Friday 30 March 2012

Nuovo Spa

Been to Nuovo Spa recently. The spa is located at the 9F of Torre Venezia located along Timog in Quezon City. The place is ok, quiet and not so small. Interior design reminds me of Bangkok or Cambodia with wood carvings and Buddha-like figures in corners. The place has separate areas for male and female. They only have two shower rooms and one comfort room in the female area. They also have a dry sauna, which, to my frustration is not working. The attendant said that the sauna in the female section takes time to heat up. At first I said it was ok since I would still need to shower. I thought maybe after my shower the sauna would be ready. But it did not. I tried sitting there for 5 minutes and no heat at all. It's like sitting on a bench in a park with a wrapped body towel. So, I just got out of it and proceeded to my massage room. I really don't like massage beds with curtains. When I first inquired at Nuovo if they have individual rooms or beds with curtains, I clearly recalled that the lady attendant answered me they have rooms. Only to find out that, yes, they have rooms but with 5-6 beds inside with curtains as divider. Good thing there were only few of us that day. Massage is ok. I only opted for Swedish. The oil used is similar to virgin coconut oil with tamed scent. Nuovo Spa is quite expensive. An hour of massage costs Php600 to a thousand. There's nothing special about the spa except that it's quite clean (maybe because it had just opened when I got there) and quiet. I like their towels which, I think, is quite expensive because it's thick, fluffy and soft (or maybe I got a new one that day). Nuovo Spa opens daily at around 10am - 2am.

Saturday 17 March 2012

Free PAL Travel For Me!

I wanted a break this month, preferably before Lenten week sets in and at a lesser cost. Looks like an angel was on my side when I made that wish. The other day, I opened my yahoo account and received an update from PAL Mabuhay Miles. I have 10,000+ miles to spend before March 31. Perfect! So I called up PAL Mabuhay customer service and inquired about it. I only have to pay the taxes and, of course, the airport terminal fee.

I can travel anywhere in Luzon and Visayas (round trip) with my miles, the customer service said. However, If I want to travel to Mindanao my miles can only cover for a one way ticket. If I choose to travel anywhere in Luzon and Visayas (only where PAL has route service), I can choose between economy seat worth 8,000 miles for a round trip ticket or a business class for 10,000.

I immediately checked the web for best tourist spots and a place where I have never been. Ahh, Culion in Palawan, a former lepers colony. I heard it is being developed as a tourist destination. I checked the web and found that there are only two lodging houses there: one is run by Ateneo students and the other a simple lodging house which costs around Php300-400 for overnight stay. Read too that electricity in the place is only from mid-afternoon to midnight. The place has some interesting spots to visit and, best of all, Culion is still considered an "off-the-beaten-track" place. This looks like the best place for me to relax and de-stress.   

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Pamper Your Body With These Treats

Last two weeks ago, I was in a mall, looking for a replacement of my old lotion when I saw Vaseline's Total Moisture Cocoa Glow. What attracted me to buy the product was the "packaging". I love it's golden brown color. I bought a small one first (costs Ph84.00) to test because I'm not sure how it would smell on my body. Next day, I tried it and it was soooo perfect! Its sweet mild chocolate smell (imagine putting Toblerone all over your body) makes me want to taste it. I'm a chocolate lover and this one is just right for me. Another good thing about this is it makes my skin moisture for literally 24 hours! I tried Lander in the past which I'm not satisfied because it easily wears off. You have to re-apply many times in a day. I tried oil-based lotions but my skin seems sticky after some hours. 

*****
Another stuff I have that I really love is Bonne's Spa Milk Salt which only costs Php64 at the malls and Php50 in Quiapo (lol!). What I love about this is that it smells of pure milk powder that makes you want to put on more. Bonne Spa Milk Salt has also has salt particles (imagine scrubbing your body with Nido and iodized salt) to rub dead skin cells off your body. The result? Smooth skin. When I first tried it I immediately texted my friend who encouraged me to buy it, telling him that it makes my skin smooth and light after shower. Feels like I just come out from a thousand-worth of body scrub. This is why I never tried expensive body srub in spas. Why pay for several hundreds when you can have the same result (smooth, light skin) at Php64. I used it twice a week. A pack can last up to 2-3 weeks depending on how many you use.


Saturday 3 March 2012

A Review of Spas I Visited in Quezon City

I love trying newly opened spa or do spa hopping. Sometimes I ended not satisfied; other times quite good. For those planning to go for a spa in Timog, Tomas Morato or West Avenue areas in Quezon City, here are a few good and not-so-good ones that I've tried:



1. Iris Spa (Timog). The good thing about this spa is that it is new, only less than a year. Facilities are not yet overused. They have two saunas but no jacuzzi. They have few rooms. They have separated rooms for males and females (unless you're a couple). They also have foot jacuzzi (basically a small foot tub with warm water) and foot massage facilities. I love their spa scent. Interior design is quite elegant, not cheaply designed.

