To all Potterheads out there, this is your chance to live like you’re actually in Hogwarts. An Airbnb themed around the popular book and movie series is now available for rent near Metro Manila. The property, located in Tagaytay, comes complete with a Potter-themed bedroom, living room and even a Leaky Cauldron-themed dining area.
This AirBnB is the perfect place to escape from the muggle world and enjoy some time in the wizarding world. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, this is the perfect place for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
We stayed in this Airbnb last December when it’s still a bit cold out in Tagaytay. It was a perfect month of the year particularly because we were not too busy with work and all other places in Tagaytay were filled with Christmas decorations so you can also roam around the city to feel the holiday cheer.
This blog details our complete experience in the AirBnB and will also show you some of the photos we took.
The Space
Since this AirBnB is still a condominium, don’t expect it to be a vast space but compared to the usual 30 square meters studio or one-bedroom unit, this one is actually almost double the size. The unit is over 55 square meters, a comfortable size to fit a small group of friends and family.
The place was designed by one of the top construction companies in the country, with the materials and merchandise imported from Warner Brothers and Universal Studios. The owner spent a significant amount of money on building and renovating the space over the years until it has become what it is right now – a haven for Harry Potter fans. Every inch is picture-worthy and really brings you into a different world.
It has one bedroom with a bathroom and balcony, a living room with a TV and another smaller balcony, and a kitchen with a small dining area. The overall effect is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxing staycation away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you’re a diehard Harry Potter fan or simply looking for a unique place to stay, this AirBnB is sure to please.
The Kitchen
When you walk through the door, you will see a long countertop placed creatively inside half of a Hogwarts Express train. You’ll also find small details such as an acceptance letter to Hogwarts School on the back of the door and a ‘Platform 9 3/4’ sticker on the wall. The countertop has everything that you need for a comfortable night’s stay. You’ve got a stove, a microwave oven, a sink, and an electric kettle.
There are no meals included in your stay but you have a fully functional kitchen that you can cook in and prepare your meals if needed.
This is us trying to figure out how to take a good photo with the Platform 9 3/4 wall. 🙂
The Dining Area
The Three Broomsticks-themed dining area in this Harry Potter-themed AirBnB is nothing short of magical. The Dining Area is surrounded by two walls with more Hogwarts-themed memorabilia such as The Daily Prophet newspaper clippings and the Marauders Map. It’s the perfect place to spend a cozy afternoon drinking Butterbeer and eating Pumpkin Pasties. Of course, you’ll have to buy something somewhere that resembles these! We had to buy an iced coffee somewhere and pretend it was Butterbeer.
The Living Area
The living room has a comfortable sofa with a coffee table that doubles as a chest. On the coffee table are several books, including “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Happy Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” There is also a 43-inch television sitting on top of a fireplace where you can also find a sorting hat. The TV is Netflix-ready, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored and running out of things to do. The walls are adorned with the Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff house emblems. A wallpaper mimicking a bookshelf filled with books adds up to the tone. There’s also a shelf with a lot of Harry Potter memorabilia which I reckon are pretty valuable, and that’s why they’re locked in. You’ll find Hogwarts diplomas, a cauldron, another sorting hat, character mini-figures, a Hogwart Express figurine, Harry’s glasses, a quidditch set, neckties, potions, mini broomsticks, and my favorite of all, the wands!
The Bedroom
While the Harry Potter theme is most evident in the living and dining areas, it also extends to the bedroom. You’ll find two big custom-built beds and 1 pull-out bed that can sleep 2 additional adults, so a total of 6 people can actually sleep in this big room. These beds are fitted with Harry Potter bedsheets, which I’m not sure if they even wash between every guest as it’s always the same in all pictures I see. Or they probably have 3-4 sets of the same bedsheet design. Let’s just have faith! 🙂 The bedroom also has a bathroom that radiates a Harry Potter vibe and a toilet that would transport you straight to the Ministry of Magic. I would rather use floo powder if you ask me! 🙂
The Robes
What surprised me the most were the robes. I was not expecting them to have these as extra so their guests can have a truly immersive experience. Before we got to the place, I have been thinking about what to bring so we can go do a mini photoshoot. The robes just made it feel like we were in a theme park. You’ll have a set of robes with scarves for each of the houses. If you want to take it up a notch, you can bring your own wands or broomsticks.
The Location
This AirBnB is located in Cityland Tagaytay Prime Residence. If you’re coming from Metro Manila, exit the Sta Rosa toll gate via SLEX. Simply take the main route through Nuvali until you reach Silang. Continue on Silang’s main road until you reach the Tagaytay junction, then turn right into Tagaytay-Calamba Road. Cityland Tagaytay will be on your right immediately before the Tagaytay Rotunda. The unit is located on the second floor, so don’t expect to have a good view of the city. However, it is located in a good spot in Tagaytay City, all less than a kilometer away from Olivarez Commercial Center, Ayala Mall Serin, and the Filinvest FORA Mall. Within the condominium complex are the Caffe Nativo, Tatay Chef restaurant, a salon, a travel agency, and a convenience store. Right across the main highway is a new McDonald’s.
Caffe Nativo and Tatay Chef have become our absolute favorites during our stay. Never underestimate Tatay Chef’s food, it’s super cheap, but their food is delicious. I thought it was just their silog meals, but even the bulalo, fried chicken, and beef mami were very tasty. Their silog meals are sold for only P120, and their beef mami for only P95. Very affordable!
Caffe Nativo, on the other hand, saved us from late-night coffee cravings as we had work in the evenings, and they also have excellent WiFi so if you want a change of scenery, you can just go downstairs and stay in their cafe.
The Experience
I am personally a fan of self-check-ins, so the owner doesn’t have to wait for me, and I don’t have to follow any time restrictions for arrival and departure. You will only have to check in through the guard in the lobby to register your name as a guest, and you can head straight to the unit. The unit is secured by a digital padlock, and the owner will just give you the combination to unlock the door. During our stay, they still require vaccination cards, but I don’t think it’s a requirement anymore.
Parking was also a breeze. Although the unit doesn’t come with a free parking space, you can park within the building parking area with a minimal fee of P50 per day from Mondays thru Thursdays and P50 per entry from Fridays to Sundays and holidays. If you’re staying on the weekend, I suggest you leave your car in the parking lot, so you don’t get charged additional, and just take the tricycle to roam around the city.
You also have free pool access if you fancy a swim. It’s open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily but closed every Monday and Thursday for cleaning. As usual, proper swimming attire is required. You can also access the viewing deck on the 24th floor.
Overall, I would highly recommend staying in this AirBnB especially if you are a Harry Potter fan or if you got kids who are. The Harry Potter experience is next level! On top of that, the host was accommodating and was very responsive to our messages. The unit is clean and comfortable, and in a great location with lots of eat-out options nearby.
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