Starbucks Philippines marked its 25th anniversary this month with the opening of its one-of-a-kind store, Starbucks Reserve Hiraya. Located in Tagaytay City, the Starbucks Reserve Hiraya store takes customers on a stunning journey with its intricate design offering breathtaking views of Taal Lake and its expanded menu inviting customers to indulge in an elevated coffee experience.
“The name ‘Hiraya’ is a variant of the Old Tagalog term ‘haráya’ which translates to imagination, creativity, or the power of the mind. By coming together with our customers and partners (employees), this store is a testament to what we can achieve with boundless imagination,” said Menchu Lopez, Store Development head of Starbucks Philippines.
“We are dedicated to deepening our connection with those who resonate with the Starbucks Experience, and the opening of Starbucks Reserve Hiraya allows us to deliver this through an innovative concept that fills us with pride,” she added.
Bringing Hiraya to life
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, Tagaytay is renowned for its spectacular view of the Taal Volcano Island and the surrounding lake. Starbucks Reserve Hiraya sits on the ridge that overlooks some of the most picturesque and attractive scenic areas in the region.
The architecture complements the distinctive landscape by creating a thoughtful transitional space between indoors and outdoors, with flat rooflines, oversized windows, and overhanging eaves. Inspired by terraces of a coffee estate, the nearly 500-square meter store features a terraced seating and a delicate shadow play of a coffee botanical pattern cast by the canopy’s wood-carved screens.
Elevated offerings for food, beverage, and merchandise
Taking center stage is a signature Reserve Bar, brewing rare small-lot coffees on the Starbucks proprietary OVISO espresso machine, the very first one in the Philippines and one of the few currently featured at Starbucks Reserve stores globally.
The Starbucks proprietary OVISO espresso machine includes patented bottom-fill espresso shot and milk steaming technologies displayed on the counter, with an under-the-counter espresso machine. This unique design unlocks a new visual experience in a more open environment where customers and baristas can connect over the brewing process of the espresso shots.
Customers can also experience exclusive freshly baked pastries available only at Starbucks Reserve Hiraya, from flaky croissants to delicious milk and cheese rolls, and one of the store’s highlights – the meticulously crafted Hiraya Latte.
Additionally, Starbucks Reserve Hiraya offers an exclusive premium line of merchandise.