On Massages and Facials at the Suriya Spa

I was diagnosed with texter’s thumb last Thu by an orthopaedic doctor at the Manila Doctor’s and was advised to give back my Treo to the office and stop texting for awhile. It seems my texting is causing my right thumb to be painful that extends down to the wrist making it really hard for me to grip things. Doctor’s advise was to go for a massage. Well, what a perfect excuse to have a facial as well. Off we went to visit our favourite Suriya Spa. We’ve been members for more than 3 yrs now. The Glorietta 3 spa has been moved to The Ascott.

Their trademark “mind & body massage” puts you to sleep with just 10 mins into the massage routine. The slow kneading motion and the soothing music, makes you forget where you are ... when the therapist reached my back I was dreaming. There’s something about the mixture of oil, pepperminty lavender scent that just knocks you off. I was awakened after and hour or so by Doris telling me that my facial therapist will be with me soon. Facial, yup, I chose the “collagen” one this time. After my 34th bday almost two weeks back, I deserve some anti-aging treatment. This collagen facial is suppose to moisturize my face and reduce the fine lines. Of course, its something our Ponds Age Miracle line can do (and more!) but I really needed some TLC and not do the facial myself. Will share soon home facial you can do every weekend in case you have no time to go to the spa (watch out for this!).

After almost 3 hrs in inside Suriya at The Ascott, I felt like a brand new person ready to face the world! Yeah, feeling a bit younger that usual ... he, he, he – all for under 2k! Suriya Spa has other branches and are mostly in hotels (like in The Ascott, Intercon and etc) and as the spa partner of Golds Gym. The receptionist advised us though that their Fronterra Verde branch is the best ...

Mrs Jane B.

Great find at LRI Design Plaza!

When I got married, our first place was located in the Santiago Villlage/Bel Air area where my hubby and I used to enjoy short walks as we go to Sunday Mass at St Andrew Parish Church. Its one of those very residential yet you-know-its Makati part of Makati. Its where Kalayaan Ave and Reposo now known as Nicanor Garcia St crosses over.

Its this side of Makati where we found our favorite relaxation cum "together time" at Foot Options Sole and Soul Spa at the LRI Design Plaza. Now the LRI bldg is a place known for its home & office furniture, furnishings and fixture. It houses showrooms of really beautiful modern, indigenous furnitures, art galleries and some design studios. LRI Design Plaza calls itself "Your one-stop lifestyle center".

Indeed for its in this place where we chanced upon Foot Options. This spa specializes on Xiamen style foot massages. Unlike the usual Thai foot massage where the therapist would use a stick to massage your foot and toes, Xiamen is like swedish massage, there is pressure yet its more kneeding and rolling. I totally love it. When I was working on a big project for the past 6 months, I frequented this spa more than my usual Suriya (where I have membership). I've brought my friends over as treat, even my work teams I've brought them here to relax after special Saturday work rendered.

What I love about Foot Options, is really the massage and the ambience. Its a small place, it has six (6) massage chairs and has a single room for body massages. Upon entering you right away feel relax as you are enveloped by a minty eucalyptus scent. The treatment area is dim and light relaxing music is played. The therapists are very polite, discreet (not noisy) and hygienic. Their foot massage routine starts with the usual foot soak bath for 15 mins. While your feet are being soaked, the therapist massages your head, neck, back and hands. Now, Ive been to foot massages and they do the same routine but at Foot Options, they even do pepermint oil rub that will leave you very relaxed and sleepy. By the time the therapist starts working on your first foot, you would have fallen asleep already.

Yup, its pure heaven! The foot massage lasts for 60 min. And after the massage, the therapist would use hot towels to wipe off excess massage oil. Really relaxing for only P350! Not bad if you're all worn and stressed out. No wonder I read more than a yr ago, then new P&G chairman hired the Foot Options to service them during their weekly management meetings! Of course, I read the article because P&G happens to be our "best friends" in the industry being our major competitor.

And because I love having my foot massages there, I took my sis who's home from Canada there last Sunday to cap our lazy weekend. She enjoyed! Wished she had more time to spend with me in Manila because we could have tried the Foot Options other services like their mint facials and their hair & scalp treatment. All very good value. In fact was told that they offer P50 off on weekdays (except Fri). I love the place so much that I really recommend it to anyone who needs to relax. You may call them at 899 9645 for appointment. They have GCs too, in fact I think I gave Pia Sangel some for her birthday 2 yrs ago.

Well, I had a great weekend and here's a pic of me and my sis having a lazy Sunday am reading . . . guess who's who?

Mrs Jane B.

Shopping Time Out : SPA TIME

My good friend Alex who's based in HK came home just for the long weekend and of course, the girls wanted a quick get-together with some relaxation time! So off we went to an early lunch at Fridays Bonifacio High Street with the kids and the husbands in tow. After more than an hour of our catch-up chat and planning a possible HK trip in July -- HK sale season. The girls got ready to go to THE SPA. My friend Donna said the place is beautiful . . . its going to be my first time as I haven't gone to THE SPA. Bri and I have special membership at THE SURIYA SPA where we have a pre-paid service that we just debit from. We've been members for more than 3 yrs already. So, we'll see what THE SPA at the High Street can offer.

Donna wasn't kidding, the entrance, the stairs, the water falling . . . THE SPA at the High Street is beautiful with a zen feel to it. I signed up for the swedish deluxe massage for P820. Almost the same price at Suriya. We got in and was given our locker keys. The locker area was pretty clean, dim lights and the receptionist gave us our slippers, robe and towel. Donna and I decided to go to the jacuzzi, while Alex wanted to have the massage right away and Emily wanted to have her footsies pampered instead of a full body massage. The jacuzzi was great! It was big enough to accommodate more than 10 girls. Suriya at Glorietta doesnt have a jacuzzi but they have steam and sauna. We stayed for a good 15mins and prepared for more bodily pampering.

The waiting area had the usual magazines and Donna saw the tea station and got me what might have been one of the best ginger tea I've tasted! Wohoo! I loved it! I glossed over the Preview May issue and before I finished the whole magazine, we were called upon already for our massages.

Well, THE SPA's deluxe massages were done in common rooms. Hmmm something I haven't been into for awhile since the Suriya Spa has individual massage rooms. The therapist started her routine, asked about how the pressure was . . . probably because of the common room, and the therapist's not so gentle hands. I rated the massage as ok or a 6 from a scale of 1-10. I usually get a more flowing swedish touch from Suriya. Could really be just the massage training. Despite this, I got out of THE SPA feeling relax and ready to do shopping. The P820 + tip was still worth my afternoon! Em and the girls were talking about having a spa party here as they do offer such events. We will see . . .

Feeling relax and enjoying the girls company, we trekked down to check out shoes . . . bag . . . food and just enjoying our Monday holiday. Really wouldn't it be nice if we had 3-day weekends all the time!

Will give more shopping stories next weekend.

Mrs Jane B
June 9, 2008