive travels also contribute to Anya’s rich culinary diversity. “In Butuan City, I learned about tabon-tabon, a nut used to neutralize the fishiness and acidity in fish kinilaw (local version of ceviche),” he recounts. These experiences enrich the resort’s menu with distinct local flavors. 

Committing to waste reduction and sustainability

Anya Resort is dedicated to minimizing single-use plastics in the kitchen, opting for biodegradable alternatives for take-out containers. “We still use cling film due to the lack of local biodegradable options, although one exists in Europe,” Chef Chris explains.

Training and educating the team remain paramount. Regular sessions ensure the team is well-versed about sustainability and effective food waste management. “We monitor waste by weighing our wet garbage and repurposing trimmings for stocks, puddings, breadcrumbs, and more,” he adds.

Sustainability practices extend to supplier relationships as well. “We encourage our suppliers to minimize packaging, as many items arrive excessively wrapped in plastics and boxes,” says Chef Chris. Shifting the mindset of suppliers, particularly local small businesses, is challenging but essential for reducing overall waste.
The resort’s green leaders play a crucial role, meticulously evaluating suppliers and ensuring that every aspect aligns with their commitment to sustainability.

“Transparency is key; by keeping everyone informed, they become invested in the initiatives,” Chef Chris emphasizes. This approach promotes a culture where sustainability is woven into daily practices.
The culinary world is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainability and organic practices. “More chefs are getting involved in these initiatives. When we at Anya Resort decided to embrace sustainability, my first question was about our motivation—are we doing this for marketing points or because it’s the right thing to do? We chose to pursue sustainability because it aligns with our values, not for marketing purposes,” Chef Chris asserts.

This genuine approach ensures that their efforts are meaningful, steering clear of “greenwashing,” where efforts appear environmentally friendly just for show.  

Committing to waste reduction and sustainability

Anya Resort is dedicated to minimizing single-use plastics in the kitchen, opting for biodegradable alternatives for take-out containers. “We still use cling film due to the lack of local biodegradable options, although one exists in Europe,” Chef Chris explains.

Training and educating the team remain paramount. Regular sessions ensure the team is well-versed about sustainability and effective food waste management. “We monitor waste by weighing our wet garbage and repurposing trimmings for stocks, puddings, breadcrumbs, and more,” he adds.

Sustainability practices extend to supplier relationships as well. “We encourage our suppliers to minimize packaging, as many items arrive excessively wrapped in plastics and boxes,” says Chef Chris. Shifting the mindset of suppliers, particularly local small businesses, is challenging but essential for reducing overall waste.
The resort’s green leaders play a crucial role, meticulously evaluating suppliers and ensuring that every aspect aligns with their commitment to sustainability.

“Transparency is key; by keeping everyone informed, they become invested in the initiatives,” Chef Chris emphasizes. This approach promotes a culture where sustainability is woven into daily practices.
The culinary world is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainability and organic practices. “More chefs are getting involved in these initiatives. When we at Anya Resort decided to embrace sustainability, my first question was about our motivation—are we doing this for marketing points or because it’s the right thing to do? We chose to pursue sustainability because it aligns with our values, not for marketing purposes,” Chef Chris asserts.

This genuine approach ensures that their efforts are meaningful, steering clear of “greenwashing,” where efforts appear environmentally friendly just for show.  

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Anya Resort offers countless  spots to unwind, from the peace library nook, to the dining corner aL Samira by Chele Gonzalez and the inviting  or the Anilla. 

Authentic hospitality and genuine connections

Authentic hospitality enhances the guest experience at Anya Resort. Team members from Tagaytay and neighboring provinces bring heartfelt sincerity and warmth that resonate with guests.

As Chef Chris aptly puts it, “When we say ‘Welcome home,’ we genuinely mean it—so different from the often mechanical greetings found in city hotels.”

The resort also hosts weekly “Coffee with the GM” sessions, encouraging intimate and casual conversations where staff share their stories and challenges. These sessions not only encourage open dialogue but also emphasize sustainability by addressing its importance from within. “Our aim is to understand sustainability from the heart, not just from textbooks,” Amacio explains.

Anya Resort Tagaytay has recently completed the Good Travel Scan’s business sustainability assessment, showcasing its commitment to sustainable tourism. It received Bronze certification from Green Destinations’ Good Travel Seal.

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Ensuring one’s well-being has never been this sumptuous, luxurious, and indulgent.

Come home to a luxurious oasis of wellness in the heart of Tagaytay City’s robust, rolling hills

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