The first quarter of the year is coming to a close. Wasn’t that quick? Life comes at us at lightning speed, and while there are a lot of good things that come with abundant days, the side effects can be troublesome. That is, the fatigue and stress of keeping up with the daily to-do’s can be especially tiring and taxing to our minds and bodies!
So, even as I was about to leave for a much-needed holiday, I jumped at the chance for an indulgent luxury spa treatment at Chi The Spa, the elegant and premier day spa of Edsa Shangri-La.
Turkey is never far from mind, ever since last year’s memorable adventure, and it just so happened that the newest spa treatment at Chi is the traditional Hammam or Turkish Bath experience. Well, if I can’t go back to Turkey just yet, I’ll glady have it come to me!
The treatment is authentic as one can be. Chi, The Spa has brought in a guest Turkish Therapist from Shangri-La Istanbul, Najat Elkhai, who personally attended to guests for a special time period (from March 10 to 19) and trained the therapists who give the Hammam spa treatment in Manila.
The Hammam Bath took me back to a ritual that has evolved over thousands of years from Turkey. The treatment takes place in a private room that has a heated marble-topped bathing slab, cold wall, bathtub, and private changing room. This ritual involves an exfoliating scrub and relaxing foam massage designed to help blood circulation, revive skin and release tension. The treatment is designed to draw deep impurities, provide detoxification to purify, deeply invigorate and relax the whole body.
This is what happened when I went for my Hamman Bath: My therapist bathed me in warm water, scrubbed my body generously with a Turkish loofah, covered and massaged me with bubbles and foam made of lavender soap and olive oil, and then finally (and what I loved the most), she rinsed me with several tubs of milk and honey. This must be what it felt like to be Cleopatra! 🙂 What can I say, but I’ve never been bathed or scrubbed or massaged this way before! My skin felt revived and my mind, refreshed. I highly recommend this Hammam experience for high-stress individuals — like me!
There are three Hammam spa treatments to choose from:
- Traditional Hammam – This is a 45-minute, full-body treatment, which combines a reviving body scrub and a foam massage to soften muscles and refresh the mind, body and soul.
- Luxury Hammam – This is a 60-minute treatment, which includes a reviving body scrub, revitalizing full-body foam massage, water therapy, organic body mask, smoothing hair wash and a moisturizing session using organic lotion.
- Royal Hammam – This 120-minute experience combines the benefits of the Luxury Hammam with a full-hour Aroma Wellness signature massage perfect to renew the body and spirit.
Prices starts at Php 3,800.
By the way, both in-house and outside guests of the hotel can enjoy the spa treatments at Chi, The Spa. As a private sanctuary of calm, personal space and timelessness, I do recommend clocking some time in this “spa within a spa.”
There are other Asian-inspired treatments too, as well as two “Gift of Wellness” packages, if you want to look into a long-term pampering commitment: Kanlungan and Katahimikan. The packages are inclusive of up to 8 spa treatment vouchers, a piece of kashwere headband, a birthday treat of 60-minute Simply Chi Massage, discount vouchers for the hotel’s room and F&B outlets as well as Chi Signature Massages. Members may also bring in a guest for a day to enjoy a complimentary signature massage. The Gift of Wellness starts at Php 15,000, valid up to six months from date of purchase.
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Chi, The Spa at Edsa Shangri-La is open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight
www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila/health-leisure/chi-the-spa/
Tel: (63 2) 633 8888 Ext. 3553 / Email chi.esl@shangri‑la.com
FB: edsashangrila / TW: @edsashangrila / IG: @edsashangrila