White Palace Spa

A few days after our swimming, I felt like there's a whole bunch of my muscle aching, chie (my hubby) felt the same way, and off course, the only way to ease it is to have a good massage.

It's Tuesday and I filed a leave in the office to have a lazy day and a dinner/spa date with chie. We agreed that I will be going to his work after his shift which is 8pm and have our date after. I then searched for a Spa near his work (U.N times plaza), he prefer a Spa that has a shower area since he will be coming from work and wanted to take a bath before having a massage. I don't seem to find any Spa that has shower among the area with affordable prices, I just read some reviews of Asian massage and the newly open branch of White Palace Spa along Taft Avenue.

After eating on Zark's in front of La Salle University along Vito Cruz, we start searching for a good Spa along the area, when we saw the White Palace Spa as it is on the main road just below the LRT. Though it's not on our choice as I told you we were searching for a Spa with Shower area, we tried to inquire.

Luckily, they provide a massage with body wash, (body wash meaning the staff will be the one to wash your body while you were wearing a disposable undies), chie do not like that and we told the receptionist that we just want to have a quick shower before the massage and not really their body wash service. Fortunately, the receptionist were polite to have us take a shower which I think they don't usually provide since they only use their wet room for their scrub and body wash services. We then avail their White Palace Signature Massage with Hot pack that costs 400php for 1hr and 15 mins.

We were then given a slippers to change before leaving their reception, our therapist handed us our bath throb and towel then led us to the shower.

After taking a quick shower, we headed in the second floor for the massage, I asked for a couple room (since it has no extra charge unlike other spa) but they don't have an available couple room by that time, so we just chose the rooms that was divided by curtains only so we can just open the curtains and turn it just like a couple room.. :)

Again, we chose 2 female therapist, they were I think at the same age which is mid 20's and they were both a bit chubby.. :)

They ask us to lay back on the bed and then start the massage, I think they felt a little hot as we felt it so they turn on the air-con just beside of my bed but unfortunately it was broken.

At first the massage was really good as my therapist focus on my legs and she really had my muscle pain all over my legs and feet gone.

But then, as she transfer into my back, she just massage it in less than 5 minutes and apply the hot pack for another minute then ask me to turn around (in my mind it's like 'that's it'??)

As I turn around facing her, I heard the therapist of chie saying '15 minutes na lang' so I was shocked that the massage was about to end already.

And then I felt that my therapist were already in the rush to finish the massage, she didn't even massage my whole arms. After massaging my hands a bit, she then transfer to my head and massage it for like 2 minutes then told me she's gonna get the hot towel already. When the two therapist leave the room, I told chie 'parang ambilis' as it feels like the whole massage was done in 45 minutes or less when it's supposed to be 1 hr and 15 minutes. I thought I was the only one who think of that when suddenly chie agree that it was so fast and he was not satisfied, he even asked if we got the same massage as he can see some massage part that was being done to me by my therapist but was not being done to him by his therapist, he also told me that his one leg has been stretched while the other one was not (Where is the consistency? I mean do you really have a standard routine or process for the massage). Aside from that, he told me that his therapist were always leaving him and going outside the room, his therapist even told him "sir pasensya na ang init kase eh..".. what the f?? was that our fault??

As both therapist came back with a hot towel, chie's therapist even asked him 'sir bakit ka nakasimangot?".. chie really wanted to tell the therapist that time that "Pano hindi sisimangot eh hindi naman ako nasatisfied and ambilis pa ng massage!"

I think, my therapist would do more and good massage if only chie's therapist was not interrupting and rushing the massage. She just rush because our massage should be done at the same time at most to show that the whole massage process was really done! (Still! what the f!? is that??)

Aside from the quick and unsatisfying massage, both our therapist were chatting with each other which makes me uncomfortable, and when they were exiting the room, they don't even mind to close the curtains totally, and it makes me feel unsafe as there are other male therapist and guest outside.. really?? how unprofessional are you!!??

