Lost resort

Mimi Choy must have the greatest job in the world. "When I have free time, I can just pop upstairs and grab a free massage," she explained casually. As operations manager of Om Spa, a one-building wonder that includes a pool, gym and hair salon, Mimi can avail of any of the services under its roof. Not a bad way to earn a living.

Named after a Hinduism term used in meditation, Om Spa is a study in contrasts: a space for rest and relaxation for others in search of a break, while for others, it’s the place to brush up on boxing skills or work out extra carbs from lunch.

Knead We Say More

Located in the Malate district, this 18,000-square-foot area has floors devoted to different services. A café made family-friendly, called Cupajava, occupies the first floor. While parents are busy with facials and yoga, kids can go online using any of the computers available at the lobby for free. "Lots of people bring their kids while they’re running errands," Mimi added. "We’re just trying to make it easier for them." With a huge influx of tourists from Korea, Japan, and China, many visit the spa and use the computers to check their mail while dining on any of the Mediterranean dishes on Cupajava’s menu, which can include anything from pastas to roasted rosemary chicken. Hearty, wholesome food is ready to be served for those tired, post-workout clients. "The food available at most spas isn’t very good," Mimi observed archly, wrinkling her nose. "But just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you should be forced to eat tasteless food. You can have proteins or carbs, but no matter what, it’ll be satisfying."

A gym containing good-quality equipment stood adjacent to the hair salon on the second floor. Presumably, the thinking behind this is that after a really good workout, you can automatically reward yourself with a new haircut. A room specifically devoted to aerobics, yoga, and classes ranging from boxing to tae bo is next to the gym, a veritable hub of yuppies getting their groove on to the latest fitness trend.

Climb Every Mountain

Even a climbing wall is available. For people with no time to scale an actual mountain, this rather petite climbing wall simply rotates so you can keep on climbing. Situated on a cushiony-soft surface, neophytes won’t have to worry about safety. A fall will only land them a few feet down on a mattress-like floor, and the machine, with its state-of-the-art safety controls, automatically stops. There’s even a group called Treadwall Everest Club, where members log the number of feet they climbed for each use, courtesy of the climbing apparatus’ log capabilities, until they reach Mt. Everest’s 29,029 feet.

The Rubdown

But what brings most people to this spot are the spa services. Trained specialists in fields such as massage treatments and facial and body care work with Om Spa’s top facilities. In contrast to other treatment centers, there’s no waiting list or quick turnover. The muted atmosphere, complemented by the whispering but still cheerful voices of the staff, only enhances the experience. And to add to the lowkey vibe, the people behind Om Spa have divided the sections for men and women – with the third floor devoted to women only and the fourth for men – so clients can walk about freely and without worry.

Aside from the indoor wet spa, where anyone can alternately dip in hot and cold indoor pools to get the blood circulating, treatments range from revitalizing to energizing to relaxing.

Soin du regard, an eye contour facial treatment, is perfect for those who stay up ‘til the wee hours of the night partying. It moisturizes the eye contour area, strengthens lashes, improves skin elasticity and brightens skin texture.

The isotonic facial uses chondrus corpus, red seaweed with a high concentration of salts and minerals, to moisturize skin.

An essential oil wrap features a massage with aromatic oils chosen to suit your tastes, followed by a healing body wrap then finished with a 15-point acupressure facial therapy.

The Dead Sea mud wrap is also interesting – what with the warm, mineral-rich mud slathered over your body, rinsed off, then followed with a mineral cream rub. The warm mud lets stress evaporate and lets you absorb all of its therapeutic elements.

The OMassage, the spa’s signature treatment, combines healing elements from Swedish, shiatsu, reflexology, and Thai massage, creating a relaxing treatment that releases stress and promotes well-being.

A variety of other massages, treatments, and facials are available based on your personal tastes. With friendly staff and great service, you’ll soon be signing up for a job to avail of their services on a regular basis. The next best thing? A membership card, which allows you to get more services at discounted rates.

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Om Spa is located at 1829 L.M. Guerrero St., Malate, Manila (Tel. 521-8127).