There’s really nothing like getting a long and delightful full-body massage and pampering session—especially after a long-haul flight back home to the Philippines after working abroad for years, attending reunion after reunion with family and friends, jumping from one destination to the next, and getting so many activities squeezed into the limited time you have back in the motherland.
To guide you where to get the ultimate Filipino pampering balikbayans crave and deserve, KUBO listed various spa places offering top-notch services and accommodations that you can find in key cities around the Philippines. Make space in your PH itinerary for these wellness facilities:
The Retreat Spa
Location: Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Contact details: (+632) 8555-5775, [email protected], The Retreat Spa | Okada Manila
The Retreat Spa, which recently earned their second consecutive 5-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide, offers various wellness treatments. If you’re a believer of touchless therapies, they have Reiki (PHP2,800/30 minutes) and crystal healing (PHP3,800/30 minutes). They also have many massage treatments that target your different needs.
To help calm your anxieties and alleviate digestive issues, go for the Manipura Body Treatment (PHP5,900/90 minutes), which is a combination of Marma therapy (an Ayurvedic practice), lymphatic drainage, and warm poultices applied and focused on your abdomen to help improve blood flow. They also have Bespoke Therapy (PHP4,500/60 minutes), a customized massage treatment for when you want your therapist to focus on specific pain points in your body.
The Retreat Spa also has its own beauty salon and barbershop. If you’re looking to have the complete tips-and-toes experience, the in-house Nail Art Studio offers full nail care services: They have basic mani-pedi in addition to a long (that’s a three-page menu) list of feel-good pampering, as well as personalized nail art and even eyelash enhancements.
Chi, The Spa
Locations: EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong, Shangri-La Boracay, and Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu
Contact details: EDSA Shangri-La, Shangri-La Boracay, Shangri-La Mactan
Currently located in three out of five Shangri-La hotels in the country, Chi, The Spa has been always known as a health oasis, offering yoga and Zumba classes at their health club studio. If you’re looking to decompress, though, you have an entire menu of different massage techniques and treatments you can go through.
We recommend their Philippine Hilot (PHP4,700-PHP6,900/90 minutes) that uses coconut leaves and warm coconut oil to help alleviate muscle knots. If you need something slightly more intense, go for their Chi Hot Stone Massage (PHP6,300-PHP6,500/90 minutes) for a full massage that uses hot stones for thermotherapy.
Nurture Wellness Village
Location: 7310 Pulong Sagingan, Maitim 2nd West, 4120 Tagaytay City
Contact details: (+63917) 6878873, [email protected], nurture.com.ph
We’ve previously featured Nurture Wellness Village in our list of wellness cafes and organic farms, but what initially made this destination popular is its spa. We’re not only talking about facial and massage treatments—although they have a complete and solid menu of services—but also their rejuvenation packages that can help in getting those physical and mental toxins out of your system.
If you plan on visiting, you can go all in with their Detox program, a three-day, two-night stay in one of their villas and a cleansing process to help you feel squeaky clean inside and out. Treatments include four enemas, an infrared sauna session, an acupuncture session, two 60-minute full body massages, a fever bath, a charcoal wrap with Vitacell therapy session, and a Pyro-energen therapy session. You’ll also be served healthy, curated meals with ingredients coming directly from their own farm, Nurture Farmacy. The program costs PHP54,000 for one person and PHP74,000 for two.
AUM Spa
Locations: Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan (Cebu)
Contact details Boracay: (+6336) 2862700, (+6336) 6695888, (+63998) 5964626, [email protected], crimsonhotel.com/boracay
Mactan: (+6332) 4019999, (+6332) 2393900, [email protected], crimsonhotel.com/mactan
If your trip is all about self-care, then book yourself a stay at the Crimson Resort and Spa, either in Boracay or Mactan, Cebu. The staff of the award-winning AUM Spa will make sure you get your much needed R&R. If you’re booked in Crimson Mactan, make sure to book an outdoor pavilion or cabana so you can enjoy the sound of the sea while getting pampered.
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The AUM Spa menu has a lot of treatments and rituals to choose from, and if you’ve just landed after a long-haul flight, we recommend going for the Luxurious Tropical Journey (PHP13,800 for two/150 minutes), which includes their Indulgent Milk Bath, Calamansi or Coffee Body Scrub, and Hilot or Aromatic Massage. You may also want to try their Hydration Facial (PHP4,600/60 minutes) to perk your skin up.
The Farm at San Benito
Location: 119 Barangay Tipacan, 4217 Lipa City, Batangas
Contact details: (+63918) 8848080, [email protected], The Farm at San Benito
The Farm at San Benito is all about holistic health, using Filipino healing techniques and modern wellness methods to offer you mental, emotional, and physical rejuvenation.
The Farm has many programs that are specific to what you need. If you spend a lot of hours 33,000 feet above sea level, try their Frequent Flyer Well-Being Program (USD 2,400++), a six-night affair that includes physiotherapy, acupuncture, sensory deprivation, and others. For seniors, Intro to Senior Wellness (PHP42,000 per person) is a great way to once again get familiar with your body and acknowledge changes with a holistic health consultation, nutritional assessment, mindful movement activities, and massages.