The place and Facilities was good sana since it was new, aside from the mini fountain near the reception which echos on the whole place letting you hear a noise like there's a pouring water from the faucet instead of letting you hear a calming music to help you relax..

We then get dressed and go directly to the reception area, the receptionist ask us how's the massage, I told her it was okay since I don't really want to ruined the mood at that moment, we even get our slippers ourselves as our therapist were taking too long and we don't even know if they're gonna come back pa.

They handed us a hot red tea while we are in the reception area changing our slippers, I sip a bit then go to the receptionist to pay then leave.!

I'd say it's not worth it considering that they charged a little higher than the other Spa's around the area. (Usually Spa's charge 200-300 for a whole body massage).

I don't recommend this spa and this is a total waste of money and time. We don't get the relaxation and pampering that we want unlike to the reviews that I've read. I will not consider going back to this Spa unless they hire a new, good and professional therapist!!

I really hate that we chose this Spa as it ruined our date!! grrr!

This is the first time that I experienced such bad Spa service, I usually read reviews before going or trying anything, but this one, I was really disappointed that despite of the good reviews I've read, what we got is nothing but a trash service! Instead of us being relaxed, it stressed me even now while I am doing this review post!

To the White Palace Spa Management, if you want customers to come back to your Spa, I suggest that you hire a good and professional therapist unlike the 2 therapist that we encounter, I don't know their names but if you could remember I describe them in the first part of this post.

This a very negative review for a newly open business, you won't earn loyalty and good reviews if you keep a trash service just like what we experienced, I hope it won't happen to others.

I don't wanna be rude but if your service keeps like this, you better just close down!!

Sparenity

Here I am again, craving for a good massage since I wasn't able to go to work and it's my hubby's rest day, we plan to have some quality time together.

This time, we opt to search for a nearby spa as our motorcycle just got fixed. Just walking distance from our house (Maypajo, Caloocan City) we saw this spa called 'Sparenity' which according to the staff had just open last December 2014. I always passed by this spa and really wanted to try as their affordable prices displayed in front of the spa is very attractive. They have other branches along metro manila but I forgot the exact places.. hehe

And so, we enter the spa and we were greeted by a man, I don't think he's just a staff as he's not wearing uniform, I think he's the owner or one of the owner of the spa?.. anyways.. we avail their whole body massage with hot stone for only 250php. 

Here are their rates, I hope you can see it.. :)

We were lead to their waiting area while soaking our feet in a hot water and asking our name. After a few minutes, we headed in the second floor where their massage rooms are located. There are single and couple rooms, it looks like an apartment turn into a spa as I can see a covered kitchen sink inside of our room. The room has its own air conditioner and 2 futon beds on the ground with a towel on the top, and instead of door it was only covered by a curtains, which was just okay with me, at least it has a room and unlike other spa's which the room is only divided by a curtains.. hehe

We chose 2 female therapist to do the massage, they told us to undress except for our underwear and come back after a few minutes with their massage basket. As usual, before they start, we were ask what pressure we want, I chose moderate while chie (my hubby) chose hard and if we were okay with a stretching.

The massage was indeed relaxing though there are parts that it is becoming too hard for me to the point that I can almost feel pain, the therapist told us that it is because of the stress. I still enjoy it though, the hot stone was great as well. Both therapist were too strong as they can lift us up in the part of stretching, oh my!? in my weight like this!? hahaha.. As the usual routine, the 1 hour whole body massage was ended by a head massage.

They left us for a few minutes to get some hot towel to wipe out some oil in our body.

After getting dressed, we went back to the ground floor for a foot spa, (we avail the foot spa after the massage because I'm still not sure if the massage was okay, but since we like it and the foot spa just cost 115php with free pedicure, we tried it as well)

While waiting for the foot spa, we were given a hot tea which I did not drink as usual, hehe.. The foot spa begun by putting some liquid (I'm not sure what they call that) and scrubbing our foot, after that, they put some oil and massage our foot and legs, then they'll have you checked your feet to know if you were satisfied and then proceed with the pedicure. For girls, they have a basket of cuticle in different colors where you can choose which one you want to be applied in you nails, for boys usually it's just the plain one.

