Friday Favorites : Chi, The Spa in EDSA Shangri-la Hotel Manila

Lately, I've been feeling very tired. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's because I haven't been working out as often or I've been getting up early to prepare Paul's lunch. Whatever it is, I know I have to go back to the habit of working out more and sleeping earlier. So today is indeed TGIF for me! I can't wait for the weekend where I promise myself to sleep a little longer. (sorry hun, no work lunch for you tomorrow! heehee)

Times like this, I wish I'm back in Manila where I can easily head to my favorite spa for a full body massage or to my suking nail salon for my monthly mani-pedi session. I realized that I sure did a lot of de-stressing and self-pampering when I was still based in the Philippines where admittedly, these types of services are so affordable! While there's a lot of salons and nail spas scattered around the Lion City, I just can't get myself to start the habit of prettifying myself on a bi-weekly cycle knowing that it costs twice or three times the price of how much I used to get it back home. So, this basically explains my growing stress knots and ugly nails for the past years.

So, during one of our recent visits home, Paul and I made the most out of it by getting a nice couple's massage at Chi, The Spa in EDSA Shangri-la Hotel. Since we rarely have our massage, we definitely went for the best in the metro. Our choice that day was the very traditional Philippine Hilot (Php. 3,200 / S$ 95 est) which will surely knead out all our stress knots and apply pressure on the right points to relax us further.



Our massage was scheduled late at night just the way we like it. It was during our staycation at EDSA Shangri-la so Paul didn't had to drive home after a relaxing one hour session. So we headed to the main entrance which looked like a huge and classy nipa hut / Balinese home where you'd be greeted by the receptionist. After filling out an information form, choosing our personal massage oils and helping ourselves to some tea, we were ushered outside of the spa and towards a secret elevator. What?!

Yeah, we followed her quietly and our excitement grew as we kept on walking. We passed through a long, quiet and dimly-lit passageway until we got to our room. I'm loving the mysterious ambiance and how private it really is. You can totally relax without being awaken by some noise from the outside world.

First things first was to take a nice quick shower before a massage. I love the spacious shower area and they actually got two cubicles in the couple's room so no need to wait for one another.

Since it took me longer to shower and prepare, Paul enjoyed the cucumber water and fresh fruits which they served in our shower room. Trust Chi, The Spa to complete your experience with all these small thoughtful details. We haven't started our massage yet and we're really enjoying already.

Of course, no photography during the massage session but I just have to say that it was one of the best that we had. Since I wrote that I have a weak back and I'd like her to focus on my shoulders, my therapist really did as told and I left Chi, The Spa feeling relaxed and my shoulders definitely not a tight as it used to be before that. Will we go back for more? That's a big, fat YES!

Check out Chi, The Spa at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. Reservation is a must so please call them at +63 (2) 634 7303. It's open from 9AM to 12MN daily.