If you want pampering that won’t last you the entire day, their Vitality of Hearts program (PHP26,700++ for two) is a couple’s treatment that features an hour of acupuncture and two hours of Hilot Kasuyo that includes a cacao body wrap, milk chocolate bath, and traditional Filipino hilot (massage).
The Spa Wellness
Locations: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Alabang, Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center and Greenbelt in Makati, Bonifacio High Street in BGC, TriNoma in Quezon City, Shangri-La Plaza and The Podium in Mandaluyong
Contact details: The Spa Wellness
If you want to squeeze in a spa appointment during a trip to the mall in Metro Manila, The Spa Wellness is the way to go. With branches conveniently located within shopping centers, you’ll get a hotel-level experience for a more economical price. Depending on what branch you visit, they also offer different room combinations. The Executive Room, for example, is for an individual or a couple; and offers steam, shower, and lounge areas in an accessible common wet floor area. On the other hand, the Villa (which is only available in their branch in BGC) has its personal steam and bath areas and a jacuzzi.
To get the full experience, try their Total Indulgence Package (from PHP4,730). It includes your choice of a signature body care treatment plus their Restorative Water Lily Facial and their Feetish Foot Spa.
I’M Onsen Spa
Location: I’M Hotel, Makati Avenue, Makati
Contact details: I’M Onsen Spa
I’M Hotel is popular for its pool with an acrylic bottom that overlooks the bustling streets of Makati. While it’s something that you should experience, you also can’t miss their I’M Onsen Spa that features different onsen (Japanese hot spring) baths for various benefits, from moisturizing your skin to “helping lower blood pressure.”
To get the best of everything, you can try their I’M Onsen Trilogy, a two-hour-and-thirty-minute affair that includes a 60-minute I’M Onsen Signature Massage, 60-minute body exfoliation treatment, and 30-minute Onsen Relaxing Tea Bath. You can enjoy the treatment for PHP5,000, but we recommend going all out by getting the package with dinner buffet for PHP6,000. A massage, good body scrub, warm soak, and full dinner? That’s what we call sulit (worth it). Book a session via their website.
Sofitel Spa with Thalgo (Le Spa)
Location: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay, Metro Manila
Contact details: (+632) 8573-5559, [email protected], wellness.sofitelmanila.com
Before experiencing the popular buffet at Spiral, make sure to book a pampering session at Sofitel’s Spa, which has a wide range of facial and body treatments. We recommend a body scrub and massage: Their Mango Delight Body Scrub (PHP3,000/60 minutes) offers gentle exfoliation that leaves your skin smooth and smelling like your favorite tropical fruit. Follow this with a quick shower and their Filipino Pride Hilot Secret (PHP3,200/60 minutes), which is so relaxing you’ll probably fall asleep midway through.
Sofitel Spa usually has a lot of promos and packages that you can take advantage of. A great deal is the Jardin D’Eden that allows you and your companion to experience their Aruga massage (90 minutes) and comes with an overnight stay with breakfast at Spiral—all for PHP18,000.
Mandala Spa and Resort Villas
Location: Station 3, Boracay Island
Contact details: +63917-6227474 (front office), +63917-6228538 (spa), [email protected], mandalaspaboracay.com
If you’re heading to Boracay, you have to schedule a visit to Mandala Spa and Resort Villas. Bordered by the natural greenery of the island, it’s the quiet getaway you need for rest and renewal. We recommend booking accommodations in one of their many villas featuring traditional Filipino interiors. You can enjoy a regular Garden Villa, which is a 10-minute walk to the beach, or a Digital Detox Villa, which encourages you to unplug for the duration of your stay and is a five-minute walk to the beach.
Their day spa is well known for its award-winning treatments. One of them is the Hilot Trilogy (PHP5,250) comprising of Hihilaan that uses coconut leaves to help identify imbalances in your body; Bentosa (ventosa), a cupping treatment that takes away lamig (cold) and balances your body’s heat; and Hilot (traditional Filipino massage) plus Dagdagay (foot massage that utilizes bamboo sticks). The service takes an hour and 45 minutes.
Badian Island Wellness Resort
Location: Zaragoza Island, Badian, Cebu
Contact details: (+63920) 9526293, (+63928) 5593886, [email protected], Badian Island Wellness Resort
The Badian Island Wellness Resort has been around for 30 years and is famous for offering Thalasso or ionized seawater pools to help revitalize your body and spirit. Similar to other wellness destinations, it’s best to book at least overnight accommodations to fully enjoy what this resort has to offer. If the Thalasso pools are your main goal, their Thalasso Pool Villa offers you their exclusive use for PHP49,500 a night. If you don’t mind sharing the area with others, you can book a regular suite and enjoy their Thalasso waterfalls.
For maximum relaxation, visit their Spa Village and enjoy the Badian Deluxe Four-hand Massage (75 minutes), which is their signature treatment performed by two therapists going through synchronized movements.
KUBO Tip: Badian Island Wellness Resort currently has a promo, which offers huge discounts to balikbayans as well as Philippine residents. Booking period is from February 16 to 29, 2024, and the stay period is until April 30, 2024. Check Special Offers| Badian Island Wellness Resort for more details.