Here are some pictures I took, by the way, I like their Japanese theme as it adds a relaxing feeling while you are being pampered.. :)

This is where they do their Facial and Waxing services..

All in all, our experience was great. I just wish that they have a staff room where other staff that is not assisting a guest can stay inside instead of roaming around the Spa, using their phones and/or chatting with each other. 

But still, it was a very relaxing treatment and really worth every peso that you paid. I recommend this spa for those who are looking for a budget friendly Spa treatments but still very relaxing and worth the price. It was very convenient for me that the Spa was so near to our place so I can take a shower at home before having the massage.

For more details, you can visit their FB account at >> https://www.facebook.com/SPArenityManila?fref=ts

Thank you so much for reading and hope you enjoyed it.

Please watch out for my next posts!

:))

Tagaytay Getaway...!!

Hi Guys!!

I shall say that this is not my first time to go to Tagaytay, but this is my first time to plan a trip to Tagaytay which I really enjoyed cause I got to choose the place to stay and to visit! You know :), it should be affordable yet enjoyable!

So, while browsing at metrodeal, I saw a promo of Sky Ranch in Tagaytay (350 for ride all you can, 100php entrance fee is not included) which me, my hubby and our friends really wanted to try. I then call my friends and told them about it, they're game! and so I bought 4 vouchers, (for me, my hubby and our couple friends).

We planned to used it on February 21, 2015, since it's both of us couple's monthsary, and we also believed that month of February is a great time to go to Tagaytay because of the cool weather but not rainy.

As in charge, I search for a good place where we can stay for the night. My first choice was the famous 'Keni po' inn, my officemate told me that 'Keni po' is a very good place to stay in Tagaytay and that they offer affordable room prices and even have a swimming pool, but when I called Keni po a week before to book a family room (2k/night for 4 persons) they were fully booked already for our desired date. And so, I have no choice but to search for another place to stay. Most hotels that I can research was a bit expensive considering that were gonna be out for the whole day and will just be staying there for the night, while some Inn do not really impress me and I don't think we can even get a good sleep in it. I almost quit searching for a good place to stay when I came across the Facebook account of 'Daj Suites - Botique Hotel', I've read reviews and info about them and it really impress me, they've just started last 2012 and so the facilities are still new, they only have 2 floors because maybe they were still expanding, but what really amaze me is that their rates are really affordable considering its a Hotel. We book a room and luckily they still have an available, we got a room for 4 pax (2,500php/night) which includes a breakfast for 2 and an unlimited Amadeo coffee (Although I believed it's just an ordinary coffee). They allow pencil booking but to be sure, we made a 1,000 pesos downpayment. Their staff called me the day before for confirmation and even offer me a help in case we got trouble in finding the place.

And so, our adventure begin!! we left manila around 9am and got in Tagaytay around 11am, we were riding a motorcycle and did some stop over so other travel period might be different. We decided to check in the hotel first to leave some of our things and freshen up a bit. 11:30 am when the hotel's staff texted me that our room was ready, originally their check in time is 1pm but since we requested for an early check in time we got in our room by 12nn with out additional charge. They allow bringing food, drinks and liquor inside with out any corkage, and if you have friends who want to visit you in the hotel, they'll allow it as well again with no extra charges. They were not really strict, so you can really enjoy your stay.

There rooms are really impressive, what you see in the picture is what you get. Our room was on the second floor, it has a California King sized bed that can really accommodate 4 people comfortably, with 4 soft pillows and a thick blanket all in white, the room also have a 42 inches LCD tv, good aircon, some tables and chairs, toiletries, towels, bath throb, mugs with 2 coffee in a sachet, 2 cabinets and the bathroom even have a bathtub!! really impressive huh? all their rooms have bathtub with a separate shower area and toilet bowl inside the CR. The hotel also have a swimming pool, but it was not heated so we opt not to swim or else we're gonna freeze to death as it was so cold during our visit.