Downside of Iris Spa is that the bathroom where the two saunas, the comfort room, shower and lockers are is quite small. If there are three of you in the bathroom (which was what I experienced last time), it became crowded and uncomfortable. They only have two shower areas and only one is usually working. The shower is covered with a sliding glass door which I find uncomfortable since guests waiting outside can see me naked inside.

Last February, they offered P350 promo massage rate for guests. Regular massage price starts at P500. Whenever I go here, I usually choose the VIP room (good for one person) which you will find difficult to use on weekends and if you go there unreserved or after office hours. Iris Spa is located along Sct. Tobias at the ground floor of Cocoon Botique Hotel which is front of Music21.

2. Zen Asia (Timog). I'll never go back to this spa again. Massage here is quite cheap (less than P300). Don't expect jacuzzi, sauna or steam bath would come with the price. If you do not mind being massaged in a series of beds on the floor with only curtains that separate you from other guests, then you'll be ok with this one. But not for people like me who looks for some privacy and massage rooms not floors. On my first and last time that I was there, my area was next to a guy. And we were separated by a curtain. I found it difficult to change to my spa dress. Once changed, I tried figuring out how to tie my curtain since it had been swaying back and forth and I could already see people outside (and probably they could also see me inside). When my masseuse came, she did not mind the situation. Only after I told her to tie the curtain properly so I could have my privacy did she go out and came back with a hair clip! So cheaply done!

I really did not find anything nice about Zen Asia in Timog. Massage is ok but staff seemed tired and unwelcoming and not much fancy decorations to delight the guests. This is a good place for people who came to spa for merely massage and do not mind about  things I noticed. 

3. Intermedi-Spa (West Avenue). Inspired by Japanese interior design, this is one of the good spas I'd been into. It has no jacuzzi, sauna nor steam bath. It only has a shower which I seldom used since I live nearby. What I love about this is that every guest is given his/her own room and not dorm-type massage areas separated by cheap curtains. The spa can only accommodate 7 guests in an hour. It is also spacious. Best of all, the price is just P300. Massage is good too. Downside is that it is currently being renovated for two months now.

4. Nuat Thai (West Avenue). Not good. I went here only once. It was too crowded and the bed was too small, I feel like lying in a coffin. Maybe other Nuat Thais are ok but this one is definitely not worth your money. And I felt the place is untidy. Lights were dimmed so I could not fully see how white wass my towel and my bed. Good thing I only availed of a 30-minute back massage. However, after that 30 minutes, I got sick with flu for two weeks! My assumption was that I got the virus from Nuat Thai because the next day, when I woke up, I had a sore throat that lead to clogged nose and eventually coughing. My fever was on and off for two weeks that I had to consult a doctor at Healthway-SM North for remedies. I also had my blood tested for possible dengue. Good thing it was not. 

5. Dermcare Luxe and Wellness Spa (SM North). The moment I saw my massage room I couldn't help but say "Wow, it is so cute" to my attendant. It is like a doll house with everything in it --- a bath tub for shower and a steam bath (they don't have sauna). You don't need to go out and you can literally get naked in there. The attendant will leave you for 45 minutes so you can shower and use the steam bath. She will ask you to lock the door and give you a buzzer that you may press if you're ready to be massaged. Two can fit in a room but I opted not to be with another guest so they gave me a room for myself. Price for body massage starts at P500 while foot massage is 300. They also have other services like hot oil and hair spa which is around P300 too.

Downside here is that, like most spas I mentioned, it is quite small. I think it can only accommodate 4 guests for massage at a time. It has two floors, the first floor is where the reception and rooms for massage are, second floor is for facial. Also, since my massage room was below the facial room, I could hear moving chairs and feet above me. It was quite annoying if not for the instrumental music being played inside my room. Another thing is that my masseuse is also my facial attendant! Speaking of multi-tasking. She is good at facial but not on massage. Overall, I will still visit this spa pampering. 


I think most spas, with exemption of few, are not a place to visit on holidays, salary days, after office hours or weekends. Learning from my experiences, I usually visit a spa on weekdays during office hours (I do work. My time is not strictly tied to eight hours; could be more, could be less). OR usually days near to salary day (on the 13th or 27th) when people do not have enough money for luxuries. These days are days when spas have less guests. The lesser the guests, the more the attendant will look after you, are not tired, and you can use the facilities much longer.

Friday 2 March 2012

7 Spa Etiquette for Filipinos

I usually go for a massage to relax and to pamper myself. But there are instances that ruin my mood and which I consider unprofessional behavior both from other guests and spa attendants.

