1829 Jorge Bocobo Street, Malate, Manila

Tel. No. 450.1127

Website: www.sanctuario.com.ph

Décor du Jour

Tucked in the busy streets of notorious party district Malate is a sanctuary which offers lavish pampering for every tired soul. The place itself tells a lot of stories and is a conversation piece on its own. Set in an antique colonial house, guests are transported back to an era of romance, tranquility and luxury. Sanctuario’s interiors are far from the usual - dim lights, serene surroundings, waterfalls, a romantic garden and cozy spa rooms. It is a labyrinth of several tiny rooms and a sauna – each full of surprises that await guests. We got a few of those surprises ourselves, like the special lemon grass tea they served us and the lovely flower-printed sarong that they asked us to wear. They also let us use the special amenities, like the pool, the Jacuzzi and the organic lounge as long as we wanted to. We were like children, excited and ready to explore the wonders that the Sanctuario offered. Every piece of décor and the ethnic-inspired mosaic tiles that adorn the place complement its ancient-Filipino theme and create a pleasant ambiance that guests will surely love. For us, the home-like surroundings made us crave for Lola’s tender embrace.

What’s special with Sanctuario?

Among several Filipino-traditional spa therapies, I personally recommend that brides-to-be try the Thellasso-Detox Theraphy (2,250++). At first intrigued by the name, I tried it as I wanted a treatment that would take away the stress and toxins of everyday life. The combination of the Sea Mint Body Wash, Seaweed Body Mask, Dead Sea Salt Teakwood Bath Soak and a full body massage with Detox Massage Oil, will definitely take away the pre-wedding jitters. How? Your pores are opened as you sit inside the sauna for a few minutes, then you soak in a teakwood tub with rose petals, which will take away the smell of dirt on your body. The aroma inspires happy thoughts. Following the soak is the Thellaso-detox scrub, which contains Sea Mint and Dead Sea salt, so be ready to feel a bit cold all over. My attendant made sure that she scrubbed almost every part of my body as I tried to resist the tickling sensation. Finally, it was time for my favorite part of the program -the Full Body Massage. Pinay, my masseuse, used Detox massage oil that sort of smelled like eucalyptus oil; amazingly, she was able soothe my strained and stressed muscles firmly despite her petite frame. The whole treatment, which lasted a good 2 hours, gave me head to toe pampering beyond bliss.

Coffee lovers like myself will surely love Sanctuario’s Kape Barako Treatment (P 2,250++)- an ethereal spa experience that starts with a quick shower followed by a soothing session in the sauna to open up your pores for a thorough polishing, with the intoxicating aroma of ground coffee being scrubbed against your bare skin. As if this is not enough, I was asked to indulge in a lavish rose petal hot soak bath that took all my anxieties away and made me feel like royalty. After all the pampering and scrubbing off the dirt and grime that had been clogging my pores for the longest time, I felt squeaky clean. And to top it off, I was treated to a full body massage that left me panting for breath. My masseuse, Marge, did an excellent job and made sure that I went through the whole process and flexed my stressed-out muscles which made me feel totally rejuvenated.

I would surely love to try their other services- and I think that it would also be nice for brides-to-be to relax and pamper their already harassed and anxious selves and get that greatly deserved royal treatment before their big day.

- Kitten Zapata & Niña Gomez

THE SPA

5th Level, The Podium, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Tel. No. 638.8388

Email thespa@thespa.com.ph

Website: www.thespa.com.ph

Operating Hours:

Daily, 12 noon – 10 PM

Décor du Jour

No two branches of The Spa are the same. For the Podium branch, interior designers and sisters Cynthia and Ivy Almario created a monastic sanctuary for the body, mind and soul.

Echoing the soothing colors of the Greek Mediterranean with its whitewashed walls and accents of azure, and with the scent of peppermint filling the air, the spa’s interiors exude a certain serenity that is almost ethereal.

What to try?

Bride- to-Be Package (Php 3,690.00)

• Javanese Royal Bath

• Fango Mud Facial

• Peppermint Reflex

What gives The Spa its edge?

It’s the great service that resonates with the ultimate spa experience.

Being a pioneer in the spa industry, The Spa attendants have honed their pampering skills almost to perfection. Locker room assistants happily stay close to attend to your every need, whether it be a fresh towel or a glass of clear water, without giving you the feeling of lost privacy. Upon entering the locker room, I was helped with my things by a cheerful attendant and was assisted through the several pre-treatment baths I took (not because they were needed, but because I love baths and I wanted to), which included a steam bath and a cold and hot shower. She even kept time for me so I could spend an exact fifteen minutes in the sauna.

The Javanese Royal Bath truly lives up to its name. A masseuse first gave me a quick, light massage that left me wanting for more. My therapist then scrubbed me down with lulur, which she explained was a special clay sourced from Java, Indonesia--hence the name of the treatment. Both the scrub and massage did not feel intrusive as the masseuse was very gentle and asked for my preference before proceeding with the rituals. Afterwards, she bathed me in milk, whose chill was made up for with its creamy smell. To ward off the cold, I then soaked in the foamy, petal-filled whirlpool tub. The abundance of bubbles made me feel like Harry Potter in the prefects’ bath. The jasmine oil rubbed on my skin as a final touch left me smelling good long after my visit.

For grooms, The Spa recommends the Sea Salt Body Scrub to improve circulation and to fight stress. My co-reviewer Mark Dy gave it a try and, although the scrub wasn’t as thorough as he expected, it still left his skin feeling refreshed and satin-smooth.

You can have complimentary sweet ginger tea while lounging in the waiting areas or while immersed in your private hot bath.

All in all, it is worth your effort and money to visit The Spa before the big day. With the multitude of spas in the area, the longevity of The Spa and its success proves how excellence in service raises one to a different level, as the feeling of being pampered is what spa-goers look for.