Here are some pictures of the hotel and our room...

For more pictures and details regarding Daj Suites, you can visit their fb account >> https://www.facebook.com/DajSuites?fref=ts

After unpacking our things, we took a quick shower and nap, we left for the Sky ranch around 2pm. It was just 5 to 10 minutes ride away from the hotel. We paid the entrance fee and go directly to their metrodeal booth to show the voucher and have a stamp. I can't remember what we rode first but we tried their Vikings and Sky eye twice! so we can experience the both with views and at night with their fancy lights all over the place.

The Vikings we're really scary, the two boys (my hubby and my friend's hubby) almost shout to death while us girls were just laughing as we can see the people at the other side of the ride almost can't breathe and their faces we're all red. hahaha!

The Sky eye was really the tallest ferries wheel in the Philippines, when you ride it on day, you'll really gonna enjoy the view as you can almost see the whole Tagaytay city up there, in night, you'll enjoy the fancy lights all over the place,although it's a bit scary as the wind blows much stronger and its shaking your cabs, it felt like you're gonna be thrown away by the wind. The Ferris wheel have a small aircon and a mellow music playing inside each cab, so you'll really enjoy riding it.

We ride almost all their available rides and I shall say its all worth it.

At their event center, there are inflated slides and race car toys where kids can enjoy playing, there are few stalls also that sells souvenirs and pasalubong, and a live band in case you and your friends just want to hang out while eating some snacks. They also have fireworks at 7pm, not sure if this is everyday or just because its Chinese new year that day.. there are also 'moving statue' that if you put money in their basket they're going to dance, act or talk.. Just to add, they have sufficient and clean comfort room as well.

Plus, there are restaurants and fast food available inside like KFC, tokyo tokyo, leslie's and many more. If you brought a car and have it park in their parking area, get the receipt (should be at least 200php) and have it verified in the cashier of the restaurant where you buy food, when going home, show it to the exit booth so you won't have to pay the parking fee (50php) anymore.. :)

Here are some pictures inside the Sky Ranch...

Around 8pm when we decided to go back to the hotel. We just bought some food and liquor and ate it in the hotel.

The next morning, we went to the hotel's dining area and have our breakfast, although it takes a bit long for the food to be served as I think there were only 2 staff in the kitchen. The food was good that we ordered 8 extra rice and so we have to pay additional 20php per rice.. hahaha!

This is their dining area...

We leave the hotel by 12nn and went to try the Starbucks of Tagaytay (As if the taste was different.. haha!) but you'll surely love to sip some coffee while enjoying the view of Tagaytay...

We then go to the picnic grove and have some quiet time.. we rent a 'lona' for 50php so we can sit and lay on the grass. They have an entrance fee of 50php per person.

After a few hours, we decided to try the Tagaytay's famous dish which is the bulalo! We went to Mahogany Market as I heard that they were selling affordable but good bulalo dishes. We got a bulalo that's good for 4 person for 300php, then ordered some rice. For me, their bulalo was just ordinary and nothing really special, it just fit the cold weather as it was served in a food heater to keep it hot. I don't recommend eating in Mahogany Market, although the food was affordable and okay, there are many vendors that will sell you their products even though you were eating, some will insist even if you already said 'no'. It really annoys me. 

Before we head back to Manila, we buy some pasalubong.

All in all, I really had fun in our Tagaytay trip! .. I shall visit again next year! :)

Tipsss...

*I recommend staying in Daj Suites as it is really affordable plus they have good and clean facilities. Staff we're polite and very hospitable as well.

*For Sky ranch, they always have a promo of ride all you can in metrodeal unless you want to pay the fee per ride. (They only offer ride all you can in metrodeal/other group buying sites, not really offered for walk ins)

Thank you so much guys for reading! I hope you enjoyed and got some helpful information!

See you on my next posts! :))