Spas can be traced to ancient times when people were still figuring out what things to worry about. Then, somewhere in the sketchy disco era, the word spa became synonymous to the flesh trade with special offerings such as sensation. Then, in the ’90s, it was all about brutal detoxification and tasteless food. These days, it has pretty much come back to its real essence: a place to relax and unwind. Using the age-old methods of aromatherapy, massage and also modern techniques such as lymphatic drainage and the like, spas not only cater to one’s well-being; they provide the modern urbanite with his aesthetic requirements as well.
Spas these days come in all forms and sizes. From the pricey retreats to the convenient day spas – there’s really something for everybody.
Tagaytay City
(046) 4130838
Tagaytay is a place that is synonymous to leisure . Its cool and romantic environment makes it the place to be since though you feel like you’re worlds away from it all, actually it’s just a convenient one-hour-and-a-half drive away from the pulsating city of Makati.
Tagaytay Highlands is, of course, one of the prime jewels of this esteemed location of retreat. Offering a number of restaurants, recreational facilities and, of course, a swanky golf course, it really is the place to get away from it all.
The Highlands Spa and Lodge is a charming inn that offers not only beautifully decorated rooms with a scandale see-through bathroom. It also has a spa which is the perfect addition to the whole Tagaytay experience.
Offering treatments that ease the livid soul, the spa has a multitude of offerings when it comes to body treatments and facials. Enjoy your choice of massage (aromatherapy, shiatsu, Swedish or the combo) while reaping the natural benefits from the Aromaland oils that they use. The packages offered in the spa attend to any need one may have. There is recharge (body and face moor mask with massage), rejuvenate (seaweed wrap and massage) or radiate (sea salt scrub and massage) – no-nonsense soul therapies that deliver more than they promise.
After a day of pampering, you want to look fight. So get your well-kneaded bod to the full-service salon and be the diva that you are. Then enjoy a meal at any of the fine dining joints (try the steakhouse or the Chinese restaurant) and hit Zsa Zsa’s for some karaoke fun. What a charmed life indeed!
898-2042-43
Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tucked in the coziest section of the Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center in Makati, the Beauty Bar Day Spa is an unexpected haven that provides tranquility for the crazed soul ravaged by traffic and rude bus drivers. The calming interiors of sea blue and ivory with the invigorating scent of lemongrass wafting in the air are inviting and tempting.
Inside, you find yourself in a stylishly adorned room complete with goodies such as a comfy waffle-textured robe, scented candles, soothing music and a complimentary bag of inhalation beads, which I must admit I am addicted to. I look really strange these days when I whip out that sack of aromatherapy joy from my bag in the most random places such as while walking in a mall or eating in a restaurant. It simply gives you an instant lift.
The staff is very professional. They don’t make you wait for eons before bringing you to the room. I remember going to a dive of a spa and having to endure a lousy massage while the masseuse was chatting away with her colleague about Marimar.
Beauty Bar Day Spa uses two high quality brands of feel-good products for its treatments, which are based on natural ingredients. Naturopathica and Aromafloria use the principles of aromatherapy and maximize the benefits of plants, flowers and fruits, giving you (as they say in Herbal Essences) an organic experience.
Whether you choose to indulge in a facial, massage, scrub or go all out and treat yourself (or a loved one) to a package – it’s money well spent especially for the spent soul. There’s a treatment for every need. A clarifying facial is a good call for people who feel like they have moon craters for skin, followed by a refining body scrub and moisturizing massage. The detoxifying facial and muscle repair massage is a must for all party animals. Its special massage technique flushes all those gimlets and martinis away, while improving your circulation, and eases body stiffness that comes from shaking your booty all night long. For stiletto addicts, try pampering your tootsies with the wonderful foot scrub. The package treatments (your choice of massage and facial) are slices of heaven and a perfect way to say good-bye to all the nakakagalits haunting you.