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Founded in 2001 by Dr. Mike Turvill and his wife Cathy in the cool Tagaytay highlands. Ifugao native huts, Filipino-themed décor, an organic farm, and the country's most-tenured holistic wellness program. Nurture is the Tagaytay alternative to Anya — less Small Luxury Hotels of the World boutique, more old-school Filipino-vernacular wellness village. The Turvill Vision When Dr. Mike Turvill and his wife Cathy founded Nurture in 2001 (originally as Nurture Tropical Spa and Café), the Philippine wellness retreat market was minimal. Outside of resort hotel spas, there was almost no infrastructure for the affluent Filipino seeking a multi-day wellness retreat experience. Dr. Turvill, a holistic practitioner, and Cathy, the operational anchor, built Nurture in the cool Tagaytay highlands — at the elevation that gives the property its signature year-round temperate climate and the air quality that makes the on-property activities possible. The vision was specific: a Filipino-vernacular wellness village where the architecture, the food program, and the wellness protocols were all built from local materials and traditions. Two decades later, the property has been recognized by CNN Go as one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia and by Asia Spa Magazine as one of the Top Seven Spas of the Philippines. It has marked its 25th year in 2026. The Ifugao Hut Accommodation Nurture's most-distinctive architectural feature is the Ifugao native hut accommodation. Inspired by the traditional rice-terrace huts of the Cordillera highlands, the huts are built with wood and thatched roofing in a style that aligns with the property's commitment to Filipino vernacular architecture. The huts are scattered across the property's gardens, each with private terraces opening onto the highland landscape. Filipino-themed décor runs through every guest space — woven banig mats, narra hardwood furniture, indigenous textile accents, the signature Tagaytay cool-air ventilation. The Wellness Programs Nurture's program catalog is one of the longest-running in Philippine wellness: Detox Sampler — the introductory cleansing program Holistic Healing — the broad wellness intervention Weight Loss — the multi-day program with health scan, detoxification, wellness coaching, healthy food, and organic gardening activities Liver / Gall Bladder / Kidney Flush — the targeted detox modality Total Detox — the deep cleansing program Stress Buster — for the affluent corporate executive Anti-Ageing — the longevity-focused program Glowing Beauty — the skin-and-appearance program Each program comes with computerized health scans, wellness coaching, healthy food preparation, organic gardening activities, food, and accommodation. The Nurture Farmacy In 2015, the Nurture management established the Nurture Farmacy — an on-property organic farm catering to the resort's expanding requirements for pesticide-free vegetables. The Farmacy supplies the resort's kitchen, ensuring the plant-based wellness cuisine uses ingredients grown directly on the property. For affluent guests, the visible farm-to-table operation is part of the property's authenticity — meals are calibrated to wellness protocols and the ingredients are traceable to the property's own soil. The Spa and Wellness Center The on-property wellness center runs the standard treatment menu calibrated to the program guests are on. Treatments include: Traditional Filipino hilot delivered by trained therapists Body scrubs using on-property organic ingredients Hydrotherapy programs Wellness coaching sessions Detox protocols The Corporate and Team-Building Use Case Beyond individual wellness retreats, Nurture has become a corporate retreat venue for affluent Manila companies. The property offers: Team-building programs integrated with wellness protocols Function rooms for corporate workshops Weddings and event programming The cool-air weekend escape for the corporate group The combination of wellness, function space, and Tagaytay highland setting makes the property unusual in the Philippine corporate retreat market. The Anya Comparison Tagaytay's two major wellness destinations — Anya Resort Tagaytay and Nurture Wellness Village — serve different segments: Anya — Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, modern boutique luxury, Niyama Wellness Center, refined design Nurture — Filipino-vernacular village, Ifugao huts, holistic program-driven, organic farm integration Affluent travelers tend to pick based on preference: Anya for the design-forward weekend; Nurture for the wellness-protocol-focused stay. Both anchor the Tagaytay wellness corridor. When to Visit The cool months (November–February) are the prime Tagaytay window. March–May sees warmer weather but the property's highland elevation keeps the heat manageable. For affluent guests planning the multi-day wellness program, the recommended stays are: 3 nights — the Detox Sampler weekend 5–7 nights — the standard program for visible results 10+ nights — the intensive transformation program Getting There Manila → Tagaytay — drive via SLEX → Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. Approximately 1–1.5 hours depending on routing and traffic. Nurture-coordinated transfers from Manila are available for guests booking the multi-day programs. Related — All Properties Under Philippine Wellness & Spa Retreats South Luzon — Tagaytay / Lipa / Cavite Highlands The Farm at San Benito (Lipa, Batangas): Medical Wellness Sanctuary & 52-Hectare Holistic Retreat Anya Resort Tagaytay: Small Luxury Hotels of the World & Niyama Wellness Center Sonya's Garden (Alfonso, Cavite): Garden Retreat & Romantic Cavite Highland Wellness Antipolo / Rizal Luljetta's Hanging Gardens Spa (Antipolo, Rizal): Hanging Gardens & Manila Skyline Wellness Boracay (Aklan) Mandala Spa & Villas (Boracay): Forbes-Tier Wellness Sanctuary & Discreet Boracay Boutique Visayas (Negros Oriental & Bohol) Atmosphere Resort & Spa (Dauin, Negros Oriental): Dive-Wellness Hideaway & Apo Island Gateway Mithi Resort & Spa (Panglao, Bohol): Bohol's Premier Spa Resort & Panglao Luxury Palawan (El Nido) Qi Palawan (El Nido): Eco-Wellness Retreat & Bacuit Bay Sanctuary Metro Manila Urban Ace Water Spa: Hydrotherapy Pools & QC Branch Parent thread: Philippine Wellness & Spa Retreats: Medical Sanctuaries & Day Spas Other Threads of Interest Tagaytay (Cavite): Taal Volcano & Bulalo Restaurants — the broader Tagaytay travel context Your turn. 25th anniversary observations from longtime guests. Ifugao hut overnight experiences. Wellness program reports (which program for which goal). Nurture Farmacy farm-to-table observations. Corporate retreat experiences. Nurture vs Anya comparisons for the Tagaytay weekend. Share your visits. — Bizman