Kim Chiu’s Tagaytay Rest House Has a Fire Pit, a Heated Pool, and a View of Taal Volcano

We also found furnishings just like those in her dream-come-true home.

by Kate Borbon Oct 10, 2023


Photography: Courtesy of YouTube/Kim Chiu PH

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In two new videos on her YouTube channel, actress Kim Chiu finally gave fans a highly anticipated peek into her rest house in Tagaytay. She originally acquired this property during the pandemic, at a time when she began to reflect deeply on things that she wanted for herself, her family, and her future. “Naisip ko na para saan pa’t nagtatrabaho ako kung hindi ko rin naman kukunin ‘yong pangarap ko?”

Kim took inspiration from a friend who said, “Never underestimate the power of your dreams.” Because it had always been her dream to own a rest house, she decided to manifest it until, finally, it came true. “It became reality na pahingahan, unique na lugar, sa lugar na malayo sa siyudad. And isa ‘to sa mga dreams ko na magkaroon, and I’m very happy na andito na siya and na-e-experience ko na siya and nahahawakan ko na ‘yong isa sa mga pangarap ko sa buhay.”

Take a look into Kim’s homey and minimalist Tagaytay rest house and where to buy the same exact products in her home:

Exterior



Many changes were made to the exterior of Kim’s rest house since she first revealed it back in 2021. Previously, it utilized primarily dark colors and had no wood or canopies. Now, the colors of the structure are much brighter, so they better complement the surrounding greenery. “Mas maaliwalas sa paningin,” Kim says of the design.

Given the cold temperatures in Tagaytay, the pool is actually heated. Kim also revealed that she had the tiles, flooring, and patching repaired. Santeco Construction Supplies and Services took over the completion of Kim’s pool.

Entrance



The side entrance of Kim’s rest house leads to a deck that has wooden floors and canopies. She shares that she really wanted a wooden canopy here to give this area a “more aesthetic, more modern look.” There are also many other wooden elements throughout this property, like the outdoor living area and the wall by the stairs.

Outer Area


Inspired by her heritage, Kim made sure to follow principles of feng shui and incorporated Chinese elements into the design of her rest house. One example of this is the presence of fu dog statues just outside the outer area. Fu dog statues, also known as Chinese guardian lions, are typically seen in pairs on opposite sides of an entryway and used to ward off negative energy. According to Kim, these statues are also incensed regularly.

Close to the pool, there is an open space that Kim and her loved ones often use for meals, get-togethers, and other functions. This is just one of the many different areas in Kim’s rest house that are meant to be used for spending quality time.

Dirty Kitchen


Accessible via a set of stairs on the side of the house is the dirty kitchen, which is often used to avoid food odors inside the house. Kim describes the experience of cooking here as, “parang presko lang,” given the expansive view and cool, refreshing air.

Outdoor Living Area


Just past the dirty kitchen, there is an outdoor living area with a complete sofa set and, of course, a view of the Taal Volcano. The furniture is made of materials that are easy to clean, while the wooden flooring is courtesy of Poliwood Philippines. Kim reveals that this is actually her father’s favorite spot to sit and have tea. She also occasionally comes here to have coffee and enjoy some alone time.

Fire Pit


One unique feature of Kim’s rest house is the fire pit, which was actually already installed when she initially purchased the property. She chose not to change a lot about this area because she liked the tiling used for the seats and the fire pit itself. This is another area where she and her family sit, chat, drink wine, and even have s’mores, especially when the weather is chilly.