We both left The Spa feeling like royalty.

-Ria Santos

MEADOWS DAY SPA

2/F Avenue Square Garden

532 United Nation Avenue

Corner J. Bocobo St., Ermita Manila

Tel No. 525.2486

www.geocities.com/meadows.dayspaclinic

Spa Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:00am – 8:30pm

Décor du Jour

Meadows Day Spa and Skin Clinic is Zen-inspired, decorated in tones of white and soft beige. It has an array of comfortable furnishings, mostly wood, suitable for intimate indulgence. You will be ushered in by their attendants and welcomed by enticing smells, sounds and lighting.

The ultimate package to try: Apple Radiance Glow, Farm Fresh Body Polish, All Natural Foot Spa, The Rose Garden Body Soak, and Western Swedish Massage (Php 2,257).

The X factor? The all-natural, sweet-smelling scent of fruits that greets you upon arrival—and that is just the start of the spa’s claim to utmost relaxation.

Warm smiles from the Meadows Day Spa and Skin Clinic staff immediately welcomed our arrival. We were given a fragrant organic fruit facial treatment called the "Apple Radiance Glow". During the procedure, the attendants told us what ingredients were being used on us while explaining their purpose, making sure our inquiries about the process were well answered.

Another pampering ritual we were treated to was the "Honey Oatmilk" body scrub. We liked the feel of the mixture of honey, oatmeal and milk on our skin. After the fine scrub, a Rose Garden body soak awaited us. The attendants told us to take our time and enjoy its soothing effect.

We particularly loved their best-seller, the All-Natural Foot spa, in which our feet luxuriated in a milk and rose petal soak. The gentle exfoliation with an olive oil scrub, the aroma of milk, flowers and fresh fruit masque partnered with gentle lighting and soft background music. By all standards, it was a calming experience.

After the skin exfoliation and rejuvenation rituals, we were also given a full Western-Swedish massage which made use of the pure essential oils of plants, flowers, roots and herbs of our choice. The soft-spoken but skilled and disciplined masseuse constantly asked us if we thought they were applying the right pressure as they rubbed away stress with the soothing scents of natural oil.

We think a full body pampering would not be complete without a good rub. And we could say that we were perfectly able to relax and loosen up with the massage matched with the calming scent of lavender oil they offered (which also made us doze at some point). We loved it, and we think experiencing their massage service is a must, especially for a bride-to-be, for it will definitely help reduce pre-wedding stress.

- Nikki Cristobal & Gladys Villareal

THE SURIYA SPA

3rd Floor, InterContinental Manila

1 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, 1226

Trunkline: (632) 815-9711 loc. 7343/7344

Direct Line: (632) 892-7426

Fax: (632) 892-1346

Email: suriyaspa@suriyaspa.com

Web: www.suriyaspa.com

Operating Hours:

Daily, 12 noon - 12 midnight.

Décor du Jour

The Suriya Spa is a blend of Asian influence that provides a sense of well-being, renewal and rejuvenation. The ambience and mood of Suriya is one of tranquility and peacefulness, providing a sanctuary for relaxation.

The architecture of the spa complements Suriya’s wide and appealing spa menu drawing inspiration from a diversity of cultures with a contemporary flavor.

What to try?

For the soon-to-weds, Suriya offers a Wedding Package for both bride and groom (individual or both) that includes:

Bride

• Express facial

• Puffiness and Wrinkle Cure

• Hair Spa

• Honey Skin Sparkler

• Spa Manicure with hand and wrist massage

• Feet treat with pedicure

Php 6,650.00

Groom

• Gentleman’s facial essential (or aromatic massage)

• Puffiness and Wrinkle Cure

• Hair Spa

• Aromatherapy Salt Scrub

Php 5,350.00

What’s so special about Suriya?

For starters, having your massage done right inside a world-class hotel means having great amenities. The private bath can’t be better, and you can use as many towels, robes, and massage shorts as you need (and you will need more than one). Having a private room sure beats hearing the thud of muscles from the gentleman next to you. A hotel spa also means excellent security for those who worry about where to put their mobile phones, laptop, and wallets during their therapy.

Attendants are well-versed in keeping their guests happy. They never fail to ask you if you’re comfortable with the setup or how hard they apply pressure.

While the actual massage session is standard, how they prepare you for the session is the best. The Groom package starts off with a Dead Sea salt scrub to rid the body of dead skin cells. After rinsing it off with a nice shower, the next step coats the skin with an oatmeal/milk combination to revitalize the skin after the salt treatment. Then, they wrap you with banana leaves and let the ingredients do their magic. You’ll actually feel your skin responding to the oatmeal bath, and you can feel an inside chill slowly draining out of your body. In between sessions, the attendant generously applies hair spa treatment to your hair to restore its natural shine.

I couldn’t help chuckling to myself as the attendant left me to dry. First they salt you, then they coat you and wrap you in banana leaves. (Now I know what pork feels before you roast it!) The ritual provides the winning difference, and so I would advise would-be-grooms who knowingly face slaughter the next day would find it helpful to experience the same thing.

After rinsing off the oats with a second shower, a 90 minute massage quickly follows, and you can tell Suriya spares no expense. They use Grape Seed oil, and I can personally attest to it being worlds better than the standard powder or lotion selection. The skilled attendants will make sure that all stressed-out areas of your body receive the full treatment. How good are they? My attendant, Lhorrie, told me that in the course of her career, she has managed to lift even 300-pound men with relative ease. Whoa.

More than two hours later, I left Suriya with an alien feeling: I felt good, I looked good, and I smelled good. My head was much clearer and my body seemed straighter.

If I was getting hitched, this is definitely how I should look, feel, and smell.

- James Lopez