 1. Whisper or not talk at all. Spa is the antonym of bars. The moment you enter the door to a spa, better turn down the speaker's volume. Everything you say are heard by most guests. All spas are not sound proof. Also, if you want to discuss things with your companion, whisper. A simple sneeze can be heard from one room to another. Spa attendants are guilty of this as well. Many attendants think they are in their own living room, watching a live Manny Pacquiao bout. A door or a curtain is not a wall that would bounce back your voice.

 2. Turn off or put in silent mode your mobile phone -- never forget. What's urgent for you is not urgent for other guests. Those seconds that your mobile phone keeps ringing causes (and is equivalent to) 10 minutes of irritability to other guests. We're all in the spa to relax and be calmed even for an hour. Be considerate.

3. Shave. I prefer to shave my underarm and legs (especially if you want a foot spa/massage) whenever I visit a spa. I once went out with an officemate for a foot massage. Saw her legs unshaved. It must be ok with her but not for me (and maybe for the attendant as well). Gross for me.

4. Wait for your turn. There are guests who would just get in and talk to the receptionist while other guests is still paying or asking some concerns. I mean, unless your blind, haven't you heard of "wait for your turn"? The reason why most spa lobbies have chairs is for you sit first, relax, let the first guest finish her/his transactions, then you will be attended. You don't need to graduate in expensive schools to know that, do you?

5. Masseur/masseuse must be neat and clean all the time. I mean brush and gargle after eating, wear clean clothes, and wash hands. Guests can smell you, beleive me. I once had a masseuse who smells. I told her to refrain for a moment. I stood up and wrapped myself with a towel, called the manager and told her my concern in a polite (whispering) way. I was given a new masseuse. I knew that the manager must have told her about my concern and the latter would have been offended (that's understandable. Filipinos are not used to frankness) and remembered me. I never went back to that place. Besides I did not like the service nor the facilities. This is what I get for availing a P280 massage promo.

6. Cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough. I mean, please, how many times do we have to learn about this? Did you know that in a closed room, like those in spas, virus travel very fast and can affect other guests? I mean how would you feel if somebody with TB from the other room coughs without covering his/her mouth? Or your attendant has cough and keeps on coughing without covering her/his mouth while doing a massage on you? Whether we are sick or not, in a spa or not, let's be disciplined to cover our mouths. It only takes seconds to do it. But it is costly to acquire illnesses from airborne viruses.

7. Clean your spa EVERYDAY. Not because rooms are dimly, guests cannot tell if you're using dirty towel, pillows, beds. 80% of your guests have tried other spas in the past. We know. This will affect your marketability. Google your spa's name on the net and know what people are saying about you. There are lots of spa's nowadays. The only thing that will surely set you apart is how clean your place is even after a year.


Massage/Spa for beginners

Wanna try having a massage but not sure how to go about it? Don't worry everybody starts somewhere. And if you reading this post, you're on the right track. Massage parlors or spa are not just for stressed people. Some have their massage for therapeutic (e.g.,blood circulation) purposes.

The going rates for spa is 250, 300, 500 and 600 pesos. Amount varies because of the facilities the place offers (e.g., sauna, VIP rooms, food, jacuzzi, etc.), space (some are spacious, some are small), and location and competition (if there are many competitor spas near it, chances are price is cheap).

Before your massage, an attendant may ask you if you want to shower or use their jacuzzi, sauna or steam bath. Better that you take shower first so you'll feel refresh and to remove make ups, lotions, and dusts from your body. It is also ok not to take a shower.


A jacuzzi is a hot pool with bubbling water. You just sit in there for 15 - 45 minutes. Taking jacuzzis requires one to go naked or wear a bathing suit (for those who are not comfortable being naked, like me, in front of other people).

A sauna is a heated room for those who want to sweat. Steam bath is also a heated room but with steam (i love steam baths better than saunas!) You may enter a sauna or steam bath naked (I only do this when I have my private room) or, as what I usually do, wrap myself in a tower and sit in a corner. Attendants MUST offer you a glass of water and cold towel when you go for sauna or steam bath. You'll perspire a lot so better that you replace body fluid lost.

The amount of stay you can do in a jacuzzi, sauna or steam bath is usually 15mins to an hour. If there are more customers, chances are you will be given just 15 minutes. Once you're done, you may proceed to your room for a massage or you may take a hot shower again. Either wear a towel or bath robe is ok as you go to your massage room, really depends on what you are most comfortable with.


There are different types of massage but the most common ones being offered are Thai, Swedish and Shiatsu. Thai does not use oil. Swedish uses oil (aromatherapy massage uses scented oil). Shiatsu involves stretching. A combination of Swedish and Shiatsu means that you will be massaged with oil and stretched. Massage are basically using lots of palm presses. Massage is usually an hour. But some guests opt to have 1.5 hours to a maximum of 2 hours. Going beyond that is not relaxing anymore. 

For first timers, it is ok to ask attendants for assistance or do what you think is more comfortable for you. Always check first the spa prizes or packages they offer.